Our Time Bomb

Chapter 52 ~ It has only begun

Later on that day... Shadow Nation and the weary Gyardican troops have reached the outstretches of the Northern Forest, a peaceful place, where they will set up camp for the night. (Erika's pov)

I slide my headpiece off, it is irritating me very much. I am finally alone with Jefferson. We've been traveling for about four hours on horseback like the old fashioned folk we are. The forest doesn't have transportation of course. I want to throw myself in his arms and just close my aching eyes and rest my heavy heart. We are alone in a makeshift tent, the wind courses around the outside of the tent so we can hear no sounds other than our own voices.

Jefferson sighs and looks at me perhaps with a little fondness, "Why'd you call me Captain this whole time? Just curious."

I yawn, "Because, out there, I'm not you're wife, in front of my men and your Gyardicans, it just makes sense that I call you what you are."

He chuckles, "What am I to call you then? Commander?"

I smile for the first time today, "Alright that's a little weird, I see what you mean."

"You're amazing you know, before I could never have imagined you looking so good as a leader. You look fierce I've got to admit." he says while removing his outer armor.

I shake my head, "oh is that so? well I'm sorry you never got to know me before when we were married."

He suddenly looks sad as he looks into my face, "Is it over... Erika? I don't even know if I can trust you, I don't know what we're doing. We're still enemies technically."

I inhale sharply, "You know... nothing is going to happen between what's left of our armies unless you or I command it. I don't know about you, but I have no reason to attack your troops at the moment. I don't think I could take you down now if I tried anyway."

He watches me carefully, he's looking for signs that I'm lying to him. "I suppose you're right about that. We're stronger now face to face. Your defenses were incredible, did I mention that?"

I raise a brow, "Thank you..."

"I wasn't expecting it, but I should have known, you wouldn't pick a war with us if you didn't trust in yourselves." he says. My back is turned to him now, but I feel his presence behind me and it makes my skin feel like pins and needles. It hasn't been all that long since we've been alone together, but now somehow something is different. Perhaps I'm not guilty for it this time. I'm not betraying anyone by being with him.

I chuckle tiredly, "what were you expecting then? Sometimes I think you put your enemies into a box. Over or underestimating them can be dangerous."

"Good advice probably." he says. My muscles tighten as he slides his hands onto my waist and pulls me backward into his chest. Emotion rushes through me at an intense rate. My heart seizes and flutters in a bittersweet nature. I lean my head back on his shoulder, "Damn you Jefferson, I missed this."

"Good to know you still love me after all I've done." he smiles in my ear, I can feel it.

I realize how easily succumbing to him, I know what he wants. I slide his hands off of my waist. "You know I love you, always have, but I don't know if it could be this easy." At first I just wanted to stay secure in his arms, but now I want to rant. "Jefferson I was in your filthy stupid prison for months, you didn't even plead for me, you weren't on my side. You didn't do anything! I don't think I can just forgive you for that, and don't try defending yourself."

He looks at the ground, his chest falls with disappointment, He says nothing.

I continue, "I suppose that you couldn't have known better, could you? but remember when you married me? You promised to protect me always. I find it amusing now. I have to try and stop loving you because it will never be the same again. You and I were never meant for each other, I regret it all..."