Divine Move

ELEVEN

Tanya awoke to the servants' gentle voices. It was morning.

Tanya felt awful. She didn't have much sleep. She burrowed herself more in bed, snuggling on the pillows deciding to get more sleep. She could smell something faintly masculine on her sheets. She groaned pitifully.

No... no!! Everything was coming back. His face. The feel of his arms. The touch of his lips.

She grabbed her blanket and covered her face.

Tanya, you are the high priest of Arthdal. She takes a deep breath. I just have to pretend nothing happened, she decides with determination.

Then she thought of the kiss. Her face went all red. She groaned again as if in pain.

I want to die!!!

"Beautiful flowers!!! Newly picked flowers! Arranged to bring good luck!" the child announces a bit desperately. Nobody seems to want to buy the flowers. Or the colors she mixed up. Even the fragrance she and Socheun made wasn't getting any attention. She sighed. Its not her products. They must be afraid. Of him.

Yangcha leans on the wall supporting Doti's make shift store. He was sleeping as usual unmindful of the noise. Its been a few days since he started hanging out with the child. Doti remembers him walking by her new spot and started talking to him but found out he cant speak. Doti determined to repay his kindness asked him to watch her shop while she grab something. She bought some sweet steamed buns that was a craze right now. She gave one to a surprised Yangcha. It was a start.

He came the following day and sat there looking around. He can't go far as he wont be able to run fast to the priestess if needed. The child's spot was perfect for observing strange people too. Doti chatted happily with Yangcha, unaware of his purpose. He began to frequent the child's store. Even carrying some of her things back to her house. Apparently she lives with the previous Head healer's servant.

"Big brother! Maybe you should go back. Nobody wants to buy from me," she complained waking Yangcha. He stretched lazily. He has to thank the priestess for sending him to enjoy some rest. He smiles more as he thinks back the reason for being forced out.

Yangcha knocked at Niruha's quarters to start the day. He didn't know how to approach the priestess. He was hearing from some servants that the priestess was not herself today. She ordered to have the sheets taken out then freaked out when she found a swab of cloth between her sheets. She sent everybody out saying she can handle it all herself which made everybody confused.

"Must be the woman thing," he heard somebody grumble.

Yangcha can't help but smile. He is in for an interesting day. He comes in and found her seated on the receiving area.

"Niruha," Yangcha bowed his head.
She nods but barely looks at him. "Send the callers in."

"Oh wait, your weapons. Take them," she said nonchalantly. He nods. He took his chains covered by some cloth and started to wrap it around his body. He could feel her staring at his back.

"Do you want anything Niruha?" he looks at her. She shakes her head fast.

"I .. was just wondering about your wound," she answers lamely.

"Its ok. I had the best healer.." She blushed. He continues wrapping the chain. Finally he goes to her bed. The sheets are the same ones as yesterday. He didn't comment on it.

He kneels and take his sword. All done he goes back to Tanya and bows his head.

"I see you have extra masks.." Tanya said casually. She felt relieved to see his face covered. She felt like covering hers too at the moment.

"Of course," Yangcha answered.

Why does he wear the mask?

I wonder what your punishment is.

Enough curiosity on the warrior. She thought. The last one was bad enough.. she blushed.

Who was she fooling? She was a willing participant on that kiss. If the servant didn't knock who knows what could have happened. She felt an undeniable tingle of excitement ran down her spine. She was so caught up with her thoughts she forgot the warrior looking interestingly at her.

She felt his stare. She clears her throat.

"Anything wrong, Yangcha?" The warrior looks amused. He shakes his head.

"Do we have a problem, Niruha?" he emphasized.

"No we don't," Tanya said. Then she looked at him daring him to say otherwise.

So we are not talking about it. He thought.

Tanya pretended not to hear that. "Send the guests in." She needed all the distractions she can get.

"She looks beautiful with half her hair down," Yangcha thought. He remembers the silky touch of her hair. He heard her sputter on the tea she was sipping.

"Niruha, are you alright?" the caller asked.
"Of course. Continue," she said to the guest.

So did Yangcha's thoughts. He remembers the soft skin. The feel of her body leaning on him. He heard the crash of something. He checked it to be the finished cup of tea the priestess was holding. He was not needed.

"Niruha, are you hurt?" the caller looked worriedly at her.

"Of course not, just slipped my hand," she gritted. She was sending warning looks to the warrior at the corner.

Tanya was ready to hit Yangcha, wounded or not. He was purposefully thinking of their kiss to Tanya's great discomfort.
She began sending him out to maintain some sanity.

"Leave!" She orders. Yangcha nods.

And the other day..

"Yangcha! " Tanya called frustrated. The warrior came looking calmingly innocent.
"Out, now!" the soldier nods, trying hard not to smile.

And then the other day..

"I would appreciate it if you can... think of something else.." she began awkwardly.
"I didn't realize I was thinking of anything" he said mildly. She was a sight to see when her eyes flashed angrily at him.

"Then go out and find something interesting!" Yangcha almost laughed. He bows his head and leaves a very infuriated Tanya. What can be more interesting than the pretty Niruha?

Today is no different.
"You can stop thinking of... that kiss," she burst.
I thought we are not talking about it. Yangcha asked amused.

Tanya almost stomped her feet in frustration.

They were interrupted by the announcement of Saya's presence.

Both didn't seem happy to hear that.