Loving the enemy

13. War

Zayden had walked over to his bed being drained from the argument and his news from the King.

It should have been a simple mission. Sneak into Lyria with a small army and attack them from behind and from the front at the same time. But as far as the king went he'd been stalling due to personal reasons.

It angered the young Lord that he had to leave his ill mother behind but he knew that it was his duty to fight whenever the king wished it. And in return his family was that of a Lords and Land and wealth were his to keep.

As Zayden looked down at the bed and the red cloak which he'd given Bella to cover herself with before, his dispair swelled. Bella still hadn't moved even after all this time.

All he wanted was to lay down and contemplate on how to move on with Bella but how could he lay in a soft bed while she was cowered on the floor?

He pulled the red cloak of the bed and walked over to Bella silently.

The young village girl was still deep in thought on what was to come but she had calmed herself after Zayden hadn't come for her in anger.

Being so lost with her thoughts and the dismay of having cut someone she didn't realize that her mated had made his way over to her. Only when he'd stood over her and swung out the silk fabric and knelt down before her as the fabric was carefully placed around the shoulders had she noticed his presence.

Kneeling in front of her and pulling the cloak around her, her eyes looked up at him and he looked down at her.

Neither of them spoke. Bella had not expected such a comparatively kind gesture after she'd swung a knife at him, and Zayden didn't feel the need to speak.

It felt like the world had turned slower for a minute as the red silk came down on the girl, gently mimicking her figure as it landed around and on her.

Their locked gazes were having a discussion of their own. Fighting and forgiving. Saddened and caring. Fire and water.

Guilt covered her as the cloak did. Should she be feeling bad for having cut him? He was being kind to her and she'd lashed out at him. Confused by his actions she looked away, making the Lord sigh.

Burying her head again he stood up and walked over to the chest with the weapons. He sat on the floor bending his legs just enough to stem his arms on them and let his head fall. Not even loosing a sword fight as ever let him feel so defeated. His eyes started falling shut. To him it was the only thing that felt right. He was going to sleep on the ground if she was going too.

Hours later Bella was looking at her bonded as he slept, still leaning against his massive wooden chest. For the first time she looked at him differently. He was a tall, lanky but muscular man who's dark locks seemed to decorate his face perfectly. She could see his slow, steady breathing, even though there was only a few rays of light coming from a fire from outside the tent. The candles had burnt out, leaving a waxy smell roaming around the room.

Bella couldn't sleep. Her thoughts were torn between Zaydens actions prior to them knowing about being bonded and his actions now. It seemed to her like he was trying but when she looked down at her wrists which were still sore she remembered the fear she'd felt because of him. The way he'd touched her to make her break.

Unknowingly to anyone who was in the camp, they were surrounded. A Lyrian traveler who'd accidentally come by had found the camp and alerted the next soldiers close by. Now their plan was to attack the hidden base when the time was right. No one knew but soon everything would go up in flames and the young village girl would find herself stuck in the middle of a battlefield.

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*Bella*

My eyelids were growing heavy as I couldn't keep my eyes away fron the young Lord who was soundly sleeping.

A loud pain induced shout had shaken me to the bone. It was the most terrifying sound I'd ever heard. And it wasn't just me. Lord Asher immediately jumped up and turned to his chest. Fiddling with his key in a hurry he tried to unlock his weapon chest.

It had only been a matter of seconds but more screams and battle cries could be heard from outside as the tent grew brighter and brighter, probably the result of a fire spreading around the camp. Goose bumps traced my body as it started to tremble. Heavily. The clashing of swords could be heard and Lord Asher had ripped open the chest and grabbed a sword.

"Bella!" He shouted towards me, his face showing fear and concern. "Take this!" He threw a small sword towards me which landed on the ground and slid towards me. I couldn't move as the situation started to sink in.

"Bella! Don't leave this tent!" He shouts, before turning and running out.

I can't move a muscle as a the sound of battle seemed to be coming from all sides. I gasp for air as I panic. What do I do? Warmth and light burn the side of my body as I realize that the tent has caught on fire. The flames quickly engulfed the fabric of the tent as the fire spreads. I have to get out of here or I'll end up burnt to ashes!

Shakingly I grab the sword Lord Asher had left for me and head towards the entrance of the tent. I'm halfway through the tent as I hear a loud cracking noise. The middle pole of the tent, which is been tied to before, had Ben burned heavily and was tipping over. My world slows down as the pole falls towards me and the whole burning tent comes down with it...