Frost Bitten (BxB)

Chapter Sixteen

I couldn't even begin to describe the sheer disbelief that flowed through me, my brows darting high on my head as I could only stare at the redheaded male beside me, not knowing what the hell to make of what he just told me. Delkele was already engaged? Since when? And with who? Why the hell hadn't he said anything to Jox? I mean, with him keeping silent about such a monumental revelation, he was practically leading Jox on by this point, and that was something I could not allow. I had been led on before in the past, so I knew the hurt that came with finding out.

"You're...engaged?" I voiced aloud, hoping that he would give me more than that.

Delkel hesitated, but nodded as his gaze remained transfixed to the console in front of him. "Her name is Emylle. She's a princess from the Planet Eter." He sighed and shifted his weight, the large man still refusing to even look at me. "My planet, Joseph, isn't...it's not like Teiken's, or Asurah's...we have to fight for what we have every single day. Everyone believes we are barbarians, cruel and violent because of our size and demeanor, so many individuals wage war on us hoping to eradicate us from the picture." Finally, that gaze turned towards me. "King Elphes offered me a deal. If I marry his youngest daughter Emylle...they would aid us in any war waged against us. They're a military planet with an immense amount of firepower...so, of course I accepted. It would have been unsmart to deny such a deal. I'm just tired of all the battles we must endure to live our own lives..." he looked away and stared back down at his fingers, "I didn't count on developing feelings for Jox. Hell, I didn't even count on Jox. And now I'm in a place where I have no idea what the hell to do. On one hand, I can deny my feelings for him and ensure the safety of my planet...or I can give in to temptation, risk angering Elphes to the point he completely demolishes us."

I glanced away from him, completely baffled by this revelation. Hell, now that he actually explained it, I could see why he was doubting himself so viciously. He was looking after the wellbeing of his own people, just like Asurah would had he been put in a similar position. It put a whole new perspective to Delkele that made him seem less like a barbarian with no feelings, and more like...well, a normal, scared person. I would say it made him seem more human, but that would be a stupid thing to think considering emotions weren't just tied to us. So many different species experienced what we did that it was stupid to tie such things only to one people.

I inhaled and nibbled at my bottom lip, not quite understanding just what Delkele was going through. "Why not ask Asurah for aid? Glacida is the richest planet in the galaxy, and they have quite the number of supporters to aid them into battle if need be. Why not ask him to help?"

Delkele shook his head and pursed his lips, leaning his head on the back of his seat as his gaze stared up at the metal ceiling above us. "I don't want to put more stress on him. He already has so much on his plate, and now that he's with you, he...he seems happier than I have ever seen him, and I don't want to mess that up for him. You and I both know Asurah abhors violence...I don't want to pull him into another war just because someone doesn't like me."

"Have you told Jox any of this?"

Delkele went silent and lowered his gaze, practically answering my question. "I haven't. What would I even say to him? That a relationship could never blossom between us, because my people are more important than my desires?" He sighed and dragged a large hand down his face. "I don't want to hurt him, Joseph. His feelings would be crushed and I do not wish to see him fall into a depression because of me. Surely if you were in such a position, you wouldn't want to hurt Asurah either."

I lowered my gaze to the floor, my mind jumping to my gorgeous husband. "You're right." I looked back up at him. "But if there is something I do know, it's that sometimes you have to fight for what you care about. And if that happens to be a man that isn't some princess from some pristine military planet, then take that risk. Sometimes a risk can put a whole new light on your perspective of things. I took a risk for Asurah, and there's nothing I wouldn't do to stay with him." I stood up from my seat and placed a hand on his bare shoulder, the larger man glancing up at me as I gave him an awkward, small smile. "Just take the time to think about it, ok? We still got quite a bit of time before we get to Tronian, so take this time to really think about what you want. Because Delkele? It's ok to be a little selfish sometimes."

I then patted his shoulder and left the cockpit, a sigh leaving my lips as Jox glanced at me curiously, his brows furrowed slightly. "What was that all about?" He asked me, crossing his arms over his chest as he glanced behind me at the closed door. "Is everything alright with him?"

I grinned and nodded my head, shoving my hands into my windbreaker while I shrugged my shoulders. "He'll be fine. He's just going through a dilemma and needed my help to...well, figure out what the hell he wanted to do." I nodded towards our prisoner, who, now that I was in the room, had returned to his creepy little, "stare at Joseph" thing. "What about him? Teiken said he was going to try to get some information out of him. Did he reveal anything at all?"

Jox stared at me curiously for a couple more seconds before he sighed and uncrossed his arms, pursing his lips as his gaze followed mine. "Unfortunately, he's choosing to remain mute for the time being. Teiken had suggested a...rougher interrogation, but I don't condone beating information out of people, no matter how cruel they are. Call me naive for believing such, if you want-"

I waved my hand in the air, cutting him off as I shook my head and glanced at him. "Asurah would feel the same way. He was kind to Issak even after the bastard tried to kill him. And me." I huffed. "Besides, maybe I can get him to talk. He seems to be keen on keeping his attention on me despite there being three other people on this ship."

Jox's brows raised, but he shifted to the side and gestured to the prisoner. "If you think you can get him to talk, then be my guest."

I patted him on his upper arm and walked over to the current thorn in my side, those jet black eyes remaining on me the whole time as Teiken let me have his seat, a frown on his face as he leaned in closer to my ear. "I doubt he will talk, but the sooner we can gain his compliance, the better." Teiken then moved away from me and returned to his position in the cockpit.

Jox was still in here, but he had moved off to the side, hidden by some boxes, but still there in case anything funny went down. Not like this guy would dare try anything, one to four. Unless he really was that desperate, but who the hell knows for sure? Having Jox there did make me feel a bit better though, as I leaned closer to our prisoner, my gaze piercing his as he pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes.

"You seem to like staring at me," I began, tilting my head to the side, causing some of my curls to fall into my eyes, "so surely you want to talk to me about something." I leaned back in my seat and leaned my arms on my thighs, keeping my attention on him as he shifted slightly in his seat, his gaze never leaving mine as he subtly leaned his head back. "I guess we can start off simple. My name is Joseph Abermal, husband to the man your King wrongfully kidnapped. I know you want to play the silence game, but the least you can do is tell me who the hell I'm talking to."

The prisoner stared at me, his eyes now narrowing further as confliction swirled within those dark orbs. Finally, he shifted again, the lights from above practically being absorbed by that dark, dark skin of his. His golden-blond hair shifted over his shoulder as he moved, spilling over his chest and pooling in his lap. His eyes pierced into me, and finally, he spoke, his voice raspy and deep. "I am known as Ferriah. And you will regret trying to plot against my king, Joseph Abermal."

A/N: I love that whole bonding scene with Joseph and Delkele. It just warms my soul seeing them get along, and now we know exactly what Delkele is going through. Should he put the security of his people first? Or does he finally give into temptation for the first time in his life and be happy, while still fighting for his people? I feel bad for him, honestly.

And oof, the prisoner finally spoke! And for those having a hard time pronouncing his name, Ferriah is pronounced as (fur-rye-ah)

Anywho, I hope you all enjoy the chapter! Things are starting to look a little spicy, so we shall see where this goes! XD