Page 56 of Journey to the Elderoak
“We are…” The way he said it sounded almost sensual. He cleared his throat. “Tell me more about you.”
“Well…I fidget a lot.”
“I’ve noticed. And you get distracted easily.”
“Yes,” she said. “Or I get anxious sometimes and panic.”
“I know,” he said quietly.
“Um…I’m good at cooking.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I’m a great cook. I always loved to cook for others back home. I would invite my friends over and make new recipes for them. I miss it.”
“Cas is a terrible cook,” Raine announced from ahead.
“Stop eavesdropping,” Casimir shot back. Raine rode further ahead, leaving the two of them behind.
“I love to read but you already know that.” She thought for a moment. “I’m also a bit of a neat freak. Cleaning helps with my anxiety. My hopes and dreams, you asked. I have no idea anymore. I used to want to settle down, grow flowers and live in peace… now, I’m not so sure.”
She turned to look at him and his eyes were filled with affection. Interest. He swallowed and she turned back around.
“Your turn,” she said, fidgeting and trying to stretch her sore legs.
“Well…I amnotclumsy.”
“No shit.”
“And I’m not a neat freak, or whatever strange human term you said earlier.” Ava stifled a small laugh. “My room is actually quite messy.”
“That really surprises me.”
“I’m good at wood carving. I like to whittle animals. You said cleaning helps you. Well, whittling helps me. Gives me an outlet. I also love to read, but you know that too…and believe it or not, I hate mornings. I’d rather stay in bed than get up early to train.”
“That’s also surprising, general.”
“It’s called discipline. Trust me, if we weren’t in the middle of an impending war, I’d be sleeping in and lounging around for at least another two hours.”
“Hopes and dreams and all that mushy stuff?”
“After we wipe Deidamia and Andras off the map? I don’t know what I want to be honest. Peace. Land. Companionship,” he whispered as he continued to stroke her stomach.
“The hopeless romantic general wants companionship, huh?”
“Mmm hmm.”
They were silent for a while and Ava wiggled in her seat, legs and rear sore from being stuck on the horse so long. Casimir made a small grunting noise behind her before speaking. “Stop doing that.”
“Doing what?” she asked, as she continued to adjust, trying to get comfortable.
“That,” he said in her ear.
“Why?”
He yanked her closer and whispered, voice lowering as his lips brushed her ear. “You know why…”
“Oh. Sorry,” she whispered, stomach dipping when she noticed the hardness against her lower back.
