Page 10 of Journey to the Elderoak
She moved closer, standing in front of him, and leaned back so her bare shoulder and upper back brushed against his shirtlesschest. He tensed at her touch and she could have sworn he stepped forward a little.
“Maybe I won’t put it back on then,” she whispered.
A low rumble vibrated in his chest but he remained quiet as they watched the fight end after one of the participants passed out from too long of a choke hold. The game finished with two more matches and both of them inched closer to each other over the course of the night.
There was something about this trip; something that made her want more connection with him. Maybe it was the ease of being around the sailors, their casual nature allowing her to feel less proper and more normal. Or maybe it was being somewhere different than Mosshaven. A new routine not involving the obstacle course which constantly taunted her.
It was now the final duel and Ava was barely able to pay attention, leaning almost her entire weight against Casimir. His hand moved to her shoulder and his thumb traced slow circles on the back of her neck, causing her to shudder.
“Are you cold, princess?” he asked, lips brushing the edge of her ear.
“No.”
“Hmm…” he said as his fingers brushed the side of her neck. “Am I making you nervous?”
Yes. “No,” she breathed.
“Liar.”
They remained quiet as the last fight ended. The crowd dispersed, everyone heading to their own sleeping quarters, and Casimir removed his hand from her neck.
“It’s late,” he said, handing over her shirt. “We need sleep.”
The ship was quieter now, the pitch-black sky painted with millions of stars. She put her tunic on. “I don’t think I’ll ever sleep with Raine in there. He talks in his sleep.Andhe’s a horrible bed hog. I shoved him and he didn’t even wake up.”
“He’s a heavy sleeper.”
“You don’t say.”
“Come on.” He turned and headed to their cabin. “I’ll kick him out. You need sleep for tomorrow.”
She followed him across the deck, entering their room. Casimir marched to the bed, yanked the covers off and patted Raine’s face several times until he woke up.
“What’s going on? Are we under attack?” Raine scanned the room, confused.
“Get out,” Casimir ordered. “You’re keeping the princess awake.”
Raine stumbled out of bed, grabbed his shirt and boots and mumbled as he left the room, saying something about indecisive generals and interrupting his beauty sleep.
“Thanks,” said Ava, laughing.
Casimir turned around, his back facing her. “Change into your sleep clothes and get in bed.”
He walked to his pallet on the floor and made sure not to look her way as she changed. Once she was back in her nightgown, she climbed into bed and scooted under the covers as Casimir made himself comfortable on the floor.
“Did you really threaten to break Pax’s arm and make him clean the dungeons if he hurt me?” she asked, staring at the ceiling.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“No more questions, princess.” Casimir rolled over. “Goodnight.”
4
Ava adjusted the long sleeves of her dress as she evaluated herself in the mirror. The sage green bodice hugged her curves, sprinkled with subtle beading flowing down the forest green skirt.
They had arrived at their destination early this morning and she couldn’t shake the uneasiness in her gut at the prospect of representing her whole kingdom. Turning away from the mirror, she crossed the room and opened the door to the suite, stepping into the crisp morning air.
