CONTENT ADVISORY / TRIGGER WARNING
THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS DEPICTIONS/STRONG IMPLICATIONS OF THE FOLLOWING THAT SOME READERS MAY FIND OFFENSIVE OR DISTURBING:
~ VIOLENCE
Eskil sat across the fire from Libelle with his arms crossed over his chest. A fresh shirt was folded in his lap, rummaged from the belongings of the deceased bandits. He glared at Libelle who happily chewed her cooked trout as four more fish sat cooking over the fire in front of her with two empty spears sat at her side. She was enjoying her meal with a smile, while he stared at the stale bread sitting before him with a frown.
"I told you to get me fish, not yourself," he growled.
She smiled. "I would have gotten you fish if you had not thrown me into the stream."
"You could at least share."
"No, I don't think I should have to. Especially after your earlier behavior." She took another bite of her trout, exaggerating the taste with a soft moan. Eskil's glare intensified as a loud rumble echoed from his stomach. Libelle couldn't contain her chuckle as she sat before her rival. His appearance was entirely different, yet he was still Eskil, the dragon prince who led his winged army in battle. The slayer of men and devourer of souls. A vicious beast who was pouting over a fish.
She took another savory bite, smacking Eskil's hand away from the remaining fish cooking over the fire. He growled beside her, one of his arms wrapping around her waist as he pulled her backwards against his chest. His other hand wrapped around both of hers as he pulled her cooked fish towards his mouth and took a massive bite.
Libelle felt an uncontrolled blush burn across her cheeks as she found herself sitting on his crossed legs, held firmly against his chest while he took one bite after another of her meal. Gods help me. The man beast is all too friendly with me. Why does he touch me like this? It's strange and unnerving.
She watched as he took the last bite of her trout, then wrapped his arms around hers so she could not swat him away again as he reached and plucked another from the flames. He took another massive bite while she silently stared up at him. He hastily ate the fish, licking his lips as he took the last bite. He reached forward and grabbed another fish, taking another bite before looking down at her.
He finished chewing, swallowed and said, "What? Do you expect me to share with you after you've been so callous and cold with me?"
She didn't respond and then he sighed. Lowering the staked trout towards her lips and offering her a bite, she couldn't help but laugh as she nibbled at the fish. "What are you up to? You are far too calm in this situation, Eskil. Where is your rage, your threats, your curses? This is not like you, it's actually more frightening."
Eskil smiled wide, staring at her puzzled expression for a moment before bending down to trail his tongue over the crook of her neck where he had playfully bitten her earlier. She stiffened and pulled away as far as she could with his grip still around her arms and waist.
He chuckled. "Pretty elf." You will be mine.
She grumbled, trying to pull away again. "You must have lost your mind along with your scales and wings."
Eskil flared his nostrils. "No. I've lost nothing of the sort. Instead, I have accepted the fact that despite how much I would enjoy tearing your throat out, I cannot do that. No matter how much I try, I'll be the one who ends up hurt." He lifted her chin, licking her throat for added emphasis to his words. "If I cannot harm you or kill you, I'll find my pleasure in doing other things that make your skin crawl."
He felt her tense more and her arms were becoming rigid. "I'm finding myself quite skilled at being a thorn in your side, slayer, and with each passing moment, I am learning of new ways to be a parasite that you'll never be rid of. Not until you return me to my original form. Only then may you be rid of me. I can feel how tense you are when I have you this close to me, Libelle. It cannot be a comforting sensation for you. If you want it to end, just reverse this damned curse of yours."
She shook her head and glared at him. "I will not. Like I've said before, even if I knew how to break the spell, I would not."
A vein in Eskil's temple began to pulsate and he could feel it throbbing beneath his skin. He was learning that if he touched Libelle without the intentions of harming her, he could hold her as tightly as he wanted. But if his intentions were growing darker, like they were now, pain would radiate through his body as a warning.
He snorted, loosening his hold on her as he returned his attention to his claimed trout. Libelle stood up, squared her shoulders and stomped away from him. He watched as her hips swayed side to side with each step, her round bosom being clung to by the wet leather of her pants. Her thin waist was beautifully framed by her still damp cotton shirt. She stood by her stallion, patting his neck and murmuring something to the faithful creature. Not once did she look back at him as he ate the remaining trout, instead, she began to saddle both their horses.
She took her time and spoke to each horse, feeding them oats from their sack and ensuring that the saddles were on correctly. Her attention once again directed elsewhere, he kicked dirt into the dying embers and walked up to her. Again, she was turned away from him, standing next to the sturdy tree the horses had been tied to. She straightened and spun around when she felt his presence behind her.
He took advantage of her surprise and rushed himself towards her. She let out a surprised yelp as her back was pressed against the tree trunk and his body was pressed against hers. He loved how her eyes swirled with different shades of blue when she didn't shut her emotions down. He was thrilled to see life spark into her, it made torturing her so much more pleasurable when she was not a hollow shell.