Dakran glanced a few more times left and right and returned to his chambers, thinking that his little red was waiting for him there.
He was broken and tired, but seeing Maya put a smile on his lips. With Pelham in Ironstone, he was sure that Edýia would survive long enough for them to find a cure for her illness. And that was somewhat reassuring. The Shaddow Lords were another problem. The one he had met wasn't exactly forthcoming, and he was sure that the price they would pay to save Edýia's life wouldn't be low.
As Dakran pushed the door to his chambers open, the grin on his lips widened. He couldn't wait to spend some time with his little red.
Dakran looked around the room but was greeted by little Dak wagging his tail at him, sitting on the bed. The volsa was still in Ironstone and on his bed. Dakran pushed the door closed and looked around the room. The volsa jumped off the bed and jumped on him. The cub was still tiny, but when it grew, it would reach up to his waist, not quite a dog.
Dakran walked to the bathing chamber and glanced in there. His little red was nowhere in sight. Where did she go?
His head snapped to the door when he heard the door creak, and little red walked in with a basin of water in her hands, her smile brighter than the sun itself.
" I've brought you some water to clean, and Sala will bring some food shortly!" she said in a small voice, looking at him worried.
Maya walked past him into the bathing chamber and placed the basin on the table.
" What are you doing?" Dakran asked with a frown and grabbed her shoulder.
" Bringing you water to wash!" Maya innocently replied and turned to look at him.
Dakran closed his eye, let go of her shoulder and raked his hands through his hair " Come!" he said, taking her hand in his.
" Sit !" he sat her down on the edge of the bed and lowered himself on his heels.
Dakran gave her a worried look, rubbing the back of her hands with his thumbs, and Maya felt the tip of her ears burn. He'd just bearly touched her. Her cheeks burned, and she was finding it hard to breathe. Bobs of sweat appeared on her upper lip, and her heart galloped, ready to burst out of her chest.
" Little red!" Dakran paused momentarily and narrowed his eyes at her " Soon, you'll be the lady of this house! You shouldn't be doing menial work!" he calmly said, looking into her eyes.
Maya flustered. Her hands flew to her cheeks, and she closed her eyes. She was almost as red as her hair. It was a beautiful sight for him to see her like that because of him.
Maya buried her face in her hands " Sala needs help!" she mumbled from behind her hands ", I offered. I'm happy too. Ironstone is my home now." Maya said, still hiding behind her hands, embarrassed.
" Little red", Dakran lovingly called, " Look at me! I've been waiting for so long to see you; don't hide!" he pleaded and gently peeled her hands off her face.
Maya lowered her hands and took a deep breath, and nodded " I've..." Maya gulped and raised her hands to cover her face again, but Dakran held them down.
Maya puffed her cheeks and blew air on her sweaty face " I've missed you." she shyly confessed, and he fought the urge to pin her on the bed and have his way with her.
The volsa appeared out of nowhere and rested his wet snout on her shoulder, joining in their conversation, and he couldn't be more annoyed at the little cub. It wasn't a good time.
Dakran pushed the volsa off her shoulder and turned his attention back to her grumbling. She was sure he wasn't pleased that little Dak was still in Ironstone and on their bed.
Dakran took a deep breath " What you just said" he paused for a moment and let out a shaky breath " You have no idea how happy that makes me!" he cupped her face and looked at her with adoring eyes.
" I think! Maya stammered, " You should have some rest !" she didn't finish her thoughts and placed her hands on his.
" You've been away for many days. We can do this some other time!" Maya smiled at him and kissed his forehead.
She was so loving and kind. Dakran couldn't have found a better woman to be his wife. It had been a long road, but it was worth it. Dakran nodded as Maya pulled away and let out a content sight.
" You're right! We can do this some other time!" Dakran agreed and straightened himself up.
Maya hummed and stood up, making her way to the wardrobe. In the time he had been gone, helping Sala around had been to her benefit as well. She had gained knowledge of Ironstone and Dakran's habits. What he liked to wear, eat and more importantly, about his past. Sala had been with them since they were children, and nobody knew Dakran and Haren better than her. Dakran undressed and placed his clothes on the back of a chair while she fumbled in the wardrobe, picking a clean change for him. She knew he would walk around in his birthday suit, and she wanted to avoid losing her senses.
The moment she turned around, Dakran walked out of the bathing chamber as she expected in all his gloriously nakedness. Her breath hitched, and she furiously blushed again. The man looked like the gods themselves had sculpted him. Maya dropped the clothes on the floor and covered her eyes. All she wanted was to touch him, to feel his skin, her naked body against his rubbing, his lips on hers, to feel him inside her. She took her hands off her face and began fanning herself. It had turned sweltering really fast.
Dakran chuckled and approached her, and she suddenly needed to sit down.
" You know, little red! I can't wait to make you mine!" his low voice rumbled in his chest as he stood before her.
He hissed a breath and bit his lip " You are so delicately beautiful when you blush!" Dakran leaned in and kissed both her burning cheeks.
His little red blushed. Her trembling parted lips called to him. She was so pure and innocent that he began doubting that she and Sylus had done the ugly deed. No woman that had been with a man behaved like that. Something wasn't right.