The tangible evidence of mortality dripped from my fingers, warm and crimson. I glanced down at my hands, now stained with the woman's life essence, yet I felt an eerie emptiness. Not a sliver of remorse tainted my conscience for the life I had snuffed out, I had been protecting myself. The moment I had stepped away from the chamber pot, a blonde stranger had stormed into the room, her hysterical shouts and threats battering my silent resistance.
Her rage amplified with each passing moment, my silent defiance fuelling her violent intentions. Rough hands found my throat, forcing me down onto the expansive desk. As my consciousness began to wane under her choking grasp, my fingers brushed against something sharp. In her murderous focus, she failed to notice me seize the letter opener until it was deeply embedded in her neck.
With every last ounce of strength, I repeatedly thrust the sharp instrument into her, withdrawing it only to drive it in again. A gruesome spray of lifeblood painted the scene, coating my skin in a macabre pattern. I was dimly aware of Nikon's entrance and his swift exit, time seemingly distorting around the incident. But there I remained, motionless, the lifeless body sprawled in front of me stirring nothing but resolution within me. I was done being a victim, an object of abuse. It would never happen again.
"What happened!" Orryn's commanding voice echoed in the chamber as he entered, Nikon trailing behind him. His presence seemed to shake me out of my numb daze, bringing reality back into focus.
Silently, I waited for his fury to descend upon me, expecting him to rage for the life I'd taken, a life that had been one of his own. His gaze swept over the scene, taking in the visible bruises marring my throat and the deceased figure lying grotesquely at my feet. His eyes mirrored shock and disbelief.
"Prepare a bath," He ordered Nikon, his voice steady despite the macabre sight before him. "And have someone dispose of this body."
Even in my traumatized state, I found his indifference towards the fate of his fellow comrade surprising. I had anticipated a far more significant reaction, especially given the woman's claims of possessiveness over him moments before her demise.
"Are you okay?" His voice softened, and his hand gingerly reached out, his fingertips brushing over the forming bruises on my neck.
His rage that had threatened to boil over a moment ago seemed to ebb away the instant his skin made contact with mine. His hand then moved towards mine, gently prying the blood-streaked letter opener from my unyielding grip.
"I'm so sorry," He murmured, enveloping me in a tender embrace, appearing nonchalant about the blood that was seeping into his clothing from mine. "I have let you down."
Seeking solace, I buried my face into the fabric of his shirt, inhaling the familiar scent that had become a comforting balm to my frayed nerves. His embrace acted as a salve, easing the internal turmoil that had gripped me, effectively pulling me out of my stunned daze. I coiled my slender arms around his torso, reveling in the sense of security that his warmth provided.
I barrow my face into his shirt, inhaling his scent to calm my nerves. The comfort his embrace brings soothing the fire within my soul, completely snapping me out of my daze. I wrap my frail arms around his midsection basking in the warm feeling that was washing over me.
"The bath is ready, my lord," Nikon's voice cut through the intimate silence, reminding us of his presence.
Orryn, instead of releasing me, gently lifted me up and cradled me in his arms. He started towards the partition, only pausing to throw a curt order over his shoulder at Nikon, "Leave us."
Without waiting for a response, Orryn carried me towards the bath. Setting me on my feet, he stepped away. I watched him, half expecting him to exit the room, but instead, he moved a few paces away and settled himself on the cool stone floor, his back towards me.
"I won't look, I promise," Was all he said. His resolve to keep me within his sight was palpable, a fact that instilled a sense of relief within me.
Turning my back towards him, I slowly shrugged out of my blood-soaked clothes. Sneaking one last glance to ensure his gaze was indeed averted, I carefully stepped into the bath. The water instantly clouded over with red as I sank into its warm depths.
A heavy silence blanketed the room. I found myself unable to summon any words, but I was perplexed by Orryn's silence, especially considering the circumstances. If I had just lost someone I was purportedly close to, I would be in the throes of anger, particularly due to such a misconstrued situation. Where had the woman formed the idea that Orryn and I shared some romantic bond? The only reason I remained by his side was my own stubbornness, as demeaning as it felt to admit.
The silence served as a comforting blanket, a quiet balm that allowed me to attempt to banish the gruesome incident from my thoughts. After a thorough rinse, I stepped out of the wooden tub. However, a pang of panic shot through me as I realized I had neither something to dry myself with nor clothes to change into.
"These are for you," Came Orryn's voice from behind me, startling me. A towel and a set of fresh clothes materialised in front of me. He followed it with an awkward cough to cut through the tension. "Don't worry, I didn't peek. I just heard you get out of the water."
Gratefully, I took the offerings, quickly drying myself off and pulling on the shirt and pants he'd provided. I approached Orryn, coming to a stop before him. It felt odd to look down at him for once, rather than the other way around. His grey eyes softened as he took in my refreshed appearance, standing up and extending a hand towards me. Without a second thought, I accepted his aid, letting him guide me to the bed.
Entering the room, I was surprised to see that all traces of the earlier gruesome incident were absent. It was as if nothing had occurred at all. After settling me on the bed, Orryn moved towards the entrance of the tent, disappearing for a moment only to return carrying two bowls in his hands.
"The ones I acquired previously have become cold, so Nikon prepared us some more," He explained, handing me one of the bowls. Its weight felt foreign in my hands, considering the years I had survived on stale bread and sporadic gruel.
I nod at him in gratitude, the wait of the bowl seeming daunting after spending years only eating stale bread and occasional grule.
I offered him a nod of gratitude to which he responded with a faint smile, "You're welcome."
Choosing a spot on the ground before me, he seated himself as we began to eat. I found myself stealing glances at him, only to quickly avert my gaze anytime he caught me doing so. He was still covered in the dried blood from earlier, I presumed, which might explain why he opted to sit on the floor. Though a pang of disappointment struck me at the separation, I took solace in his mere presence.
This blossoming fascination I had developed for him was a dangerous path, I was fully aware. Yet, I decided to let myself enjoy these fleeting moments of companionship, regardless of the inevitable heartache that might follow. The ephemeral joy these instances brought was, in my mind, worth the future pain they could bring.