Orryns POV:
"Let me in at once!" Fleya's voice thundered from the entrance of the tent, rattling the calm within. She was relentless, her harsh demand directed at the two guards I had posted. "I don't care about his orders, I must see her!"
The sheer intensity of her command was uncharacteristic, even alarming. It certainly drew my eyebrows together in surprise. The previously gentle Fleya had been transforming since her own ordeal and I found myself bracing for more unexpected behavior from her.
My gaze involuntarily drifted to Nadya, nestled on the floor swathed in a thin blanket. I had insisted that she use the bed, but she was stubbornly resilient, refusing even in her current mute condition. I found myself quietly contemplating the spirited woman she might prove to be once she recovered her voice. Strangely enough, I found myself inexplicably longing for such a day, eager to hear the unique timbre of her voice chiding my name during one of our inescapable quarrels. These moments would no doubt arise when our obstinate egos inevitably collide, creating an emotional fireworks display.
Fleya's unrelenting demand roused me from my reverie, prompting me to attend to her before Nadya's peaceful slumber was disturbed. Emerging from the tent, I found Fleya, her hands defiantly on her hips, cheeks flushed with irritation, and her eyes alight with the turbulence of a brewing storm.
"Quiet, before you wake her," I admonished her in a hushed tone, which only seemed to stoke her annoyance. As if sensing the impending confrontation, the guards tactfully retreated a few steps to provide us with some space.
"Did you really think you could hide it from me?" Fleya accused in a harsh whisper, her eyes filling with threatening tears. "The entire camp is buzzing with news of her attack this morning."
Her words did not surprise me. I was aware of the clan's outrage at Brie's audacity to assault the princess's protector. Brie's demise within the confines of the tent might have been a fortunate escape from the potential wrath of my men and me. If I possessed the abilities of a necromancer, I would surely bring her back just to torment her until my final breath.
"How could this happen? You were supposed to be watching her!" Fleya's voice wobbled, her words soaked in accusation and a tear trickled down her cheek. Each syllable felt like a punch in my gut, echoing my own self-reproach. I had stepped away for a mere few minutes, underestimating the peril that lurked around. I had believed Nadya safe for that brief period, but clearly, Brie had been silently skulking in ambush, seizing the opportunity the instant I had retreated. I had fully expected repercussions from our abrupt termination of our intimate relationship but had not anticipated anything this impulsive or immediate.
"I'm sorry, that was unfair of me to say," Fleya's voice softened as she noticed the shadow of sorrow that had etched itself on my face. She reached out, placing a comforting hand on my arm. "It's just... She protected me even when it meant risking her own life..."
Fleya didn't need to complete her thought. I could sense the deep-seated guilt that was plaguing her over what happened to Nadya. Fleya yearned to repay Nadya by ensuring a peaceful and comfortable life for her, yet I knew that no matter what she did, she would always feel indebted to Nadya. Just like I did.
"It's okay," I reassured her, patting the hand that rested on my arm. "I want to protect her too."
"So, you like her?" All traces of fear and anger washed away from Fleya's face, replaced by an infectious excitement. She quickly withdrew her hand and clasped it with her other, bouncing on her toes in anticipation.
A vivid image of Nadya crossed my mind: those captivating onyx eyes that seemed to see into my very soul, her body snug against mine as she sought my protection, and the intoxicating scent that was uniquely hers. Despite our short acquaintance of just two days, I was utterly smitten.
"Yeah, I do," I admitted, a gentle smile creeping onto my face.
"See, I told her you'd love her," Fleya's words left me wide-eyed and speechless. Before I could interject, Fleya's next words froze me in my tracks. "She's going to be our new sister, we can be a family."
Internally, I recoiled at her words. The thoughts that had been pervading my mind since meeting Nadya were anything but fraternal. I yearned for more than just a sibling relationship with her. Yet, I found myself at a loss for words, unsure how to convey my feelings to Fleya.
"Goodnight, Fleya," I managed to respond, a note of finality in my voice, signaling that I was done with the conversation for now.
"But I want to see her," Fleya's pleading eyes met mine, her lower lip jutting out in a pout. "Please."
Part of me wanted to deny her entry, fearing that the sight of Nadya's wounds would send her spiraling into despair. But I knew that after the day's events, Fleya would not tolerate me keeping Nadya away from her any longer.
"She's sleeping right now," I reiterated my previous words. Fleya's face fell, but she nodded in understanding. "Come back tomorrow and I'll let you in."
Her face lit up instantly, a radiant smile replacing her previous disappointment. Closing the gap between us, she launched herself into my arms, repeating a chorus of, "Thank you, thank you, thank you."
Fleya released me from her tight embrace and darted off towards her own tent, tossing a joyful wave over her shoulder. I couldn't help but return her smile and shake my head in mild amusement at her retreating figure. As silently as I could manage, I slipped back into the tent, finding Nadya awake, perched on the edge of the bed, seemingly waiting for my return.
"You're up," I noted, my voice softening as I moved closer to her. She simply nodded, then pointed first to her ears, and then in the direction of the tent entrance. The implication was clear: she'd heard us talking.
"I'm sorry that we woke you," I apologized, halting in front of her. Gently, I cradled her face in my hand, her skin soft beneath my touch. As always, she leaned into it, her expression melting into a comforting smile. Though she remained silent, I understood her silent gesture, she didn't mind being awakened. "Come, let's go to bed."
Exhausted, I lowered myself onto the plush bed, gingerly guiding her along with me. There was a fleeting moment of resistance from her, her finger pointing to the makeshift bed assembled on the cool, hard ground. Her suggestion was wordless, yet potent, she was ready to surrender the comfort of the bed to sleep there. But, I immediately shook my head, dismissively brushing off the absurd proposition. "Nope, I'm not going to let you spend the night on the floor," I stated firmly, a hint of protective resolve in my voice.
In response, a soft, frustrated sigh slipped from her lips, her eyes shimmering with subtle mutiny under the dim light of the tent. The quiet sound stirred a gentle smile on my face, the endearing moment of resistance injecting a thread of levity into the otherwise somber atmosphere. As time wore on, she gradually eased into my body, permitting me to encircle her petite form with my protective embrace. My eyelids grew heavy, burdened by the weight of the day's exhaustion, but sleep was a luxury I couldn't yet afford. I stubbornly willed myself to stay alert, holding onto consciousness until I was certain she had drifted off first.
Her breathing eventually shifted, the erratic rhythm smoothing out into a calm, even cadence, signalling her surrender to sleep's seductive call. Relief washed over me, the tension in my muscles unraveling as I finally permitted myself to relax completely. Assured that Nadya was enveloped in peaceful slumber, I yielded to the sweet embrace of sleep that had been patiently waiting for my surrender.