Page 91 of A Simple Truth (the Freckled Fate #2)

90

FINNLEAH

W e had been trotting away from the village for a while now, the soft sand feeling warm against my bare feet as I tried to keep up with Gideon’s long strides. The occasional quick bursts of night wind sent chills across my exposed skin.

“I desperately need a bath,” I proclaimed, finally breaking the awkward silence. Random strangers’ blood spattered on top of the cosmetics that girls had put on to conceal my freckles and scars, all mixed with my sweat, made my entire body itchy.

“There is a small oasis to the west of us. An hour long walk or so,” Gideon replied, as he too pulled off his cloak, not bothering to fix his untucked shirt.

“How would you know? We are in the middle of the desert, and we have no map nor compass,” I doubted as we strode further away.

“I have a good sense of direction. And also,” —he pointed to the stars— “those things help too.”

“Yes, because the stars just magically tell you where to find water amidst the giant desert.” My voice laced with sarcasm as I rolled my eyes at him, half panting as we hiked up the steep sand dune.

“No, but the giant map in the dead guy’s chambers helps. It was right next to the painting you took off.” He smirked at me, matching my sassy tone. “Or do you not pay attention to anything but me when I am around you?” I huffed at his words, but he gave me a boyish smile and added, “Now that I think of it, that would explain a lot.”

“Sorry, I was busy actually looking for things that mattered , not just gazing at the wall and décor, unlike someone,” I sneered, pulling out the book, looking at the frail binding, carefully opening a few pages. “Aurelia will be so proud. She was so adamant about it and now, here it is…” My eyes skimmed the pages. “It’s definitely of Elvish language origins, but even I can’t quite fully understand it. Plus, this terrible moon light doesn’t help…” I mumbled to myself as I browsed through the book. I closed it a second later and looked up only to find Gideon staring at me, as he stood ahead, waiting for me to catch up to him.

Goosebumps raced across my skin, suddenly so aware of his closeness, of his heavy male gaze lingering on me. He stood still, as I caught up to him, now only a step away. Gods, I was sure my heart was going to explode, both of us standing speechless as our eyes spoke a language we didn’t understand.

The continuous silence was becoming terribly loud, and my brain, without consulting me, decided that a weird, half-step, half-jump past him would diffuse the situation.

His eyes twinkled with amusement but before he could comment, I quickly recovered, saying, “So…not a chains and ropes kind of guy, huh? That is good to know.” I sent him a taunting smile, my cheeks flushing with heat, as dangerously lustful thoughts lurked in my mind. Gideon took a long breath, catching up with me, his nearness sending a bolt of lightning down my spine. He lowered his head towards me as his mouth almost brushed against my ear.

“I guess you will have to wait and find out,” he whispered, his voice low and sultry.

I theatrically gasped at his reply, and he chuckled, already walking away from me with a wicked grin on his face.

The hour had vanished, as we finally approached the tiny oasis resembling a small, round lake. Bits of green shrubs encompassed the shallow waters, making it feel secluded. The water was warm and so refreshing as I took a few steps in. Without a second thought, I undid my bra, throwing it back on the shore. Then just as fast, yanked off the poor excuse of a skirt. Completely bare, I sauntered further in, until the murky waters reached just barely above my chest. I lowered my head into the water, scrubbing at the specks of dried blood and sand.

Gideon stayed behind, his arms folded, eyes meticulously observing me, as he rested his shoulder against a small palm tree.

“Come on in!” I shouted to him, splashing. He quirked his brow up, a suspicious look filling up his face. “Oh, come on. I promise I won’t drown you.” I laughed but he still didn’t move. “Look at you, you are just as filthy. And the water is perfect!” I ran my hand through the water, the silver stars flickering in the dark reflection. He scratched the back of his head but then moved, slowly taking off his clothes.

I fought with everything I could. I really, really did.

I knew better. But when his pants dropped, my eyes, my traitorous eyes, were glued to the well-endowed, hardened length on full display. And gods, it looked even better than I had imagined.

“My eyes are up here, Finnleah,” Gideon gave a disapproving 'tsk' sound in my direction.

“Are they now?” I purred. My teeth bit my bottom lip as he sauntered into the water, making his way towards me until he was just a breath away.

“Don’t you think this is rather inappropriate?” he murmured, his eyes reflecting the silver stars above us, making me forget my own name.

“What’s inappropriate, General? Bathing ?” I whispered at him, taking a step closer, until my bare chest brushed against the side of his muscled arm. I stretched to my tippy toes, adding with a hushed voice. “Believe me, there are much more inappropriate things I would rather do with you than simply bathe .” With that, I scurried out of the lake, unsure if my heart was still beating.

He quietly spewed profanities that I hadn’t heard before, dunking himself fully under water for an alarmingly long time. I grabbed his shirt, pulling it over my wet body, unable to hide my wide smile. The ends of his top reached to the lower half of my thighs like a short dress. Gideon motioned me to look away as he walked out of the lake, and I dramatically turned, chucking his pants over my head to him. Though I didn’t peek, my cheeks still flushed with color each time I blinked, the image of his divine bare body seared into my mind like a tattoo.

We were both, much to my dismay, now dressed. Though Gideon didn’t say a word, his eyes returned to me no matter how hard he tried to look away. I purposefully flung my wet hair onto my back, exposing the front of his soaked white shirt on me, clinging tightly to my perked-up breasts. Then I bent over, grabbing my dirtied clothes from the ground, aware just how short the seams of his shirt were and of the clear absence of my undergarments.

“Fuck, Finnleah.” He grumbled, his breath shallow and uneven. He turned and took a few steps away, his hands rubbing his face.

“What? It’s a good dancing outfit.” I reasoned with absolute innocence in my voice, folding the useless skirts and embroidered bra. “Maybe I’ll want to dance some more later, who knows.” The muscle in his temple twitched, but he didn’t take the bait, impatiently picking up the few weapons he’d previously laid on the small rock. “Not very chatty today, I see.” A corner of my mouth tugged upward. “So, what do we do now?” I asked as we started walking.

“Now we are going to find shelter,” he replied, keeping his distance away from me.

“Shelter?” My forehead wrinkled in confusion.

“Look behind you,” he instructed, and I turned.

I was unsure what to look for, as a surprisingly cold wind ran through my wet hair, giving me goosebumps. “What is it?” I squinted at the horizon; it was somehow so dark and no longer clear.

“That is a desert sandstorm coming for us.”

Of course, it is . I clicked my tongue.

“And unless you’d like to be buried alive in the red sand, I suggest we walk faster,” he said, and I sped up.