Page 20 of Warrior Princess (Blood Weaver Trilogy #3)

19

W e reached the Grasslands by nightfall, where Ronan and I parted ways with Silas and returned to Ronan’s home. Once inside, I kicked off my shoes and collapsed on the bed, completely exhausted from the day’s travel.

Ronan removed his boots and approached the bed with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “We really should take a bath,” he suggested, watching me sprawled across the comforter.

I groaned softly with my eyes half-closed. “Can't it wait until tomorrow morning?” The thought of moving seemed like far too much effort.

He chuckled and shook his head. “No, it can’t wait, Leila. Let’s get up. We’ll go together.”

My laughter echoed in the room as I sat up and eyed him skeptically. “In your tiny bathtub? We barely fit one at a time!”

Ronan’s smirk only grew. “I’m not talking about the bathtub here,” he clarified, then reached out a hand to help me up.

Curiosity piqued, I took his hand and let him pull me to my feet. “Oh? And where do you propose we go?”

“A little spot I know near the mountains.” He began gathering a few things—towels, a change of clothes, a bar of soap. “It’s a natural heated spring, secluded and peaceful. Perfect for a night like this.”

The corners of my mouth lifted. “Are you suggesting a moonlit soak?” Amusement tinted my voice.

“Yes, exactly.” His eyes twinkled with mischief. “It's peaceful, and I promise you, the view and the water are perfect. Plus, it’s a lot more spacious than my little tub.”

The idea was tempting, especially after the long, dust-filled ride through the Central Plains. The thought of warm water easing the tension from my muscles was too good to pass up. “Okay, you've convinced me. But only because I'm in need of a good soak.”

Ronan grinned and handed one of the towels to me. “That's the spirit! Let’s grab a lantern and head out.”

The night was cool and clear, with stars scattered across the sky like spilled glitter. We walked side by side in comfortable silence, the lantern casting a soft glow on the narrow path that wound through the fields and into a wooded area. As we approached the spring, I heard water gently bubbling over rocks, blending with the soft chirping of night crickets. The spring was nestled in a natural hollow, surrounded by rocks and overhanging trees that framed a perfect view of the starlit sky.

The steamy water looked inviting as it reflected the moonlight. Ronan set the lantern on a nearby rock and started to undress. Placing my towel beside the lantern, I quickly followed suit.

“Ready?” Ronan called out. He waded into the spring until the water reached his waist, then he extended a hand to me. “Come on; it's amazing!”

I took his hand without hesitation. Warm water enveloped me as I stepped into the spring, and my body instantly relaxed as the heat soothed my tired muscles. “This was a great idea,” I admitted, moving deeper into the water until it reached my shoulders.

Ronan grinned and pulled me closer. “I told you. This place is special.”

We soaked in silence for a while, allowing the tranquility of the night and the natural beauty of our surroundings to create a perfect moment of peace. It was these times, away from the chaos of politics and battles, that I cherished the most. Here, in Ronan’s arms, surrounded by nature, I could almost forget the complexities of our lives.

“I wish we could stay here forever,” I moaned as Ronan began to massage my shoulders. “This place seems so secluded. We could hide here forever.”

Ronan chuckled and continued to massage my back. “Eventually we’d be found.” His hands roamed down my arms, then slid around my waist and held me tightly against his bare chest. I felt him harden behind me.

“Ronan …” I moaned as his hand traveled further south. “This doesn’t seem like the right place—” I gasped as his deft hands slipped between my thighs.

“What better way to relax than this?” he whispered in my ear, placing gentle kisses all the way down my neck and shoulder. “Close your eyes,” he murmured against my skin.

I did as I was told as he inserted a finger inside me, his thumb circling my nub with exquisite slowness. I leaned my head back and rested it on his shoulder while his other hand slid toward my breast.

“Ronan?” I said his name like a prayer. “Don’t stop.” He inserted a second finger, then a third until I felt completely full. “Oh gods, Ronan!” I gasped as I teetered on the edge of a mind-blowing orgasm.

In the blink of an eye, he spun me around and lifted me up. I wrapped my legs around him and he slowly slid me down over him. His cock glided into me and fit like a glove.

I rode him slowly, clutching his shoulders tightly to keep myself steady. “Ronan,” I murmured against his lips, kissing him and relishing our connection. No one had ever made me feel the way Ronan did. It wasn’t just physical – although that part was amazing – but he completed me emotionally. He gave me something I never thought would be filled.

“Come with me, Leila,” he whispered against my lips.

I picked up the pace, feeling my orgasm hovering just out of reach. His mouth latched onto my breast, sucking, nipping and biting, sending me over the edge. He soon followed, calling my name into the night.

He kissed me with such animalistic hunger that goosebumps spread across my body. “I love you,” he growled.

I shivered. “I love you, too.”

Dawn’s soft light spilled across the room and gently roused us from sleep. We were intertwined beneath the sheets, our limbs woven together in a comforting embrace that felt both protective and wildly intimate. I nestled closer, savoring the residual warmth and his familiar, soothing scent, reluctant to let the morning pull us apart.

“Good morning.” Ronan's voice was a low rumble against my ear. He pressed a tender kiss to my forehead. “How did you sleep?”

“Like the dead,” I murmured, my voice muffled against his chest. “And I'm not looking forward to leaving this bed.”

He chuckled, the sound vibrating through his chest. “I know, but we've got a busy day ahead. We need to figure out our next move.”

My brow furrowed as I propped up onto one elbow to look at him. “What do you mean?”

“We need to find a way to get a message to Marcellus. He needs to know what's happening to your father. We can’t afford to let this one be intercepted by Caelan.”

The mention of my father knotted my stomach. “I feel so helpless here. Maybe I should just go back to Valoria.”

Ronan cupped my cheek, his thumb gently stroking my skin. “That's exactly what Caelan wants. If you go, he won’t let you leave again. It's too risky. We're better off reaching out to Mykal. He's got connections that could help us.”

“Mykal?” The idea hadn't even crossed my mind, despite knowing about his extensive spy network across Asteria. Fatigue had clouded my judgment more than I realized.

“Yes.” Ronan nodded, his expression serious. “He's our best shot at getting a message to Marcellus without anyone noticing. Plus, we still need to track down that midwife in Keldara, remember?”

The weight of everything we had to do pressed down on me. “Why do you think Avery wants us to look for this midwife? It doesn’t seem important in the grand scheme of things.”

Ronan brushed my hair back. “I don’t know, but she brought it up for a reason. She wouldn’t have mentioned it unless it was important. Maybe if we find this Abigail, we’ll learn why.”

“Do you really think it's wise to go back to Keldara so soon?”

“We don't have much choice, Leila.” He gently extracted himself from the tangle of our limbs and sat on the edge of the bed. “Every moment we delay puts your father at greater risk. And this business about your mother's supposed firstborn...” He trailed off, looking back at me with concern and determination.

I sat up and wrapped the sheet around me. “It doesn't make sense. Yes, my mother had a difficult time before I was born, but a secret child?” I shook my head, unable to make sense of a puzzle where the pieces didn’t quite fit together.

Ronan stood and offered me his hand. “We'll figure it out, but first, let's get moving. We've got a long day ahead of us.” He pulled me to my feet with a gentle tug.

“I guess we do,” I agreed, feeling the resolve settle within me.

We dressed and headed toward the market to find breakfast. We strolled into the bustling market, sunlight casting long shadows between the stalls, when unexpectedly, Shiro emerged from amongst the throng of villagers.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, genuinely startled to see him so far from his solitary cave. “Is everything okay?”

He smirked and lifted a brow. “Shocked to see me out and about?”

“Well… if I’m being honest, then yes.” I exchanged a worried glance with Ronan, who seemed equally puzzled.

Shiro laughed. “I had some business in the market. When did you two return to the Grasslands?”

“Last night,” Ronan chimed in. “It was fairly late, or we would have gone to visit you.”

“From the look on your faces, things did not go as well as you planned,” Shiro intuited as he looked between us.

“Something like that.” I chuckled dryly, although I didn’t find much humor in our situation. “Let’s just say our midnight training sessions were invaluable.”

Ronan rolled his eyes. “Much to my reluctance.”

Shiro’s face lit up with curiosity. “Oh? Did someone unleash their new skills?”

I nodded enthusiastically. “It went well, but as you can tell, the scars are taking a long time to heal.” I showed him my wrists.

“What about there?” He pointed to his neck. “I see you’re still wearing a scarf.”

I subconsciously touched my skin. “Yeah, it’s still there.”

“Do not hide it. It is part of you now. Aryan does not deserve to linger in your thoughts or on your skin,” Shiro said.

I peered over at Ronan, who let out a sly smirk at Shiro’s comments. “He’s right, Leila.” Ronan turned, reaching for my scarf and untying it. “Don’t be embarrassed or afraid.”

I let him remove the scarf. Though I was self-conscious about the bright red scar, I knew they were right. I couldn’t give this one thing too much power.

“It does not look so bad.” Shiro tilted his head to the side. “It’s fading, but there will be a line there for the rest of your life.”

I nodded. “I know.” I already felt like everyone’s eyes were locked on me.

“Relax, Leila!” Shiro laughed. “No one is paying attention to you.”

Ronan wrapped an arm around my shoulders and nestled me into the crook of his arm, dropping a kiss onto my cheek. “You’re beautiful, Leila.”

I smiled shyly. “Thank you.”

“Well, my job here is done.” Shiro stretched his arms. “It is time for me to return to my cave.”

“We’ll visit you soon.” Ronan gave him a knowing look. “We have much to discuss.”

Shiro nodded. “I will await your visit.” With a wave, he left and headed toward the mountains again.

As Shiro disappeared into the distance, Ronan and I turned our attention back to the market. The morning was vibrant with villagers bartering and the air filled with the scent of fresh bread and spices. It felt good to be back in the Grasslands amidst familiar sights and sounds, yet the weight of our recent discoveries hung heavily between us.

“Are you hungry?” Ronan pocketed the scarf, leaving me with no other option but to walk around with my neck bare. “We can get some fire berries, since it’s too early for sweets.”

I nodded nervously. “I’d like that.”

Ronan took my hand and led the way.

We approached a stall decked with an array of berries—deep reds, vibrant blues, and the glowing oranges of the fire berries that had caught Ronan's eye. The vendor, a stout woman with a wide smile, greeted us warmly. “Morning, Ronan! Back for your favorites, I see.”

Ronan grinned and nodded, picking up a handful of fire berries to examine them. “You know I can't resist these.” He turned to me. “They’re sweet with just a hint of spice. Perfect for a morning like this.”

I reached out, taking one and popping it into my mouth. The berry burst with flavor; a perfect blend of sweetness and a mild, fiery aftertaste that pleasantly tingled. “They're delicious!” I smiled and picked a few more to taste.

After paying for a small basket of berries, I took a moment to observe the sights and sounds of the market. Children ran between the stalls, playing tag, while their parents shopped or manned their booths. To make it easier to shop, similar goods were grouped together in the market. After moving past the fruit vendors, we came across a baker's stall, the air rich with the aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries. Despite Ronan’s earlier comment about it being too early for sweets, he caught me eyeing a tray of pastries glazed with shiny, sweet syrup.

Already reaching for his coin pouch, he asked, “Want to try one?”

I nodded, and soon we were sharing a flaky, buttery pastry, the syrup sticking sweetly to our fingers. We laughed, enjoying the simple pleasure of food and each other's company, momentarily pushing aside the heavier concerns that awaited us.

Finishing our treat, we slowly continued our stroll through the market. Artisans displayed their works, everything from woven baskets to carved wooden figures, each piece telling a story of the Grasslands’ rich culture and traditions.

“When do you want to leave for Keldara?” I finally asked.

“This afternoon,” Ronan answered. “Is that okay with you?”

“That’s fine. We should probably leave early so we can reach Keldara by nightfall. Should we send word to Mykal ahead of time?”

Ronan nodded. “That seems like the best course of action. Since things are a bit rocky in Keldara, I’d much rather be safe than sorry.”