Chapter 30. Forever

Yuliah's legs draped over a wooden rail; each toe rested slightly above the soft pelt hairs of a rug beneath. The desire between her thighs absorbed by cushions wedged against her bare bottom. A crisp scent filled the room, scattering bumps across her exposed skin.

Straight ahead, the outline of a man padded his way forward. Excitement rouses Yuliah to a sitting position. A hand lands roughly above her left breast and she's thrown back onto layers of silk sheets.

"Ryasss..." She bit down on her lip when his hands slid up her legs - setting off senses all over her body. Yuliah winced when he parted her legs roughly, but breathes heavily when kisses touch down tenderly on her inner thighs.

Each breath only grows heavier and heavier as he makes his way upward. The hotness from his mouth only confirms how close he's getting to that junction between her legs and a heat builds slowly deep inside.

His smooth voice cut through the fog in her mind. "Is this what you want from me?" and dipped his tongue right into her core. She lifted, but he pulled her back onto the silk sheets.

Then strummed her gently, but slowly with his tongue. A flickering tease, a wet kiss - again and again till she trembled, but still not enough. His long black hair knotted through her fingers as she clutched to his head and rocked back and forth. Faster and harder, she moved with no end to an insatiable urge.

Good Gods! Yuliah burst from her sleep into a sitting position. A bolt of pain shot up one leg. Quickly she bent her toes forward and stretched, relieving the tension.

With a quick glance sideways - Ryas laid still as a statue. Probably in a deep sleep. Yuliah leaned forward one last time, then laid back down. Her face flushed and bottom aching. The dreams she had intensified.

Stars sprinkled across the night sky; morning would not be here soon. Yuliah turned to her side and looked at Ryas. His face, she had never seen a man as handsome, not in the North. It wasn't only his looks but the way he moved confidently she liked and wanted.

Laying across from him, her hand reached for his body but pulled back. She didn't want to wake him for this reason. Maybe if she moved just a little closer to him, the heat between her thighs would ease up.

A shock of pain shot up Yuliah's arm. With a palm up she pulled her fingers back, to see the crescent indent on her arm glowing back. She threw a hand over it. Then peeped over at Ryas, who still did not stir.

Yuliah wiggled out of the bedroll and crawled towards his bag. She stuck a hand inside and touched each item until she felt a roll of cloth and a hard binding of papers and snuck off into the night.

When morning came, Ryas touched her cheek. "Wake up," he said.

She opened then immediately closed her eyes.

"It's time to go." He lifted Yuliah up and to both feet. She shuffled after him with closed eyes.

He climbed onto his horse, and she extended her hand for his.

In the daytime, Ryas pushed Yuliah hard to become stronger, and at night she dreamed about getting tangled up in his body instead.

Dreams that became so vivid and intense; she woke up in cold sweats, thankful he could not read her mind. King Baasa called it the mark of the Nomens, and that too burned every night.

Between the training, sleepless nights, and aches, Yuliah stopped talking. When he spoke, she answered with a yes or no only.

One morning, when they were ready to head out, Ryas lifted Yuliah onto the horse with him.

"I want you to rest today." He brushed her hair to one side, giving him access to her neck and placed a kiss.

Yuliah retreated from her thoughts. "What?"

"I want you to rest today." He kissed her neck again.

"Ummm... You're too kind," she replied and turned away.

They traveled in silence for over half the day before he spoke again.

"We should stop here for now," Ryas said.

Yuliah looked around. Another clearing in the woods shrouded with trees, and a few paces downward sat a cold spring. "Whatever you decide."

"What's wrong? You've been acting different lately."

"I don't know." She slumped back onto his chest.

"What is it?" he slowed them down.

"It's the Ethereal link. In the daytime, I'm exhausted from the training and at night I - I have these dreams. They tear me from my sleep, and I wake up in cold sweats." She sighed.

He stopped the horse and helped her down. Then unpacked their bedroll, placed it neatly against a group of trees, and walked back to her.

His lips turned up but quickly retreated down. He put his hands on the sides of Yuliah's head. His dark blue eyes studied her intently, "It's the Blood Binding," he said. "I have to give you what you want or let it take its course," and smirked.

"What - what do you mean by giving me what I want?" Her mouth fell opened.

His hand moved to her chin, "What have you been dreaming about?"

Yuliah's face blushed red.

A half smile spread across his face. "Tell me. I want to know what you've dreaming about."

He knew all along what she was going through. Her expression tightened, "SEX," she hissed at him. "I've been dreaming about having sex with you," her head snapped at him.

"I see." He grinned.

"You knew all along. What blood binding does!" her puffy eyes gazed back at him, outlined in a dark red. The knots in her hair showed she had not brushed it for a while.

"I've been dreaming about it for days," she had a look like she were about to break any moment. "I want to sleep with YOU," she blurted out.

"Sure," Ryas shrugged and unbuckled his sword belt. "Let's go wash up before we do it," he sauntered towards the hot spring.

"What?" Yuliah chased after him. "Just like that?" She knew he teased her.

His cloak, outer, and undershirts were off and draped over his arm by the time she caught up to him. Ryas started removing his boots, "Why not."

Is he serious? Yuliah searched his expression for any signs he was teasing her, but Ryas continued to remove his boots.

He kicked his boot onto the ground, smiled at her and headed towards the spring.

Yuliah trailed behind him, watching his every move. Then off came his belt and pants. Her eyes quickly scanned his upper body down to where his underpants cut off her view; he looked cut from stone.

Then off went the last piece, and she glanced sideways but back again at Ryas head.

Should I look? Her eyes fell towards the ground, but suddenly she glanced up. He had his back turned to her he wouldn't know. A broad smile stretched on her face. Her eyes swooped up from bottom to top, but he turned around.

"Impressed?" He laughed. "Does it look the same as it did in your dreams?" His arms held open to the sides, giving her a full frontal view.

Wow! Everything in its entirety just there, right in front of her. But his smug tone didn't sit well with her. "No," she eyed him. "It was all - much bigger in my dreams," her head tilted sideways.

He laughed and walked back into the spring until the water covered everything right below his pelvis. "You were so bold earlier; don't tell me you're scared now?"

"I'm just - getting ready."

"Then come in," he released the Ethereal Spirit, and the water bubbled and steam around him giving the spring a dreamlike feel.

"Turn around first," she requested — now that his eyes were on her.

"I've seen it all, already."

"If course you have." she undid the buttons on her dress. Then removed her undergarments piece by piece.

His eyes moved from her face to neck, breasts, and down where the thick patch of black hair hid her most vulnerable part. "Did you get a good enough look?"

He smiled, "Your really something else aren't you?" he shook his head.

"I try to be," she dipped her foot into the water.

"No. Turn around first. I want to see everything," he said.

Seriously?

"Yes," he looked at her. "Turn around."

"All right," she made a complete spin. "Satisfied?"

"I am," he stood up and floated towards her. His blue eyes lit up, "Come here my tigress."

The palpitations in her heart started again. Her feet moved towards him, and she took his hand.

Ryas tugged on her arm, and she glided through the water into his embrace.

"What do you want, Yuliah?"

"I want you. Forever." she answered.

Ryas felt an emotion he hadn't in a while. "You want forever. I can give you forever," he nodded and placed his hands on Yuliah's head. Then dunked her head into the water, "After you wash up," he laughed at her bulging eyes when she hit the water, and her limbs flapped in the air.

She stood up and coughed for air, only to see him still laughing. Then lunged at him but collided against him like he were a brick wall and bounced backward.

Ryas caught her with one swift motion. "You're such a tigress," and released his Ethereal Spirit. He pressed his glowing palms to her head, and she swatted at his arms.

"You keep calling me a tigress. What's a tigress?"

"A giant cat with claws that could split your belly open.' He grabbed the sides of Yuliah's head and released his ethereal spirit. "She's fierce and strong." His palms glowed a dark violet.

Warmth swept through Yuliah's body, raising tiny bumps across her flushed skin. A wave of energy rose from between her legs, up through the belly, and shot straight through to her mind. She stumbled, but Ryas caught her before she could drop. Her cheeks redden.

"Ease into it Yuliah," he chuckled.

"What did you do to me? She took deep breaths until she could stand again. "Did you just mind fuck me?" Her brows scrunched together.

"Yes. Did it feel good?"

"Wonderful. Do it again!" Yuliah held to his arms.

"I can't. Only when the ethereal tension from within your body needs to be cleared. It should take care of your urges for now," Ryas waded towards the shore laughing.

"STOP," she stood up. "Don't move." Yuliah rushed after him.

He came to a halt and peered over his shoulder. She caught up to him and brushed his wet hair aside. "The Crimson Birds," her fingers traced over the image on his back. The same ones from her dream. What did this mean? She touched him again distracted by the bright colors. "The tattoo on your back. I've seen it before. It's beautiful."

"That's not possible. They don't exist here."

"I've seen them in my dreams."

"They are real."

"What?" her eyes widened. "I thought you said they don't exist?"

"They do we call them Ninx Birds. I have the last two. I'll show you when we get to Murai." He suddenly looked concerned.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"I have two important people waiting for me in Murai. You've been too distracting," he swooped her up into his arms and carried her further into the spring.

"Ryas. Nooo," she squealed. "I don't know how to swim." The most substantial body of water she had been in was a bathtub.

"I'll teach you," and he pried her arms from his neck as she continued to fight him.

He first taught her how to float and then swim. "You need to practice more. You splash around so much I can't tell if you're swimming or drowning," he teased her.

Yuliah swiped the water's surface hard, hitting him in the face with water, and laughed.

Ryas leaped towards her, but before she could even dash away, he had her in his arms.

"What do you want from me?" He kissed her gently.

With the water neck deep, her legs glided around his waist.

"Everything," she said. "Your love, body, and soul. Forever."

"Forever? There's no end to that - you know that right?" He gazed into her eyes. "Is that what you want?"

His blue eyes hypnotized her. "I'm very aware of that," she answered.

"On one condition. You'll always be honest and loving with me."

"Always," she answered.

"And there will be no one else but me."

"No be but you," she touched his face.

"Forever it is then," and he sealed their fates with his lips.

Yuliah could not have been any happier and allowed his hands to explore every inch of her body. She moaned when his mouth grazed her soft peeks and rubbed its pink tips.

The sun set when she finally peeled herself from his arms, and he carried her back to their campsite. Ryas dried her body and hair carefully before he set her down. The soft bedroll cushioned against her bare body and eased her nerves. He shifted all his weight to the right side of her body.

Yuliah sometimes wondered when she found herself lost in his eyes if this were real. To have a Man like Ryas who treated her this tenderly.

His hands were soft but hard, making its way to her face then down her neck and around her breast. "I - I haven't been with anyone before," Yuliah confessed.

He kissed her cheek, "I know. From the way, you swallowed my lips. I could tell," he laughed softly into her ear. Then slid his hand down slowly, over her flat stomach as her breathing grew heavy, and rested his hand right above her pelvis.

"Will it be painful?" She touched his wrist.

"No," he nibbled on her ear gently, and the pinks of her breasts peeked again. "It depends," he moved onto her neck. "Breath slow and deep," he placed wet kisses down her neck. Her entire body tingled. "Concentrate on my touch. How do you feel?"

His kisses alone sent her body yearning for more and her eyes closed, "I..." She exhaled again as his hands started its descent down. "I feel..."

"Shit! Yuliah. Get dressed." He quickly rolled over her and grabbed his clothes.

She opened her eyes to clothe's hitting her face.

"Shhhhhh. Stay low." He whispered and forced her arms through the sleeves. It stretched at the seams, and she pulled on the collar around her neck.

He looped a piece of a garment through her toes and pulled it up her legs. She'd forgotten about it.

"What's going on Ryas," Yuliah slid it over her bottom.

His finger fell across her lips. The cold metal shoved into her hand. Ryas pulled Yuliah into a crouch. His fingers dug into her arm as he shuffled behind the trees, taking her with him.

The rampant sounds of the forest gone, only the burbled of water from the spring remained. An eerie stillness spread into the woods. It chilled her soul.

Heavy steps rustled from ahead. Branches cracked and snapped from the trees. Yuliah peeked through the bushes.

Three figures emerged out of the trees and into the clearing. The tops of their heads were dodging branches and their massive bodies spanned sideways, blocking the entire clearing.

"You smell that?" The biggest creature inhaled deeply, its voice a low growl.