Journey (part one)

I waited impatiently for Oliver to show up. It was way past night fall and I had begun to worry that he wasn't coming at all.

I heard a quiet knock on my door before he entered with a full bag.

"Are you ready?" He asked me and I nodded grabbing my travel bag and my map to the Kingdom of The Lost. I made sure my dagger was strapped securely to my thigh before heading toward my window.

"Let's go." I climb onto the ledge and watch as he follows me.

"How many times have you snuck out of this window?" He asked with a smirk.

"A lot." I was thankful that the moon was so bright tonight. I wouldn't have been able to see where my makeshift ladder was hanging.

"Be careful, your highness." He says as I climb.

I jump the rest of the way down and watch him follow suit.

"Where to, your highness?" He asks.

"The Kingdom of the Lost is east from here so.." I opened the map and looked it over before beginning again. "We'll pray that there aren't any guards at the gates and then make our way east."

"What if your father isn't there?" He asked and I paused.

I hadn't thought that far ahead.

"Let's just get there first, okay?" I ask. He nods to me.

We thankfully had no trouble getting through the gates and making our way into town.

"I've brought enough food and water to last us for a few days but we'll need to stop in the next town before the sun comes up so that you can rest." He says.

"I don't need to rest. I need to get out of this kingdom." I shoot back

"Let me rephrase then. It'll be safer to travel at night and rest during the day in the four towns that are between here and The Kingdom of the Lost. Once the Queen realizes that you are gone there will be guards everywhere looking for you." He says.

"No one knows I exist, outside of royal families. She wouldn't risk anyone knowing that I could take the throne away from her." I smirk.

"It will be..."

"Oliver! If you're going to try and dictate me and control every decision on this journey then you can turn around now. I am done being told what to do. If I want to walk nonstop to my destination, I will do it. If I want to rest, then I will do it. Understood?" I didn't mean to snap on him but I couldn't stop myself.

"Understood, your highness." He bows his head to me.

I sigh and continue to walk.

"I'm no longer a princess, Oliver. From now on just call me Raven."

"Okay." He replies.

*

Time seemed to fly by as I see the sun beginning to rise. We had just entered into the second town and I could hear the town beginning to come alive.

"Put this on." Oliver stops and begins digging in his bag. He pulls out a brown cloak and drapes it over my shoulders before pulling the hood up.

"Yes, cause this doesn't look suspicious." I scoff and pull the hood back down.

"You're so stubborn." He says and continues walking behind me.

"You have no idea." I smirk.

"I strongly recommend we stop until nightfall, Raven." Oliver pulls me aside.

"I hate to agree but you're right." I was getting anxious at the amount of people that kept glancing our way.

"Let's find an inn." He seemed quite satisfied as we walked around to look for the inn.

When we finally found it, we got a room, ate and settled down for the evening.

"You take the bed, I'll sleep on the floor." He says.

"Don't be ridiculous the bed is big enough for the both of us." I roll my eyes.

"But.."

"Don't argue with me." I surprised myself with how angry I was.

"Forgive me for raising my voice, I'm not used to staying up this long." I sigh with frustration and lie back on the bed.

"It's okay.." he said as he began to strip down.

My eyes were glued to his muscular frame as he lifted his shirt off. The way the sun showed on his skin....

"Enjoying yourself?" I looked up to see his emerald eyes staring right back at me with a playful smirk dancing on his lips.

Blood rushed to my cheeks as I forced myself to turn away from him and face the wall. I needed to sleep and stop fantasizing about him.

*

When I woke up I was greeted by light snoring from Oliver.

I turned over to see him laying on his back, both hands resting behind his head.

Why was I so captivated by this man. I had had plenty of suitors, but he was the only man that ever caught my eye. 

I couldn't stop myself from reaching out and gently running my finger across his bottom lip.

I wonder if he knew how much I longed to feel him against my body again.

When his eyes shot open, I gasped in surprise and blushed softly.

"Is everything alright?" He asked with a smile.

"Y-yeah, everything's fine." I stutter and roll back around to the wall.

I was embarrassed that he had caught me gawking again.

"Do you find me attractive, Raven?" He asks.

Why would he ask me that!?!?

I fight back my tongue and stay silent.

"I know you do." He chuckles.

"Do not tease me, Oliver." I warn. He rolls over and wraps his arm around me.

"Wh.."

"If you weren't a princess, you would already be mine, Raven." He whispers softly into my ear. I melt at his words and feel my heart begin to hammer out of my chest.

"You should keep comments like that to yourself, Oliver." I say back. He was dancing in dangerous waters for the both of us.

"I've seen the way you've looked at me." He kisses my ear ever so gently. I could feel his erection digging into my back as he held me.

"What do you mean?" I couldn't think straight with him holding me so close.

"I can see that hunger in your eye, Raven. Just say the word and I'll do everything I can to pleasure you." He whispers again.

"Oliver. Enough." Was all I could respond with.

"As you wish." He releases me and I could breathe again.