Chapter 31 - Tell Me About Your World

Amanda's eyes grew wide at the feel of Christopher's cold lips against her's. Her mind utterly wanted to resist, but she stood there and froze, merely blinking her eyes at his closeness.

She was furious at his absence, even reaching a point that she thought she had moved on and gone back to her sad and lonely life. She concluded he meant not to return.

However, hearing that he was thinking of her, learning that he was fighting battles in his world, she instantly felt sorry for him. In fact, a big part of her wanted to help.

Christopher gave her one peck and slightly pulled back. His hands moved further at the back of her neck while his forehead rested on her own. Amanda had her hands clenched into a fist earlier. When he saw her palms opened and rested against his chest, he leaned over for another peck.

With the sense of his kiss again, Amanda felt an overwhelming sensation that she couldn't pull away from him. In silence, she asked herself, 'Is this right? Why can't I resist him?'

When he leaned over for the third kiss, she elected to just let go and closed her eyes, seeing him do the same. This time, she noticed him slightly parting his mouth. Thus, she followed his lead. In whatever actions Christopher did, she mimicked.

Relieved that Amanda responded to his kiss, Christopher lowered his hands to her waist, pulling her even closer against his bare chest. He continued to progress in the kiss until both of them fully opened their mouths for each other.

Amanda warmed his lips while Christopher calmed her steam. They both drowned in that satisfying impression of each other's taste for minutes, only to part at the numbness of their lips. They both secretly appreciated the sweetness of their bite.

Letting go, she looked into Christopher's blue eyes. She flushed at how she easily gave in to the kiss, but still, her body acted against her mind. Her hands moved from his chest up to his neck, wrapping fully in her arms.

She then quickly looked down and rested her head on his shoulders. She hugged him tightly and closed her eyes while silently telling herself, 'Why does this feel so right? Amanda, what have you done? I suppose... There is no turning back now.'

In the sweetness of their embrace, it was not only Amanda who worried about their actions, but Christopher also questioned his decision. Nonetheless, he could not deny how he felt about Amanda. He wanted to further test the waters and fight for the possibility of being with her.

The minute Christopher walked through the gate from Pelagy, he only left his armor at his house and went in search of Amanda.

Despite the chilling air that morning, he frantically looked for her. He was in desperate need of answers, answers that only his heart could decide.

He meant to see Amanda days earlier, but following the attack within the nearby village from the castle, more Oscorians charged from further locations of Aeros, leaving only three to five days apart. It was not even enough for them to recover and resupply their food. Christopher and his army battled groups of invaders in the succeeding days.

Once again, his father pressured him to make a union with another land, with the woman named Diana in order to strengthen the nation's alliance. Either that or continue to fight a war that had been going on for decades, even before he was born.

No matter what he did, Amanda remained the reason for his strength, the reason for him to continue in the struggle, but not knowing how she was doing or if she was willing to wait for him or stay with him by his side, he had to return and let her know fully of his intentions.

The two of them stood for their minutes, just holding each other tight until Amanda softly said, "Chris, I was worried about you."

Christopher took heavy breaths and did not answer. It was because he also knew not what his future will be. Oscoria had never been so determined as to strike continuously with just days apart.

"I want to understand - I really do." Amanda pulled away and looked into his eyes again before she said, "Tell me more about your world - about your war."

Amanda thought, if only she could come with him, she could end his enemies quickly and his fight would be over, but should that happen, she was also left to wonder how will Christopher react to her being a person of fire, one with dear obligations to the earth.

Christopher first brought Amanda to his home. He changed clothes and returned to the messy living room where she just remained standing.

"Why didn't you take a seat?" He asked with a frown.

She just forced a smile and said, "It's total chaos here. Can we - can we talk outside?"

"You don't have work today, right? Then let's take a walk and have breakfast at the cafe?" He asked.

Lowering her head, she admitted it was a good idea. A very long walk meant a bountiful talk to cover.

Hand in hand, they took a stroll in the near-vacant town of Trinity Bay. It was fortunate this was one of Aeros' chosen gates as not too many settlers were around, nor were the houses close to each other. In the morning, the chances of getting a car pass by as they walked were one in every half hour or so.

Christopher first pecked on Amanda's hand before he told, "Thank you, Amanda, for not freaking out on me. Even if others may consider me as a monster." He turned to her with a grin and said, "I'm a very good-looking one."

She sighed and said, "Handsome monster? Can you please get serious?"

"In our world, we are at war against one nation, Oscoria. A land of indescribable heat - if you noticed how those red-skinned men looked. Their bodies have adapted to the volcanic steams and heat of their land," said Christopher. "But its really not just our nation that is against them, but many others."

"The problem is, their barbaric ways had long made them take lives - many of our best troops. They also regularly steal from many of our wealth and resources, leaving us to scramble for more food."

"Also, as you have seen, they have the strength to their power, given the size of their body. Like I told you, the last time we spoke, not many Aeros people can fly. It's a bloodline ability coming from the elite families of our land. Thus, we are not always at an advantage."

She turned to him with a frown and asked, "If other nations are also at war with them, then how come they still survive? Why not form an alliance and attack them together?"

Christopher raised his brow at her and asked, "Did you serve the military at some point? Because I could swear there is a warrior in you."