Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Bold

Tidas gaped at Skye as she stood in the water; moonlight shining on her bared skin. Her breasts were completely exposed; not even covered by her hair. Her skin was flushed from sitting in the hot water. She looked like an Earth-bound Goddess, rising up from the depths of it’s core. He sucked in a quick breath before turning away from her.

“D-Do ye... not want to see me?” Tidas could hear the hurt in her voice.

“By the Gods, Skye! Of course I want to look at you! My problem is... I-I don’t think I could stop at Just looking...” Tidas replied through gritted teeth.

“Oh..” came Skye’s reply.

‘What in the Bloody Hell just got into her?! She was JUST yelling at me about peeking! Now she Wants me to look??’ Tidas’ thoughts ran amuck before Skye’s voice brought him back.

“Ima sorry... I don’t understand why I keep snappin’ at ye. Ima...don’t know..I just don’t want ye to think that I don’t love ye!” Skye practically screamed in her fluster.

Tidas’ heart beat erratically in his chest: “D-Did you just say you love me?”

.....

Skye scoffed before saying; “Of course I love you! I came back for you; I killed for you! I nearly exploded tryin’ to save ye! Ima standing here naked: on Purpose this time! What do ye think, ye stupid fool?!” Skye’s voice wavered as she shouted.

In an instant: Tidas turned around, walked into the water, and wrapped his arms around Skye. She had never said the words before. He told her that he loved her before he’d left, and even since he came back, but she had never said the words herself. Tidas squeezed her against him as Skye leaned into him, gripping his shirt. He pulled away slightly to look at her beautiful face with a gentle smile.

Skye’s heart pounded against her rib cage so hard, she thought it would burst. His initial speed had surprised her. The fact that he’d climbed into the water with his clothes still on made her want to burst out in laughter. But the look he gave her now had her heart racing in a different way.

Tidas’ green eyes smoldered, making Skye’s knees feel weak. His breathing was uneven, and his lips looked too tempting to pass on. In one bold move: Skye leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed her prince. As soon as she’d made contact; a warm, achey feeling came over her body. She moved her hands to his shoulders, applying more pressure to her kiss.

Tidas froze at first, but lost his control slightly when he felt Skye’s naked body press against him. He slowly ran his left hand up her bare back to wrap it in her wet hair. His other ran up and down her backside in small, sensual strokes. He leaned her head back to break the kiss, but only so he could tilt her head somewhat. He stopped his right hand on her lower back and kissed her hungrily. He pressed her against himself harshly as he did so; causing a tiny moan to escape her throat.

Reaching her arms up and around Tidas’ neck, Skye deepened the kiss as she wiggled against him in her angst, bringing a low groan from the prince. She flung her head back to breath, allowing him to create a trail of scorching kisses down her neck. She had an urge to wrap her legs around him, but when she begun to lift one, Tidas stopped her.

Breathing heavily, in a husky voice; Tidas warned: “If you do that my love, I won’t be able to stop...”

‘Did I say stop?!’ Skye wanted to yell at him, but only thought it. She wanted to scream at him, like her body was doing to her now. But she knew him to be right.

Skye huffed testily before replying: “I know... Doesn’t mean I want to, though.”

Tidas smiled in frustration. Skye had No idea how badly he’d wanted to give in. His cock was so hard, it was painful. Skye was not only willing, but Disappointed when he’d stopped. Her wet, soft skin beckoned to be touched, but he knew that if he didn’t stop now; there’d be no stopping. They would spend the entire night And day in that hot spring, making passionate love.

Tidas slowly pulled away, and then headed for the entryway: “I’d better go now, or we won’t leave this hot spring for a week. But I swear to you, Skye-”

Tidas’ eyes and tone went serious as he turned back to her; “Once we’re wed, tonight will seem like nothing...”

Skye shuddered at Tidas words. She’d plopped down in the water with a deep sigh as Tidas awkwardly walked away. His words had only made the throbbing between her legs more intense. She sighed as she looked up at the stars, trying to calm down. Realizing that sitting in a hot spring was counter-productive to cooling down; she partially swam over and grabbed her towel to dry off.

Tidas was walking extremely slow, back to camp. He needed the time to cool down. The fact that his whole lower half was wet, and that the air was cold, helped him quite a bit. His mind played her words over and over again. Yes; he was a total fool when it came to Skye. War, politics, magic, his Father; nothing had ever confused, or frustrated him like her. But his love for her was his foundation. Everything he’d endured was ultimately for her, for the life he wanted them to have together.

Tidas wanted Skye to have a peaceful, happy life. He thought that if he’d joined the Mage Corp. of the Royal Army early and willingly, it would give him more time with his soon-to-be wife. The prince had nearly died on several occasions, due to advancing his skills too fast.

It was the reason Skye’s words has scared him. She had said she’d almost exploded saving him.. Nicolas and Maevis conveniently left that part out. If Petrie wouldn’t have slipped up in the woods and mentioned Skye’s eyes glowing, he would’ve flipped out at the hot spring. He would’ve Demanded she explain; like he had with Petrie when he mentioned her eyes glowing. Then, she would’ve had issues with him and the Fae folk.

Tidas knew they were probably withholding it from him not to worry him. The way they were whispering when he and Petrie had returned, however; led Tidas to believe that there was something pivotal they were still keeping to themselves.. That there must be something else worrying them about Skye’s powers. A Shepherd with an Elemental trait has never existed before, according to the eight-hundred year old fairies.

“Why Skye?” the question was out of his mouth as he thought it.

“We’d like to know that, as well,” Nicolas said as he and Maevis fluttered up to Tidas just outside of the camp.

“Why didn’t you tell me Skye almost died saving me?” Tidas asked in a low voice.

The two Fae shared a look before Nicolas replied; “We didn’t want to worry you.”

Maevis fluttered forward, looking abashed and said; “I’m sorry we didn’t say anything, but Skye was desperate to save you.. We didn’t want you carrying any unfair guilt.. That lass would give her own life to save you, lad; just like you tried to do for her with the Nomads.”

Maevis’ voice went firm as she continued: “And that would be Her choice. She may not’ve said it, but she loves you dearly. And her need to be with you, I believe, is also the reason she survived. Skye is beyond gifted; with three traits she’ll be need-”

“Wait! Skye has three?!” Tidas practically shouted the question.

“Good going, Mae... We haven’t even discussed it with Skye yet!” Nicolas chided.

“Well I can’t help it if Ima terrible at tellin’ lies!” Maevis shot back.

“Dinner’s done!” Petrie poked his head out from around the willow tree and smiled in his ignorance.

The three all turned and glared at Petrie, irritated with his interruption. When he slowly started to slink back around the tree in unease, Tidas yelled, “Thank you Petrie, forgive us. We’ll all be there momentarily.. Just need to finish our private chat.”

“Oh! By all means, take yer time. But just so ye know; it’s not a private conversation when the whole of the woods can hear ye! Oh, hello Skye!” Petrie yelled back as he retreated back around again.

The three froze in their tracks. They could feel Skye’s gaze upon them. Tidas slowly turned his head to see her standing with her arms crossed over her chest. He could feel her anger, and hesitated to speak. After letting out a long sigh, Skye raised her voice and said, “If yer gonna talk about me, at least have the decency to include me.”

All three hung their heads. They knew that Skye had every right to be angry. No one would be happy to hear what she did, how she did. Tidas lifted his eyes to meet Skye’s. Her expression showed confusion and hurt, which caused a painful twisting sensation in his stomach. After what they had just done at the hot spring, Tidas wasn’t surprised. And a little ashamed of himself.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mention my misgivings earlier.. There’s no excuse for our behavior,” Tidas stated as he hung his head again.

“Ima sorry, too,” Maevis seconded.

“I’m sorry also; can you forgive us, our idiocy?” Nicolas added.

Skye sighed as she uncrossed her arms. She wasn’t actually mad at them, but she was a little hurt. They said something about a third power, or so she thought. ‘But how? Why? Could it be Earth? Or maybe Air?’

Skye wanted to ask, but her stomach let out the biggest growl she’d ever heard not come from an animal. Her hands immediately went to her stomach in a protective manner. She looked up at everyone, who all stared back at her; trying to hide their amusement.

With a huff and a small smile, Skye said: “Ima too hungry to be anything but that, right now. But hear me now you three: don’t think for a second that our discussion is over...”