43.

Elai's pov

I thought I’d find him in his chambre, or maybe in the kitchen, but both of those places were as empty as they have been the past few months. Now my feet are wandering around the bathhouse, a place Chay and I have kept warm all too well. I didn’t expect the king to truly be down here, so it startles me when I see his relaxed face lean down against the edge of the bath.
“I think it is quite bold of you to come visit me when I am not in my garments.” Arlon’s eyes are closed yet he knows it is me. Is it because he knows how I walk on my feet, or is it another skill he had been taught? I think I might ask soon.
“But I suppose that was your plan all this time?” His accent still makes me weak in the knees.
I wonder if mine does the same to him. “I didn’t expect you to actually be.. here..”
“No? Shouldn’t a proper king get himself washed up after battle?” He’s such a smooth talker. I wonder if he knows that.
He opens his eyes and lifts his head to be able to look at me, arms spread out over the edge.
“Of course, my king, but I-“
“Talk once you’ve joined me.” His eyes pierce through mine as he says those words, head falling back down.
I feel myself freeze in my spot. Does he really want me to join him? Am I going to?
“Don’t worry. I will not look.” He’s grinning, eyes closed.
I will look, though.
I have to give myself a soft slap against the face before my hands reach out to take off my pants, followed by my shirt. I look down at myself for just a moment, to calm myself down. I put my hair up in a bun and allow my feet to walk down the steps and into the water. It is hot, my breath hitching the deeper I go.
He opens his eyes the moment I sit down next to him, and I can feel the presence of his arm behind me. Somewhere deep inside, I feel the need to pull it around my shoulder and scootch closer, just so I can feel his heat instead of that of the water.
“It didn’t take you long to come find me. Did you miss your king, sunshine?” I know he loves calling himself that. I can see it in the way he opens his eyes but keeps them just a tiny bit squinted. I don’t blame him. I wish I could call myself his king. That would be a true pleasure.
“Barely. I was actually hoping for you to come back in shambles.” He knows I’m joking.
Still, he likes to play in on it a bit too much, as always. “You’re the only one who could cause that, I am sure.” Oh. I missed him. A lot. I missed those stupid remarks.
“You are also the only one I would allow to kill me.”
I want to ignore that. “How was it?”
“The battle?”
“Just.. everything in general. You were gone for quite a while.” I make eye contact with the confidence I had gathered. I need to look him in the eyes through my initiative. I need him to know that I see him, too.
“I was having fun.” I’m not sure how to feel when he says those words.
I decide to talk past it. “You’ve missed out on the true fun.”
“I have?” He raises his eyebrows and moves his head to take a proper look at me.
His hair is pulled back and it gives me the opportunity to see his entire face. All it does is make him more attractive than he already was. It’s fucking obscene.
“Hm! I have worked on the festival with a lot of people. Including Ravi. Told me he knew you quite a bit.” His name does something to the expression on Arlon’s face, but I can’t put my finger on what it is that changes.
“What about Chay?”
“He has been helping, too.”
“Great..” I am somehow decreasing the happiness that was spread out on his face. is he not happy that I have been helping these people? Or is there another secret I am not allowed to know?
“How does it feel to have a whole week dedicated to your birthday, hm? Aren’t you excited?” It feels weird to want to make him feel better.
“I am mostly excited to reduce myself from the people and get pissed in my room.” His words make me laugh, and I’m glad to hear him chuckle beside me. I decide to move around a bit, just to calm my nerves. I have been trying not to look down this whole time, have been trying not to take a peek at his naked body.
“Will you stay if it means you’ll get to dance with me?” I dip my chin into the water and take a deep breath, eyes looking up at his.
He grins at me. “Do you even know our traditional dances?”
I do. Chay has taught me a few. I know quite some steps and have been listening to the people practice the traditional music, too. I want to impress Arlon even after helping out with the festival. I want him to be impressed all the time.
“I have been doing more than just organize you know-“ I wish I could turn back time so I could turn my back and be prepared for the sight I am now seeing. Connie has a big grin on his face as he walks into the bathing area. I can’t look away, no matter how much I want to. He’s already naked and ready to get in the bath with us, veins popping out of his arms.
“Kaïsha, ladies.” I don’t know what that word means.
“Good afternoon to you too, dickhead.” Arlon’s voice is serious, and I’m quite sure he’s nodding towards me.
“Close your mouth, princess. You’re drooling.” Connie walks through the water with a wide grin and a proud look on his face. He makes me aware of the jaw I had dropped. I close my mouth and wet it with saliva, swallowing a good few times before I can get back to myself.
“Wrong timing, I suppose?”
“Yes. I was just about to give Arlon a mind-blowing orgasm.” I roll my eyes when I turn around. I have become comfortable enough with him to say such things, even though we aren’t the best of friends.
“Thought that was my job today.” Connie is just as good as me, though. He can throw one back without thinking, and once again, he wins the loudest laugh.
“I’m actually rather interested in Elai’s offer.”
Arlon makes Connie gasp. I just grin.
If his friend leaves now, I might just consider giving it to him.
“And so the king of Turi brings betrayal upon his land.” I could’ve expected Connie to use my disposition. He’s always out to prove that I don’t belong here, that I am still not one and will never be one of them.
“You can also choose to join my betrayal instead of sulking about it.” Arlon’s remark makes me blush. I have no chance to sit beside him anymore; I don’t want Connie to get all suspicious about us. I think we’re both managing quite well to keep it a secret. That, or the people around us are blind. I don’t know which one of the two occurs.
“I might just accept your offer.” When Connie turns around, I am able to look at the tattoos on his back. He has bragged about them quite a lot, claiming that those are the actual weapons he fights with. I have never believed him, neither did he find the need to show me. That says enough, right?
“Maybe princess here can help me relax before the tournaments.” Connie is, like every other person, prone to talk about either the festival or the tournaments. It is quite the same as at home, where maids would start whispering about Lyle’s festivals a week before it would start.
“You fucking wish.” I snarl at him as both of us sit next to Arlon, both keeping enough distance. My reason is obvious, and I’m pretty sure Connie does it just so he can man spread like the ass he is. Ugh. I can’t stand him.
I wish I could tell him to go away. I was in the perfect position to kiss Arlon, there was time and space and everything was going to be perfect. And now we’re here with Connie, who happens to be very good at timing things super badly.
I want to shake my head and sigh, but I’ve got to keep myself quiet. I turn around and grab the edge with my fingers, chin pressing into the marble. I move my feet to keep myself up and am suddenly very aware of Arlon’s eyes. They’re not exactly doing their best to look away. Better yet; they are actively looking down at my body. They’re scanning me, taking in every single inch of skin as if he’s never going to see me again. I gulp. He, too, wishes to be alone with me. I can see it in the way his lips part, in the way he’s completely fixated. For a moment, I don’t care about Connie and I feel my muscles moving towards Arlon. Insane. Elai, you are insane! I widen my eyes at myself.
You were not just about to do that, right?