Chapter 3: Intercept
2000 Words
::Ryanna's POV::
So, as the night drew upon us, we feasted with the locals of Sparta. Many of the villagers were impressed by my catch and taunted Dom for his failure to catch anything for the day. But, instead of portraying his reputation, he chuckled at it and clinked a pint of beer to the villagers.
Tyrion was not at all amused though. He sat in a corner still carefully watching his unhatched crow egg. I could tell he vowed to protect this one.
Not that he didn't want to protect Karma, but...
"Are you not enjoying yourself?" Dom whispered into my ear. I involuntarily flinched.
"Y-yeah," I stuttered, "Just thinking is all."
Dom saddled me onto his lap and redirected my attention to the villagers, "What do you see?"
I looked at him confused and offered, "A nation that is broken?"
Dom shook his head, "Was," he corrected, "It's a nation that is rebuilding."
"How do you manage to look at the positives despite what's in front of you?" I asked.
He smiled, "How do you only see the negatives?"
"W-well... I-" I became flustered.
He explained, "Life is full of ups and downs. If it wasn't... that's called a flatline, and it means you're dead."
Dom pulled me closer, "It's beyond the explanation of words. There is no true definition of life, but to utilize it to the end with purpose... that's fulfillment."
"When did you become so wise?" I was taken aback by this change.
"What?" he chuckled, "Did you not like that about Kenji?"
My eyes widened in disbelief. He was just taunting me about Kenji!
But, I pursed my lips in hesitation. Kenji always spoke that way. He was definitely one who speaks words of wisdom like a dialect.
"You still think of him, don't you?" Dom lowered his voice.
"I-" I broke out of my thoughts. That wasn't what I meant...
But I didn't say anything. If I did, I knew I'd be lying.
I could not return the same feelings Kenji had for me, but that did not mean I did not care for him. He protected me and taught me the perspectives of his world. Nihon was very different from the Isles. But so was Eurotia. While the citizens of Nihon are not facing any famine or struggles, Eurotia has hit rock bottom. The Isles are still at war, but I never knew that the world consisted of their own situations.
And it was because of him that I got to learn about my father.
I was able to learn and find myself. Although not to be by his side, he was the hand that guided me back to Dom.
"I'm sorry," I heard Dom sigh, "That was too early."
"No," I cupped his cheek with my hand and had his gaze lock onto mine, "I want you to express yourself like the freedom you bring to people. Being shackled by your own thoughts and feelings is an ocean you'll continue to drown in if you can't figure out how to swim."
He chuckled, but playfully this time, "He really rubbed on you, huh?"
"Oh shut up!" I playfully pushed his face away, "He will never have my heart the way you do."
Dom's eyes became soft and he leaned in. I happily accepted his kiss.
"Get a room," Tyrion grunted uncomfortably.
Dom pulled away regretfully, "I thought I told you not to find me."
"Technically," he tilted his jaw above us, "I wasn't... I just happened to come across her and figured if it's anyone who can smack some sense into you, it would be no other."
"How did you know I was going to be here?" Dom questioned.
Tyrion scoffed, "I can smell the works of alchemy territories away," he then paused, "I was mourning Karma, but could not ignore the recklessness you've caused."
"I was confined!" I heard Dom argue back.
"Captured by the enemy, and working with the enemy..." Tyrion analyzed, "How desperate were you?"
I felt Dom's strong hands remove me from his lap. He stood up and faced Tyrion nose to nose.
"Watch your tone," he warned, "I was being considerate about your loss. Do not question my plans ever again," he growled.
Tyrion was unfazed, but nodded, "As you wish," he then narrowed his eyes and smirked, "But I wonder if Ryanna would feel the same?"
My eyes widened like my mouth did. Me? What does this have to do with me?
"Since you are Kenj's right hand," he shrugged at that title, "From one war chief to another, what would you have done?"
"I- uhhh," I didn't know what he was talking about.
"Oh?" his voice sounded amused, "He didn't tell you?"
"There's a time and place for everything," Dom glared at him, "Did you think I wanted our reunion to be heavy of dismay?"
Tyrion looked away, "Some people don't get the luxury of time," he referred to the people, "And now you're healing the enemy."
I could see the veins on Dom's arms tighten in anger. I gently grabbed onto his arm and whispered, "Let's call it a night."
Dom and Tyrion did not break from each other's gaze. Although Tyrion knew his place, he was older and naturally scolded Dom with silence.
I tugged Dom and felt some of his rage deteriorate.
He scoffed, "Since you delivered her to me, I guess your services are not needed anymore."
Oh man, he's making it worse!
"I could return back to the Isles," Tyrion agreed, "But what use would that be if there is more that could be jeopardized?"
Tyrion looked at me and I remained silent.
Tyrion continued, "You may dismiss me, but my services also apply to the daughter of Draven. After all..." he did not blink, "She is the true future of our lands."
Although his words were meant to be endearing, why did they sound so sinister?
Tyrion turned away, "And until SHE dismisses me," he smirked, "You're pretty much stuck with me."
I knew that statement ticked Dom off, but he seethed his breath between gritted teeth until he calmed down.
"Let's go," I urged.
I wasn't sure how I was going to get him to cool off, but it was better than having them bicker any longer.
We entered our hut and I paused.
"In the arms of war, we can't be picky," Dom whispered.
The bed reminded me of the Inn back home. It was not as great in condition, but it wasn't horrible either. What I was looking at was the coin set by his bedside table.
"Freya's coin," I whispered to myself.
"Never used it since the last time," he picked it up, "It was too coincidental to me."
I retraced my thoughts on that day we were at the beach. But why did he say it like it was a bad thing? Freya saved me back in Nihon.
"He died that day," Dom sighed, "Keneff was lynched right after she left. A part of me thought she was in on it too."
"Dom," I wanted to tell him she was innocent, but the saddened look on his face showed that his perspective was a little different.
But there was also something I needed to tell him first.
"Dom," I repeated, "Leo was captured during the meeting."
But he did not look phased at all.
"Dom!" I pouted, "Did you hear me?"
"Yes," he answered, "He fulfilled his promise."
"What promise?" I asked.
"To show me you were safe," he walked towards the bed, "I guess Tyrion was right, my decisions seem pretty desperate."
This side of Dom I was not used to, I don't think I ever will be. But, a part of me broke knowing that he has faltered behind the mask. What am I supposed to do now?
"Dom," I shrugged, "Leo protected me too."
"We can't go back," he sighed, "Not right now at least."
Was it because of the Eurotians?
"It's more than just them," he read my mind, "The Vikings are working with Jerard."
The Vikings?
Dom fell on his back against the covers and let out a huff before resting his clasped hands on his abdomen. He wasn't defeated, but sounded exhausted.
I joined him by sitting on the edge of the bed. I offered comfort of silence.
"Tyrion knows we don't benefit from helping these people," he admitted, "But, I saw their faces. I couldn't let it go."
"For a renowned savage, you have a gentle side to you," I purred.
His eyes dulled, "Babe..."
I do not know why, or how... but... hearing that word come out of his mouth instantly triggered me to get on top of him.
Wait! What am I doing?
I saddled myself on top of his waist, just barely touching my thighs to his hands.
"Oh?" I heard him mischievously tease, and curled a smirk.
"I-," no really what was I doing?
I tried to pull away, only to have his strong hands release from each other and placed on my hips. He sat me back down and I caught a faint glimpse of him biting his lip.
"I don't know why you're stopping?" he looked at me with daring eyes.
My being was completely dumbfounded, and I could not storm up an excuse for my actions.
"I- uh,"
I missed you.
"Ryanna," he pierced through my awkward silence, "You don't have to force yourself onto me, just because we have reunited."
"It's not that I don't want to..." I stuttered.
At that moment, he pulled my body towards him and swiftly tumbled me underneath him. It was in such a smooth way that I didn't notice I had yet to take a breath!
"So are you saying you want to?" he grazed his index against my bottom lip, "Only words through these lips will I obey... or..." he paused and now grazed his lips up my neck. An escaped moan followed my soul out of my body as I received his touch.
Dom's voice became more husky, "Or do I need to convince your second?"
My soul may have left my body, but I think the rest of my morals were following suit! I could not gulp, nor speak, because I knew for sure my body wanted him. I wanted him so freaking badly!
And then I felt him nip at my ear, "What's wrong? Can't have the royal heir to the throne buckle at the touch of a savage."
I was fuming, but also kind of liking this foreplay! I had to fight back. We will see who howls to the moon first!
My hands traced his sharpened jaw, where he gently folded to my touch. His head tilted back and I nudged underneath his jaw with my forehead. I heard him chuckle, but said nothing more. I then tilted my head and gently kissed his adam's apple, traveling upwards until I barely feathered against his bottom lip.
"LORD DOM!" Garyd came bursting through the door.
"Motherfucker!" I heard Dom curse. I froze in place, not saying a peep.
"Oh my!" Garyd shielded his eyes, "I- I'm sorry!"
"What do you want?" Dom impatiently asked.
"Scouts have detected Royal Isle guards closing in from the west! There's a few hundred of them on the opposite shores!"
"Dammit!" I heard Dom regretfully pull away from me.
I laid there in disbelief. Were we actually going to be at war so soon?!
"Wake up Tyrion," Dom ordered, "Do not alarm the others!"
"But, Lord Dom," Garyd's voice was shaking.
"Do as I say," he barked, "Do not make me repeat myself."
His authoritarian tone struck the feeble old man out of his fear and into obedience. Garyd carefully closed the hut door behind him without further objections.
And there he was, seething and fuming at the edge of the bed. I teetered myself upright in confusion and a bit of fear. But his eyes held ambition and desire.
"Duty calls."
- Writer
