Sapphire: The Gemstone Series

Chapter Twelve

The camp bustled with activity as Sapphire approached the makeshift dining area, the clatter of cookware and the murmur of voices filling the air. Soldiers and Vessels moved about in a steady rhythm, setting up for the upcoming meal, while the scent of grilled fish lingered on the breeze. Sapphire scanned the scene, his sharp gaze quickly locating Ezra among the crowd. Ezra, ever composed, was overseeing a small group of Vessels who were busy arranging the tables.

Sapphire made his way over to him, his mood already soured by Cruz's earlier interruption at the beach. "Do you need any help?" Sapphire asked, folding his arms, his irritation barely masked.

Ezra glanced up from his task, his brow furrowed slightly before offering a small smile. "We've got enough hands already," he replied, his tone apologetic. "Everything's under control."

Sapphire frowned slightly, though he quickly masked his irritation. Then why the hell did Cruz say they needed help? He wondered, though he kept the question to himself. His thoughts were loud in his head, but his lips remained sealed, his annoyance only growing as he considered how Cruz had dragged him away for no real reason.

Still, Ezra must have noticed the shift in Sapphire's mood, because he added quickly, "But if you want, you can help bring the plates over to the tables."

Just as Sapphire was about to agree, Cruz appeared, his presence commanding immediate attention. Clad in a fitted shirt that accentuated his broad shoulders and muscular arms, every defined muscle rippled beneath the fabric as he moved. Sapphire felt an involuntary reaction to the way Cruz carried himself with a certain confidence that left a mark on the air around him.

"Sapphire," Cruz said firmly, his tone leaving little room for argument. "Come with me. You can help with the utensils instead."

Sapphire's gaze narrowed, but he bit back a retort, rolling his eyes as he turned on his heel and followed Cruz without another word. His patience was wearing thin, and Cruz's sudden need for his attention was only adding to the growing irritation.

As they walked toward the section where the utensils were stored, Cruz glanced over at him, his voice low and edged with curiosity. "What's going on between you and Montreal?"

Sapphire barely suppressed a groan. "That's none of your business," he replied coolly, his voice clipped as he focused on organizing the utensils, his movements precise and quick. He had no intention of indulging Cruz's prying questions.

Cruz's jaw tightened at Sapphire's response, but he didn't press further, though his eyes remained fixed on the Vessel, watching his every move. There was a tension in the air, subtle yet undeniable, and Sapphire could feel Cruz's gaze lingering on him, even as they continued their task in silence.

Unbeknownst to them, Juno followed them back from the beach and had been watching the entire exchange from a distance, his sharp eyes tracking every movement. A flicker of determination passed through him as he approached the two, unwilling to let Cruz's attention shift entirely to Sapphire.

"Need any help?" Juno asked, his voice smooth, though there was an undercurrent of tension in his tone as he sidled up beside Cruz, making sure to brush his arm against the general's, his touch lingering just a little too long to be accidental.

Cruz barely glanced at him, his attention still on Sapphire, much to Juno's frustration. "Go help Ezra with the plates," Cruz muttered, dismissing him without a second thought.

But Juno wasn't about to be brushed off so easily. He lingered, his presence insistent as he continued to hover near Cruz, his fingers occasionally brushing against the general's arm or shoulder, each touch deliberate as he sought to capture his attention. But Cruz remained indifferent, his gaze never straying far from Sapphire, who continued his task with quiet determination, trying his best to ignore the subtle competition playing out around him.

Sapphire's irritation only grew. He couldn't quite place why, but the sight of Juno clinging to Cruz's side like a shadow was beginning to grate on his nerves. He had no reason to care what Cruz did or who he entertained, and yet something about Juno's desperate attempts to capture Cruz's attention sent a spark of annoyance through him.

With a soft sigh, Sapphire shook his head, pushing the feeling aside. It's not my problem, he reminded himself as he focused on arranging the utensils, though the irritation lingered at the edges of his thoughts.

Cruz, meanwhile, continued to throw lingering glances in Sapphire's direction, his expression unreadable as he watched the Vessel work. His presence was strong, commanding, and even as Juno tried to pull his attention, it was clear where Cruz's thoughts truly lay.

The tension was interrupted by the arrival of the soldiers and Vessels from the beach. A group of them entered the camp, hauling buckets filled with the morning's catch. At the forefront was Montreal, his muscled frame on full display, carrying a bucket overflowing with fish and other sea creatures. His broad chest gleamed with sweat, his biceps flexing as he moved, and it wasn't long before his presence drew the attention of nearly every Vessel in the area.

Sapphire, however, barely glanced up, though he felt the sudden shift in the atmosphere as Montreal approached. His thoughts were still on the earlier annoyance with Cruz, but the sight of Montreal, shirtless and towering, did not go unnoticed.

The group decided to save the catch for dinner, given that lunch preparations were already in full swing, and Montreal set the bucket down with ease, his muscles rippling as he did. His gaze swept the camp, landing briefly on Sapphire before shifting to the task at hand.

Adrian, noticing Sapphire's sour mood, strolled over with a smirk. "Where did you disappear to?" he asked, his tone teasing as he leaned in slightly, clearly amused by the visible scowl on Sapphire's face.

Sapphire sighed, crossing his arms as he glanced toward where Cruz and Juno were still lingering. "Cruz dragged me back here for no reason," he muttered, his annoyance clear. "They "needed help", apparently." He made air quotes with his fingers, his tone dry.

Adrian chuckled, clearly entertained by Sapphire's frustration. "Sounds like Cruz has a particular interest in keeping you close," he remarked, his smirk widening as he watched Sapphire's expression darken.

Sapphire rolled his eyes but said nothing more, though his irritation hadn't completely faded. Adrian's amusement only added to the absurdity of the situation, and Sapphire was beginning to feel like a pawn in some ridiculous game he had no desire to play.

Once everyone had finished their tasks, the group finally settled down to enjoy their well-earned meal. The camp was alive with the sound of laughter and conversation, the smell of grilled fish filling the air. Sapphire sat with Adrian, his mood beginning to lighten as he allowed himself to relax, though he could still feel Cruz's gaze on him from across the camp.

And as the meal went on, the tension between the two generals remained, unspoken but unmistakable, lingering like a storm cloud on the horizon, waiting to break.