#14
947 Words
Aric sat beside Lina, watching her sleep peacefully after the terrifying ordeal she had gone through the previous night. As the first rays of dawn filtered into the room, casting a soft glow over her face, he found himself thinking deeply. He knew how much she missed her family, and he couldn’t bear to see her in pain any longer. The decision had been made—Lina needed to see her parents, even if only for a short while. He would make sure it was safe and would bring her back to the people she loved.
The morning sun slowly rose higher, and Lina began to stir. Aric hadn’t moved from his spot beside her, still keeping watch over her. She whispered his name softly in her sleep, and a gentle smile touched his lips as he leaned down to place a soft peck on her forehead.
“Good morning, Lina,” he whispered as her eyes fluttered open.
“Morning,” she mumbled, blinking sleepily up at him. “You’re still here?”
“Of course,” he said, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “I told you I wouldn’t leave.”
She smiled, feeling warmth spread through her at his words. “Thank you.”
Aric nodded and then helped her sit up. “Go get freshened up, love. We have somewhere to be today.”
“Where are we going?” she asked, curiosity piqued.
“It’s a surprise,” he replied, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
Lina pouted slightly, wanting to know more, but Aric only chuckled and gently nudged her toward the bathroom. “You’ll find out soon enough. Now go on, get ready.”
After breakfast, which was a quiet but comfortable affair, Lina tried once more to pry the secret out of him. “Are you at least going to tell me if I need to dress up or not?”
Aric smirked, shaking his head. “Just wear something comfortable. That’s all I’ll say.”
She sighed but decided to go along with the mystery. After getting dressed, she met him in the hallway, and he led her toward a part of the palace she hadn’t explored much before. As they approached, Lina realized it was a large garage.
When Aric opened the door, she gasped. Inside were rows of cars, all polished to a gleaming finish. There were sports cars, luxurious sedans, and even an old-fashioned vintage model. But what really caught her attention was the fact that he had them at all.
“You… you have cars?” she asked, wide-eyed. “And you know how to drive them?”
Aric raised an eyebrow at her, amused. “Of course I do. What do you think I’ve been doing all this time?”
“I mean,” she stammered, still processing the sight, “you’re like an ancient man with a dragon. Shouldn’t you be traveling by dragon or, I don’t know, a king’s chariot or something?”
Aric threw his head back and laughed heartily, the sound echoing in the spacious garage. Lina blinked in surprise, her confusion deepening.
“Oh, Lina,” he said, shaking his head as he tried to contain his laughter. “How can I remain ancient when you’re from this world? I’ve had to adapt, you know. I’ve made sure I have everything you might need so you don’t face any problems while staying with me.”
She blushed at his words, feeling a warmth in her chest at how much he cared for her comfort. But what really made her blush furiously was the next thing he said.
“Don’t blush too hard, darling,” he murmured, stepping closer to her and tilting her chin up with his finger. “I might not be able to control myself from devouring those lips of yours.”
Now, she was sure her face was the color of a ripe tomato. Aric smirked, clearly enjoying her reaction, and she quickly looked away, trying to compose herself. But the blush wouldn’t leave her cheeks, especially after hearing him call her “darling.”
“C-Come on,” she stammered, trying to divert his attention. “Let’s go… wherever it is you’re taking me.”
Aric chuckled softly, clearly amused, before leading her to one of the sleek black cars. He opened the passenger door for her with a small bow, which only made her blush deepen, before sliding into the driver’s seat.
The engine roared to life, and they were soon speeding down the long, winding road that led away from the palace. The entire ride, Lina couldn’t stop thinking about the way he had looked at her, the way he had called her “darling,” and the way he had teased her about kissing her. Her heart fluttered in her chest, and she found herself blushing like an i***t the entire time.
Aric noticed, of course, and a soft smile played on his lips as he drove. He found it utterly adorable how easily she could be flustered, and the sight of her pink cheeks only made his affection for her grow.
After a while, Lina managed to calm herself enough to enjoy the scenery outside the car window. The world around them was lush and green, the trees tall and majestic, with sunlight filtering through the leaves. It was peaceful, and for a moment, she forgot about the mysteries and dangers surrounding her life with Aric.
But in the back of her mind, she couldn’t help but wonder what the surprise was. And as the car continued down the road, her anticipation grew with every passing mile.
- Writer
