BODYGUARD
1541 Words
The annoying beam of moonlight that had somehow crept through the curtain and into his chambers since the early hours of the night had been flickering nonstop on the ceiling rafters, worsening Ghroghl's insomnia with its silly incessant dance.
Feeling as restless and aimless as the teasing glare that seemed to be taunting him, the Argantean monarch let out a defeated sigh and rose from his bed at last.
He sat at the edge of the enormous mattress with his chin carefully propped on his fist and his sight locked on the silent closed door for a pensive moment, before springing on his feet and resolutely yanking it open.
The woman that had been seated on the other side immediately scrambled around and stood up, squaring her shoulders to dissemble the fact that she’d been dozing off.
-Y-Your Grace – She awkwardly mumbled, fighting the compulsory impulse to drive her hand to her face and rub the sleepiness off her eyes – Is there anything I can help you with?
-No, Jashka, I’m just going for a midnight stroll – The ruler casually announced – I need some fresh air to clear my mind.
-At this hour of the night? – The guard objected, rapidly brushing her armor a bit and composing herself – It’s not safe! I’m coming with you then.
-Good – The Argantean responded. Walking past her and continuing down the hallway – I could use some company.
He had given up on protesting her presence from the day Greghan had nonchalantly informed him that she was, in his own words, going to be guarding his ass from then on.
“Thanks, but I don’t need any protection, Captain” – He had argued, giving the woman a condescending ogle while sizing her up and down – “No offense, but why would I? Much less from such a sweet girl… Don’t worry, I can take care of myself just fine.”
“I disagree” – The warrior had calmly dissented – “With your men so generously scattered up north, or defending the delta and piers, it is my duty to keep you alive for the rest of your stay.”
“I can do that on my own” – Ghroghl had stubbornly answered, intending to resume his march – “I´m telling you, I already know how to fight!”
“Oh… Do you?” – The captain had mockingly snarled, giving the woman an almost imperceptible nod.
So, before he could register exactly what had happened, the Argantean was lying breathless on the floor.
He blinked a couple of times in confusion, failing to grasp the fact that a girl half his weight had apparently just picked him up and tossed him effortlessly in the air.
“And now you’re dead… Congratulations” – Greghan muttered in a dispassionate tone as he looked down at him, slowly clapping his hands with a pitying expression – “I suggest you humor me on this, Your Grace. It makes things easier for everyone, and for you, a lot less painful.”
It would be a lie to say that the whole ordeal hadn´t been extremely weird at first. But by now he had already gotten used to the feeling of her ever-present-shadow behind him, and strangely, he had even started looking forward to it, to the point that whenever she was not around, he found himself missing her company. So, tonight, he had meant it when he said he was glad that she was coming with him.
-You looked troubled – Jashka´s voice resonated over the sound of the breaking waves as they both walked side by side under the stars, dragging their steps along the shoreline – Are you alright?
-Yeah – He sighed, digging his bare foot distractedly in the warm sand – I just like walking down the beach at night… I could never do this back at home. I would freeze my ass!
Breathing another deep exhale, he let out a particularly gloomy chuckle, before trotting towards a large boulder ahead and plopping down on it.
-I’m going to miss this when I go home – He continued saying as the warrior sat beside him, on the spot where he had wordlessly signaled for her to sit.
-The weather? – Jashka pondered after a quiet moment, stealing a furtive glance at the monarch, who sat with closed eyes, evidently unbothered by the wild gusts of salty wind that kept smacking the exposed skin of his bare torso and ruffling his short, blond hair back viciously.
-That too – He answered with an enigmatic grin. Letting his words be carried away by the endless rumble of the sea – It’s so peaceful here.
-Well… We try to keep it that way – She grunted, giving him a sardonic eye roll – Even when we have people like you constantly coming to our land to threaten what we've built.
-Hey, I’m here to protect those things too! – Ghroghl pointed out in a slightly hurt voice – Your kind keeps holding my ancestors´ actions over my head, but that wasn’t my call to make, and I’ve devoted my youth to amend what they did!
-Weren’t you on the same ship your uncle was when Argant attacked our city for a second time? – Jashka maliciously commented, titling her head – And didn’t you try to kidnap Axe once?
-Listen, have you never done something that you regret in your entire life? – The ruler puffed out with palpable sadness and remorse – I am human, Jashka, I make mistakes, just like everyone!
-Yes, but the difference is that your mistakes can get people killed, Your Grace – The woman harshly replied – Remember that!
-I do! Oh, trust me, I do… Every day! – Ghroghl breathed out, a pained expression crossing his eyes with realization – But you’re not telling me all this just because, are you? So, how did my past actions hurt you?
-They didn't – She admitted – You’re right. It wasn’t you… It wasn’t your hand, the one wielding the weapon that killed my father that day in battle, I just needed someone to blame for it and I chose you. I know that now.
-I am sorry – He mumbled. Averting his eyes and directing them to the obscured sand – I understand if you still do. There are things I cannot take back.
-I don’t, at least not anymore – Jashka confessed, twisting her hands – At first, I joined the Crimson Guard hoping to get some of my anger out… But then I became good at it, and it stopped crossing my mind for a while. Until they assigned me to you, and it all came rushing back.
She paused, taking a deep breath and composing a relaxed smile.
-I thought you would be different – She whispered – I thought I would hate every second of it! But you are not as bad as people say you are.
-Not as bad? – Ghroghl exclaimed. Playfully leaning towards her with a raised eyebrow.
-Or as hideous – Jashka snorted, holding his gaze defiantly as the moon cascaded over his sharp features and made them gleam under its light.
-Well… I’m glad that at least you haven’t hated every second of it – The ruler observed with a cautious smirk.
-No, not every second, Your Grace… Just some bits – The warrior jokingly noted, and they both cracked up laughing animatedly for some time till their voices devolved into a peculiar silence as their faces lingered a few inches apart – You are a good man.
-May I kiss you? – Ghroghl´s voice hoarsely requested, breaking the tense atmosphere that had settled around.
-W-Why are you asking me that? – Jashka stammered, blushing profusely as she hurried to pull back.
-Because I value my teeth – The regent explained with a casual shrug – I wouldn’t like to have them punched out. So, I rather ask.
-But why are you asking to kiss… Me? – The warrior insisted, staring at him completely dumbfounded.
-Because I think that you are beautiful – He said, tentatively leaning a little more towards her but still maintaining a prudent distance, just in case.
-W-What? – Was all that she could mutter before her throat went dry, and her senses took over her thoughts when she found herself closing the gap between them until their mouths collided.
-Do you want to come inside? – He probingly asked with a charming smile as they stood at the entrance of his room after spending some time exploring their tongues – You’d be able to keep a better surveillance on me that way, you know? As my bodyguard...
And, as she couldn’t find a single valid claim to refute that logic of his at that moment, she walked inside.
A timid sunray had replaced the nocturnal beam on the ceiling when the sudden pounding on the heavy door startled them and woke them up.
-Sir! You need to come! – A distressed voice cried out from the other side of the hall – They have arrived!!
- Writer
