BLUE
1589 Words
-Guilty much, brother? – Skhana whispered teasingly in her sibling’s ear as she noticed him looking over his shoulder for the thousandth time that day –Don’t tell me that you are already beginning to have regrets.
-I am not – He assured her, puffing his chest out, then closing his eyes and forcefully shaking his head – I’ve just been having this nagging feeling that we are being followed ever since we left Lowland’s Gate.
-Must be your nerves… Or maybe you’re having some second thoughts – The girl chuckled, patting his shoulder and walking past him –We could always go back, you know? We’re still in time. I bet they haven’t even noticed yet!
-Quiet! – Phomeryka urged them, stepping cautiously through the tall vegetation and inspecting the terrain – You two are noisier than a peep of chickens! I should have listened to my gut and simply traveled alone.
-Well, as I said, there is still time for a change of heart – Skhana grunted, rolling her eyes and offering the Xoltunian a fake smile – And remember, you were the one who asked to join us, not the other way arou…
-Shhh! – The archer insisted in a low tone as she suddenly turned around to face the girl with her bow aimed in her direction. An arrow almost grazing her neck as it flew whistling past her frame and impacted forcefully a few feet to her right, on a large racoon.
-What the hell, Phoms? – Axe exclaimed, panickily running towards his sister and worriedly scanning her face – You could have hit her! Are you insane?
-But I didn’t, did I? – Phomeryka boredly replied. Heading towards the massive log standing behind them and retrieving the animal’s corpse pinned to its bark – Now, I already got us dinner… So, which of you is going to start the fire?
-Phoms? – Skhana mocked him, as they collected kindling together – Seriously, Axe? The wacko almost sent me to an early grave, and you are practically calling her Love?
-Shut up! – The blue-haired boy responded, his cheeks unintentionally blushing and turning uncomfortably hot – I just find her name inconveniently long, and I wanted to shorten it up, that’s all.
-Whatever – The girl puffed out, throwing a small twig at his face and walking away – Come on, I think we’ve got enough, let’s get that fire started before it gets dark.
A cool breeze blew gently around the campsite as Axe finished setting up a tent. A mouthwatering scent emanating from the tender meat that was slowly roasting over the creaking fire.
-Cheers! – The Xoltunian archer merrily stated. Raising her flask of water up in the air before taking a generous sip from it – We spent our first day together, and we made it out alive!
-Barely – Skhana bitterly remarked, rubbing the exposed skin of her neck absentmindedly – Some of us seem determined to be as reckless as they possibly can.
-Ugh! Are you still going on about that? – The Princess sighed with annoyance – I already told you and your brother… I am sorry that you felt a little threatened, but you were never in any real danger.
- Oh, I wasn’t! – The girl sneered, squinting at her – Good to know then, that’s such a relief! Because, you know? It did feel quite dangerous to me.
-Well, it wasn’t – Phomeryka sternly declared, tossing a steamy chunk of meat at her - So, stop being so dramatic. It is not like I was going to miss the mark or anything… Now, eat!
They had been sitting around the fire in silence for a while, enjoying the satisfying sensation of their placidly full bellies and surrendering to the warm numbness that had begun to lull them into a cloudy stupor.
-Listen, why don’t you guys sleep in my tent, since neither of you brought one? – Axe offered, adjusting himself in his seat and reclining his back on a large tree – I’ll just stay here and keep watch.
-Great – Skhana unenthusiastically muttered. Stretching out lazily and jumping on her feet – I don’t know about you, but I sure am beyond exhausted… So, I’ll call it a night.
Axe watched as her tired steps headed towards the tent, and she swiftly disappeared inside it. His attention then changing to the archer sitting beside him.
-Go ahead, have some rest – He nodded at her invitingly – you must be drained… Don’t you want to lie down as well?
-I do - Phomeryka chortled, her voice lowering to an almost inaudible whisper – But I bet your sister might try to smother me in my sleep. So, I would rather keep you company for a while, if you don’t mind.
-Suit yourself then – The young boy shrugged off, reaching for his head and taking his cap off. The long-braided blue hair falling heavily over his shoulder as he did so.
-Is it all like that? – The Xoltunian curiously asked after a while, staring at him with a broad playful smile.
-Like what? – Axe confusedly inquired. Throwing some twigs into the fire and watching its orange flames dance.
-Blue… - Phomeryka breathed out suggestively – Does all the hair on your body look like that? Or just the one on your head and eyebrows?
-Oh – The youngster mumbled, ashamedly looking at the ground before responding in the calmest voice he could summon –Yes… It’s all like that.
-Even down there? – The girl pressed on with evident amusement. Her eyes blatantly darting to the bulge between his thighs.
-Yep – Axe sharply exhaled. Awkwardly fidgeting in his spot as he felt a weird tingling rising up his neck – Even there.
- May I see it, please? – The princess eagerly requested after letting out a loud, surprised gasp.
-What? No! – The blue-haired boy rushed to say, shaking his head forcefully and instinctively squeezing his legs – Aren’t you like… Fifteen? You’re just a little girl!
-I am almost sixteen – Phomeryka retorted, batting her eyelashes seductively at him – And where I come from, that means that I am old enough to partake in the Ceremony if I want to.
-So, have you? – Axe questioned her with sudden interest, narrowing his bright blue eyes - Partaken, I mean.
-Nah… I haven’t felt like it yet – She murmured. Staring down at her feet briefly, before looking back at him with renewed resolution and a broad grin – But that’s not the point here, is it? Now come on, show me! Pretty please!
-No! – The boy shrieked, protectively clutching his nether region with his hands and feeling the heat inside his body rise.
-I’ll show you mine if you show me yours – The Xoltunian salaciously proposed. Standing up and driving a tentative hand over the garment covering her toned legs and purposefully letting it linger there.
A silent moment extended between them as they both stared at each other fixedly. But then Axe blinked. He let out a defeated groan and stood on his feet.
-All right – He sighed.
Taking a nervous glance to both sides, he pulled his clothes down in a single motion and gingerly took his member out.
He stood there motionless for a whole minute, feeling the wind blowing on his skin while she admiringly inspected him up and down with glistening eyes and an agape mouth, before the awkwardness became too much for him to bare, and he pulled the cloth up again.
-It is your turn now – He hoarsely said. Plumping back on the ground and taking a deep breath.
-You know what? – She deviously spoke, taking the hand off her hips and driving a finger to her lip pensively instead – Maybe later.
She yawned exaggeratedly, turning her back to him and beginning to walk away.
-I am suddenly feeling very tired myself – She continued saying - So, I am going to take my chances with your sister and go lay down for a bit beside her.
-You lied to me! – Axe recriminated to her, letting out a disappointed laugh and crossing his arms over his chest – Of course, what was I thinking? I should have known better.
-I didn’t – Phomeryka nonchalantly spoke, unexpectedly turning around and winking at him – I said I’ll show you mine, and I will… I just didn’t tell you when.
Axe sat there, completely dumbfounded, as she went into the tent and left him alone with his own chaotic thoughts.
He had been silently cursing himself for his naivety for a while when the nagging feeling of being watched returned even stronger than before, and he resolutely jumped on his feet.
Stealthily, he had paced in the vicinity of the campsite for some time in an apparently aimless pattern when, all of a sudden, he froze and jumped behind a bush just in time to see a shadow approach the site.
Their stalker would appear a second later from the darkness, and even when he hadn’t seen him in years, the mask he wore wouldn’t be enough to conceal his true identity once Axe recognized the grit in those dark, familiar eyes.
-Ah! I knew we were being followed! – He loudly proclaimed, tapping the shoulder of the startled Yahurian before him – Long time, no see, Akoh. What can I help you with?
- Writer
