Ileus continued, "I can't imagine how you sustained all those years of torture when I couldn't for one month," he said in a low voice. He pressed a kiss on her forehead. "If there is anything I feel for you, it is awe. And you can always confess to me. Don't feel restrained, okay?"

"Okay." Her body melted against him. "I wish to kill Maple one day." 

He chuckled. "I wish that too!" 

Although he chuckled, she knew that he meant to avenge what she did to him. But there was something else she felt was missing. Why was Maple so interested in breaking him down? Just because she wanted him or was there something else to the entire tale? 

"Are you comfortable?" his question broke her reverie. 

The ground was so damp that the coldness from it was seeping through the furs. Even though she was close to him, her teeth started chattering. 

"Do you want to come on me?" he asked. 

"No! I mean I am fine. It is not that cold that—" she gasped when he picked her up and pulled her to lie over him. 

"Wh— what are you doing?" she blushed a crimson red. All she could think was last time when she had climbed on his top, but that was a different situation. She did it in her sleep. And this was… different. 

"I am making you comfortable," he replied with a smile tugging at his lips. He wrapped his right arm over her back and the left over her waist, pressing her slightly in his body.

Anastasia turned to her side and he loosened his grip to allow her to do that. He tucked the fur around them. "I hope this makes you feel better." 

It was making her feel so warm but also very awkward. "I've never— never been this cl— close to—" The man had such broad shoulders that she felt perfectly cradled against him. 

"This is all an arrangement to make you feel cozy, Ana," he said. "And nothing else. Since I am helping you to escape, it is my duty to deliver you safely till Óraid." 

"I see…" she replied, not liking what he said. 

"Hmm…" He folded one of his knees up and her hip cradled right near his. He stroked her arm and settled it over the side of her hip. His other arm was behind his head. 

She thought she should close her eyes and go off to sleep, but the position was too distracting. She cradled her head in one hand and sprawled the other over his chest. "Thanks…" she breathed softly, trying not to blush, but she was reeling under his effect. 

"I hope you are feeling warm now," he said. 

That was an understatement. "I am," she said. Heat was coiling in her belly and she clenched her thighs. "But this is my first time—" 

He chuckled. "I know. You have already said that." He stroked her back. "Usually, women would love to be in this position with me, you know?" 

Jealousy stabbed. "Maybe you pull them up like this? Don't act as if you were the innocent party and the others used you." 

"When did I say I was innocent?" His finger came on her belly and made circles over there. Little did he know that he was stroking a nest of butterflies in there. 

"I never had the need to." 

"What do you mean? Did they jump over you all the time?" 

"All the time." 

Feeling outraged, jealous and disappointed, she tried to slide down from his chest, but he gripped her harder. 

"But, you are the only one who doesn't want to jump on me," he said. 

She snapped, "It is you who keeps jumping on me! Besides, am I a trophy you want to conquer? Because if that is the case, mind you, you are in for a big disappointment." 

He laughed aloud and she heard some people sending curses along his way. "Keep it down, damn it! These two. Ugh!" Kaizan muttered. 

"I do like to jump on you," Ileus replied shamelessly, as he played with her golden hair that was spread over his chest. He took a thick strand and placed it on his face and closed his eyes. "But I knew that you used to watch me in Vilinski. There was not a day when I didn't feel your gaze on me." 

Her cheeks reddened. "I— I—" Gods, he was too brazen. 

"You, what?" 

"As my guard, you were there in front of me, and I— well you can say that I observe well." How could she say that she found herself pulled to him against every logic even when he was disguised as Kaizan? 

"Is that so? I saw you glancing at me when I was practicing as a guard." 

She gasped and blurted, "Why did you practice in front of me?" Immediately she closed her mouth. This meant that noticed him while he flexed his muscles, practicing his skills with other guards. She wanted to smack herself for that stupid statement. If only she could take it back. 

A chuckle rumbled in his chest. "Now I am offended." Though he was elated. His hands went to her cheeks and he brushed them with his knuckles. 

"Wh— why?"

"That was Kaizan you saw and not me. Should I take it then that you like Kaizan over me?" 

Kaizan had to comment. "That's a lovely thought. Anastasia you can come and lie down here." 

"Do you have a death wish?" Ileus grunted. 

He became very quiet. 

"I don't like anyone!" 

"Nah! See this is where you are lying. You like me, and not Kaizan." 

"Does she love you?" Kaizen's voice came in a whisper. 

Anastasia was mortified. "Shut up!" she hissed. 

Ileus and Kaizan stifled a laugh and became silent.

Moments later Anastasia squirmed and again said, "I think this is not the right thing to do." 

"I already explained to you. This is a temporary arrangement to make you feel cozy."

"This is how you made all other women feel cozy or lusty?"

"Correction. It was other women who thought that this position was cozy." His voice was husky when he said, "Are you feeling lusty?" 

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