5. Beautiful Trap.

***Willow’s POV.***

I back away as soon as I come out of my vision. That broke the tension around us because the next moment, I heard his fading footsteps and the door closing with a thud. The only thing I could hear now was my ragged breathing and my heart beating in my ears. I close my ears with my hand and close my eyes, but the vision keeps coming in front of my eyes and I open it.

I get out of the tub and dry myself. Then I wear the soft white nightgown which they provided me with. All my other clothes were taken away to get washed, so I am only left with this. As the maids take away the tub, I put the chair in front of the hearth to comb my hair.

The vision I saw before flashes in front of my eyes, taunting me and makes my heart ache weirdly. I still shiver with the thought of what might have happened if I hadn’t turned away from him? Of what I almost let happen? And what was surprising was it was not only Ryker’s touch that made me see that vision, it was mine too.

After my hair is dry, I eat nothing and go to bed. I miss his warmth a little. Never have I allowed myself to be swayed by a man, nor did I let them touch me because then it would reveal my secrets. I never tried to even see the possibility of it, as I can’t trust them. But with Ryker, that vision is making me think about it. Why?

“Please don’t think about it.” I request to myself and cover myself from head to toe with blankets.

I hear the door open just when I finally slip into slumber.

I am in the tub again and hear the door opening. I turn around to see Ryker standing there as his eyes turn from golden to black. The black pools which are waiting to engulf me in their sensuous darkness. As he comes closer, the hot water feels more hot than before.

He comes to stand in front of me and puts his hand on my cheeks. His thumb caressed my lips. Only this time I don’t turn away but throw my head back to look at him, and that is the moment the dragon descends to breathe his fire on me.

He takes my lips in a fierce kiss, which makes me moan out in surprise because, unlike what I thought his lips would be rough and cold, they are instead soft and warm. His lips trace mine with an urgency, then he bites my lower lip, which makes me gasp and that is when his tongue takes advantage of it.

“No.” I gasp as I wake up.

One kiss. That is all I saw, and that is what made me this much restless. How can one kiss do that? How can I be so bothered by one small vision? Why can I not just forget it? But then I know the reason for it as I look at Ryker’s sleeping form on the floor beside the bed and the covered supper on the table.

Because no one cares for me like he does.

My stomach growls with hunger, so I get up and tiptoe to the table. I eat supper and drink cider which is still a little warm. Tomorrow we will leave for Bleakstar and after a week I will be in the capital. I don’t know why I am going there, but my senses tell me that is my destination. That I will get the purpose of my life there. But as I look at Ryker, for the first time I want to fight against my fate.

Next day, Ryker is behaving differently. Not that he has not seen me naked before, but neither did he see me naked yesterday. Maybe he is embarrassed like me about what could have happened. And think I might be upset with him. It is no fault of him. He has made his intentions clear from the start, but more importantly, he has been respectful of my wishes, too.

Yes, now and then he says stuff that makes me uncomfortable, but never did I feel unsafe with him. That is why even though I don’t know him, I still follow him. I somehow came to trust him.

“At what time are we leaving?” I ask as I comb my hair.

“After breakfast. Here.” He says and puts a long rectangle box on the bed.

“What is this?” I ask and put the comb away to open it.

“An apology.” He says, and I look at him.

“There is no need for it. Nothing happened.” I say, but he just smiles serenely.

I feel confused for a second, but then I see what he brought for me. “This area has more girls. That is why there is more girly stuff here than in south Ashenalp. That is why it took me time to find this for you. I hope it is to your liking.”

“It is beautiful and very kind of you.” I say as I look down at ribbons of different colors, “Which one should I wear?”

“Why are you asking me? You should wear the one you like.” He says with a frown.

“It is a gift from you. It has every color which would go with my hair. So I am confused. Please choose one for me.” I say and he sighs.

“This one.” He says and picks up a light blue color ribbon for me.

“Thanks.” I say with a smile and take it from him.

“You do not need to walk today. Brian is lending me a horse.” He says and turns to leave, but I stop him.

“Ryker.” This is the first time I called him by his name, surprisingly.

“Yes?” He asks after a beat.

“Thank you for everything. I am happy that I met you that day. You really saved me.” I say as I feel my heart getting warmed by these new feelings.

“Why are you saying this now?” He asks with a frown.

“It's just… I never really appreciate the things you did for me. And also, I wanted to assure you that last night should not affect what we had before.” I say as I hold the ribbon in my grip.

“And what did we have before?” He asks, and I look up in surprise.

“A friendship, maybe.” I say with a slight smile.

“So I am your friend who saw you naked twice. Either you see me as a girl or you think I consider you a man, which seems impossible.” He says in a sarcastic tone

“But-” I go to argue, but he shows me his hand.

“Willow, let it be. Get ready. We are leaving soon.” He says and closes the door behind him.

What has changed between us over the night? But there was nothing more to begin with before that? So why am I feeling some kind of loss? Why do I feel that as we are getting closer to Bleakstar, a rift has formed between us, which is widening by every passing second? And ‌it is not even our destination yet.

I braid my hair and tie the end with the blue ribbon which he chose for me. For the first time, I don’t want to let go of someone that easily. Maybe I could try to trust someone for once and see where it takes me. I mean, what worse could happen?

At least, I won’t regret that I didn’t try. And I like Ryker. I do. We don't know much about each other, but I know that he is a good person. I made up my mind and got up from bed with a new resolve.

I pack my bag and go down after wearing my cloak. While I have breakfast with Freya and her daughter, Brian and Ryker have some talk in the distance. Cyra gives me a small doll, hoping I will use it as an excuse to meet her again. I kiss her cheek and promise to visit her.

I have made too many promises; I think.

Ryker helps me sit on the horse and takes her reins. As we leave, I wave to the family. I look down at the man who has given me hope for something which I didn’t think I could have and look in front of me. This is something I can do. I have to be patient enough, then everything will be fine. But fear still harbours my heart that something would break my dream and turn it into a nightmare.

Bleakstar is just a half day journey from Fallen but as the snowstorm is starting soon, it is getting difficult to reach there. But Ryker wants to reach there before the storm hits us in full force, as there is no shelter on this route.

We struggle forward and Ryker not only is holding the horse but me too as I have fallen many times and my legs are getting numb from the cold even though I covered them with stockings and heavy skirts. Just when I think we can’t move anymore and Ryker’s strength is waning away, he picks me up from the horse and puts me over his shoulder.

“What are you doing, Ryker?” I ask in astonishment.

“We are here. And it is better if I run with you like this than drag you and the horse both.” He shouts out.

“What about the horse, then?” I ask, but I get my answer the very next moment when he slaps her rear, and she runs in front of us at full speed.

He runs too and I close my eyes and hold on to his cloak. But suddenly the air feels less forceful and I look up to see we crossed a big black gate. As Ryker keeps running with me over his shoulder, I also see the houses in the row closed shut but the windows show light.

Ryker puts me to my feet in front of a small keep whose walls are black. It is just as he described to me and I have seen in my vision. But it looks more appealing. Never have I thought black castle like this could be beautiful to me. The door of the keep opens and we get in. Before I could get a look around, Ryker rushes me up the stairs and to the far door on the second floor.

He opens the door and I get in. This room has no windows, but it has a bed and a warm hearth. It also has a dresser, and a bookshelf filled with books, which I would love to explore later. There is a door to the left which leads to the privy. This room feels like someone lived here.

I turn to the door to look at Ryker and stumble. His eyes look different. They do not look the same as before. It feels like they are trying to break free of something. I take a step towards him when he removes something from around his neck. A talisman.

I gasp and put my hand on the shelf for support when I saw it. His eyes have no longer have two colors but three and I see a vision. Ryker, his kindness, and this room is all nothing but a beautiful trap.

I feel a single tear slip down my cheek as the Dragon King closes the door and locks it.