Chapter 143

Bastian held her eyes, the silver irises glowing as she held his cheek gently. He could see the blush growing deeper in her pale cheeks. There was no sun but her dark hair still shone softly in the morning light. His gaze moved from her eyes to her lips and he saw her mouth parted as she stared at him.

Feeling the urge to kiss those soft lips he crashed his against hers without hesitation. Her hands flew to his shoulders where she held onto him urgently. He nibbled her lower lip and felt her gasp and shiver in his arms.

Bastian slid his hands down her sides and to her hips, grasping them and moving them to form against his pelvis where a rather noticeable bulge was growing. He groaned and pressed his lips firmer against hers, feeling the soft puckered flesh. Holding her close to him with their lips still passionately engaged in the kiss he lowered her to the grass.

He left her lips and heard her catch her breath as he began trailing hot kisses along her neck. She clutched his shoulders more firmly.

He'd been so scared, so terrified when he'd seen that she wasn't in their camp. As soon as he'd seen her the fear had still not left him. When he'd hugged her, she'd embraced him back, and surprised him. But he'd been the most surprised when her hand had found his cheek and stroked it ever so softly.

"Bastian." She breathed his name.

"Yes." He mumbled against her skin and he felt her shiver beneath him. Her hands were clutching his back, her fingers digging into the fabric.

She didn't reply and he raised himself on his elbows to see her face. They were both panting, both heated from the fervent kiss.

Her eyes were hooded and he could only glimpse her grey irises. He leaned closer, his chest pressing against her soft bosom contained by the corset.

"What's happening?" She whispered breathlessly against his lips.

He chuckled softly and saw how she closed her eyes when he did. "We're kissing, my flower." He said and began to kiss down the opposite side of her neck. Her back arched into him and he groaned.

"But… Bast-ian, this 'as never…" She tried to get out, her speech broken by her gasping.

He raised himself to meet her eyes again and could see fear swirling with desire. He panted through his mouth and blinked as he began to realize what he'd been doing.

"Naose mova!(Do not move!)"

Bastian froze and he saw Hydrangea's hooded eyes widen. He could see a shadow in the reflection of those eyes. Taking a breath to slow his lungs rapid pace he glanced around without moving his head and saw that they were surrounded.

He recognized the object touching his back as a spear and muttered a curse at which Hydrangea shot him a chastising look. He rolled his eyes playfully, his mind being occupied by other things.

"Sairda cama.(Get up.)" The same man said from behind him and he dug the spear further into his spine. He bent his back forward and saw Hydrangea's mouth press together, her eyes widening a fraction more; he still hadn't quite calmed down down there yet.

He smirked and heard the man say it again, the spear digging into his back then inching away.

"I'm gonna try getting up." He whispered to Hydrangea. She gulped and looked around openly—rather than covertly as he had—and she slowly nodded. Her chest was still rising and falling quickly, her cheeks still flushed.

He breathed out a breath and gave her a hasty peck on her slightly swollen lips. She gasped in shock and he smirked happily as he rose to stand on his feet.

Two more men approached him and pointed spears at his neck, two other did the same to Hydrangea who stared at him from the grass, propped up on her elbows. Her skirts were strewn around her legs, her cloak disordered on her shoulders.

A man marched to stand in front of him, on his head was a wooden helmet carven into the shape of a jaguar. His face was smeared with dirt and green dye. His clothes were simple. A band wrapped around his forehead beneath the helmet and his body was wrapped with a green piece of cloth that fell from his shoulders to his knees, wrapped with a rope around his waist. And overtop of the green tunic was a brown poncho with white patterns.

"Queme Voce?(Who are you?)" He asked, the butt of his spear planted forcefully into the ground.

Bastian met Hydrangea's eyes, not understanding a word of what the man was saying. The man repeated the question, "Queme Voce? Fala seu nome.(Who are you? Speak your name.)"

Bastian decided charm was not the best answer to this dilemma. He hardened his features and looked the man in the eye, "I am the Sovereign of Cadarama, I have come to-"

The man attempting to knee him in the stomach but Bastian blocked it only to feel a hard hit to his temple. He fell to the ground. Blinking on his knees he saw that Hydrangea was on her knees as well and being held back by two of the warriors. A spear pointed at her throat. Her eyes were wide with concern and he could see she was restraining herself.

He blinked a few more times and caught the warrior with the helmet say, "Nos vamos levalos parao chefe.(We'll take them to the chief.)"

Then the spear shaft connected with his temple again and his world fell into darkness.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Hydrangea watched in horror as Bastian crumpled to the ground, blood could be seen on his temple where he'd been struck twice.

She was still trying to crawl towards him when two rough hands grabbed her biceps and began dragging her away from the grassy field. She began trying to struggle out of their grasp and craned her neck to see they were dragging Bastian in a similar fashion.

After dragging her down the slope with her knees beginning to burn she tried to signal that she could walk, but they ignored her words and continued on their route.

The jungle was dark, being hidden beneath the tall treetops that blocked out the sky. Her eyes darted around fervently, unsure of what dangers might lurk in the dark.

Being dragged for what felt like hours—but was probably mere minutes—they threw her to the ground, Bastian being tossed next to her shortly after.

She scrambled towards him only to be pulled back by a fierce grip on her hair. She winced and hissed through her teeth, her eyes fixed on Bastian's unconscious body. His face was buried in the dirt.

She looked to her left when she heard a bone-chilling scream followed by more. The grip on her hair loosened and she turned her face to see what was happening.

Her mouth dropped open in terror when she saw a massive insect-like creature brutally killing the warriors.