Chapter 8: Enemies to Lovers?

Azrya saw to it that the boy had a room and was looked after, before retiring to her own room, exhausted from the ride, too tired to sup with the rest of them men. One of the workers had brought her a change of clothes from the belongings she had packed.

Azrya started to undress, fiddling with the strings at the back of her dress laced up in a corset fashion. She was still struggling to undo them when Akio suddenly burst into the room. He was holding a bowl of stew with a large chunk of bread and cup filled with wine.

Azrya, momentarily glanced frostily at Akio who returned he back a look even meaner, then continued to attempt to undo the strings of her dress.

Placing down the food on the table in the corner of the room, Akio then strode over to Azrya, taking the strings from her hands and untying her dress.

All of a sudden, feeling shy, Azrya tried to move away mumbling,

"It's alright I can do it myself."

But Akio simply gently picked her by the waist, as if you weighed nothing, placing Azrya back in front of him, her back facing him as he continued to undo the strings.

Azrya, stayed put reluctantly, murmuring a quiet thank you as he walked away from her after undoing the laces on her dress.

"Eat the food after you've finished changing. You need to keep your strength up."

Akio then ordered her as Azrya began to remove her dress.

As she didn't reply, Akio looked up at her, as Azrya stood only in her underwear. On her back he noticed various large scars as though she had been whipped and badly beaten. He hadn't noticed them their first night they had spent together in the dimly lit room, but now in the light of the afternoon, he could see her clearly.

He was sat on the edge of the bed when he spoke in that low, calm tone he usually used when he was on the brink of extreme anger.

"Come here."

Azrya, noticing the change in his tone, becoming slightly fearful, turned towards him and walked over slowly. She was only wearing undergarment that covered her lower lady parts, leaving her breasts exposed, however this time his attention was not drawn to her bosom.

As Azrya stepped in front of him, Akio stood and walked behind her. She felt a finger trace along one of the scars, then his hands stroke her back over all the past marks her father had left on her body.

"Turn around."

He said, and Azrya turned to face him.

This time when she looked into his eyes, it wasn't the same cold stare he always had, but this time she saw pain in his eyes.

"Who did this to you?"

Azrya was unable to reply and instead, tears welled in her eyes, which she quickly closed shut, embarrassed to cry in front of Akio.

What happened next surprised her.

She felt strong arms pull her in and hug her tightly, and a large hand softly stroked her hair while her head lay on a strong broad chest. Even though five minutes ago she could not stand the man before her, somehow she felt safe in his embrace.

"No one will ever hurt you like this again. I promise to protect you, even if it means laying down my own life."

Shocked by his words, Azrya didn't say a word but stayed in his embrace.

No one had ever said anything like that to her. She was not used to having someone care for her and protect her in this way.

Overwhelmed by his unexpected promise to her, Azrya burst into tears, crying into his chest.

Could it be that the reason he got so angry, angry enough to kill only a boy was simply just to protect her? Did he truly hate the idea of her being in danger so much that it made him blind to all reason and logic? But why? Why would this man whom she had only just met feel this way about her?

She couldn't understand it, and to her it felt like the universe was playing a cruel joke on her, toying with her emotions. Was it a blessing or curse to have someone this ruthlessly devoted to her? At the moment, she couldn't tell.

As Azrya continued to cry, Akio sat down on the bed placing her on his lap holding her in his arms as though she were a child.

"It's okay. You're safe with me. You'll always be safe with me."

Azrya couldn't understand him. He had such a bipolar personality. One minute he hated her and looked at her with such contempt and was so easily prepared to kill a boy who was with the men who tried to harm her. Then the next minute he was ready to lay down his life for her, holding her softly, making sure she ate and taking care of her. She couldn't work him out.

As she began to settle down, her crying coming to a halt, he gently placed her on the bed and got up collecting her night dress. Akio stood her up saying,

"Lift up your arms."

Embarrassed that he was taking care of her like a child she looked down at the floor with her tear-stained face.

"Please."

Akio then added softly.

It was the first time he had addressed her in a kind manner. With his new change in attitude, Azrya obeyed, raising her arms allowing him to dress her.

He then gently pushed her onto the bed to sit down and got up to fetch the food he had brought for her and began to feed her.

Azrya kept her mouth closed as he held the spoon full of stew to her lips, debating whether she should object or not, but in the end decided to comply, opening her mouth allowing her husband to spoon feed her.

When she had finished, he got up and placed the empty bowl on the table. Azrya led down, resting her head on the pillow. Akio gently pulled the cover over her body, and stroked her head saying,

"I'll be back soon. There are some things I need to sort out. Try and get some sleep."

Azrya nodded and as soon as Akio left the room, she fell asleep straight away, work out from all the drama and crying of the day. Azrya sleepily opened her eyes a few hours later when it was dark, and as her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she could make out a figure lying next to her. He had left a gap in between them but Azrya subconsciously shuffled towards him, closing the gap. She then led her head on his chest while wrapping her arms around him dozing off.

Akio was still awake when Azrya came to him resting her head on him and holding him in his sleep. He was tense, unable to fall asleep thinking of the terrible scars he had seen on Azrya's delicate deep-brown skin. He was thinking of different ways he would kill the person who had dared injure her like that, but when Azrya embraced him, his tension eased away, and he relaxed.

Akio wrapped one arm around her waist while gently rubbing circles on her back, as though he were trying to ease the pain of her scars with his soft caresses. He eventually fell asleep, and they continued to hold onto each other.

They stayed that way throughout the whole night into the morning.