Aurora's POV
It was the second day that we were roaming around the forest in search of a comfortable place to live for a while.
My skin had already gone rough and itchy due to the insect bites and harsh weather. Alzred was a little bothered about all of those; I guessed it was because he was a man or had more important things to bother about.
My whole body was sticky, and I wanted to shower so bad. We were still walking on a path in the forest when I began to hear waves rippling. I wasn't sure of what I heard at first, but I prayed silently that it was what I thought.
"Did I just hear the sounds of a wave?" He asked, turning to face me.
A mild smile appeared on my face as I yelled. "Yeah, I did it too."
I ran past him and walked to where the sounds were emerging from.
I stood in front of a deep blue lake; it formed a triangular shape as I opened my mouth, gasping.
"Oh my goodness, this is beautiful,'' he said from behind.
"Yes, yes, it is." I stuttered, still astonished.
"Take a bath; we don't have all day to spend here," he said all of a sudden, leaving me in shock since I wasn't expecting such words from him.
"Does he know I'm smelling?" I thought. "Oh my goodness, that must be the reason." I cried.
He walked past me and went towards the left end of the lake. I guess he was giving me privacy, but I don't think that was really needed because I was so comfortable with him around.
I unzipped my gown, and it fell to my feet. I tiptoed to the lake because I knew how cold it was going to be since it was midday.
I washed my feet before I swam into the water; the water was so cold as predicted, and the feeling of having my bath after some time was refreshing.
I began to scrub my hair when I felt a strong sensation around me. The force was so strong that it stopped me from swimming. I opened my eyes and stared around, but saw nothing.
"Alzred! Alzred! I yelled, but I couldn't find him around.
I was about to call again when it occurred to me that I was naked. I tried swimming out of the water again but couldn't. I opened my eyes this time and saw the waves coming.
It was coming with force as I closed my eyes. I felt his hands wrap around me as he pulled me out of the lake.
I began to breathe heavily, wondering how a little lake could generate such a force of waves.
I darted my eyes towards my body, remembering that I was naked. My body was wrapped in linen, and I wondered how he did that in the lake.
The linen was wet, and it has become transparent, exposing some part of my skin as I used my hands to cover the sensitive part of my body.
I darted my eyes towards him and smiled; he was so different from the rest of the men I've met. He was so caring and selfless, and I wondered where he had been all my life.
"Aren't you done changing?" He asked, facing the waves.
"Uhm, almost. I'm almost done," I said, getting to my feet.
I wore my silk garment that I came along with from the detached house as I walked to where he stood.
"I'm ready," I said, touching his hair.
"Do you like it?" he asked, smirking.
"Maybe." I smiled.
"You have it all to yourself. Let's continue our journey."
"You haven't had a bath."
"I did; I don't have to spend all day in there like you." He teased me.
"When was that? I barely spent five minutes in there." I said it in surprise.
"Five minutes is more than enough to have a good bath. We should keep going before nightfall."
"Okay." I smiled as I grabbed his arms.
Alzred's POV
I smiled as soon as I felt her hands around my arms. I loved the fact that she was becoming so comfortable around me.
I held her close to myself as we began to walk again.
The clouds began to get dark as drops of rain began to fall. I placed my hands above her head, stopping the rain from touching her while she burst into laughter.
"Why are you laughing?" I asked, smiling.
"Thank you." She smiled again.
The rain began to pour heavily as she ran, searching for a roof to stay on. Luckily, we ran into an old and abandoned house.
The place was covered with cobwebs and dust. We made our way inside and surveyed the house.
"Quite manageable, right?" I asked her while wearing a smile.
"I just hope he doesn't get us here," she said with her eyes filled with fear.
I left my gaze on her for a few seconds, suspense playing in our mist. I took a step closer to her and held her hands.
"I've told you not to let him bother you; the more you keep letting him into your heart, the more he'll find it difficult to leave." I told her.
"Thank you," she said as she hugged me.
The sounds of thunder clapping were heard, and the lighting was striking as she tightened the hug.
We spent the night in each others arms as the rain continued to pour heavily. She slept off a few minutes later as I hugged my arms around me, resisting the cold I felt.
I watched her sleep peacefully as a mild smile appeared on my face and disappeared immediately. Those thoughts came crawling.
The thoughts that I'll be leaving her soon, the thoughts of not being with her till the end. It only meant one thing: this was the right time to start sketching revenge.
Even if I don't make it till then, at least I will have fulfilled part of the promise I made to her.