[Music Recommendation: Him & I ~ G-Eazy, Halsey]
"What?" Freya raised her brows, trying to be sure she was hearing right. "You want to do what? No! I can’t let you see me naked."
Rowan nodded. "Then enjoy your night out with the sea. I won’t be the one eaten while I’m undressed," the guard shrugged, his eyes scanning the area.
"Hmm, and the sea creatures usually come out at this time to enjoy nature. They’ll be glad to see dinner, at least. Come to think of it, you’re actually doing good work. Keep up the good work," Rowan kicked the sand mindlessly before he started walking back to the camp.
Freya turned her head to look at the sea, then she remembered the slimy thing she had stepped on when she tried to get her dress back. A shiver ran down her spine, causing goosebumps to cover her whole body.
"Don’t go!" Freya shouted, feeling the night breeze brush her skin, making her feel cold.
Rowan paused in his steps, pointing at his chest. "Me?"
"Yes! You..." Freya nodded. "Can’t you help me? You said you wanted to marry me... maybe you can sway my heart by being good."
Rowan gave it a thought for a moment. When his gaze fell on the girl, he smiled.
"I don’t want to..." he replied. "I’m not that kind of man that can be won over. And yes, I have no intention of marrying a woman who can’t even save herself. I hate maidens in distress."
Freya was too stunned to speak. She had read so many books in her life, and men always wanted to save the women they were interested in. This one was just different, like an evil surprise lurking in the dark, grinning at others’ misfortune.
"So... you won’t help me?" Her voice now sounded tired. All Freya wanted was to be covered from the harsh cold.
Rowan grinned widely. "Now we’re getting somewhere with this." He turned back, making his way back to the girl, his shadow covering her small body.
"I will only help you, but on my own terms. Do you agree?" He asked, his sable eyes staring at the girl coolly.
Freya’s hands were now trembling. She couldn’t keep holding the leaves for long, and her hands were hurting. "Can I hear them first?"
"You really have that time, don’t you?" Rowan’s eyes moved down to her trembling small hands. "You won’t hold out for long."
Freya rubbed her feet together. "Fine, I agree... help me, please," she whispered.
Rowan had the urge to tease the girl again. There was something about her brown doe-eyes that made him want to take pleasure in frustrating her.
"Take my hand then."
"What?" Freya shouted, taking another step back.
Rowan raised his jacket. "I’ll be the one putting it on for you, but with my eyes closed. You’ll get to move my hands yourself."
Freya didn’t have time to think it through. As long as he didn’t see her body, she was fine.
"Let’s do it," she said, taking Rowan’s hand, which was twice as large as hers. "Now close your eyes."
A smirk graced Rowan’s lips, which Freya didn’t notice as she was so focused on getting the jacket on her body, not realizing she was clearly stepping into a well-set trap. Rowan closed his eyes and allowed the girl to guide his hands.
"Are your eyes closed?" Freya asked, using her free hand to wave in front of Rowan’s face. When he didn’t open them, she let go of the leaves she was holding. Then, taking a step closer to Rowan, she raised his hand, putting her arm into the sleeve, and did the same with the second.
"Now, the buttons..." Freya whispered. She brought Rowan’s fingers to the front, placing them where the buttons should be. "Start."
Rowan slowly slipped the first button into the hole, then his hand moved down. As he went lower, he felt a small swell, and the corners of his lips curled, knowing what it was. Intentionally, he moved his hand closer until he felt something hard his finger grazed.
"Ahum!" Freya gasped, using her hand to cover her mouth. She didn’t mean to make a sound, but when Rowan touched her hard nipple instead of the button, the gasp she couldn’t control escaped her lips.
Rowan opened his eyes, his black eyes now looking darker than usual. "What was that?" He frowned.
Freya used her hand to cover her chest, at the same time causing Rowan’s hand to press against her chest. "You’re not supposed to open your eyes!"
"Then you made a sound... I wanted to know if you were in danger," Rowan remarked with a relaxed tone, his eyes broodingly staring at the girl innocently.
Freya gulped. Instead of cold, she felt hot balls of sweat form on her forehead.
"Well... I thought I saw something, but..." Her voice trailed off.
"I’m glad it was nothing." Rowan’s lips curled as he looked at his hand, which was now pressed against the girl’s chest while she held him tightly. "Now let’s continue. I want to go back to the camp. I hate staying out late."
Freya nodded. She wanted to end everything quickly too. It was getting embarrassing and out of hand. She took Rowan’s hand again to continue with the buttons.
"Close your eyes." When Rowan did, she made him continue with the buttons until it stopped around her stomach. "That’s alright. I can go back to the camp like this."
Rowan opened his eyes. "That’s great then. I’m glad I could help." He sucked his teeth, about to say something, but decided not to.
"Let’s go."
Without a word of protest, Freya followed Rowan back to the camp. She was so ashamed that it made her ears red, and mixed with her shame was anger. She couldn’t believe that of all the people to help her out, it was Rowan. And not only did he help her, but he also touched... Freya shook her head. It was better not to think about it. If she didn’t think about it, then it didn’t happen.
Upon reaching the camp, Louis was the first to see them. He happily clapped his hands. "Freya, you’re back! Come and have dinner... it’s your fav-"
"Leave me alone!" Freya shouted. Running past her father, she went inside the tent and closed it.
Louis was shocked by this. He turned to look at Rowan. "Did I do something wrong?" He pointed at his chest.
"I don’t think so..." Rowan shrugged.
"Then did something happen out there? What is wrong with her?" Louis muttered, now worried about his daughter.
Rowan smiled. "I think it’s normal... she’s too excited. Can’t wait to visit Eridor..."
"You think so?" Louis asked.
Rowan nodded. "I know. The thrill is always in the eyes. She can’t wait to take in everything it comes with..." His voice laced with other meanings, while Louis nodded in agreement to his words.
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