From the Heart of a Fae
Chapter 5

The rest of the trip continued in tense silence. Shadow stuck close to Kora, and so did Ben. They arrived at Titan Village, and they sighed with a breath of relief. It gave Kora something else to focus on, besides the fervent looks and whispered concern of her family and friends. On one hand, it was nice to have so many people who cared for her. That was also a weakness. If her vision were true, and she knew in her heart it was-Drew would not stop at killing any of them if it meant he got what he wanted. Kora had a weakness now. She threw herself into the village fields, working late into the night. She wanted to think of anything except Drew. Exhausted, she crawled the stairs to the inn, barely dodging Ben. She saw he had a bath ready for her, and she grimaced guiltily. Hearing the door open behind her, Shadow wagged his tail as Ben entered. He held a tray of food.

" I see you tried to dodge me.” Great, he was calling her out. His eyes were steel. She could tell she had hurt his feelings, and she had regretted dodging him since last night. He had done nothing to warrant the behavior, but instinctively, she had started pulling into herself, trying to put distance between her and those she loved. He placed the tray down in front of her.

“Eat.”

It was not a request. She had never heard such a tone from him before. He sounded so cold towards her. She sat, eating silently, and watching him. He began to pull her bathing things out, soaps and her hairbrush. Drying clothes. Ben dipped a hand into the water, which was still steaming. Deciding it had cooled enough, he turned to her. Finished with her meal, she was unable to stomach much - she walked towards the tub. She was about to protest; she could bathe herself! Ben started undoing the buttons of her shirt and breeches. Kneeling in front of her, he began to unlace her boots. Stepping out of them, she kicked them to the side as he pushed her shirt off her and pulled her breeches and underwear down. Grabbing the bottom of her breast band, he pulled that over her head as well. She felt warm now, skin tingling where he touched. He stepped out of the way and indicated the tub. She got in and sat, leaning back. He began to soap up her body, rinsing with a nearby pitcher, and then wet her hair, now undone from its braid. The heat of the water and his calming touch relaxed her, and she looked at the top of his head as he washed her foot.

" I am sorry, Ben. You did not deserve how I treated you. I was scared… I am scared.” She whispered the confession, and he looked up at her. He seemed to deliberate for a moment, setting the rag he was using down.

" If we are to be married, you cannot shut me out, Kora. We will be one soon, according to the gods. Your problems are my problems. I cannot help you if you put a wall up between us. I just thought you trusted me more than this.” His words stung, and tears welled in her eyes, would she ever not be damaged? Her heart was still broken, and now she was hurting Ben. She looked away, trying to hide the tears in her eyes. Would she ever be able to let the pain of the betrayal go? With the shadow of the pain in her heart, she was unable to give herself to Ben, and he deserved more. Better. He gave it to her with no reserve. And she still held back. Ben came forward, gently lifting her up and drying her off. He wrapped his arms around her, and the tears began to fall.

“I know that man broke you, Kora. I am not asking for a miracle. I’m just asking that you let me love you.” She turned, wrapping her arms around him, and leaned up to kiss him passionately. She wanted Ben, and she wanted to open every part of herself to him. Not only that, but she needed him, like she needed air. Ben smelled like sunshine and leather, and she took in a big breath. He kissed her back tenderly, his hands roaming her body. Every curve was so familiar to him, and fit. Like she had been made for him. Dropping the drying cloth to the ground, he lifted her, carrying her to the bed. Setting her down softly, Shadow made himself scarce, moving to the side room. Ben began to take his shirt off while Kora worked on his breeches. They made love, frenzied, to show each other their devotion.

" You are mine. I love you Kora, I will always protect your heart.“. Holding her close, he stroked her hair, and they fell asleep.

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