CHAPTER 95: ASK NICELY

The evening breeze brushed against Jenna’s cheeks, followed by her legs still dangling in the air. In that moment, she understood why people should never act on their emotions, as it led to regret later. Jenna had stopped crying, but she couldn’t raise her face.

It was true that she had noticed Rhane’s absence and actually felt the need for him to be around. The emptiness she felt all the while waiting for him, Jenna despised it so much. Then she heard he was on his way to meet his mother, a woman who had treated Rhane so badly- Jenna became worried and scared. And when she finally saw him, she couldn’t control herself. Her body moved before her brain could, and it came with tears and intense emotions she couldn’t control.

Now the end result was being cradled in Rhane’s arms, with her legs in the air.

"Jenna?" Rhane tried to look at her face, but Jenna pressed her head on his shoulder, refusing to show her face.

"It’s okay, you can stop crying."

Jenna bit her lips. "I’m not crying!" she retorted with a strong voice.

Rhane’s brows raised mischievously. "I didn’t know you missed my body that much, you don’t want to let go."

Jenna raised her face and tried to push Rhane back. "It was a mistake! I tripped, now let me down."

Rhane didn’t. Instead, he turned his body around, scanning the carriage Jenna came with and where he was standing.

"You tripped, hm? Interesting..." he nodded, his eyes looking serious. "From all the way there?"

"It happens!" Jenna cried, hitting his shoulder, then she tried to kick him. "Let me down."

"And what did I say about asking nicely?" Rhane tightened his arm around her waist, giving her a small spin.

Jenna gasped when he turned, gripping his shoulder with her nails digging into his skin. She wanted to force her body, but she knew who held her and how impossible the task was going to be.

"If you don’t bring me down, I’m going to kick you! I promise I will," Jenna threatened when she knew she couldn’t force her way.

A smile pulled at the corner of Rhane’s lips, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Always remember to ask nicely, love. Let’s try it again, shall we?"

In surrender, Jenna chewed her inner cheeks. "Rhane, can you please let me down?"

Ever so gently, Rhane let Jenna’s feet touch the ground, his palm smoothing Jenna’s flying hair. "Goo—"

"Brother! Thank you so much for coming." Kali crashed into Rhane’s chest, grabbing Jenna with her so that the two of them hugged Rhane.

"I knew you’d be back." Kali bit her shaky lips roughly. She hated that her eyes were hurting, and she knew why.

Jenna didn’t struggle this time. She let herself melt in Rhane’s arms while she held Kali’s shoulder.

Rhane wasn’t left behind. He returned the hug, pressing Jenna’s head to his chest, and Kali’s hair received a consoling pat. Rhane couldn’t believe he’d almost given this moment away. Being held by the only two persons he’d ever die for and go to war to protect, it wasn’t something he would want to lose.

Not in this life or in the next. Rhane had decided to leave so he could help Jenna, but he knew he’d regret that decision for the rest of his life. Because of the same decision of staying away, Jenna had lived through an agonizing marriage. Rhane didn’t want to leave her behind anymore; he wanted to be present. And for that reason, he’d returned.

Jenna’s welcome proved to Rhane that he made the best and right decision returning back to her.

Kali rubbed her boss before she pulled back. "You both enjoy the village, off I leave." She refused to raise her face, but turned and ran out from the market.

Jenna exhaled slowly, watching Kali’s figure vanish into the crowd. She’d never seen the young woman so emotional. As much as anyone tried to be tough, around Rhane they softened. It was just something about him.

That was Jenna’s generalization and excuse. Now alone with Rhane, she brushed invisible dust from her sleeve, pretending to busy herself, though her heart thumped loud enough she was certain he could hear it.

"You don’t have to look so serious, you know," Rhane said finally, his tone a little amused, a little accusing.

"I’m not." Jenna’s chin tilted higher, though her voice betrayed her. "I’m simply... trying to collect myself. Was a little too emotional earlier," she mused, rubbing her eyes, while her ears were beginning to feel warm.

Jenna didn’t like how Rhane pinned his gaze on her.

Rhane’s lips curved into a slow grin, the kind that made her stomach flutter. "Collecting yourself? That’s not how it’s done here, love. Around here, any feeling shown cannot be taken back. No masks. No pretending."

Jenna’s eyes darted away, desperate to keep herself from drowning in his gaze. Yet the warmth of his presence was like the sun pressing against her skin. She hated how easy it was for him to unravel her. A simple sentence from him and her stomach turned, a normal gesture and her skin heated up.

"You dream a lot, I see," Jenna tucked her hair behind her ear, trying to sound serious.

Rhane caught it, of course, his grin widening with mischief. "I’m not satisfied with just a hug, master. My greed wants to be fed a kiss." He took a step forward.

"Can I kiss you here?"

With her eyes wide with horror, Jenna glanced around, taking a step back away from Rhane. "You wouldn’t dare."

"Wouldn’t I?" He caught her hand before she could retreat, his calloused fingers warm and steady against hers. Jenna froze, staring at their joined hands.

She should have pulled back. She knew it. But instead, her grip tightened almost instinctively.

Rhane’s thumb brushed across her knuckles. He was glad he chose a moment with Jenna over anything else. "Are you ready to see what I’m about to show?"

Jenna shrugged, trying to act indifferent. "The village is not that beautiful. So what else are you planning to show me?"

Rhane squeezed her hands. "You’ll see. All you have to do is trust me. Will you do that for me, my lady?" he asked with a soft voice, even softer gaze.

Jenna found herself lost in his eyes, even her mind under the spell of Rhane’s enchanting gaze. For the first time in a long time, Jenna didn’t feel lost. She felt... found. She felt seen. This was home. Being with Rhane.

"Yes," Jenna nodded, dropping her shoulder that had been raised when Rhane took her hand. "Show me, Rhane. Show me."