Kept By Her Obsessed Minotaurs

11. Calo

11

CALO

T he sun hangs high in the sky, beating down on the endless expanse of the rolling plains, as we head westward toward the Murdok dark elf estate. I can feel its heat seeping through my cloak, but I don't mind. It's a stark contrast to the chill of the mountains we left behind. I glance over my shoulder at Mara, her small frame tucked behind me on the horse. She's trying to hide it, but the exhaustion is etched into the lines of her face.

"You okay?" I ask, my voice soft enough that it doesn't carry to the carriage where Garron sits, sullen and silent.

She nods, a weak smile playing on her lips. "Just a bit tired," she whispers softly.

I shift in my saddle, reaching back to adjust the blanket beneath her. "Lean against me," I instruct. "You'll conserve your energy that way."

She hesitates for a moment before her body relaxes into mine. I can feel the warmth of her through our clothes, and I force myself to focus on the road ahead. Garron's glare is like a branding iron, searing into my back, but I ignore it. He's angry, still reeling from our decision to trust Mara and her promised treasure. But what choice did we have? We need this job, and the gold she's offering is too good to pass up.

As the sun begins to dip toward the horizon, we find a small clearing to make camp. The air is cooler here, away from the open plains, and I watch as Mara rubs her arms, trying to ward off the chill.

"Here," I say, pulling a thicker blanket from my pack. I drape it over her shoulders, and she looks up at me with a grateful smile.

"Thank you, Calo," she murmurs.

I nod, turning away to gather firewood. I can feel Garron's eyes on me, but I pretend not to notice. Lazir is already at work, preparing the meat we stored from Garron's previous hunt. The scent of it roasting over the fire is enough to make my stomach growl.

As the night deepens, we gather around the fire. Mara sits next to me, her eyes reflecting the dancing flames. I can't help but watch her out of the corner of my eye, the way she moves, the way she tilts her head. She's different from any human I've known—stronger somehow. And yet, there's a fragility to her that calls to something primal within me.

I'm lost in my thoughts when Mara's soft voice stirs me from my reverie. "I wish I could bathe," she murmurs, half to herself, but my keen ears catch the quiet yearning in her tone.

Without a second thought, I'm on my feet. "I'll find water," I say, my voice cutting through the night air. Garron shoots me a questioning glance, but I'm already stepping away from the camp, my mind set on a singular purpose.

The forest is alive in the darkness. The whispers of the wild brush against my senses. I move with a predator's grace as my eyes pierce through the shadows.

It takes some time, the moon climbing higher in the sky, but then I hear it—the gentle rush of water. My heart beats with satisfaction as I push through a thicket of underbrush and find myself standing at the edge of a small clearing. A waterfall, no more than a stone's throw in height, spills into a serene pool, its surface shimmering under the moon's silver gaze.

A smile tugs at my lips as I take in the sight. It's perfect—a hidden sanctuary in the midst of our rugged journey. I make my way back to camp, the anticipation of Mara's reaction fueling my steps.

"Come with me," I tell her, extending my hand. Her eyes flicker with curiosity, and she places her small, trusting hand in mine. The others watch as we depart, but their scrutiny is a distant concern.

We navigate the forest in silence, the sound of the waterfall growing louder with each step. When we finally emerge into the clearing, Mara's gasp is music to my ears.

"It's beautiful," she whispers, stepping closer to the water's edge. Her eyes are wide, reflecting the moonlight, and her smile is genuine. It's a rare sight, one that sends an unexpected jolt through my chest.

My breath catches as Mara's fingers suddenly grab the hem of her tunic and pulls it up over her head. I tear my gaze away, fixating on the mossy ground beneath my boots. It's not that I don't want to look—I want to.

"You don't have to—" I start, my voice rough, but she cuts me off with a laugh that carries the weight of secrets.

"Join me," she says, her tone light, teasing, as she steps out of her boots and begins to shimmy out of her trousers. The moonlight caresses her skin, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe.

I shake my head, stepping backwards. "I'll guard you from here," I tell her, my voice firm, trying to ignore the way my heart pounds in my chest.

She shrugs, a small, playful smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, and then she's gone, swallowed by the dark water with a splash that seems to echo through the entire forest.

I stand there, my senses on high alert, as minutes stretch into an eternity. The water falls deathly still.

Fear, cold and sharp, lances through me. "Mara?" I call out, my voice too loud in the quiet night. No answer. My heart is in my throat, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios as I rip off my boots and dive into the pool, the icy water enveloping me.

I swim with powerful strokes, my eyes scanning the depths for any sign of her. My lungs burn, screaming for air, but I don't stop. I can't lose her—not when I've finally allowed myself to feel something more than duty.

When I surface, gasping for air, I see her. Mara is there, right beside me, her laughter piercing the veil of dread that had settled over me. Relief floods my senses, but it's quickly replaced by a surge of anger.

"Why didn't you say anything? I thought you were—!" My voice breaks, betraying the fear that still lingers in my chest.

Her smile fades, her eyes softening as she reaches out to touch my arm. "I'm fine, Calo. You don't have to worry so much," she whispers softly.

"Don't do that again," I snap, the adrenaline still coursing through my veins making me terse. "If you do, I won't come with you next time."

I look away, the weight of my emotions too heavy to bear. But before I can swim away, she's there, her fingers wrapping around my arm, pulling me back to her. Her lips suddenly find mine in a kiss that is both a question and a revelation.

The softness of her mouth against mine ignites something primal within me. My hands go to her waist, pulling her closer, feeling the heat of her body through the wet fabric of her panties. The kiss deepens, my tongue tentatively meeting hers, and a low growl rumbles in my chest.

I tangle my fingers in her wet hair, tilting her head back to deepen the kiss further, claiming her mouth with an urgency that frightens me. The world around us fades into nothingness, the only sound the pounding of my heart and the rush of the waterfall.