Kept By Her Obsessed Minotaurs

32. Garron

32

GARRON

T he morning sun pierces through the forest's canopy above. We pack up our sparse belongings and leave the wooden hut behind. We move with renewed vigor. Mara, with her quiet strength, tries to keep pace, but her body betrays her with a slight stumble. In an instant, I'm there, my arms scooping her up.

"I’m fine, Garron. I can walk," she protests, her voice a soft whisper against my ear.

"I know you can," I reply, my voice steady and firm. "But I want to do this for you. To make it easier on you."

She relents, her body relaxing against mine. A smile plays on her lips—a smile so genuine and unexpected that it sends a jolt through my chest. The sight of it stirs something within me, a feeling I can't quite place.

As we journey on, the weight of her in my arms is a constant reminder of the night we shared—raw, passionate, and with a tenderness I didn't know I possessed. It was a night that blurred the lines between us, forging a bond that feels as solid as the axe at my side.

The forest around us hums with life, the rustle of leaves and the chorus of birdsong a backdrop to our trek. My senses remain alert, the potential danger ever-present, but my mind is preoccupied with thoughts of the woman in my arms. Her presence is a warmth that seeps into my bones, a comfort I never knew I craved.

By midday, we pause to rest, the shade of an ancient oak offering respite from the sun's relentless gaze. Mara's eyes meet mine, gratitude and something deeper reflected in her gaze. I look away, the intensity of her stare too much to bear.

"Thank you, Garron," she murmurs.

I nod, my voice betraying none of the turmoil within. "We're a team now. We look out for each other," I mutter nonchalantly.

As the afternoon wanes, we find a suitable place to camp for the night. Calo and Lazir set to gathering wood and hunting game, their movements efficient and synchronized. I lower Mara to the ground, her body still temptingly close to mine.

"Rest," I command, my tone leaving no room for argument. "We'll have food soon."

She nods, her eyes never leaving my face. I turn away, the urge to stay by her side a compelling force. But I busy myself with setting up the camp, my thoughts in a whirlwind.

What is this hold she has over me? Over all of us? I've been with women before, but none have ever made me question my resolve, my sense of duty. Mara is different—she's a human, a former slave, and yet, she's become the center of our world, the glue that holds us together.

As the first stars twinkle into existence above us, I can't help but wonder what the future holds. The mission, the gold, the honor we seek—it all pales in comparison to the fierce protectiveness I feel for her.

Lazir and Calo soon join us, their arrival marked by the scent of fresh meat. I quickly help them prepare and roast the meat over the fire. Before long, we’re eating in silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts.

The campfire pops and crackles, orange sparks dancing into the night sky. I watch Mara across the flames, the way she picks at her food without really eating it. Her guard is down tonight - I can see it in the slope of her shoulders and the distant look in her eyes.

My chest suddenly tightens. The words I've been holding back for some time now burn in my throat. I can't wait any longer.

"Mara," I begin. I set my bowl down with deliberate care, leaning forward. My voice comes out low but firm, brooking no argument. "What are you hiding from us? Can you tell us?" I pause, the last words almost painful to say. "Do you... trust us?"

The change in her is instant. The spoon from her suddenly trembling fingers, clattering against her bowl. All the blood drains from her face as she stares at me like I've just ripped open her chest and exposed her heart. Her breath comes in short gasps.

The sight of her fear twists something inside me. I want to reach for her, to pull her close and tell her everything will be fine. But I can't. Not until we know the truth.

Lazir shifts beside me, his voice gentler than I've ever heard it. "We know you're hiding something. We just want to help you," he says.

"Please, Mara," Calo adds, his eyes wide and pleading in the firelight. "Just say it."

She sits frozen, her face a mask of panic and indecision. My hands clench into fists as I force myself to wait, to give her time to find her words. Whatever secret she's carrying, it's eating her alive. And I won't - can't - let that continue any longer.

The fire snaps again, casting shadows across her face that make her look even more vulnerable. Her eyes flash as the words spill out of her mouth. "I have evidence of my master's rebellion... inside me," she says in a hushed tone. My muscles tense, every instinct screaming at me to protect her.

Lazir leans forward, his voice sharp with concern. "What do you mean, inside you?" he asks.

I watch as Mara's trembling fingers pull at her sleeve, revealing a thin scar that runs along her arm. My breath suddenly catches in my throat.

"The communication crystal... it's sewn into my arm. It holds everything—documents, recordings, proof of Wlloza's betrayal," she replies.

My stomach churns as I stare at the scar, understanding crashing over me like a wave. All this time, she's been carrying this burden literally under her skin. The danger she's in... the risk she's taken by doing this...

"That's insane!" Calo jumps to his feet, his voice cracking with disbelief. "Do you have any idea how dangerous this is? You could be killed for this!"

Mara's eyes meet mine, steady despite the hollow pain in them. "I know. I'm ready to die for it. This is my revenge—for Wlloza and what he did to me... and to my best friend," she says firmly.

Lazir stands abruptly, his fists clenched. "We're turning back. I'm not letting you throw your life away for this," he barks.

"I'll do it with or without you," Mara's voice cuts through the tension. "This is my choice. My commitment."

When Lazir grabs her arm, I move without thinking, placing myself between them. My chest tightens as I look down at her, understanding flooding through me. This isn't just about revenge - it's about justice, about setting right what was wrong.

"She's not going anywhere unless it's her decision," I say, my voice firm. "I understand why she's doing this." I turn to her, my heart pounding as I take in her fierce determination. "I'll see this through. I'll protect you. And after this... when it's over... can you be mine? Ours?"

Tears glisten in her eyes as she nods. "Yes. I'll give you everything. After this, I'll be yours," she replies softly.

I pull her against my chest, holding her close, breathing in her scent. For the first time since my exile, I feel whole again. Complete. This woman, with her courage and her fire, has given me something I thought I'd lost forever - purpose.