🌊 ELYSTIA🌊

She will soon discover The Captain's true identity!!!!!!

Za points to the distance. "Hit the trunk of that berro tree. The one with the purple leaves."

The tree is a few yards away. It's quite the challenge.

I spread my feet, fix my posture, and raise my bow and take aim. My heart races, although I'm unsure why. I've sent a thousand arrows through the air.

Perhaps it's not the challenge that's unnerving me. Perhaps it has everything to do with the male beside me that's just as tall, thick, and strong as the tree that I'm aiming at.

My fingers release, and the arrow cuts through the air. Seconds feel like minutes, and the shadow that Za casts over me seems to extend. Devouring me. Taking me.

Thud.

The arrow strikes true at the heart of the tree.

I smile and turn to Za. He nods with approval and takes two steps forward. He points to the next tree. "That one. The one with the damaged bark."

The tree is significantly closer. An easy target. I'm less nervous as I raise another arrow and take aim. As expected, I hit the mark.

Za takes a few more steps toward me. This time, his chest is pressed against my back. "Strike that tree ten feet in front of us," he orders, his breath brushing the top of my head. His warmth radiating through the hide tunic he wears and wrapping around me.

I lift the arrow, my clammy fingers unsteady. My heart beats so fast that I fear Za can feel it. I should tell him to give me space, but in doing so, I would be admitting that he overwhelms me.

I want to keep that a secret. Want to keep it from the light even if for another minute.

I release the arrow, and it flies a few feet before landing on the grass.

"You hit the furthest tree. A feat not even I could achieve. Why did you miss this one?"

I turn to face him, and I find the same smile from earlier.

I chuckle. "Must have been the heat. The sun is burning fiercely today."

He nods. "The heat, indeed." He stares at me. Openly and unabashedly. There's something about how this male carries himself. It's like he doesn't care to hide his intentions.

If only I was wise enough to read them.

"You don't owe me a prize," I say, walking forward to retrieve my fallen arrow. "But can I get a consolation prize? An answer?"

He follows me. "You may."

"Tell me what you do in the camp."

"What I do?" He repeats.

I turn to face him, adjusting my bow. "Well, I don't suppose you're an entertainer. Do you work at the stables? With the blacksmith? Are you a hunter? A courtier of the Captain?"

"Hmm, yes. I suppose I work closely with the Captain."

I bite my lip, remembering how I trespassed into our leader's tent last night.

"What is he like?" I whisper, dislodging my arrow and approaching the next tree.

"The Captain is... busy."

I laugh. "Clearly. The man has a war on his shoulders. A camp and a city to look after. I mean to ask about his character."

"Well, I suppose he is skilled."

"On the battlefield?"

He chuckles. "I'm sure he thrives between thighs, too."

"Za!" I gasp, turning to gape at him. My face heats in embarrassment.

He squints at my face. "I thought I imagined it, but your cheeks truly turn redder. Incredible."

He reaches for my face before lowering his hand as if thinking otherwise. He clears his throat and adds, "yes, he's skilled in the battlefield. A renowned swordsman. He's also brilliant and handsome."

"Wow, it sounds like you look up to him. Does he have hobbies? I mean, other than walking through fire at night."

And wrapping his arms around unsuspecting women that walk into his tent at night.

He nods. "He enjoys swimming and reading. Loves hiking the mountains and hunting, but has little time to do these things."

"And his temper?"

Za thinks about his answer. "I must admit he can be short-fused."

"How terrifying," I reply. "A leader should always be level-headed. Nothing good comes from a temperamental man that holds so much power. I hope the queen keeps him on a tight leash."

He's quiet after that. I look over my shoulder and wink at him. "Don't worry, I can prepare you for the day the beastly Captain comes to kill you."

"How?"

I walk to his side and pat his shoulder. "By lending you my bow and arrow. I'll teach you how to use it. Just meet me here after I'm done hunting."

He considers my idea. It excites me to have an apprentice. My sister was never interested in bows, preferring her spear.

"Very well. I will learn, although I assure you that The Captain poses no threat to me. I'll meet you here tomorrow. I should return to camp now. There's plenty of work to do."

— —

I exit the forest alone. Once Za left, I walked a bit deeper into the forest and hunted a medium sized bird. It took an hour, but I was determined to not return empty-handed.

I drop my game in the kitchen and grab a bowl of stew that a servant hands me. Most of the camp ate dinner already. The sun has set and the camp paths are lit by torches.

I stop by my tent, sitting on the straw mat to eat my stew. I told Sidra I would go to the fireside chat, but I first need to shower. She must be waiting for me by the campfire.

"Ugh," I hear an entertainer groan outside. "I can't wait for this cursed festival so the ban can be lifted. I want to get fucked so badly I ache."

I nearly drop my bowl. While I heard that sex is banned in the camp until the festival ends, I didn't know the girls were this tortured.

"I hear every camp has this ban," another entertainer replies m.

"Please. I heard Captain Kill'an from camp Trivia recently took a servant as his life partner. He's in his honeymoon phase. Probably breaking his own rule and fucking her around the clock."

"Did you hear the rumors? She's ugly. Her skin is pale, the furthest shade of red you can get. Her face is distorted. They say she's a different race."

What? A human? No. It can't be.

"She sounds awful."

I tug at my pants. If these girls saw my thighs and abdomen, they would be disgusted. My Zolan and human skin tones mix together. It's the reason why I can't wear short dresses or pants. Why short tops are forbidden. I don't want to be treated differently. I don't want to be called a monster.

I worry about Sidra. Her ears have a human skin tone. It's harder for her to hide.

"Elystia!"

I jolt and set a hand over my heart. "Sidra, you scared me!"

She enters the tent and sits beside me on the mat. "Finish eating. The girls want to go skinny dipping after the fireside chat."

I swallow and set a hand over hers. "Do you think that's a good idea. Given our... secret?"

She frowns, as if she forgot our situation. "They've noticed our accent," she says. "I think the truth will come out eventually."

I nod. "Yes, but we should keep this secret until we're familiar with everyone. Don't worry. I'll go swimming with you when no one is around."

"Thanks, Elystia."

"Of course."

"You know, I've been trying to secure you one of those sex comics that you like."

"Sidra!" I gasp. "I didn't ask for that!"

"But you need it," she laughs. "Start flirting with a master. The sex ban will soon end and you would be able to have fun in the furs."

Za briefly pops in my mind, but I quickly push that thought away. He's my apprentice. He's becoming my friend. There's nothing else between us.

"Something tells me the festival will be eventful. There seems to be a lot of... sexual frustration among the entertainers."

Sidra nods. "Wouldn't be surprised if there's an orgy."

I chuckle. "Don't be ridiculous. Public sex is probably against the rules."

"Of course it is," she replies. "This is a civilized camp. Now finish eating so we can go to the fireside chat."