Veyron by true.fantasy (best books to read for self improvement txt) 📕

like that. I only wanted to…you know, break the ice. I want to help you in return for you helping me. That’s all! No other hidden motives like you think.”
“Get off me.” I say flatly. Sweet or not, this was not a posture one could think clearly nor talk sensibly in. He shook his head and held my arms above me. I need to pull my wrists away; they didn’t hurt, but…his touch. It was strange.
“Also, I wanted to clarify that I am sorry; genuinely.” He says.
I sigh. “We’ll talk in the morning.”
“No Yeira, please. Tell me I can help; you have to.”
I look up crossly. “I don’t have to do anything!” I say. “Leave now, or I’ll kick you out personally.”
“Yeira—,”
“I said now!!” I drew out the Ancient energy—Aura through my centre, but to my greatest surprise, his eyes began to glow. Glow! They were glowing bright green. My eyes glow too—but I have a tie to the Ancients. The Aura-bound ancestors—my eyes glow blue when I draw energy—why were his glowing??
“Yeira?? Your—your eyes….” He trailed off. I let the energy drift as our eyes returned to normal.
“Xave…” I sigh. “I—I’m going to see the shaman—well the wise-woman tomorrow. You can come if you want. You have to behave though.” I say. I had to ask her about this.
“Yeira…your eyes; they were…”
“An Azure colour?” I sigh. “Yeah, yours changed too. Look Xave; I’ll send for you tomorrow and we can decide on this then—for now, I would greatly appreciate you get off me and go to your own room. I’m tired and I…”
He cut me off by pressing his lips to mine. I almost gasped at the suddenness of the kiss. He pressed up further against me as the kissed deepened—it seemed endless and the world spun round. You’re an Empress Yeira, I scold myself. I smirked back; not right now. Making out ain’t gonna get you any closer to the spring; true. I put my hands on his chest and pushed him back a little. Smiling, he released my lips making me blush.
“Had enough already?” His voice was deep and husky. When I didn’t respond he smirked. “Night, Yeira.” He says with a small smile. I was unable to respond. He caressed my hair with his hand softly and then getting off me with a wink he slipped into the night.
What just…? Why…? I sat up bewildered into my bed. What was that all about? That…idiot! Did he just…kiss me? Mm…but it was…I sigh and lie down; he said he wanted to help. That didn’t help…maybe it did; but…crap! Tarrasa! What would she be thinking?? Oh lord. How am I supposed to convince her there was nothing going on? Well…not exactly nothing. I touch my lips lightly; definitely not nothing. With a smirk, I fell back into bed to the land of dreams.
Journey's begining

~XAVE~

I’m never nervous. Not nervous when I had to take on a 1000 men army with 200 men. Not nervous when we strayed thousands of metres off in the sea in the middle of two consecutive storms. Not even nervous when I had been called to court the enemy King’s daughter; by force. I wasn’t even nervous at the ambush on the way back. But I was nervous right now; just as I was when I first came here. I hadn’t meant to do that. Kiss the Empress? Not a good idea. I hit my head with my fist; I just don’t think sometimes—what’s wrong with me? She could declare assault and have me off with nothing but a spared life. I couldn’t help it! It was hard enough leaving her when I did.
I wanted to make things right and so I jumped onto her balcony to see if she was still awake. One thing led to another and she hit my back and I tried to pull the weapon away. Then her friend came in. I chuckled now at the thought. Both of them were equally embarrassed and startled. Mm…Yeira. I didn’t touch the Empress—it was Yeira. And she’s lucky I didn’t pull that gown right off. I smirked at the thought—how would she have reacted to that? I laughed quietly; not very well I presume. Lost in my own thoughts, I got startled as I heard a rapid knocking at the door. Walking over to the door, I opened to find Roan smiling on the other side.
“Empress will see you now.” He says gesturing away from my room.
“I—I’ll be right there.” I say. “Where is there exactly?” I ask
Roan grinned. “Her lounge. I hope you’re not in too much trouble mate; she hardly ever invites anyone there. Good luck.” He waved walking off.
I closed the door with a smirk. I hope so too. Quickly getting dressed I washed my hands and face—ready to see Yeira.
***
“Yeira.” I greet walking into a stunning and traditional native-looking sofa room. She gave a nod from where she was standing.
“Sit down; I’m almost ready.” She says. She wore simple native clothes with a sword to her waist and held a small brown bag, and was filling it with…supplies? A dagger? Plants?
“What are you doing?” I ask moving over to stand beside her. She looked up fretfully at me and so I took a step back—no doubt she hadn’t forgotten last night.
“I—I thought you wanted to…come.” She says quickly tying up the bag.
“Yeah sure, but where? Are you talking about the spring?” I ask puzzled.
“I am.” She says before looking up sceptically at me. “What you said…yesterday. Was it just a bluff, or were you serious?”
“Serious!” I say a bit too quickly. She gave a thoughtful moment and then nodded. “We’ll start at the Shaman’s cottage; she knows where the spring is—sort of. I’m leaving Haran in charge of the palace while we’re going—the troops should have left for your home by now; so we better get going.”
I nod. “Alright, do I take anything? I’ve got my sword.” I ask. She smirked.
“You can get what you need at the Shaman’s house. No worries there.”
I nod slowly and she gestures to the door. “Well we best get going then.” She says.
“Whoa. You don’t waste any time, do you?” I smile.
Her face dropped. “There isn’t much time to waste.” Oops, I think, I always say the wrong thing! “Thanks.” She adds.
I look at her puzzled. “What for??”
“For wanting to help. For the care.” She says softly.
I smile. “Always.” She smiled back. I felt bad taking credit for what was Haran’s idea; but I couldn’t tell her that, then he’d be in trouble, and so would I. “So…” I decide to ask. “Your friend yesterday…what’d you say to her? Have you…ah, talked to her?”
She looked like she was repressing a laugh. “I hate you.” She says. I look up a bit worried but she smiled and I relaxed. I laugh.
“What’d you say?” I press.
She did laugh this time—and a beautiful sound it was. “I told her you got lost and it was dark and I attacked you thinking you were a thief.” She shook her head smiling. “I don’ think she bought it though.”
I smiled lovingly at her happy figure. “You know, that’s the first time I’ve ever heard you laugh and seen you smile.” For me.
She smiled shyly and I grin—who could have thought of Yeira as being bashful. I laughed and she gave me a look. “You laughing at me?” She asked trying to mask her smile and look serious.
I shake my head but then say “Yes.” She laughed again pushed me lightly towards the door. I clenched my fists to restrain from picking her up in one clean swoop and carrying her out.
We walked out laughing down the corridor. I have to admit it was nice to see a smile in place of the usual glare. We got outside the palace chatting, laughing and joking around. We’d gone half-way down the stairs when I noticed her become tense.
“What’s up Yeira? You seem edgy.” I say.
“Nothing’s up.” She says looking ahead. “Just keep walking.”
I give her a confused look—which she ignored. I glanced around until my eyes met his, Aksum was standing by the end of the rail; arms folded and angry. Seeing Yeira’s movements, it seemed she planned to simply walk past. On reaching him, he put out his arm to stop us.
“Whoa-whoa-whoa princess. Where’re you going?” He asked grinning
“We’re going to see the shaman.” She says offhandedly. He glanced at me irritated.
“And what? You’re taking that newcomer with you?” He gestured to me. She frowned and gave a nod and I bit my tongue to avoid saying anything back. The ‘Empress’ was being addressed and in reality, I had no right to say anything. Aksum smirked. “Want me to escort you?” He asked stepping in front of her.
“We’ll be alright; thanks for your concern.”
“I insist.” He pressed.
“I must refuse.” She shrugged sidestepping him. That was when he made the mistake—he reached out to take hold of her arm, only to be stooped midway by me. Yeira looked up worriedly as I held Aksum’s wrist an inch away from her. He turned his face to look daggers at me.
“How dare you?! You dare take hold of me you outsider?” He snarled.
Yeira looked frightfully at me. What was she afraid of? The guy just came past my shoulders in height. She should know I’d flatten this guy in one hit. Or was she scared I’d hurt him? I hope not.
“How dare you try and take her arm? And by force.” I countered. “I guess I wasn’t clear enough last time so let me rephrase my message; I don’t follow your orders, I do as I please, and I go by my own codes. Do what you will, try all you want; keep that in mind. And don’t ever touch her again, or I might show you just why I was deemed one of the most notorious bandits ever to raid.” I let his wrist drop limply to his side. Yeira’s face reflected the surprise of the few guards around us…who had obviously overheard the exchange. When he didn’t reply I gestured down the large steps. “Empress Tsarina…should we get going?” She nodded hesitantly and we continued down the stairs past the wide-eyed Aksum and guards.
We crossed the palace walls in silence. It was when we got into the forest that Yeira finally turned to face me smiling.
“Thanks Xave.” She smiled sweetly. That was worth dying for.
“My pleasure Empress.” I smile. “Although why and how you, of all people, put up with that is beside me.”
She gave a shrug. “Ethical commitments.” She paused. “You’ve talked to him before??”
I nod. “Charming fellow.” I say sarcastically. “Delightful.” She laughed and so I continued. “May I ask why it is you put up with him, yet blow a house down if I say something of the sort?”
She sighed. “Our families