"How long do you have this house? It was very beautiful" I said, striking new conversation.
He didn't complain about the sudden change of topic and simply replied with a shrug.
"I had this 10 years ago when I found a creek nearby. I like that place so I decided to build a house around the area and this place was quiet"
"Like your castle, which was also situated in the midst of the woods."
He nodded, "Yeah, like that one"
I told him with a smile on my face in remembrance of how I was astounded to see that magnificent Castle for the first time, "Your castle is really magnificent. You know it's my childhood dream to see one like not of those in theme parks but actual castles, and your house really makes it come true." Because the second one was something which I basically marched my way out there.
"Really? I'm really happy to hear that. To have fulfilled one of your dreams,"
I grinned at him and carried on with my meal. We finished eating shortly after, and despite the fact that I had begun before him, he still finished before me.
I picked up my plate and got up, saying, "I'll wash the dishes."
He also stood up, blocking my path to the kitchen while grabbing the plate. "No need. I will wash the dishes and you rest. I know you're possibly tired"
I scowled at him and briefly glanced at his fingers that were gripping the plate's edge. I emphasized "I will wash the dishes" more.
"I don't believe you should—"
“It's only fair that I do the dishes because you already prepared our meal”
He calmly said, "I don't want that.
I sighed as my patience ran out. When it comes to other people, I have a lot of tolerance, but with Traian, it sometimes simply gives out. She's good at bringing out that stubborn side of me that I'm not even aware I have. Or perhaps every time I was around him, my body's defenses simply dissipated and disappeared. I felt so at ease carrying myself in this way.
"Traian, don't argue with me," I said in my stern voice, maybe a little bit sounded when I reminded the students to keep quiet.
He released his grip on my plate and, sporting a grin, lifted his hand in a gesture of surrender.
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Put those other plates on the sink, please, if you really want to help."
He nodded, "I don't think I will be able to hear you say please today, other than inside our bedroom"
I felt myself blushing at those words and the way he said our bedroom. This man must be nuts. Thank goodness I was hidden from his view.
Stop being so affected, Jaidyn!
"Shut up, Traian"
He only laughed, and then I heard his footsteps approaching from behind. I started to clean the plates while he went back to the table to clean. After wiping the table, I had expected him to leave, but he stayed with me instead. When I looked at him, I noticed that he was seated in the corner with his arms crossed and his focus was on me.
I responded, returning to the washing dishes, "I promise not to break any of your things."
He added so casually as his eyes were on my hands, "I don't care about the plates. You can do anything you want with them. What's mine is yours."
"That's not true," I replied sternly.
I don't like it when he says that we are like a couple, something other than a fling because the guilt of making him have his hopes in this situation creeps on me.
It wasn't until I felt a finger brush my brows that I realized I was frowning. I put down the dishes and cast a quick glance his way. Although he had a kind grin on his face, the blues of his eyes betrayed sadness.
"Stop overthinking things,” He murmured, moving in close and kissing me on the forehead, "I will just go outside"
I nodded as I watched him leave my line of sight. I sigh and turn to look at my hands covered in bubbles. I focused on cleaning the dishes while ignoring all the nagging emotions that were rattling around in my chest.
.......
When I was finished cleaning the dishes, I left the kitchen and walked to the living room, looking around to find Traian.
I yelled out "Traian," expecting a response, but all I got was silence.
I was about to go outside to find him when my eyes caught the wooden carved figurines on one of the cabinets. I went over there and took the figurine with care. It had blazing golden eyes and was expertly carved and painted in black. It was exquisitely constructed and fashioned with great beauty.
I caressed the figure and muttered, "Wow."
I set it down and scantily scanned the living room. The paintings of mountains and werewolves with their jagged claws and fangs didn't catch my attention till later. There were images of them fighting, while others show this gathering of wolves of all sizes and colors. My focus, however, was fixed on the huge, black figurine that resembled a wolf. The wolf appeared in every artwork. While the remaining ones only have one, there were three who shared the same black wolf. The artwork matched that found in the castles.
The picture caught my attention, and for a brief while, I was entranced by the fine and expert brushstrokes. But after a short while, my brows knitted in interest, and I suddenly had a queasy feeling in my stomach. Likewise, Claire's remarks on these shifter beliefs when I initially arrived here rang in my ears.
I was startled out of my reverie by the sound of footfall outside and forced a grin as I hurried to the door. It burst open in a second, revealing Traian who was shirtless and sweaty like he just had a run.
He gave me a sidelong glance while frowning a little.
He questioned worriedly, "Are you all right?
I nodded, "Yeah, of course. Did you run?"
"Yeah, I went for a run for a bit," he says as he runs his hands through his damp hair.
I restrained myself from looking any lower but I couldn't resist sneaking a peek at his chest down to his eight-pack abs, where sweat was running down and following the shape of his muscles.
I immediately turned my attention back to him once he cleared his throat.
"Uhm... d-do you have any plans today?" I quickly asked, hoping that I am not blushing too much from my openly ogling his magnificent body.
He smirked, "I have. I have a lot of plans for you, love"
"Can you bring me to my cabin today? I need my clothes"
He responded and stepped closer to me, "Of sure. I'll just take a quick bath."
He merely held my chin while giving me a slow, sweet kiss on the lips, which surprised me because I was expecting him to say something else. At first, I was stunned and froze before finally caving in.
We pulled away from each other and I simply gaze at him.
He spoke softly and looked at my crimson lips before saying, "Wait here."
I nodded and watched him climb the stairs while my heart raced.