CHAPTER 315: ARE YOU TEASING ME?

The path through the forest seemed endless. Ancient trees stood like dark pillars, and the distant sound of owls and small nocturnal animals filled the silence that dragged between footsteps and breathing. But when the glow of torches began to flicker in the distance, shattering the darkness with small embers of light, Kael and Exelia finally spotted the makeshift camp the witches had erected.

It wasn’t large, nor elaborate—just a few circular tents of heavy fabric, held together by enchanted stakes that warded off wind and moisture. Runes etched into the ground glowed a soft red, forming barriers against intruders. The smell of herbs burning in the central fire filled the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of the damp forest.

Kael lifted his chin, watching silently as he approached. The witches guarding the entrance bowed discreetly at the sight of him, but he didn’t respond; He simply passed, the broken chains still dragging on his arm like a metallic reminder of the recent confrontation. Exelia followed him silently, her dark cloak flapping like a raven’s wing.

As they entered the circle lit by the fires, Kael let out a sigh—not from physical exhaustion, but from an exhaustion seeping into his mind. He sat down on a fallen log near the central fire, letting the heat lick his battle-scarred face. Exelia remained standing for a moment, assessing the perimeter, before finally approaching him.

"A modest shelter, but it serves its purpose," Kael commented, his voice laced with mild irony.

Exelia arched an eyebrow, setting her rapier on the ground.

"For a prince accustomed to palaces, I imagine so. But no one here is looking at tapestries or golden columns," he said matter-of-factly. "The important thing is that the magical barriers keep us safe."

Kael let out a short laugh, a deep sound that echoed through the silence of the night.

"Safe... until the next enemy appears." He shook his head, then turned his gaze to Exelia. "But tell me... where are Sylphie, Irelia, and Amelia?" The question was charged with interest, but also with a veiled concern.

Exelia didn’t take long to answer. She had been expecting that question.

"They left the witches’ haven about twelve hours ago," he said, his voice firm, as if reporting to a commander. "At this rate, they should be arriving at Winterfell right now. They’ll probably spend the night there and head straight for Azalith at dawn. It’s about a twenty-hour journey on horseback."

Kael leaned back, leaning against the trunk, his eyes half-closed.

"Good," he murmured. "Good that they trusted me enough to continue their journey without waiting." I was trapped in that damned spell for too many days... it would have been foolish for them to wait for the impossible.

Exelia sighed, adjusting the sword at her waist. The fire reflected in her dark eyes, making them even more intense.

"Perhaps," she said thoughtfully. "But even so... be careful with the princess, Kael." Her voice hardened, like a blade being unsheathed. "The Kingdom of Skardi is not known for its loyalty. And if they truly sent you to us for more than study, you may be carrying a viper in your lap."

Kael gave a wry smile, almost amused by her concern.

"Hah... you think I don’t know?" He raised his arm, still attached to the broken chain, and let the metal jingle, remembering what had happened. "But don’t worry so much. Unlike me, who likes to toy with the enemy before crushing them, they won’t waste time." I bet Sylphie, Irelia, and Amelia won’t have any problems.

Exelia watched him for a few seconds, silent, before finally nodding. Her lips curved into a tight smile.

"You’re right. They were trained well," she murmured. "By me... and by Queen Eleanor." There was a quiet pride in her words, as if each name he mentioned was a flame lit within her.

Kael looked away from the fire to look at her. For a moment, his red eyes softened, and the smile that emerged lacked its usual cruelty.

"And for that, I thank you," she said with unusual sincerity. "If it weren’t for you, those girls would be mere fragile pawns in a much larger game. Now... now they are sharp blades."

Exelia held his gaze, unmoving. When she answered, her voice was lower, almost a whisper.

"I am only doing my duty." She hesitated for a moment, then added, "Nothing more."

The silence that followed was not empty. The fire crackled, illuminating the contours of their faces, and in the air there was something thicker than simple camaraderie. When their eyes met again, the tension seemed palpable, as if the runes surrounding the camp vibrated not only to protect, but to record the moment.

Kael broke contact first, letting out a low, husky laugh.

"Hah... enough of that," he said, struggling to his feet. The weight of days of battle still took its toll, and the division chief’s orders echoed in his mind. "That medical witch was quite clear. She said I should rest." He cracked his neck, then pointed toward the tents. "I’m going there. If I stay here, I’ll end up enjoying talking more than I should."

Exelia inclined her head slightly, the glow of the flames reflecting in her eyes.

"Go," he said, his voice firm again. "I’ll ensure your safety while you rest. No blade, no shadow will come near you without passing through me."

Kael looked at her once more, with that gaze that seemed to pierce her soul. His lips curved into a smile that held both weariness and a strange satisfaction.

"Then I can sleep peacefully," he murmured, before turning toward the indicated tent.

The flames crackled, illuminating his figure as he disappeared into the shadows of the camp. Exelia remained motionless by the fire, watching him until he was out of sight. Then she adjusted her rapier at her side and lifted her face to the cloud-covered night sky. A light wind blew across the clearing, and she closed her eyes for a moment, allowing herself to feel the weight of the silence.

Inside the tent, Kael lay down on the furs that served as his bed. His body still throbbed with pain, but the warmth of his newly restored mana ran beneath his skin like a persistent flame. He closed his eyes, listening in the distance to the soft chants of the witches reinforcing the protective runes, and allowed himself, for a few hours, to simply exist in peace.

Outside, Exelia stood firm, her figure silhouetted against the glow of the fire.

Dawn stretched like a silent veil over the forest. The camp was silent, broken only by the low crackle of the fire burning in the center and the murmur of the witches, who periodically reinforced the protective runes. Inside the tent, Kael suddenly opened his eyes, his body still heavy with exhaustion, but a dryness in his mouth made him stand up. The cool night air enveloped him as soon as he stepped outside, and he walked slowly away from the camp until he heard the distant sound of running water.

The stream wasn’t far away. The moonlight reflected off its surface, forming silvery trails that snaked across the dark soil. Kael approached, bending to scoop up a handful of water. The icy liquid trickled through his fingers, but before he could sip, something caught his eye.

There, a little ahead, the pool opened like a lunar mirror. And on a gently sloping rock, where the waterfall gently cascaded, stood Exelia.

She was naked. Her pale skin seemed to glow under the moonlight, an ethereal contrast against the darkness of the forest. Her damp hair flowed down her back to her waist, like strands of night mixed with the silvery reflection of the water. Her legs were bent naturally, and her body, partially covered by the shimmer of the current, was a vision plucked from a dream.

Kael stopped, paralyzed. His heart, accustomed to beating only in battle, accelerated in a different way. He hadn’t approached intentionally, hadn’t planned anything—but there he was, before a beauty that didn’t seem to belong to the same world as himself.

Exelia slowly turned her face. Her eyes, dark and deep, met his. A discreet smile, filled with something more than mere provocation, played on her lips.

"Are you going to just stand there, prince?" Her voice was soft, almost a whisper carried by the wind. "Or are you going to pretend you didn’t see me?"

Kael tried to answer, but nothing came out immediately. His gaze swept the scene, between the moonlight and the water, until it returned to her eyes. There was a danger there, a spell without runes or incantations—just her, sitting as if she were part of the moon.

Exelia tilted her head slightly, her smile widening.

"If you want to possess me..." she said, her voice firm, filled with a directness that crushed any hesitation. "Just ask."

The words hung in the air like an invisible spell. Kael felt his muscles contract, as if struck by an electric current. He didn’t look away, but he didn’t move forward either. The silence between them was denser, thicker than any battlefield he had ever faced.

The moon reflected in his crimson eyes, which now glowed differently. It wasn’t the fury of a warrior, nor the authority of a prince. It was something more human, more dangerous, perhaps—a desire he rarely allowed himself to feel.

Kael took a deep breath, finally breaking the silence with a hoarse voice, thick with restraint.

"Are you teasing me?"

Exelia didn’t look away. She ran her hand through her wet hair, pushing it away from her face, letting the water run down her skin.

"With you?... Who said I’m teasing you?" she answered simply, without embellishment, without hesitation.