Shorty & the Beast: Part Six (special preview)

It had been easier for Kyairil to forget things, rather than linger on the memory of them. All his years of imprisonment, he had learned to let go of the things he once enjoyed. He meditated in their place, forgetting his favorite foods and drinks. He made himself forget how good roasted chicken was, and how good dark wine made him feel. He forgot the different warmths that both provided him. He taught him that potatoes didn’t matter. Potatoes weren’t really all that good. Especially not with butter and fried until crispy. Butter wasn’t good either, no. It was too melty, too creamy, too rich.

What took him the longest to meditate away was sex. It was the one indulgence he had missed most. At first, it was because he thought it was the release that he missed. But as time went on, he came to understand it was the contact he enjoyed. It was the physical closeness with another he missed. Man, woman, it didn’t matter who, just so long as their warm bodies pressed together, their skin so warm, their breaths fluttered by the exertion. It still bothered him, especially upon meeting Roslile. She was cute, he couldn’t deny that. With her soft, fluffy hair, big brown eyes, and her freckle speckled skin, she was a doll. Once feelings were caught, all he wanted to do was touch her. But due to his imprisonment, all he got was the occasional memory of a touch. And the memories did plague him. He wanted to do more than touch Roslile. He wanted to make her cry out his name as he licked her. He wanted to taste her and make her tremble. He wanted to see her fingers tangle into the sheets. More than anything, he wanted to love her and worship her. He owed her everything.

But all that would have to wait until they could be alone. Theodred was just one annoyance, but now that he was freed, all the royal family wanted to see the miracle and meet with him. There was also dinner with Mythri and Amit to attend, as well as meeting with Himank who was preparing for King Dhaval and Queen Mila to return from the Polar. He wanted to interview both Roslile and Kyairil on everything they had done and seen upon leaving Earthwick. He also wanted to prepare them for a journey back, including sending soldiers to help defend Earthwick for all of Roslile’s service.

“I’ve sent word ahead to Earthwick, they’ll all be told of the coming protection that King Ikid will be sending. Not only that, but I have seen to it that your father will be told in great detail of all that you have accomplished.” Himank seemed so excited about this, but Roslile suddenly felt very shy.

“Just tell him I’m safe and coming home soon! That’s all that matters to him I’m sure.” She thought about all she would say when she got home. How she was sorry for their fight, how he had been right that she had no clue about being a hero. Most of all, she simply wanted to tell him how much she thought of him while she was gone, and how she loved him.

“He’ll find out sooner or later,” Himank said gently. “And besides, how else will we explain the reward we’ve sent to be delivered.”

“I said no to that,” Roslile pouted.

“You don’t want the reward for saving the Ruby Empire?” Kyairil chuckled.

“I delivered information, twice. That’s all I did. I don’t deserve a reward for that,” Roslile blurted.

“Trust me, it’s not as much as we originally wanted to send. But you earned it and you won’t be able to change our minds,” Himank winked. “I’ve already bought one of the residences in Bellmore by the way, we’ll be neighbors once this war is all said and done.”

Roslile was still coming to terms with everything she had done. She still wasn’t accepting she played a big role in anything. Kyairil, on the other hand, was still coming to grips that he was free. It would take him something getting used to.

All Kyairil wanted to do was be alone with Roslile. He still hadn’t told her his feelings, his gratitude, his love for her. It was starting to get maddening that he couldn’t just get a second alone to kiss her like he wanted. Even that first kiss was witnessed by the annoying green giant. Which was another issue, Theodred seemed to be fascinated by Kyairil and followed him everywhere.

It wasn’t until Kyairil had his first meal that he began to relax since leaving the halberd. It was his first meal freed, and food was better than he could have ever forgotten. Raksahsa cuisine was colorful and spicy, rich with flavors that livened up his senses again. He ate and ate, even when he felt he could stuff his face no more, he still wanted to stuff his mouth full.

“Easy now,” Roslile chuckled beside him. “I don’t want you chocking your first day out.” Under the table, her hand rested on his thigh. “You have all the time in the world to eat.”

“It’s his first meal back, let him live a little.” Theodred watched from the other side of the table. “He’ll be adorable with a chubby belly, don’t you think?”