Chapter 203: We Will Build A Cottage In A Forest

The night passed uneventfully. Other than a few nosy animals, no one interrupted them. Razial woke up at dawn and took over the watch from Siroos. Letting him get an hour of sleep with Cassandra still safely tucked in his arms.

Lotus woke up when the birds began to chirp. She glanced around and found Aiko curled up near her. She adjusted the woollen blanket around the young girl so she wouldn’t be cold.

Taking off her own blanket Lotus wrapped herself in her coat and stepped out of the carriage, taking her blanket with her. She carefully opened the door so it wouldn’t creak and wake up Aiko.

Cold gust of wind welcomed her and her teeth chattered. Thankfully, it wasn’t snowing.

Razial’s eyes swept towards Lotus as she quietly walked towards him. It was cold early in the morning, but it didn’t affect him. Seeing her warmed him up even more.

"Good morning!" He greeted getting up. A smile was quick to decorate his cupid-shaped lips.

"Cold morning to you as well, Ice Commander," Lotus huffed seeing how he sat comfortably without even a blanket. He had wrapped it up and placed it aside.

"Cold never bothers me," he answered, seeing her scowl as Lotus settled beside him.

Her eyes wavered to where Faris was sleeping. He had transformed into his wolf, trying to keep himself warm. The white fur of his head poked out.

"Where are Cassandra and Siroos?" Her eyes now roamed in the search of her sister.

"Up there on the tree. Siroos has just gone to sleep so I thought we would let them have a few moments." Razial pointed towards the tree on the opposite side.

Lotus’s eyes followed Razial’s pointing finger and her hand went to her mouth as she blurted out, slightly overwhelmed by the idea of sleeping like that.

"What if they fell? How are they sleeping in a tree?"

"They trust each other, Princess Lotus. She trusts him to keep her safe in his arms and he trusts himself that he won’t fall or let her," Razial explained as if he possessed all the wisdom on the matter.

Lotus’s eyes dropped back to the Commander as she tightened the blanket around herself and ignored how cold her nose was getting.

"Look at you, so coolly explaining to me their relationship. You have come a long way, Razial," Lotus said while lowering her head and burying it in the blanket to keep it warm.

Seeing her cold, Razial opened his left arm and quietly offered.

"Come closer."

Lotus contemplated for a second and then scooted towards him. He offered warmth and she wasn’t going to deny herself that.

He was warm and comfortable to snuggle with. Now that he wasn’t wearing all those ridiculous medals and gold epaulettes anymore. He seemed more human and less rigid to her. Not some cold military commander who didn’t care about others but her childhood friend.

Razial on the other hand had his heart racing like a deer when she placed her head on his shoulder.

"I miss the old times when we were kids and so carefree." Lotus wistfully sighed.

"Me too, those were good days. We didn’t have to worry about anything," Razial answered, rubbing her arm ever so gently. She was so precious to him.

They were so lost that they missed a flash inside the carriage.

"Ah! Well, I don’t even know where I will go after this quest is over. No way I am returning to Speldaria. I am done with that place." Hints of sadness in her voice jabbed at his heart.

"We can build a small cottage in a forest and live there. Like we used to do as kids, when we played, ’Home’."

They used to build houses out of sticks and leaves, since Lotus manifested her powers earlier then her peers, she loved experimenting with it. Building small houses and pretended that she was the queen with Razial and Cassandra.

His words brought back memories but on top of that, they stirred these emotions inside her that she didn’t know existed. Suddenly she felt warm, too warm, her cheeks burnt.

She didn’t know what to say in return while Razial expectantly waited almost holding his breath.

"Let’s think it over once we have completed whatever quest the moon goddess has sent us on," Lotus finally answered, burying her nose into the blanket again.

’Atleast, she didn’t say no,’ Razial reminded himself. They sat silently after that, enjoying each other’s company and keeping the other warm.

The carriage door opened and Aiko emerged from it, carrying a whole cauldron of steaming hot soup by the handle. There was a triumphing smile on her face.

"Rise and shine everyone. It’s breakfast time," she announced cheerfully and Faris’s wolf stirred awake. He shifted instantly when the salty smell of the chicken and vegetable soup hit him in abundance.

Lotus quickly straightened as well and Razial removed his arm from around her. They confusedly watched Aiko.

"Soup? Do I smell hot soup?" Faris rubbed his sleepy eyes and tried to focus them on his cheerful looking mate. His soft brown hair fell right in front of his eyes, making Aiko hungrily stare at him. This was a different kind of hunger which had nothing to do with the soup she carried.

"Yes! I brought hot water too. Clean up before it gets cold."

"How? Where? What?" Lotus asked, scrambling to her feet and rushing towards Aiko. Faris had gotten out of his makeshift bedding and helped Aiko place down the cauldron on the ground.

The girl with black hair was wearing her satchel which seemed like it had been stuffed with bowls and hot water skins.

"I opened a portal to my mother. Had already informed her I will drop by near midnight and would like to get some soup. She had everything arranged and she also sent her regards, along with Beta Ranon," Aiko explained. There was a time difference between the two continents. It was still night in Dusartine.

"If your mother was here, I would have kissed her. She is such a life saver," Lotus wished to happily dance seeing the hot soup and now freshly baked bread Aiko was taking out of the brown skin bag. She extracted a hot water skin and handed it to Lotus so she could freshen up.

"Same, next time tell her how obliged we all are." Faris accepted the hot water skin Aiko also extended towards him.

Razial had moved closer, to help the ladies as well.

Since they were still in vampire territory, they didn’t want to light too many fires and attract anyone unwanted. This was a wise choice by Aiko.

The commotion underneath woke Siroos and Cassandra up as well. She stirred and slowly yawned before opening her eyes. The enticing aroma of the soil reached her pink-hued nose.

"Siro! Am I dreaming or can you also smell some mouthwatering soup?"

Siroos opened his bloodshot eyes and focused them on his mate before staring down. He could see the pot with steam rising from it.

"I think both of us are dreaming, Malakti but somehow our dreams have connected and I can see and feel what you can," he stupidly said, still half asleep.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read