The Thorn in My Shed-Chapter 21: Home Base?

The road from Viraaz back to Sola was slow and difficult. They were less traveled on now, practically abandoned since the war began.

Rain had washed out parts of the pavement, leaving potholes and spots of dirt. The horses had to proceed carefully, drawing out the length of the ride.

Despite the luxurious seating inside, the wobbling and uneven road was making the ride extremely uncomfortable.

Marix sat back, his legs open and feet planted firmly on the floor of the carriage. His arms were crossed over his chest as he cocked his head to the side, watching her with a singular eyebrow lifted. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

His armor clanked and clattered with each turbulent movement of the journey.

Unlike him, Eilownia sat there with her arms outstretched, braced against the walls. Her knees were pointed inwards, pressing against each other, her muscles clenched causing her to bounce rigidly.

She’d been returned her previous outfit that she’d worn to the festival: The white sundress weaved with what were now wilted flowers. Although she’d tossed the destroyed flower crown.

’Has she never been in a carriage before? What is she doing?’

Marix shifted his head to the other side of his neck.

"Relax yourself. Keep your feet on the floor. You’re making it harder on your body. Move with it, instead of fighting against it."

Eilownia followed his instructions and copied his posture, spreading her legs open and placing her feet flat against the bottom of the carriage.

Marix shook his head, "Not this. Never do this, especially in front of a man." Her firmly grasped her thighs and pressed her legs together. "Keep them like this, just don’t squeeze them like you were."

His hands lingered for a moment on her thighs, the warmth of them seeping through her dress and straight into her heart.

Eilownia’s eyes drifted down towards his hand. An unfamiliar ache took over the warmth they had just sent.

Her bottom lip jutted out slightly as her cheeks filled with air. It was a pout unlike any he had ever seen and he found himself leaning in unconsciously.

"You touch me like this and treat me with so much kindness and yet you can’t keep your word."

His eyes widened for a split moment before he leaned back into his seat and cleared his throat. His arms came to fold across his chest once again.

"Do not challenge my word."

Tears filled her eyes, "You said you won’t return me if I told you who I was. You lied to me. How is that not challenging it? It’s not me who challenged it, it’s you. You promised."

Marix reached a hand out and wiped one of her tears before quickly retracting it.

’All this time.....she’s never once cried. Why are her eyes filling with tears now? Is she really that upset that I lied to her?’

"Please don’t send me back. Can’t I just stay in the dungeon? Or anywhere else? Even in the stable? I’ll do whatever you want, please just don’t send me back!"

She shifted to get on her knees and plead but at that moment, one of the wheels went over a particularly deep pothole, causing the carriage to lurch backwards and then forwards.

Eilownia slammed into his chest grasping onto him to try and catch herself.

In turn, he grabbed onto her, wrapping his arm around her waist. The sudden shift in weight and position, causing them both to tumble back onto her seat, resulting in him pinning her against the chair.

She gasped and stared up at him, batting her eyelashes as her heart pounded in her chest.

His eyes roamed over her lips for a moment before they lifted to meet her gaze.

"Careful, Whin."

Her eyes flickered as she stared at him.

"Is it really so impossible for me to stay with you? Why did you lie? Was it really all just a trick?" Her voice softened and trailed off as it cracked towards the end.

The gaze in her eyes began to reflect that ache she felt in her heart as they began to fill with tears again, "Please. I beg you. Don’t send me back there. Take me anywhere.....anywhere but there. You gave me your word."

His expression mirrored her own, minus the tears, as he maintained their closeness and eye contact for a few seconds longer.

Then, he released her and leaned back into his seat. This time, his gaze did not return to hers, but rather to the scenery passing by outside the window of their carriage.

Eilownia slowly shifted, copying his sitting posture once again to ensure she stopped bouncing around like a child’s ball being thrown.

Her gaze never left him as she stared at him with a hopeful look, praying he’d change his mind, praying he’d turn this thing around and take her back to the dungeon.

He could feel it, her gaze, boring into him like a thousand swords. Like her, his heart also ached.

"You’ll be returned. It’s already been decided. Stop whining already."

Her shoulders slumped and her head hug low as she turned to face the opposite side window.

The air between them turned stale and heavy. Heavier than it had been when they first departed.

Now, with each step the horses made towards the Evans Estate, he could feel a darkness that was pulling them under more and more.

He glanced her way. Her eyes were fixed outside.....or were they?

Marix turned his head to try to get a better read.

They were staring out, but it didn’t seem like she was staring at anything in particular.

’She seems dead inside now. Is she really that upset about going back?’

He slowly turned his attention back towards the scenery of his window as he delved into thought.

’Is she a spy or not? It’s her duty to return and report any information she gained. As the illegitimate daughter, shouldn’t she be happy to return home? Not so eager to remain in the dungeons?’

His hand slowly raised and rubbed his chin, ’Something isn’t adding up here. I’m missing something, but what is it?’

Eilownia continued to sit, staring out the window, completely dejected.

’Or is this all just a plan for her to keep me confused? If so, she’s a fantastic actress.’

As he thought, they arrived into Sola. The roads instantly evened out and the ride became smooth.

It wouldn’t be long before they reached the Evans Estate now that the horses could pick up their pace.

’Either way, it’ll be confirmed once I take her to Lord Evans and judge his reaction.’

Then, the carriage slowed to a stop.

There it was, the large stone walls of the Evans Estate.

Eilownia’s heart dropped as she stared at them.

It was her first time seeing them from this angle, but she knew these stone walls oh so painfully well.

The carriage stopped at the large wooden doors with the gold sign "EVANS ESTATE" over them. Eilownia trembled and turned to Marix as he started to step out of the door.

She grabbed onto his arm.

"Can’t you just let me run? Lose me? Let me escape? Please."

He pulled his arm away, causing her to fall forward a bit.

"Guards. Watch her. Ensure she doesn’t escape."

"Mar-!" Her voice was cut off as he closed the door behind him. She banged on the window, trying to get him to come back, to plead further, but it was no use. He was already knocking on the wooden door.

Soon, Lord Evans appeared at the door.

"To what do I owe this pleasure, General Marix?" He asked, his posture straight as a board as he held his cane straight in front of him.

"Lord Evans. I’m curious to know about your daughter."

Lord Evans’ breathing halted for just a short second as his left eye twitched ever so slightly.

"My daughter? General. You amuse me. I am childless. Everyone knows I’ve never married."

Marix stared down at his nails for a moment as he cleaned some dirt out of his middle fingernail with his thumb, then raised his head to stare straight into Lord Evans’ eyes.

"I never said you married. I know about your illegitimate daughter. You don’t need to hide it."

Lord Evans scoffed, "Wh-What do you know? You’re a General of Viraaz. Don’t act as if you know me like that."

Marix nodded towards his guards who were standing outside the carriage, which was just out of view from Lord Evans.

"How dare you accuse me of having an illegitimate child. As if I’d harbor such a-!!!!"

As he spoke, the guards brought Eilownia to Marix, who then grabbed her arm and pulled her in front of him.

Lord Evans gasped, his words cut off immediately at the sight of her.

"F-Father...." She greeted.

Marix looked Lord Evans up and down.

"That’s what I thought."

He threw Eilownia at Lord Evans, who just barely caught her.

She turned around, "W-Wait!" But it was too late, the door was already closed and she could hear Marix entering the carriage.

As he drove away, he couldn’t help but wonder if he’d made the correct decision.

Eilownia stared up at Lord Evans, who only glared down at her. His grip on her bicep tightening painfully.