The King And His Goddess Of War

Chapter 13: Holding Back

Arianna’s POV:

I decided yesterday that cleaning myself was a very big thing. I was in the showers, the men agreeing to stay for as long as I was in here. Right now, I stared at my tattoo that I got years ago on my hip. Ein Starker. This is why I called Zuka that. 

I smiled at the tattoo and covered myself with new clothes. A simple shirt and jean shorts with my boots. I put on a sweater to keep myself warm from the cold day. Apparently much had changed since we had a president. Continents have moved around and climates have changed. Here in Africa, it was in the mid sixties in temperature when it's usually ninety or over. Well, when spring changes to summer in Africa, they usually have a small cold front. 

I am no weather girl, so I don't really don't know the science behind it.

Horns sounded outside, but not the ones of battle like the ones three days ago. They were friendly horns, like the one that played when they found Mighty and I about to land on the field. I walked out of the bathroom, grabbing onto the hem of my cardigan sweater with one hand and looking to where all the soldiers were going. They were going towards the landing pad. 

I followed the soldiers to the landing pad, curiosity filling my mind. My heart pounded. I knew no more elders would be here since they, thankfully, left yesterday, but I knew if it caused so much commotion, it was somebody important.

Men much taller than me crowded around the platform, and me, being a normal sized female, couldn't see around or over any soldiers. Well, f**k, I needed a step stool. Don't judge me for that! I am normal height and everyone else is abnormally tall!

And so, I pushed through everyone, maybe stepping on some feet along the way. Screw it! I wanted to get past everyone and this was the only way to do it!

I finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Literally. Through a tunnel of legs and arms, it got kinda dark. But on the other side, I saw someone I thought I wouldn't see ever again. I pushed through the last few people and my eyes connected with dark ones that I wish I could stare into all day. 

Zuka was here, in Africa.

His dark hair was like it always was, but he was wearing a tight maroon shirt, showing off the muscle he has and a tattoo peeked out from the right sleeve. That's new. I stood face to face with him, not a word passed between us, but so many things were said just through looking at each other. I missed him more than words could express. He smiled at me and took me into his embrace, wrapping his arms tightly around me. It was like no soldier was watching. 

But everyone was watching.

I backed up from him and he frowned. "I'll see you later, Zuka." 

And with that, I left, the soldiers letting me through with Zuka trailing me. "Ari, please, just hear me out."

"Zuka, get back to your betrothed. She's probably worried about you," I snap, trying to walk back to my tent. 

"Jasmine? Oh hell no," he said, annoyance and disgust lacing his voice. "She's like hell on Earth. A huge w***e and a bit jealous of you now." He just stuck out his right wrist and there was my name as clear as day. "Got it a few days ago, a day before I left."

"We'll talk in my tent," I sigh, grabbing his wrist and dragging him in that direction. I open the makeshift door and drag him inside before zipping the entrance back up. Zuka was looking around my quarters like he was inspecting it. "What were you wanting to say, Zuka?"

"I refused to marry that woman," he said simply. "My father let me sneak out without my mother or the elders knowing and I succeeded. They have no idea I'm here."

"But you still have to be King," I say, crossing my arms. 

"You know you're gorgeous when you do that," he stated, getting closer to me.

"Do what?"

"Bite your lip," he replied. "Jasmine tried to do it and failed. She looked like a beaver. You look like a gorgeous angel when you do it." 

I didn't even notice I did it until now. Then we were kissing, his lips on mine. His hands roaming my back, my hips, my arms. This time I deepened the kiss, becoming more passionate with each moment we were together. It would have been wonderful if I weren't so worried about Princess Jasmine and his responsibility of being the heir to a very large throne. I backed away and this time I could clearly see the disappointment displayed across his face. "Zuka, I know I walked away, but I mean, I wasn't expecting to see you again in person. I was expecting to stay in Africa until the war ended and I expected that I would die during the war."

"You? Die in the war? The woman who destroyed a whole army by herself? A woman with the power of super strength and the ability to spread pain?" he scoffed, holding my hands. I hated the way people talked about my power, like it was the best thing ever. I didn't want to talk about the powers I possessed nor the goddess that claimed me for at least a week. Ever since I turned ten I have heard about how I was a curse, a danger to society, and from some, the luckiest person alive. I sent a flicker of pain through Zuka's palms- just a small amount for him to jump away from me.

But he stood there and took the small amount of pain I gave him. "Why aren't you leaving?" I asked, ripping my hands away and crossing my arms over my chest. "Why are you staying knowing that I don't want you here? Knowing I could hurt you?"

"Because I know you won't, Kleine Rose," he muttered. "I know you do want me close to you, but the betrothal is holding you back. The elders are holding you back. But I want you close to me always, Arianna. I don't want you to hold back because I'm trying to give you all I have, but you holding back is getting us nowhere."

"I'm trying, Zuka!" I shout, tears brimming my eyes. "I want to be okay with you here and me in your arms again, but something inside me is saying that you're already a married man, sold off to another woman!"

He doesn't have a response to that. I let the tears roll down my cheeks instead of holding them back like I did for all those years. Funny how when you're young, you can cry and it's completely fine because you're a child. But when you're grown, crying is unacceptable even in the times where a cry is good to get your emotions out. I learned this the hard way.

"I only want you, Ari," he whispers. "Only you. I would give up my country for you, my reputation, my family, all I know- all that only for you. I wouldn't give one penny to the woman staying in the castle. I wouldn't give one f**k about what the council thought about us if I had you by my side."

"Funny, you're pouring out your feelings to me now, but the first day we officially met you kept pushing me against the wall and being so.. unemotional," I sniffled. He placed a hand on my cheeks and wiped away the tears. 

"I would never be so cold," he joked, giving me a small smile.

"Zuka, what are you going to do about Princess Jasmine and the rest of the royals?" I asked. He gathered me in his arms and I let him, his chin resting on my head. 

"I need you to come back with me," he said, petting my hair and running his fingers through it. "I need to show everyone that you are the only one I will live the rest of my life with."

What? I'm scared the princess is going to kill me in my sleep or something. 

"But the war-"

"It's covered, Kleine Rose. Africa won't be attacking for a while yet," he assured me. "They're too busy in their labs at this time of year. You know, their experiments hatch today."

"Oh, their new creature eggs," I realize. "Wonder what they're like."

"Gonna have to wait another year to find out. They'll want those creatures at their strongest before they send them to us," Zuka shrugged. "Now, we leave tomorrow for the trip. I need that betrothal off as soon as possible."

"I'll see you in the morning, Zuka," I say. 

"Why can't I stay here?" he asked, giving me a fake pout.

"Because you are Zuka, and Zuka hogs the bed."