Chapter 47

When Ayla woke up, Rhobart was already gathering all their belongings. While she looked at him, Ayla remembered her dreams, and she blushed. And the more she looked at him, the more she blushed because Ayla wanted to know how it felt to be kissed. And not by anyone. She wanted to be kissed by Rhobart.

"Why are you blushing now?" Ayla heard Rhobart asking her.

At that moment, Ayla realized she got so lost in her thoughts she didn't even notice that Rhobart was looking at her.

Ayla stood from her blanket and covered her burning cheeks with her palms, "Nothing! Something I dreamed about!"

Rhobart stopped packing, went to Ayla, and stood in front of her.

"What did you dream about?"

Ayla looked at his chest, where the pink satchel sat. She frowned. Didn't she make one when she was six or seven? She couldn't be sure; her memory was foggy when she tried to think about it. She tried to remember, but she felt a sharp pain in her head and let the memory go, and it faded away.

Rhobart put a finger under her chin and lifted her head.

"Did you dream the same thing as me?" he asked.

"What did you dream about?" she whispered her question.

"I dreamed about you. And–" Rhobart murmured, and Ayla's heart beat so fast, she felt it would break free from her chest.

Rhobart looked at her lips," Just one taste. I need to know how you taste, t'xoria."

The King put a hand on her lower back, bringing her as close as possible to him. Then he lowered his head, "Just once. I will allow this just once."

Ayla's knees turned to jelly. She was glad Rhobart had her in his arms; otherwise, she would not be able to stand.

He was going to kiss her. Finally! She closed her eyes and waited. But to her surprise, Rhobart took a step back and let go of her.

"Kerra! Let go of my trousers!" Ayla heard Rhobart growl.

Ayla opened her eyes only to see Kerra pulling at Rhobart's trousers while he tried to make the snowcat stop.

"Bad kitty! You ruined the moment!" Daya said while she appeared next to Kerra.

The sudden apparition of the tree spirit scared the snowcat. Kerra let go of Rhobart's trousers and ran next to the horses.

"There! Now she is gone! I will disappear, and you two can finally kiss! Promise I won't look!"

After Daya disappeared, Rhobart looked at Ayla and scratched the back of his head.

"We better get ready to leave. We still have three days left of travel until we reach the Hammer Clan," he said and went to finish packing.

Ayla felt so disappointed. Will he ever kiss her?

And she also wished they could stay at least one more day because she loved the cave. But even fairytales ended.

Once they had all their things in the satchels, Rhobart put the saddles back on Runner and Spirit.

And before Ayla and Rhobart left the cave, Daya appeared in front of them.

"Rhobart," she said, looking at the King, "not all things are as they seem. I hope that when you realize it, you won't regret all the time you lost. And I hope it won't take another thirteen years until you decide to see me again. I get lonely."

Rhobart snorted, "I didn't visit because I was busy defending my kingdom."

Daya said, "And now a new threat is coming."

"How do you know?" Ayla asked.

"Because my roots are connected to the roots of other trees, and they tell me that terrible things are getting closer and closer to all the kingdoms."

"How much time do we have left?" Rhobart asked.

"A month, maybe two. They stopped for now and are waiting for something to happen."

"Do you know what?" Rhobart asked the tree spirit.

Daya shook her head, "No. Who knows what plans the Dark god has? After killing Aylarra, Inoss fought with Beliar and cast him away from the Eternal Gardens. And since then, the Dark god hated his brother and sought a way to destroy all that the Fire god created. This is another attempt of the Darkness to destroy the Light and the Peace."

"Thank you for the information," Rhobart said and bowed his head.

Daya looked at Ayla, "Remember what I told you, Ayla Longthorn. True love is the answer."

"To what?" Ayla asked.

"That is for you to find out. And listen to your heart. It will always guide you well."

Then the tree spirit looked at Kerra, "And you, my little furball friend, never stop protecting Ayla. Or Rhobart."