The Hidden King's Stolen Wife-Chapter 45: Bright Blue

The first thing that Rafael saw upon his return was the mountain of thornhound carcasses that lined the camp grounds. Several of Orion’s men were busying about, some preparing the meat while others reloading supplies onto the back of the carriage.

As he approached the campfire, Rafael frowned. Orion sat right in front of the open flame, skewers of meat in his hand as Elowyn sat by his side. He lovingly flew on a freshly grilled skewer before handing it to Elowyn, watching as she ate the food with adoration in her eyes.

"Sir Ralph!" Elowyn greeted, brightening as she raised a hand to wave.

As she did, Orion reached over and wiped a bit of the grease off the corner of her lips, lightly chastising her in a tone Rafael could not hear. She merely smiled sheepishly before adjusting her dress, but the warm smile on her face did not disappear for a second.

"What’s with all the food?" Rafael casually asked, eyeing the mess around them. "I didn’t realize we were having a party."

"Orion went out hunting this morning," Elowyn answered with a faint blush. "There were a few thornhounds around the campsite and he cleared them all. Isn’t that wonderful?"

As she spoke, she nuzzled further into Orion’s embrace, causing Rafael to tightly purse his lips in an attempt not to throw up right then and there.

"Would you like to join us?" Elowyn asked, ignoring the grimace on his face. Then, her eyes narrowed ever the slightest when she noticed the huge sack Ralph had over his shoulder. "Did you go somewhere earlier this morning, Sir Ralph?"

Rafael raised an eyebrow, his fingers tightening on the bag. He ignored Elowyn’s question entirely, turning to look around.

"Where’s Princess Soleia?" he asked. "Is she not joining you two for breakfast?"

"Oh, I am not sure," Elowyn said, eagerly taking the next stick of meat Orion wordlessly handed to her. If anything, he resembled a mindless slave right now, living only to cook and serve food to Elowyn. "The last I saw of her, she was still in the forest."

"In the forest?" Rafael echoed.

"Yes," Elowyn said with a nod. "She was attacked by thornhounds earlier. It was extremely fortunate that Orion found her in time. Or else..." she trailed off with a shake of her head. "I wouldn’t want to imagine what would’ve happened otherwise."

"Otherwise she would’ve been dead," Orion said with no emotion in his voice. "Serves her right for entering the woods without protection."

"And you left her there?!" Rafael said, horrified. His blood rushed to his head. If it weren’t for the tenacity of the human bone structure, his scalp might’ve flown clean off. "What if there are other beasts?"

"I killed the pack," Orion said plainly. "If she runs into another, that is due to her own misfortunes."

Rafael cursed under his breath before quickly turning and disappearing into the woods, following the trails left in the snow.

Elowyn watched, mindfully chewing her food as she stared at Ralph’s disappearing figure. Then, she said, "Sir Ralph seems to care a great deal for Lady Soleia." She looked up at Orion. "If I didn’t know any better, I would even think that he fancied her."

Something seemed to snap in Orion. He stopped turning the skewers, his body suddenly turning rigid as he stared at the flickering flames. The logs crackled from the heat, and that was just about the only sound that surrounded them for a few seconds.

"Orion...?" Elowyn called out, putting down her food as well. "Is there something wrong?"

As she spoke, Orion suddenly turned towards her, causing her to gasp slightly. She jerked instinctively― the electric blue of Orion’s eyes seemed to scorch directly through her soul, sending shivers down her spine. She had never seen them so bright before, other than the first time she caught sight of him.

"Don’t say something like that," Orion said, his voice oddly low and filled with warning.

"I..." Elowyn trailed off, blinking a couple of times in surprise. "I was just commenting as it is, my love. It’s something that I overheard some of the men saying as well."

She gestured to the ice hut that Soleia and Ralph slept in the night before, her gaze shifting back and forth between the building and Orion’s expression.

"They even shared a shelter the night before," Elowyn cautiously pointed out. "Although, I am sure it was because they had no choice. Surely a properly raised lady like the Princess wouldn’t dare to sleep under the same roof as a different man while she’s already married―"

The twenty or so sticks of meat cracked immediately in Orion’s hand, falling to the ground as Elowyn gasped in shock. It was by no means an impressive display of strength, especially given what she knew the man was capable of, but the crisp sound of the wood breaking still caused her skin to crawl.

Elowyn quickly gathered herself and leaned forward. Despite the cold, she was dressed sheerly, with nothing but a coat over her shoulders to keep her warm. The measly piece of fabric she called a dress clung onto her figure, barely covering what should be shielded for propriety.

When Orion looked over, the first thing he saw was the valley between her supple breasts, and nestled in between them was a huge purple rock that immediately relaxed the furrow of his brows.

"But isn’t this a good thing, My Lord?" Elowyn asked, shifting closer so that she could hold Orion’s hand. "If Sir Ralph really fancies Lady Soleia, wouldn’t that be better for us?" The stone glowed brighter. "And for our baby? We would have a proper family. Just the three of us."

Orion’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed, but he eventually turned his head away. He raised to his feet, causing Elowyn’s lips to part in surprise. Her hand automatically reached for her pendant, clutching it tightly.

"She’s my wife," Orion said. "I might not remember much about her, but our lives are linked together in holy matrimony. How can you suggest I offer her to another man?"

"That isn’t what I mean at all!" Elowyn hurriedly said, standing to her feet as well. She held his hand tightly, faint purple mist swirling around her fingers as she did. "I just mean to be careful. Sir Ralph wouldn’t have these feelings out of nowhere. Perhaps there’s something that the Duchess did during your absence to create some... misunderstandings that could’ve ignited his feelings."

She watched with bated breath as the bright azure of Orion’s eyes turned into a deep ocean blue, then finally, gray. Elowyn let out a shaky breath as a smile found its way onto her lips again.

"I am just saying to be careful, My Lord," Elowyn said. She came closer, her arms wrapping around Orion’s waist. This time, he didn’t pull away. "We wouldn’t want rumors of her infidelity spreading far and wide throughout the kingdom, do we?"