The General - S01 E40

Story 5 months ago

The General - S01 E40

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 40

I pass Malik on my way outside, but he doesn't look my way. I drop my gaze, feeling embarrassed.

My escort helps me atop a scaly beast and leads it by the reins.

"Wouldn't it be better if you rode too?" I ask him.

"The General forbade me from riding with you."

I guess the thought of another man's thighs encasing me was too much for War to bear. I'm actually surprised he's letting another man escort me.

We reach the orphanage after some time, and Lady Hope comes barreling out before I get to swing off.

"Joan! I am so happy to see you."

Little faces press against the windows of the second floor. I smile brightly at Hope so the kids can see I'm alright.

"I'm sorry about yesterday. Things got out of hand, but I'm fine."

I can't say the same for the dozens of guards that War pummeled through.

"What happened? I was so baffled."

"Vrint is not a good person. He set me up," I summarize.

"How?"

Answering that would require disclosing my relationship with War, and I would hate if Hope treated me differently after she knew how close we are.

"It is behind me now. Hope, I want you to go in room and sell everything valuable you find. There isn't much, but—"

"What are you talking about, girl? Why does it sound like you're leaving?"

"Use it for the orphanage. I'm sorry." I swallow hard, but keep a brave face for the kids. "I have to go back to camp. I'm needed there."

"Oh," she frowns. "I will miss you terribly. And the kids—"

"Tell them an inspirational story. Tell them I left to do something great and that I'll miss them and expect them to embark on adventures that are just as meaningful when they're older."

Something great? I'm going to camp to scrub pots and keep War from ripping heads off shoulders.

"They will miss you."

"I will miss them more."

"Do you want to come inside and talk to them?"

I shake my head, because I know I'll cry if I see their sad little faces up close.

"I'll see you again," I promise her. With one last smile at the children, I nod at my escort.

I make a mental note to borrow money from War and send it to Hope. It doesn't matter how long I have to work for to pay it back.

I'm led to the edge of the city, where the caravan of Masters await to ride into the wilderness until reaching the isolated camp.

On my way, I hear the city louder than ever. They're catching wind of the gossip, whispering and remarking about it. They're so engrossed that they don't notice the human riding through the crowds was behind it all.

I find War at the very front of the caravan. I know what he's done. He took Vrint's life and punished others, but he doesn't look shaken up by the violence. His face is hard like the rest of him.

I'm led to the front, right by his side, but I know the Masters don't see a General and his strong significant other.

They see a General and his whore.

"I said goodbye to the orphanage," I tell him shyly because it's unnerving to have all these eyes on me.

He nods.

"Can I ask for something?"

The words taste like sand.

War nods, still expressionless.

"Can I borrow some money?"

He blinks slowly. I feel judged.

"What do you need to buy?"

"It's not for me. It's for the orphanage. I'll pay you back, I promise. I..."

"I do not need you to pay me back, female. Do I look poor to you?" Without stepping off his beast, he reaches with his enormous arms, grasps my hips, and swings me in front of him. The quick, smooth motion surprises me, but we're galloping before I can process it.

"The orphanage will be taken care of," he promises.

"Thank you," I acknowledge instantly.

I look over my shoulder to get a last glimpse of the city, somewhere in which Vrint's head is separated from his shoulders, a Queen is rattled, high ladies are embarrassed, and guards are left traumatized.

War's broad shoulders block my view. It's like all he wants me to focus on is him.

I look forward. The wind feels like an endless slap on my face. Breathing has become harder, although I have all the oxygen in the world rushing at me. Every breath I take seems to get knocked out of my lungs when the beast below me gallops.

Hands settle at my waist and pin me back to a bare chest, minimizing my bouncing. War has read me, as usual.

We ride hard. If it weren't for his hold, I would have toppled off a long time ago. My thighs have become to chafe from the friction. Masters are used to this, but I've only been atop these beasts a handful of times.

Camp comes closer with every bounce, and dread spreads in my belly. I'll have to take a pregnancy test when I arrive. Paranoia of hurting my belly makes me gently squeeze War's forearm to grab his attention.

"Yes?" he asks, gaze still locked on the horizon.

"Can you slow down, please?"

He slows, and the Masters behind us do, too.

We ride at a more manageable pace, and I let out a shaky breath.

It takes two days of riding to arrive. We paused a few times for breaks and to allow me to sleep a few hours. As usual, the Masters just lingered since they don't need sleep like my inferior body.

When we finally stroll into the camp, I find many unhappy faces— mainly female.

War helps me to my wobbly feet, which have healed enough I can take a couple of steps. I step toward War's tent, and he grasps my shoulder.

"Where are you going?"

"To your place. I know you'll be busy, so I'll go clean and wait for you."

"No," he says.

"War, I'm healed. I can clean and return to my normal duties."

There is no way I'm spending another week sitting around completing no work.

"That's not what I meant. You will no longer sleep or reside with me. You will return to your tent immediately."

It feels like I got punched. He's keeping me at arms-length.

"And it is best if you address me as General from now on."

He's revoking my freedom to call him by his first name.

I'm losing him.

"Oh." I reply, disappointment poignant around me.

The last thing he says is, "I have work to do," before he gives me his back.

I take a step toward him, but his quick strides quickly carry him away.