Cassius pov

When my eyes opened, the first thing I saw was her sleeping on my chest. Her hands were tightly holding my torso. And my one was still under her head serving her as a pillow while the other was on her back, keeping her hidden in my arms. I could feel her soft skin against my rough chest. Her hairs scattered over my hands and her peaceful smile that was making her face more beautiful than ever.

It was one of the precious moments of my life. How many times have we stayed this peaceful ever. It felt like a dream that I have never even imagined to come true. I was even afraid to move in case her sleep got affected. So I just looked around. I was awake most of the time at night keeping a watch on the old man.

Who just treated others and fed them herbs and then sat at the entrance of the cave to guard us..

He was still there, but soon others would wake up too, I could feel movements from them.

"Marianne '' I slowly whispered, then gently I moved my hands and moved her hair from her face.

"Mmm," she moaned slightly and rubbed her face on my chest moving further close. She must be feeling cold as she moved closer to seek the warmth. But did she know how my breath hitched at her moans. When did she realise how her small actions affected me?

"Marianne, we need to talk before the men wake up '' I said again touching her shoulders and she finally responded.

Rubbing her eyes from the back of her hand, she blinked to get adjusted to the environment. Her face was shining in the dark with an enchanting glow. She looked around and then at me, her eyes stayed on my face for a second and then moved down.

To say that I was not proud of my body with the way she looked at it with pure admiration would be a lie. I never felt that confident before in the past few years.

'Have you seen enough, my wife?" i asked and her eyes snapped open and it finally dawned on her that it was not a dream but reality.

Calling her wife was becoming more and more natural these days.

"I was not looking at anything." she deadpanned and I chuckled. But then i heard a man groaning

"I would have discussed it further but? these men are going to wake up soon, Marianne. We need to talk with the head for a few minutes and I want you to come with me.`` I talked to her and she nodded.

She sat up and adjusted my shirt over her gown. She was looking so special in that dress that I wanted to keep sitting there and stare at her all the time.

"I am ready." she spoke and i blinked. A smile formed on my lips and I nodded and stood up.

She looked at me with a confused face but followed me silently.

"We need to talk,"? I said to the man who was looking at the distance with serene expressions.

"Kai.. people call me Kai. I am from the Barthua clan. We were living in the woods from the past many centuries, even when there was no empire or borders but only vast woods." said the man in a cryptic way still lost in his thoughts, for a moment it did not feel like he was talking to us.

But then he turned and looked deep into my eyes :how did you know about the blood oath?" he asked me and to be honest I did not know. These words just flew out of my mouth as if they were buried in my unconsciousness.

"I have heard about it somewhere in the past and about the mark you all have in your arms, '' I pointed out, as this was the most reasonable reply I could give.

The man looked at the mark and then at me. His eyes looked deep into my soul. After a while he finally nodded.

"What do you want to know?" he asked, finally giving us a faint smile.

"I want to know what are the effects of this blood oath first."

"It is as it sounds, my daughter had given his pure and blessed blood to you and took yours. Our blood is one now. So you are my son too. And as a father I will protect you and your family till the end, even if you die I will bring you back to life to fulfil my promise." said the man again in a cryptic way.

He was talking as if he was god and he had the power to reincarnate or bring back to life. I wanted to mock and laugh but I still needed this old man.

"All we want is to leave this place and reach the village.'' I added, "right, Marianne" but when I turned to look at her I was stunned to see her face.

It was white and a thin layer of sweat was formed on her head. She was almost trembling and at the same time covered with sweat. It was as if she had seen the ghost. Her eyes were settled on the face of the old man who was strangely looking at her with deep calmness as if he knew why she was like that.

Did he know any black magic! Was he the reason for her sudden behaviour? I forwarded as I shook her, "Marianne, Mari, Marianne de Luca '' I shouted jerking and she finally snapped back to reality. She looked at me and then at the man.

"How would you do that?" she asked as if she believed her nonsense. Her face had sudden desperate? look as if she wanted to bring someone back to life.

"You don't need to know that for now. It is not the right time, but soon.. Soon the truth will be in front of everyone"