"Then take me with you, we can solve this together," Wura sniffed. All she needed was his approval. All she needed was for him to say that he needed her and he would allow her go with him. That was all she needed.
Liam sighed. He took a deep breath before he decided to answer her. He did not know why he had to continue explaining everything to her. He did not wish to explain the same thing to her over and over again.
However, he had promised not to hurt her anymore with his words. He could see how much his words sunk into her skin like little needles.
"You know I cannot do that Wura," He began with a sigh.
"The same way you cannot bear to lose me, is the same way I cannot bear to lose you. I cannot imagine what I would do if you were to get hurt out there, you would be a target, and I fear that I will not be able to protect you, you have to understand," Liam pleaded.
For the first time since he had returned, he spoke to her softly, tenderly, lovingly. The way he used to speak to her. She could see the love in his eyes and it melted her broken heart.
Liam looked down at her tenderly. Wura could feel his love once more, she felt overjoyed. Tears streamed down her eyes, but this time, they were tears of joy.
"Why are you crying again? I did not say anything hash," Liam said. He did not like to see her cry, especially when it was his fault she was crying.
"I am not crying because I am sad, I am crying because I am glad to know that you still love me, thank you for loving me," She sniffed. She hugged him tightly and he found himself sinking into her embrace.
This was what he wanted, to forget all the bad things, all the negative things and simply focus on her, she was his happiness, his true source of tranquility and he did not like to be angry with her.
"Liam, what if I promise you that I will not get hurt? I will not leave your side, not at all, I will stay close you, just please, let me go with you," Wura said.
Liam sighed. She was so insistent and relenting. That was one of the reasons he loved her so, but in the moment, that stubborn trait of hers was not helping situations one bit. He was tired of saying the same thing over and over again.
Liam groaned, there was no time to waste and he and Wura would not reach an agreement, he was sure of it. They would just continue to argue and go back and forth until finally their enemies ambushed them once more.
Liam let go of Wura and pulled away. Wura frowned, she was worried that maybe he was angry again.
To her surprise, Liam held her hand and began to lead her back to Mero's tent.
"Liam," She called. "Where are we going?".
"You will see," Liam replied. He did not turn to her, no, not until they entered Mero's tent and he ensnared her in a long, tender kiss.
Wura gasped, she had not expected this. She wanted to say something, but she found herself sinking deeper into the feeling. She had been waiting for this kiss for ages and to feel his lips on hers once again. She melted, she could not move, the only thing she could do was reciprocate the action.
Wura closed her eyes and let herself sink in deeper to the motion. She kissed him back and he kissed her more longingly.
This was it, the passion they once had, or at least still had. That was what Wura wished for most, that all this would end and be like a dream.
Wura found it difficult to breath, Liam left her no chance to do so comfortably.
Wura was so lost in the moment that she did not notice Liam holding her hands in his own, he raised her hands over her head and began to tie them together with a rope he had in his pocket.
Wura noticed the motion and her eyes opened wide. "Mhmm, mhmm, Liam...mhmmm, Liam, what are you doing?" she tried to ask.
She could feel her hands being tied. It was at that moment she tried to push him away but he held her tightly in place. She struggled, but she was starting to lose air.
Before she lost consciousness, Liam broke the kiss and carried Wura over his shoulder. Wura gasped for air. She was so relieved that he stopped.
"Liam!!! What are you doing??!" asked Wura in a mix of confusion and anger. Her hands were tied and she was being carried like a sack of potatoes.
She had missed this, she had missed him carrying her, kissing her. She would have enjoyed this moment if not for the fact that her hands were tied up and she was confused.
"I am making sure you do not go anywhere Wura," Liam replied. He placed her on the couch as she squirmed and he held her in place and tied her legs with another piece of rope.
"Liam, this is unfair!!! Untie me at once!" Wura demanded. She struggled to get free but Liam was just too strong. With one hand, he could keep her down and she hated that he was stronger than her.
"I am sorry Wura, I cannot do that, for your own good, stay here," Liam made his statement clear. He was not going to argue with her. This was the next best thing for him to do in order to guarantee her safety.
He let go of her and she stared at him in anger, he did not mind that, he knew how stubborn she could be, and this was the best thing for him to do.
Wura tried to stand up from the couch, but she tried too quickly and she stumbled and fell.
"You cannot tie me up like a prisoner!" Wura shouted.
"You are not a prisoner Wura, you are the Queen, and this is to keep you safe, please be good and stay in one place," Liam sighed.
"In case I do not return... I just want you to know that I love you so much," He said. He bent down and gave her one last kiss.
"Liam no, Liam, please come back, come back, please do not tie me up here, do not leave me here," Wura pleaded, she began to cry again as he left.
Liam ignored her cries, it was for the best. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and walked out of the tent.
"Liam! Liam!" Wura called. She knew he would not come back and untie her, she could not let him do this, she could not.
...
"Men, gather around," Liam called. As soon as they heard his voice, Elihu, Zuph, Luc and the others walked to meet him.
Elihu looked around, he could not see Wura anywhere. It was either their finally settled their argument, or maybe the queen had gotten upset and walked away. Either way, Liam did not look happy and he could see it clearly.
Zuph frowned, there was something odd going on. Firstly, Nora was nowhere to be found. Wura and Liam were clearly not on the right terms with one another. He felt like there was something he did not know and it made him worried.
He remembered how Liam looked when he came to their rescue. The way he looked now, it was far from the hopeful, excited expression they had seen him with. Something had happened and it was not something good at all.
"I am sure that Elihu, Zuph and Luc have discussed the best possible courses of action," Liam said and the men nodded.
"Considering the East are using fire and smoke to conceal their positionings, we should use horses so we are swift and their arrows will not be able to hit us," Liam said.
"I agree, but what if they are already prepared for that approach with more arrows and archers?" Zuph asked.
"Half of the men lead by me with hold shields for the second half following behind. That way, if they open range at us, not all of us will be hit," Liam said. Luc nodded, that sounded reasonable.
"I wish to be in the front with you Liam, you know that I have long arms, I can block more arrows," Luc said. He was not boasting, he was simply stating a fact. It was true, Elihu nodded, he knew agreed.
"Alright, good," Liam nodded. That was true. Luc had long arms, he would be able to help block him while he was focused on finding a way through the messy battlefield.
"How are we going to divide ourselves?" Elihu asked.