The sweet venom Chapter 37: 36

Read chapter 37 of The sweet venom by aspa201 on NovelPedia.

The rising dawn tinged the sky with shades of pink and gold, its rays filtering through the still-damp foliage of the trees. Helia suddenly felt the warmth of a sunbeam brush against her eyelids, while a faint scent of smoke, emanating from the fire reduced to a dying ember, tickled her senses. She opened her eyes, momentarily disoriented. The haze of slumber gradually lifted, and it took her a few seconds to recall where she was, and why. Her movements were sluggish, and as she shifted her head slightly, she became aware of a hard surface beneath the back of her head and along the right side of her back. Yet this surface, though firm, was far from as rough and cold as a tree trunk. It was warm, almost comfortable. She gently turned her head, seeking to understand what had supported her so. Only a few inches away, The prince’s face appeared in the soft light of dawn, resting against the tree. His eyes were closed, his features relaxed, his arms loosely extended at his sides. Helia drew in a sharp breath. That was when she realized she had slept almost sprawled against him. A vivid blush immediately rose to her cheeks. She straightened abruptly, her heart pounding, retreating clumsily. The Prince’s cloak, placed over her shoulders during the night to shield her from the chill, slipped to the ground with a faint rustle. She lowered her gaze, staring at the fabric as though it might offer an explanation for such an embarrassing situation. It was then that a deep voice broke the silence of the dawn. "You are finally awake." She lifted her head and met his gaze. Prince Arthur, now eyes open, was watching her without having moved an inch, as though he had been alert for some time, merely waiting for her to stir. The implacable intensity of his eyes only deepened her discomfort. She felt utterly unsettled, unable to grasp how she had ended up in such an awkward position. He released a barely perceptible breath before speaking again, his tone laced with faint irony. "I trust I was comfortable?" At the same time, he stretched the arm on which she had slept, his casual gesture sharply contrasting with her palpable embarrassment. Still flushed, Helia handed him the cloak she held, an unmistakable expression of apology upon her face. "I am sorry, Your Highness. You should have woken me, I would have moved away at once." Her voice trembled slightly, betraying her unease as she lowered her head. He did not respond immediately. After a brief silence, he rose without haste, stretching lightly as he donned the armor he had removed the previous evening to receive treatment. As he adjusted his gauntlets with habitual precision, he reached out for the cloak she still held. Without a word, he took it from her and, once his armor was secured, draped it over his own shoulders with care. Without turning back, he said simply, "Prepare yourselves. We depart." It took Helia several minutes to fully regain her composure. She inhaled deeply and lightly patted her cheeks, chasing away the last remnants of sleep. She knew the journey ahead would be long and arduous. Resolute, she straightened and stretched, feeling her stiff muscles protest at the effort. The first hours proved the most punishing. The forest, silent and dense, offered a canopy of shade, yet the path beneath their feet was treacherous. The uneven ground, riddled with gnarled roots, formed a steep incline that gradually led them toward the cliff’s edge. Arthur maintained a reasonable pace, adjusting subtly to the more limited endurance of his companion. Even so, Helia struggled to keep up. The exertion was relentless. Her legs grew heavier with every step, her sore muscles protesting the rough terrain. The oppressive heat of the now-high sun turned their progress into an ordeal. Thirst scorched her throat, fatigue weighed upon her shoulders, and her body fought to adapt to the unceasing advance. Three hours passed in this manner, without pause, without a word. At last, She could endure no mor