Capítulo 9: He Wants Reina.

"Warrior… Warrior… You are awake! Thank the heavens."

"I am…alive…" Ren murmured slowly, his eyes fluttering open to meet Reina's green ones. She had a look of relief on her face, and somehow, it held a deeper feeling he didn't quite understand. But Ren remembered dying, how was it possible that he was still alive? He tried to sit up until she pushed him back down gently, not wanting him to stress anything more.

"No…rest…you were badly poisoned and Nagini had to drag you all the way back. You wouldn't have made it if she didn't move fast enough." she paused for a brief moment, her eyes glistening with tears, "because of you…my people live… I am eternally grateful to you, Great Warrior." She bent her form to allow her forehead to touch the ground in ultimate respect.

Ren was a bit taken aback, but it didn't take much for a small smile to grace his cheeks. His eyes caught Luna in the background who was whining out of sympathy. The smile widened, a part of Ren always wanted to have a pet dog, but he knew he would not be able to take care of the dog because they were struggling to eat. So having Luna, he stretched his hand to her and to his approval, she got to her feet and walked to him, licking his hand before rubbing her head all over his hand.

That was when he noticed his skin was a purplish blue hue, and it didn't look pretty. It must have been the effects of the poison. For a second, Ren thought of his mother and how devastated she would have been by now, her son didn't come back home. But it was then that he made a vow within him to protect all the beasts he came across and return back to Miyo.

Days passed and Ren was on bed rest, Reina would come to give him medicine and apply ointment on his skin to help with the discolouration he faced. As she did that, they bonded so well, and he got used to her touching his skin and a couple of times, he was caught staring for too long, but she didn't say anything. Today was different, she didn't come to give him medication, someone else came.

Rami, Reina's right-hand woman, stepped into the room, the soft rustle of fabric announcing her presence. She wore an elegant, flowing dress in a shade of turquoise that shimmered like the surface of a calm sea. The top hugged her figure perfectly, with delicate beads and gems tracing along the neckline and straps, catching the light. The sleeves draped gracefully off her shoulders, leaving her toned arms and black tiger stripes exposed, while shimmering chains and beads hung from her waist, accentuating her every move. The long, flowing skirt split at the sides, allowing glimpses of her powerful legs and the sleek black stripes that marked her skin.

Her tail swayed lazily behind her, the dress designed to allow it to move freely, and her brown eyes glowed softly against her smooth, tanned skin. Her black hair cascaded down her back, a striking contrast to the vibrant dress. With every step, she looked both fierce and breathtaking, a tiger-beast who could steal the breath of anyone who dared look her way. And that is what happened to Ren.

Were all beasts this beautiful? He could get used to this. But she was not the person he wanted to see, but the queen.

"Her majesty has sent me to you, to help with your wounds…" her eyes couldn't meet his and Ren wondered, was she shy? It looked cute though. She set the tray that held many ointments and a roll of bandages. It also had something that looked like a green paste in another small bowl and that was the most favourite part of his treatment, when Reina would rub that all over his body, "great warrior?" she called him back when she realised he was spacing out.

Everyone was calling him great warrior, and he found it so odd, and he wondered why they never called him by his name. Was it a sign of respect? It was then it hit Ren that he never told Reina his name. He mentally facepalmed himself for his blunder.

"Where is she?" was the next question that flew out of his mouth and to Rami's disappointment, she had to answer him.

"She tends to her people. For days now, she has been fuelled by the recovery of the people so much that she has forgotten to take care of her own health." a small smile laced Rami's features before she got on her knee, extremely close to him and though he so wanted to pull a tantrum there and then, he didn't so he wouldn't look like a baby for only wanting Reina to apply his treatment, "I know you are disappointed, but I can do it as good as the queen does. Maybe even…better?…" Rami had taken the paste and had begun to apply it to his skin, the way her fingers danced around his body sent mixed signals.

Was she taking care of him or trying to say something else? Her lips being curved in a shy smile and her eyes anywhere but on his, was it possible that…

"I know what you are thinking." she broke the silence and Ren began to sweat bullets, was she going to make a move on him? Newsflash, he didnt know jack shit if she was actually going to do something, "beasts and humans have never gotten along. Normally we wouldn't take any humans in and if they did try to force themselves in, we would kill them. Just like we have done multiple times. But since our queen trusts you, and you have proven yourself as a hero…you will be very well taken care of." she finally looked up at him and smiled, and Ren returned it, but he was rather nervous, "also, the queen is holding a party for you in three days. Your celebration will be grand and merry for you have saved our people. Thank you, great warrior." she bowed respectfully to him and Ren could only smile back.

She finished applying his ointment and told him that if he needed anything, she wasn't far and her name was Rami. He already knew her name because Reina had called her a couple of times in his presence, but it didn't hurt to be sure. The sweetest news, there was going to be a party for him. Ren felt so happy with the developments but deep down, he wished his mother was by his side.

A total of 6 days had passed since Ren came back to the village and was on treatment. By afternoon, he was strong enough to move around, and his skin had turned back to its original cream colour. With a yukata around his body, he exited his room to see everyone running around trying to decorate the palace. One of the beasts was running towards him carrying a basket and with the quickest reflexes, he ducked, allowing her to flip over him, landing on her feet without any hassle. The emotions were high, and it was feeling like home.

His eyes potted Rami, and she too was busy trying to make sure everything was going to plan. He sneaked up behind her and whispered into her ears, "all of this for me?" He was taller than her and his proximity made her cheeks burn.

"The queen wants it perfect." she turned and smiled at him, but he wanted to ask where the hell Reina was, he hadn't seen her for days, and she only smiled wider, as if she had read his mind, "you will see her soon. She isn't a queen for nothing." and she went ahead to do her duties before she was shouted on.

Ren was given all sorts of delicacies and special treatments, and he enjoyed each one of them but the person that he wanted to be with the most was the queen. Nighttime fell, and the festivities got louder with the tigers actively celebrating Ren. Forcing him to dance, eat more food and wanting to learn more about him. He was squished by both males and females and eventually, managed to slither out to catch some breath. He hadn't seen Nagini for days, but Luna was well taken care of by the tigers, fed so much she would sleep all day.

Ren was outside the palace, enjoying a bit of the stars and the cool air, but now his desire had become unbearable. He was going to go to every room to find Reina and wouldn't stop until he did. He turned only to meet Rami, her eyelids half open, like she was fighting sleep or intoxication.

"My queen has called for you, great warrior." she drawled, her eyes fluttering across his body. Just hearing those words made heat wash all over his body. Reina wanted to see him, some part of him was angry, but the other part was happy that he would get to see her again. His attraction to her? He couldn't explain but desire would be quenched tonight!

"Take me to her."