Page 15 of What Lies Beyond the Realms

Luke practically spits out his food at the question. “No, it’s a type of rabbit.”

“Who in their right mind makes rabbit jam?” I exclaim.

“Marth is quite the innovative cook; he makes all sorts of creations to make food last longer around here. He likes to utilize every part of the creature as well so nothing is wasted,” Rhett says.

“I feel bad now eating a cute, little, furry bunny. But it is rather good though.”

“Wolpertingers are anything but cute. Don’t feel bad,” Rhett says.

“Yeah, they’re not cute. They have red eyes with fangs and black antlers. They reproduce like crazy too. The Shifting Forest is stock full of them,” Luke says.

It's quiet for a time. There’s just the sounds of us chewing and the fire crackling with life.

“Lyra, can I ask you what happened last night?” Luke says softly, looking at me.

“What do you mean?” Rhett asks, pie crumbs falling from his mouth.

I turn to Rhett. “Do you get more aggressive and—I don’t know—horny when it’s around the full moon?”

“Everything we feel is more heightened around the full moon. But you’re not going to feel more aggressive unless you are already aggressive in nature, if that makes sense. It’s like we have more heightened senses. More extreme moods,” Rhett explains. “What happened last night?”

“It’s nothing. Nothing happened.”

“Lyra, there was a lot of blood on the bed this morning, and you didn’t look well when I woke you up,” Luke says.

“Did that bastard hurt you?” Rhett asks between gritted teeth.

I look between the two of them, unsure of what to say. I feel embarrassed. Aidan only gave me what I asked for, didn’t he?

“He didn’t do anything I didn’t ask for. I drank too much, and we had sex. It was my first time, and that’s why the blood was there. It didn’t mean anything. He didn’t hurt me, so please don’t say anything,” I beg.

They don’t look convinced. They look at each other and nod in understanding.

Dying to change the subject, I ask Luke, “Are you nervous for tonight? For your first shift?”

“Nah, I can’t wait. I’ve been looking forward to this day for as long as I can remember.”

“Do you think there will be any more of that moon bread at the feast tonight?” I ask before taking another bite of my meat pie.

“How do you know about moon bread?” asks Rhett.

They’re both staring at me, and I have no idea why their faces have turned so serious. “Luke left it for Aidan and I last night and I ate it with dinner.”

“I didn’t leave you any bread last night. I dropped off the roast clipper, and that was it,” Luke says.

“Are you sure it was moon bread?” Rhett asks.

“It was light blue and had a nutty flavor to it,” I say. I’m losing my patience with them and don’t understand what the big deal is about the bread.

Rhett shakes his head slowly, running a hand through his hair. “Lyra, it wasn’t the alcohol that made you give up your virginity last night. Aidan is a reckless motherfucker.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask.

Luke cuts in before Rhett can respond. “Moon bread is magical bread made from the blue wheat you see covering the rolling hills past Aidan’s cabin. It’s fermented on the full moon and can make anyone who’s not a Lycan go mad if they eat it.”

“I don’t understand. I didn’t go mad. Why would Aidan give it to me? And what does it have to do with my virginity?”

“Some Lycans enjoy the moon bread because it lowers inhibitions in a way that alcohol alone can’t achieve. With alcohol, you may get drunk, do something foolish, and be more vulnerable to being taken advantage of. However, the moon bread can make you believe that your actions are your own idea,” Rhett says.