Page 8 of What Lies Beyond the Realms

“How old are you?” I ask after a long stretch of silence.

“That’s random. So quiet all day, and then you want to know my age.”

“I was quiet all day because it’s hard to hold a conversation when I’m being all jostled around, but now that we’ve slowed our pace I’m just wondering. I don’t know much about you.”

“I am almost eighty years old. I know I don’t look much older than mid-forties in mortal years, but us Lycan age slower than mortals. We don’t live nearly as long as the Fae or Lamia, but most of us live to be two to three hundred years old. Sometimes even older.”

I can't even fathom having a lifespan like that. To live for hundreds of years would be amazing. I also wonder if it would make you enjoy the little things less. I imagine that shorter lifespans probably correlate with your appreciation for life itself.

“And you are King of the Lycan?” I ask curiously.

“Yes, I am but we don’t use the term king. There are many different packs of Lycan, and each pack has a pack leader, but I’m the leader of even the pack leaders. I look over the entire Lycan Realm. Just like Drew looks over the Lamia Realm.”

I've never seen any Lamia. I’ve only overheard my parents talk about Drew before and how her eyes glow red. The Lamia are all female, but they must reproduce with mortal males, and they survive off of the blood of humans. At least that’s what my teachers taught me at the castle.

I’ve always wondered why everyone is so segregated. Why do the different realms even exist? Surely there must be sexual affairs between races, but I’ve never heard of a Lycan marrying a Lamia or a Fae marrying a mortal. Why are there these pretenses that we all must stick to our own kind when it comes to marriage and children? It doesn’t seem right to me. But what do I know?

* * *

“This looks like a good spot to make camp. No fire tonight. It’s already late, and I want to get the horses situated and the tent set up before dark. You can go wash up down at the creek while I set things up here. In your pack there should be some soap and clean washcloths.” Aidan stops the horses and lifts me off Geri.

I head down the embankment toward the creek with my fresh clothes and soap in tow. I need a warm bath, but this will have to do. The creek is out of sight from camp, so I quickly remove my cloak, gown and chemise then fully submerge myself in the freezing water. I make quick work of washing my hair and all my important bits then hop out and throw on my chemise and cloak. I choose to forgo my gown because I don’t want to get it wet, knowing I’ll be taking it off as soon as I get in the tent anyways. I use my fingers to comb through my hair. The vanilla and lavender soap smells of Lili and makes me smile. I head back up the hill to find the tent ready for me.

I crawl inside. I don’t see Aidan, so he must’ve gone to another part of the creek to wash himself. I quickly remove my shoes and cloak then get huddled under the covers. It’s freezing, and my hair is wet, which probably wasn’t the best idea, but I wanted to feel clean. Without the coals in here tonight it’s going to be extra cold. I’m almost looking forward to Aidan’s body heat so long as he doesn’t try to get handsy with me.

I am in full shiver mode by the time Aidan makes it back to the tent. I’m facing away from him knowing he’s probably going to undress before climbing in next to me. And he does just that. Gods, his body is warm. The Lycan blood just radiates heat, and it feels nice.

“Come here. You’re freezing. Let me get you warmed up.” He turns me to face him, and I comply. He collects all my wet hair and twirls it before resting it up above my head so the wetness isn’t soaking into my back. Then he pulls me close to him, my face pressed into his chest and his chin resting atop my head. He uses his hands to tug my chemise up and strokes my back up and down every now and then, stroking down lower to cup my ass too.

“Better?”

I’m not going to lie. It is better. His body is so warm I practically melt into him, and I do feel safe with him wrapped around me—to an extent.

“Yes,” I whisper.

“Gods, your body feels so soft. It is taking all my self-control not to turn you over and bury my cock inside you right now.” He rubs his face against the top of my head. My thighs clinch together at his admission, and my heart rate speeds up.

“Aidan. I—”

“Sleep. I promise you’re safe with me.” He squeezes my backside and pulls me tighter to him. I close my eyes and obey. Sleep finds me before I have time to overthink the situation too much.

I wake to Aidan tossing my clothes at me.

“Get yourself together. We leave in ten. We can make it to my home before dark if we hurry.” He walks outside to give me some privacy.

My hair is dry, thank the gods, but it’s all tangled and unruly. I try to comb it out the best I can then make two long braids. One goes down either side of my head. I pull on my gown then wrap my cloak around me, and I’m out of the tent ready to go. Aidan is there waiting by the horses and gives me a handful of nuts and dried fruit to eat while he breaks down camp. I’m grateful for the food, but I’m already missing a nice hot meal. I hope Chepi is getting his fill back home.

Chapter Six

Once again, we’ve kept up a quick pace all day. I’m exhausted by the time we get to Aidan’s village. I’ve only snacked on a few pieces of dried meat for lunch, and my stomach is beginning to grumble.

The village is far from grand and not much of a village at all. This place makes the castle grounds look very grand. A variety of log cabins are spread out amongst the trees, and the trees…oh my gods. What the village lacks in grandeur, the trees make up for. I stare in awe, mesmerized by the fantastic sight before me. The giant tree trunks and twisting branches are a striking charcoal gray, while their egg-shaped leaves glow a brilliant midnight blue, deep and swirling like a tumultuous night sky. Amidst the typical pine trees, these midnight trees stand out even more, adding to their otherworldly charm.

People are gathered around several large fire pits roasting meat and chatting together. My stomach growls, and my mouth salivates at the smell of smoked meat filling the air. People turn to face us as we pass and give nods to Aidan, but no one approaches us. We continue down a winding, dirt path that is littered with midnight leaves until we reach a cobblestone fence and gate. Aidan jumps off Geri and opens the gate then proceeds to walk, pulling both the horses and me with him up the path.

“Is this where you live?”

“Yes, this is where I stay when I’m not traveling to other territories dealing with pack politics.”