Maya´s POV We had docked between two piers, one along a steep mountainside and the other a little further out. They looked old but were built of massive logs and didn’t budge once, even when the ships anchored between them. The bridges were constructed on logs or pillars sticking at least two or three meters above sea level. After walking along the wooden construction that seemed to go on forever, we finally reached a sand-covered beach. Confused, I searched for this village Arcane and Tew had told me about but saw nothing. There were no buildings, nothing, but I heard voices. Apparently, they had decided that creating a village right by the water was a bad idea, and while we walked over the beach and to the forest edge, I understood why. The water looked peaceful now, and the beach covered several meters up from the water covered with fine sand, small rocks, and colorful seashells. But when I passed the tree lines, the discoloration on the tree trunks was clear evidence of just how
I looked at the bed; sure, it was not narrow and simple, but it was not a king-size bed either. I didn’t think it through, but after scanning the bed, I did the same to him. I stared at him from top to toe; he was not a little man! He must be at least two meters tall, if not more, and I think just one of his muscled thighs alone is the size of my waist. Confused, I looked up when he laughed. He threw his arm around my shoulders and led me out of the cabin. “Don’t worry, little human, I’ll make sure you won’t fall off the bed during the night!” Squeezing me and only chuckling when I slapped his chest. I forgot all about this shortly after because we didn’t go right to swim. Instead, we walked around the village. He introduced me to the families, especially the women. I don’t know when, but I’m sure he said something to them before we showed up. However, I didn’t even know how he knew; he never came close to my bag. Every time we appeared, we were greeted with excitement and open ar
Eir´s POV. I heard him, and I heard him clear as day. But still, my head refused to decipher it, “What?” He leaned down, the tip of his nose so near mine that the heat from him felt like a light touch. “Can I kiss you?” I knew what I should have said, but I surprised even myself when I heard my voice breathe out, “Yes” I panicked for precisely a quarter of a second when he paused, and the thought flashed through my mind: he was only kidding with me. Oh my god, I sounded so desperate! All air was sucked out of me, but it wasn’t panic; he drew a sharp breath and warm lips pressed against mine. First, I froze, and his lips were hard, unmoving, just firmly pressed against mine, and my heart started a frantic race against my burning embarrassment. A switch flipped, and a devouring hunger exploded inside his chest, spreading like wildfire through his body. The only thing separating us was the clothes we wore, and I could feel his heart hammering against his rib cage against mine. I b
Everything seemed to stop: time and space, my frantic heart, and my sassy preschoolers-leveled name-calling. There were only his green eyes, which were sparkling in the dimmed light, intense and so close. I swallowed hard, opened, and closed my mouth like a goldfish on land several times. Our breaths had a pull-and-release game going on; his hot breath brushed over my skin as I slowly filled my lungs and the other way around. The moment was intense, and I had no problem seeing he was angry or, with some luck, just annoyed. I wanted to apologize, but I also wanted to call him an arrogant ass hat and bad-quality snake boots. Maybe this was the moon goddess's way of helping me, making me unable to say a single word and making the situation even worse than it was. Reality slowly kept up my skin, reminding me I had become too comfortable, hammered in the fact that I was a prisoner here. A commoner, in his eyes, was brought here to be a research thing. How could I forget my cursed faith so
I just gaped back, but he still stared at me; the only difference was that he looked like he was glowing. It took me a couple of seconds to realize what he actually said, not only patting me on the head for using my words but stating he would use his own. For a second, my mind scoffed, like he never stopped talking at all. But I shook it away; he did try, at least; it felt like he was offering me an olive branch and that I should grab it despite every fiber in my body screaming for me to close my eyes and pretend this wasn't happening. I didn’t notice that I was nodding before I saw him shaking his head, “Words” He stated firmly that all the amusement was gone, but there was no anger as he spoke. “Okay..?” I knew it was more of a question, but I wanted him to kiss me even if I didn’t want to say it. Saying it made it so real, and part of me still felt terrible. It was wrong because I didn’t know what this meant, I didn’t know what I really wanted, and it was awful because of Toke.
Maya´s POV. “He´s just a human now.” “What? How is that possible?” I stared at Tew; to say I was confused was an understatement. I knew Toke was different and that something had happened to him. But how can a werewolf, or shifter or whatever they called themselves, suddenly become just a human? Did his wolf die? Can his wolf die, but he lives? I’ve been listening to them for a long time; I didn’t really feel I had much to give in this meeting, but this part. “His wolf left him or died. I am not sure; he is vague in answering that question. The bottom line is that he is a wolfless man. This makes interrogating him easier; his wolf can’t protect or heal him.” “So, he just told you everything else? Just like that because he doesn’t have that safety anymore?” It still sounded too easy in my ears. I didn’t know Toke that well, but I knew him well enough not to give up like that. It didn’t sound right. And that part with Loki? Did he make a deal with an old heathen god? I still don’t b
“Loki took her.” The whole room fell silent, and I was suddenly painfully aware that all eyes were on me. This might not have been the right way to do it, but it was done, and I figured it out, didn’t I? “Who?” Tew´s voice sounded unsure, but I knew who I was talking about like everyone here knew, but it felt like he just could not believe me. Not so strange after all, I guess; I mean, come on! In my world, a claim like this would earn me a nice, snugly white shirt with my arms strapped around me. I saw Arcane from the corner of my eye, getting up and hurrying over to my side. I hated to admit it, but this guy seemed to do everything right for some reason. Make me feel safe, stand by my side, backing me up, always a little too close. Nah, who am I kidding? Too close? I shook my head as I sidetracked myself. Tew´s questions were still hanging in the air, and I was still staring straight at him. Tew exchanged glances with Hades, but he remained quiet, waiting for the outcome to play
Eir´s Pov. I still can’t believe I fell asleep, but felt drained and tired. Fighting heavy eyelids, a fight I could not win. However, I now felt rested, calm, and collected while looking over at him through my lashes and pretending I was still asleep. He was not, staring at the ceiling with his hands behind his head right next to me in my bed. I could see his green eyes move; his stare was so intense that my curiosity began to rebel inside me, demanding to know what he was looking at. “How long will you pretend to sleep? Is it a way of saving even more energy?” “No, I’m done. What are you looking at?” Quickly, I brushed it away and rolled over on my back to satisfy my curiosity and hide my slight blush. “Then why do you do it? “ I sighed; why does he always have to ask the weirdest questions? Ask the things most people would not. But I’m beginning to realize I must get used to it, asking the most bizarre and cringiest things. “I don’t know; I wasn’t ready to open my eyes yet. W