by R. J. Lloyd
"Oh nonsense. Go get some clothes on or I am carrying you wrapped in that coat like a child," he playfully barked as he picked up the bags for me and pointed me back to the shop and followed.
With a huff, hiding a smile as best as I could, I bundled the coat up into my arms and went back inside. "Okay. Okay." I looked over the bags, unsure what was in what or where to start.
He walked into the room with me and set the bags down. "What all did you get?"
I peeked into one of the bags and sighed. Looking defeated, I dumped each of them over and let their contents fall onto the ground. Waving my hand over the pile of outerware, shoes, undergarments and clothing, I now wondered if I had picked out the right things.
Kane smirked and picked out an outfit for me, selecting the warmest items including my undergarments. "Did you check for size?"
My head bobbed, nodding a yes. Before taking the items from him, I scooped the rest back into the bags, sliding my own satchel with my earthly belongings aside. Finally, I retrieved the items he chose. "Looks good. And yes. I did. Or at least, Ida did."
Kane looked at me as if he wanted to take me on the fur bench right behind us right then. His desire so obvious that I paused and waited to see what he may do, unsure if I would even want to try to stop him if he tried. Something about the way he eyed me made me shiver in both a good and scared way.
"Mmm… I should hope so. I shall leave you some privacy then." He bit his lip and turned to the door. And to my disappointment, he turned and kept going, leaving me to change alone.
"Thanks." Realizing my reaction to him, I chanced his temperance and started to change before he was completely out of the room.
He was pulling the curtain closed when he caught a glimpse of me, half disrobed. He stopped, hand gripping the fabric of the curtain tight. His nostrils flared, and he let out a low growl. “Be quick. We still have a ways to go.” With that, he yanked the curtain the rest of the way closed.
Once finished, I tucked the lighter articles I had just shed into the store bags and joined him, holding his large coat out. "Better?"
Kane unfolded his arms and turned to look at me. "I think I prefer you in the lesser coverage outfit, but this is suitable for up here." He smiled and took his coat. He shook his head instead of moving to leave. “Wait.”
"What?" I looked down at myself. “I’m wearing what you chose, including the coat. Did I miss something?” I dropped the bags and went back to the dressing room, looking to see if anything was left on the bench or the floor.
As I returned, he shook his coat out and slipped it on easily. "We need to get you some better boots, gloves, hats and a nice scarf. As much as I would hate to cover you more, you will need these things. Possibly a nice backpack for the both of us."
As warm as I was in the shop, I knew going outside for any extended period of time would be painfully cold. "Would you like to pick out whatever you think we need to speed things up?"
He nodded and walked around a few racks, picking out fur lined boots and gloves, a woven scarf, a knit hat and then two rather durable looking backpacks. He nodded to Ida who returned the gesture before he brought the items to me. "I believe you will find these suitable.”
I slipped on the new gear, pulling up the fur lining of the collar of my coat around my cheeks with a smile. Finally, wrapping the striped scarf around my neck, I slid my hands down my sides and did a spin. "How do I look?"
He looked me over with an expression of approval. "Like you are bundled up and can hardly walk, yet really warm. Do you need anything to eat or drink before we set out?"
My lips purse in disapproval of his response. “Nice. Thanks.” I moved toward the door, almost in defiance to show him that I could walk just fine. "How far is the journey? I mean, I ate and drank in the tavern. Will this take so long that I should again so soon? And will there be stuff to eat and drink at your... castle?" I grabbed up one of the backpacks, worried we were about to hike for a longer distance than I could manage.
He followed, pulling the other backpack on that was filled with my new clothing. "There will be, of course. I am just making sure you will be okay." He shoved a water canteen in my pack anyway and some dried jerky, both from a shelf near the door. I struggled to put the straps on over my sleeves, and he had to tug them over for me. "Shall we?"
I said nothing, biting my tongue hard so as not to spout out with something snarky. After all, he was seemingly trying to be kind. I just didn’t understand why he even cared to do all of this for me.
After thanking Ida, we left the shop. Kane walked me through the town’s courtyard where four ice sculptures stood, towering over the scenic park area below them in the center of Nirevale. He put a hand on my lower back and pointed to them. “Each of them is a dedication to the animal gods the Doshanesh worship. Carved as high as six story buildings, each in front of their respective lodges of worship, the cold keeps them preserved. They have not melted in the thousand years they have stood.”
I walked to the middle of the courtyard and spun, taking each sculpture and their temples in. “Animal gods? Are these not the same gods you worship?”
Kane shook his head, looking up toward the sky. “I worship no god.”
“You don’t believe in a god?” I walked back over to him.
His gaze remained upward. “Gods are real. My world has many. Some newer. Some we call the elder gods. But I worship none of them.”
Seeing some sadness in his face, I slipped my hand into his. I did so without thinking of what I was doing until it was done. “What happened?”
He broke his gaze and looked down to me, glancing at our clasped hands before speaking. “A story for another time, little one.”
I tugged on his hand, smiling as he surprisingly wrapped his fingers around mine in response. I thought he would pull away from me, but when he didn’t, I continued, “Tell me about these ones and why the Doshanesh worship them out of all of the others?”
He sighed. “Alright. All four are elder gods. The oldest of the creatures of our world were created in their likeness and called by the same. Those that worship these gods also worship the Naelyrian versions of them as well. The one to the north is Boeyrn. It is said he is strength.” He moved to point toward the East. “Lyviun represents pride. Faxorum is cunning and adaptation. And Ouneas is watchfulness.” He motioned to each one in the circle. “Legend has it that each of these gods sat in each of these directions while the Doshanesh built this city, protecting them from other races that might challenge them, giving them the strength, pride, adaptation and watchfulness they needed to grow as a people.”
I looked upon the statues with awe.
Kane put his free hand on my shoulder. “What is it, little one?”
I smiled at him, wistfulness in my eyes. “Boeyrn looks like our bears. Lyvium looks like our lions. Faxorum our foxes. And Ouneas like our owls. Four of thousands of species of animals on my planet. It’s so inspiring to see them revered like this.”
“They are gods. Of course they are revered,” he replied, confused.
I nodded. “Yes. Here they are. But they are not on my world. They are food or pets. Humans see themselves as so much better than any animal.” I looked down. “Humans see themselves as above all others. And that includes each other.”
“This is not the case here. Humans are food and servants in most cities on Naelyra. They are weak,” he stated, matter-of-factly, then started to walk again, tugging me along. “We must go. You can tell me more later. It will only get colder.”
We walked. As the suns started to set, the weather did, indeed, grow colder. And fast. I, however, didn’t seem to notice. I was lost in thought. My arms tight around myself, the hood of my coat up over my hat and teeth chattering, but my mind was elsewhere.
"You okay? I can see that you wish to talk but seem to be holding back." He guided me around a large chunk of ice on the path.
I shrugged a shoulder. "I'm fine. It's just all new. Not sure you've traveled
much, but I have. At least on my planet. And my travels make me curious about the things I see." I didn’t notice that my steps had taken me closer to his side.
"Well what do you think of this part of my world?" Kane fanned his arm out, not winded or tiring.
I worked to steady my breathing. Between keeping up with his brisk pace and the sharp cold in the air, my mortality was showing more and more. “It’s intimidating, scary and different. I’ve not had any real time to see much, but it’s interesting what I have seen.” I coughed. “Your home... do your servants not have an issue with the cold? Or are they vampire as well? You said it’s not set up for warmth. Should I worry about freezing there?”
Kane chuckled. "No. Not all those in my employ are vampires. And yes. We have fireplaces and such. I live in an old mountain, long forgotten by time. Snowed over for all its life. Another race used to have a kingdom inside. That is, until they had to fight the dragons a few hundred years ago. It sat empty for some time. Now I own it. It's still cold for you humans, but I will make sure you are accommodated," he said, slowing his pace for me.
Relieved to be able to slow down a bit, I nodded as he spoke. “Fireplaces are good. Thankfully you got me the warmer clothes!” I wanted to chuckle at the mountain’s backstory and tell him how it sounded oddly like a story from my home. But then, I was curious if there was a connection. If some of the stories we know of as fairytales on earth were actually tales from other worlds like his.
Lost in that thought, I stumbled over something hard in the path and grabbed his arm for balance, steadying myself fairly ungracefully. “How far?”
He looked down feeling my hand on his arm. "Awhile longer." He leaned over and scooped me up into his arms.
I flailed, not expecting him to lift me at all. “Woah!” I latched a hold of him, wrapping my arms around his neck.
"I should have got one of the riding mounts. I normally walk this alone with ease. I may have overestimated your resilience." He glanced down at me in his arms and smiled. It’s a fleeting smile. One he doesn’t indulge in before looking forward again and regaining his typical, serious expression.
“I can walk. I’m sorry if I’m being too slow.” A part of me wanted to be stubborn and walk every step myself, but another part of me hoped he wouldn’t put me down.
"I know you can walk. I just don't need you hurt." He carried me, effortlessly.
I tried to keep myself situated in his arms for a while until I gave in and let myself rest against him with a huff. “Thank you.”
He chuckled at my pout. “You’re welcome.”
We walked for what seemed like a couple of hours. I dozed off after a while, my head resting on his shoulder. Finally, the mountains came into view, and Kane stirred me awake. “Auriena. We are close.”
I looked up. My eyes focusing as the two sets of peaks grew on the horizon before us. “You weren’t kidding about mountains. But where is your castle?”
He motioned with a nod. “The divide in the range? The part down to the level ground in the cluster of mountains? That is the passage it is in. My kingdom flanks that passage. We are heading to the tall peek in the back, nestled between the others. That is my castle."
I looked in the direction he motioned. “Shame it doesn’t look like a castle and is hidden as a mountain. But that’s beautiful enough.” My arms tightened around him as I readjusted herself. I took in the scenery as we walked. “I’ve visited castles but can’t say I’ve stayed in one. I’m curious if your world’s idea of a castle is the same as mine. Your cities are quite different. Your clothes…” I tugged on my shirt. “are different.”
He grinned. "Oh, my sweet guest. I do live in a castle. It's carved inside the mountain. The mountain itself has been hollowed out. You shall see."
“It sounds interesting.” I rested my head back on his shoulder but kept watching as we got closer.
He took us on a narrow road that had been a natural pinching point for years due to the other mountains around. When armies raged wars in the region, this would have been the turning point for the kingdom to win battles. Now, it served as the road into the city that simply lead up to a long, snow covered road with woods to either side. A scenic entrance into what had become a far more docile city.
Chapter
Three
Everwinter
A keep, carved out of stone, marked the entrance with guards on either side where the road met the mountain range. Kane casually strolled past the guards. They stood at attention as he walked past with me still in his arms. He took me down a long tunnel lit by braziers that were magically lit. After which we pass stables carved into the sides of the rock face, housing horses and supplies. There were plenty of people bustling about.
As we walked further, our path took us into a giant expanse - the hollow part of the mountain that was as big as any large city in the U.S. And there, in the middle, towards the back, was a large, ornate castle. Two peaks of the mountain range flanked the massive structure, guarding it from outside forces. But the castle itself was fierce. Towers, pillars, colorful stained-glass windows, balconies, rooftop walks that carried guards protecting the inhabitants.
It was everything one could imagine from a wealthy fortress with a sharp edge to its features. Something about its very architecture made you worry that it, itself, could cut you even before you encountered its sentry.
I gasped. “Wow. You said you live in a castle. And that...” I pointed to the build. “is a castle. And this...” I waved my arm around. “Is a whole city.” My eyes met his. “Now I’m intimidated. And you just carried me in here in front of all of these people.”
"Why? Is there something wrong? I told you, you would not be a slave. You are my guest." He smirked and set me down so I could walk, his hands roaming over my rear a moment longer than necessary.
I jumped and looked at him, steading myself. I was unsure what to say about his gesture. “Slave? Ummm... no. You said you wanted to learn some stuff from me then help me get home as soon as you could figure out what is going on with the portals. But I certainly hope I’d never be a slave!”
He nodded. "I did not mean to startle you. Yes. I do wish to learn things."
Kane took me by the hand, pulling my arm up and wrapping it around his. We walked through his city. He seemingly ignored all of the eyes that fell on us. But to me, they felt like magnifying glasses, analyzing our movements.
The normal things could be heard. Well, normal to Kane. Blacksmiths working, merchants selling to one another, a woman being happily fucked someone in a back alley loudly.
One thing that was notable to me?
No kids were anywhere.
I looked around. The sight of one of the vendor booths, full of what appeared to be fruits and vegetables, made my stomach growl. My gaze broke off as the sounds of the two people fucking caught my attention once again. I searched the area to see if I could find the source of the noises as I trailed along, arm in arm with Kane.
I followed as we continued, until we finally passed the alley that contained the scene that was the source of the audio display, and I got a full view of their activities. However, Kane paid no mind to the situation.
The couple were still dressed, yet parts of their attire fell to the side to gain access to the other. The man had her pressed up against the side wall of a local establishment, feet off the ground, neither seemingly even caring that anyone could see them… let alone hear them.
Slowing to watch them, Kane followed suit but paid attention to my reaction rather than the enraptured duo in the alley. He stopped, still holding my arm on his and watched me as the man bit the woman’s neck. The woman seemed to enjoy it even more than his kisses, her moans turned into pleasure-filled screams. The act obviously pushed her over the edge into climax.
I felt my breath catch as my body reacted to the scene before us. I was nowhere near a prude, but I certainly wasn’t accustomed to watching two people having sex out in public for everyone to see. But something ab
out their freedom in the act and how they appeared to be completely lost in the passion of it was a turn on, and I found myself stammering.
“Did he just... Are they…” I pointed and lowered my voice, “Is he a vampire as well? Is your kingdom all your kind? Should I start fearing for my safety?”
He smirked at me. "You going to be okay, little one?" He started to walk towards the castle once again, not seeming to care about my questions.
I noted his lack of response and pulled on him to stop. “Hold on. You didn’t answer me.”
He tilted his head. "Oh, I thought you were talking to yourself." He bared his fangs for the first time but stayed where he was, not making a move on me. "You already knew that was what I am, and I have told you that I won't harm you unless you cause me an issue. Nor will I let any of my people. You have my word." He eyed me over before he tipped his chin, motioning to the man and woman in the alley. “Look. She obviously enjoyed herself, and he is caring for her. She is not dead.”
A shiver ran down my spine. One mixed with fear and excitement as I watched the man lick the wounds on the woman’s neck, lowering her to the ground. The woman, straightening out her skirts, smiled happily. They kissed. Then, he plucked his finger on his own tooth and pressed the small amount of blood to the woman’s lips. They kissed once more and parted ways. She moved around to the back of the building and he came out onto the street, bowing to Kane before smirking directly at me.
Kane bowed his head to the passing, obviously satiated vampire.
I couldn’t hide the fact that a corner of my mouth had turned up. I tried to straighten myself, to appear less pleased by what I’d seen. “Good.” I started to walk toward the castle again with my back straight and shoulders pulled back, leaving Kane behind me.
I glanced back to see him shrug before following me. "You don't fear much, huh?"