“That I will not harm you,” he offered, still holding out his hands.
“At all?” I asked, wanting it to be clear.
“At all. I promise,” he said with a small shrug.
I blinked, taking in his words. Just like that. No argument, no royal speech about kings not making promises to humans. Still stunned, I placed my hand in his. Begrudgingly accepting to ride in front of him.
His grip was warm and strong as he pulled me easily into the saddle, settling me in front of him as if I weighed nothing.
“Good, let’s go,” I said quickly, trying not to think about the heat of him behind me.
Rhael chuckled quietly, knowing I had only spoken to get the last word in, as he squeezed his legs surging the stallion forward. We rode out through the stable yard and into the open fields of Vaetharyn, heading south-east. Straight for Lycanthyr. It was only as the guards fell away, that I realised they were never supposed to follow. We were travelling alone.
It was not long before the forest swallowed us, branches arching above our heads, blocking out most of the early morning light. Rhaeldidn’t speak for miles, it should’ve felt peaceful. It didn’t.
By midday I was considering throwing myself off the horse voluntarily. Given how worried I had been, I’d not expected it to be this boring. In reality, it was painfully dull.
Rhael’s body behind mine radiated heat, more than once I had found myself leaning into the warmth, before forcing myself to sit upright once more. His breath fanned over my neck every time he leant forward, his grip on the reins causing his fingers to brush against my waist.
The darker thoughts came from the way he rode. He moved easily with the horse, his hips shifting in practiced rhythm, riding more like a practiced warrior than a King.
The movement pressed him firmly against my back. I found myself wondering, horrified, whether I could actually feel the outline of him through the layers of his leathers. I had spent hours convincing myself it was an impossibility, even for a Fae. There was no way it was his dick pressing against me.
“We’re close,” Rhael murmured close to my ear, breaking the silence, making me jump.
“Close to what?” I asked, feeling uneasy as I tried to reposition myself on the saddle.
“The Nymph Lake.” He muttered, the words turned my blood to ice.
The lake was whispered about in the slave markets. I had heard so many stories about bargains made with the nymphs and bodies that had been dragged into their home and never pulled free.
Water Nymphs had claimed the lake centuries ago, and under Rhael’s rule its borders had expanded. They were not inherently cruel creatures, but they were tricksters. Unpredictable at best, it was what made them dangerous.
“You are their King, surely they would let you pass?” I questioned carefully.
“No,” was his only response. The word was calm, but I heard the faintest hitch in his breath.
Before I could respond, the trees parted and the lake stole any response from my mouth.
It stretched before us like melted silver beneath the greying sky. Pale mist curled upwards in tendrils, like ghostly fingers reaching towards the forest. It didn’t look deep, but I knew better than to trust the illusion.
“We shouldn’t linger,” Rhael said in warning. “We bargain quickly and we cross.” His arms wrapped around my waist, holding it there, as he pulled on the reins of the horse.
The lake surface broke, drawing my attention, I watched as a woman's face slowly rose from the water. She was impossibly beautiful.
Dark hair clung to pale skin, slick with droplets that glimmered like tiny crystals. More of her body emerged as we moved closer. She was graceful, but barely concealed by the fabric that seemed to be woven from the water.
“Rhael Sorenthis, what brings the Shadow King to our shore?” she crooned, her voice rippling like disturbed water.
“Soriah,” Rhael replied cooly, dismounting while leaving me on the horse. “I seek passage.”
I replaced his hands on the reins, trying to keep the horse steady. I knew that if the Nymph refused, we would have to travel around the swell of the river, and cross where it was most shallow. If they would even allow that intrusion.
“You brought a human. Is she payment?” Soriah asked, stepping closer to me. Her cold gaze sweeping across my body.
“No, she is my companion,” Rhael snapped. The answer was sharp, causing Soraiah to pause, studying him.
“Such a shame,” she mused. “Humans make lovely offerings to the water. They are so…fragile”
