He meets my eyes with such intensity I’m left breathless, and then leans in for a kiss.
Then another.
And one more.
Chapter 12
Nate
The Nightmare Realm isn’t just different because of the creatures who inhabit it, and the fact that it doesn’t have technology as we humans know it. I woke to a darkness so complete I was certain there had to be curtains in the window of our room. But once Tristan awoke and walked me out into the balcony, dressed only in sheets, I saw that the magnificent moon that had witnessed our kisses was gone.
Apparently, this is what constitutes night in this version of reality, and instead of going back to sleep, Tristan ordered us an early breakfast, and we ate it watching the magnificent silver orb climb the sky.
And this is it. The Nightmare Realm is never touched by the sun, and so the presence of the moon means anotherdayhas started. That’s something I’ll take some getting used to, but when Tristan kisses my nape as he walks past me, or helps me onto the kelpie like the gentleman he is, I feel it’ll all be worth it in the end.
I have found my purpose.
Somehow, I was always meant to cross into this incredible, alien place soaked with romance and magic. Maybe that’s why I felt like I didn’t belong in my own world.
The morning is chilly as we set off, but I’ve got a warm jacket, I’m petting Lady in the duffel bag, and Tristan’s hugging me from behind.
“I can’t wait to see the castle,” I say, watching the trees we pass with keen interest. Everything in this realm seems that bit different, as if twisted by the dark atmosphere itself.
Tristan strokes my chest through the jacket and kisses my ear. “Hm. So. There’s something I need to tell you. I only got the news yesterday and didn’t want to spoil our evening.”
I frown, but when the little puppy peeks out from the bag, I glance over my shoulder. “I think she needs to stretch her legs. We’re far enough from the tavern to let her roam a bit, right?” I ask, taking in the rocky terrain sloping toward a pond that shines with the same silver as the moon above it.
Tristan reaches past me, strokes Lady’s fuzzy head, and takes his time looking around. “I suppose it should be fine. We just need to make sure she doesn’t walk off, but you have her leash.”
There’s no one here but us, and my stomach does a little backflip when I lean back and kiss his perfect jaw. “Thank you. Dogs need a lot of activity,” I say, watching him descend to the gravel. Apparently, the kelpie does not need to be hitched to anything, because Tristan just leaves Stone at the edge of the road once he’s done helping me down. But with Lady wiggling happily inside the bag, so very eager to explore all the brand new scents, I’m too busy clipping the leash to her harness to pay attention.
“This place looks so magical,” I say, letting the puppy tug me across the mossy clearing peppered with small shrubs. There’s even a little stone bench by the water. “Straight from a gothicnovel.” I grin and reach back until my fingers find Tristan’s. “You wanted to tell me something?”
I’m a little worried when he doesn’t smile back.
“Yes. It’s… about the castle.”
“What about it? That we can’t be seen together until I’m Gloombane’s Dark Companion?” I try to make myself sound casual, because as frustrating as that thought is, I’ve been adjusting to it. Maybe there’s even a bit of excitement to sneaking around and our romance beingillicit. For once it wouldn’t be because we are both men, which somehow makes it much less frustrating.
“We can’t, but… the thing is, we’re not going to the castle.”
I stall, falling forward when Lady barks, going after a small insect that just flew up from the moss. “No? Then where?” I ask, my chest suddenly tightening, because what if Tristan realized that taking me to this realm has been a mistake? What if he needs to take me right back to the apartment I share with Viola?
He groans and rubs his face. “I got a message that the captain wants to host you at his tower until the ceremony. I know that’s… frustrating, but it will only be three weeks. I’m guessing he wants to get to know you better without distractions. At least you’ll get to learn a lot about shadowcraft.”
I deflate and crouch next to Lady, who looks back at me, asking for attention. It will be much, much harder to continue my thing with Tristan under such conditions, but I suppose it can’t be helped. “We’ll be careful.”
“I’m not invited.”
My head’s empty when I frown. “What?”
I breathe slowly, trying to calm my racing heart, but Tristan’s looking at the ground, lips tight.
He’s serious.
“But… I don’t know him,” I stutter.
“That’s why he must want you there. He’s not interested in men, so you don’t have to worry about that.”
