16. Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Sixteen
Lucy
I’m naked.
I was as naked as the day I was born, lying in an enormous ball of fluff.
I pushed the large blanket away, which had been a type of leaf with a massive amount of cotton underneath. It had been snow white and so soft that I would have sworn I was sleeping on clouds. Beneath me had been more of the cotton but no leaves. Whoever had made this bed had ripped the cotton from the leaf and laid it beneath me.
Simon.
But why was I naked?
Did he rip my clothes off?
I covered myself with the blanket leaf, making sure my breasts were no longer exposed.
Did it really matter right now? I rubbed my forehead and cursed myself.
I let him touch me before; of course he would think he could see me naked.
And when I mean touch, he licked me.
There.
Sweet Rosalin Franklin, what the hell was I thinking?
I pinched the bridge of my nose. What would my father think of me being with a faun? What would any respectable human think of this? I just entered this Bergarian Realm knowing full well shifters and other species existed. They had a human form. But there was nowhere in the texts of Bergarian about Simon.
He was an evolved goat/human hybrid who had no full human form.
Would our species even be compatible if we had children?
I gasped and covered my mouth. Why was I thinking about that? There was no relationship here. Simon was curious about my body, that was all.
Right?
I saw my dress hanging in the tree. It had been washed free of mud. Then, there was this bed he made for me in the tree. Would an animal go to such lengths just to see and touch my body?
He speaks, Lucy. He has thoughts and desires just like any complicated being. His speech is just limited because he’s never tried to talk.
I nodded my head.
This is fine. Everything is fine.
I’d get to know him better, figure out more about his life and how he knew this other woman in the Wood, along with her mate. Perhaps I could get answers from them, too.
I took a quick look around the tree to make sure Simon wasn’t near. I put my dress on, minus my underwear, because those were back in the cave. Crap, I went commando, and I was sure Simon loved every bit of that.
I leaned over the tall, sturdy branch, feeling the rough bark beneath my fingertips. From my elevated position, the panoramic view unfolded before me. It was a beautiful mix of jungle and forest vegetation.
The acrid scent of burning wood and ash filled my nostrils, making my eyes water. The smell was so strong it tickled my nostrils, bringing tears to my eyes and a slight cough. I squinted and saw the orange glow of a fire flickering just a few meters away. Its flames danced and crackled.
I thought about calling Simon, but I wasn’t about to have him hold me and jump down the tree with those hooves.
Would I mind leaning up against him? Feeling his body on me.
Ugh, my clit was already tingling at that thought.
No, my body would not win this.
I gripped the branch, determined that I would conquer my fear of heights, and slung my leg over. This wasn’t so bad. I had my hands on a limb. I could feel the thicker branch on the bottom with my feet.
“That’s it,” I whispered, the sound barely audible amidst the rustling leaves and chirping birds. Slowly and steadily, I carefully maneuvered my way down the rough, gnarled branches as I took my sweet time. With each step, the rough texture of the bark tickled my toes, a reminder of my shoeless state. Despite the inconvenience, I couldn’t help but enjoy feeling nature.
“Besides, when humans walk barefoot, studies have shown an increase in red blood cells, suggesting improved immunity. Barefoot walking has also been linked to higher levels of antioxidants, less inflammation, and better sleep. You just need to embrace it, Lucy. Everything is going to be fine.”
My foot slipped on a moss-covered branch, and I let out a loud squeal.
Kitty whiskers! I’m gonna die.
I closed my eyes and held on for dear life.
A loud bleat came from below, and I felt the tree shake.
“Oh, my god! Please don’t let me fall!” I screamed.
Warm arms wrapped around my torso from behind me. “Lucy, I have you. Let go.”
I kept my eyes closed and shook my head. “No way, nuh uh!”
Simon chuckled, his deep voice vibrating through me. “Trust me, Lucy. You won’t fall. I won’t let you.”
“You sure about that? Because I’m just bad luck. I got kidnapped, chased by an ogre twice, and woke up in a tree, naked. Luck is not on my side.”
Simon huffed. His warm breath ran down the front of my chest, and instantly, my breasts felt heavy, and my nipples hardened.
Seriously, the worst luck ever this week!
“Are you going to hang in the tree all day, then?” He snorted.
I bit my bottom lip, my nails piercing the moss-covered branches. “Yup.”
Simon kept one arm wrapped around my waist and the other raised as he put it on top of mine, which held on tightly to the limb. “My mate will not hang in the tree like a rodent. You are too precious to drop. Besides, we are not that far from the ground,” he said with the smoothest voice.
Had he been practicing while I slept? How long did I sleep?
“I’m not gonna open my eyes until we are down there.”
Simon barked in laughter. “Of course.”
I took a deep breath and slowly released my grip on the branch, feeling Simon’s strong arms supporting me. He had carried me down the tree safely until my bare feet touched the soft grass below.
I fell to my knees and put my head on the forest floor. “Never again. My feet belong here. Sweet solace.”
Simon stood beside me, his hooves coming into view.
Now who looks like an animal, Lucy?
I stood up quickly, knocking off the leaves and bits of dirt on my recently cleaned dress, ready to thank him for saving me yet again. Should I thank him though? He was my kidnapper.
It wasn’t proper not to thank him, so I glanced up and opened my mouth to do just that. Instead, I screamed in terror.
There was blood dripping from his mouth. It was on his chest, his arms, and hands, and I checked my dress to see that blood had covered me as well.
He was a faun vampire!
As I screamed in terror, Simon’s face contorted into a look of confusion and concern. “What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice laced with worry. He stepped closer, but I held up my hands to stop him.
I pointed to his chest, my hand trembling as I did so. “Blood,” I stuttered out.
For a moment, his eyes widened in shock before he looked down at himself and let out a deep sigh. “Oh, this,” he said dismissively.
What did he mean, “Oh, this?!”
My heart raced as my mind tried to process what was happening. Blood? He was covered in blood? Was he sucking blood from an animal? Was it his own? Did someone attack him?
“Whose blood is it?” I demanded, my voice shaky. “Did you drink it?” Because it was all over his mouth.
Simon reached up and wiped some of the blood off his face with the back of his hand. “It’s a root I have dug up. It leaks red,” he explained calmly. “I was about to wash it in the stream because I did not think you would want to eat it when it leaks.”
Not blood. And I believed him. Although he kidnapped me, he had not lied to me. “You are not hurt at all?” I asked, concern filling my voice.
Simon smiled, his fangs glinting in the light sources glow. “Are you worried for me? For my safety?”
I turned my head as I narrowed my eyes. “Of course, I wouldn’t want you hurt.” I put both hands on my hips.
“You care for me!” He jumped and galloped around me. “You accept me as your mate!”
I held out my hands for him to slow down. How in the heck did he get that from me just trying to make sure he was alright?
“Easy, Simon. I don’t…”
He nodded his head excitedly, ready for me to speak.
Crap. I didn’t want to break his little heart. I also didn’t want him to think we were mates and we would be together forever. There would be a point where the group would find me and take me back. I had my father to still look after and a mission to finish.
My heart constricted in my chest at the idea of not seeing him again. He had grown on me, and in a twisted way, I really cared for him. He was sweeter, kinder, and more innocent than other men I’d seen or met.
And the orgasm. I mean, who could forget that?
“Simon, you don’t know we are mates. Mates are—”
“You are my mate!” He stomped his hoof. “I will prove more to you. I have worked on my tongue.” He continued to blab about speaking and exercising his tongue.
My traitorous body thought of other things he could do with it.
He took in a long whiff and smirked. “Your body knows. Soon, you will know, too.” He huffed and stomped off to the stream.
I watched as he trotted away, a mix of confusion and desire flowing through me. What was happening? My thoughts were scattered, trying to keep up with the revelation that I might be his mate and the inexplicable connection I felt towards him.
I took a moment for myself to sort out my feelings and gather my thoughts. Those few minutes alone made me realize that I hated the idea of being alone, in a forest with an ogre after me. I walked over to the stream where Simon had gone, and as I approached, I noticed something odd. The water seemed to shimmer slightly, creating a strange play of colors in the shallow pools of the stream.
I let out a heavy sigh, feeling a twinge of disappointment. I longed for the comforting weight of my trusty notebook in my hands, the pages ready to be filled with my observations. It was the reason I was here.
I settled myself on the massive rock, with its rough surface pressing against my skin. The roots that Simon had been digging for were thick and gnarled, sprawled across the rock beside me. As I examined them closely, I noticed tiny droplets of red, like delicate jewels glimmered in the light. These must have been the roots that Simon had described earlier.
My body instantly recognized that he was approaching, the hair on my neck stood on end. My body was a dang traitor for him.
I turned around and saw that he had washed his toned body from the red dye that had come from the roots. He was wet, the light sources glistening on his muscular chest and his lean torso.
Um, yum?
Why did everyone in this realm have to be so attractive? Especially him?
Simon pulled out a book from behind his back and lifted it toward me. “What is this?” I asked, my curiosity piqued when I flipped through the pages. They were empty.
“You had a book that you wrote in when you were with your group. I don’t know where it went, but I have this empty one.” He nodded toward it. The cover was thick leather, decorated with intricate designs. “I want you happy. Will this book make you happy?”
I let out a puff of air. “It does make me happy, Simon.”
He made me happy. To be honest with myself, I didn’t think I’d ever been this… free. For the first time in my life, I’ve gotten my hands truly dirty, enjoyed desires I’d never felt, and had a connection that went far beyond anything I have ever encountered.
I needed to drop the social standards I had learned and stop shunning the unknown. I had this feeling inside me that I was not sure of, but it was telling me to embrace whatever Simon and I had.
Could I do that?
What if I wasn’t his mate? I’d be so disappointed, but what if I never felt sexual desires again? This could be my only chance, just to have him for a little while.
Was this worth the heartbreak?
Simon beamed and sat beside me. He held up the roots that he had washed and offered me one.
I couldn’t get any more immersive than this, traveling around a forest with a faun who no one knew existed.
I took the root from his hand and sniffed. It smelled like cinnamon and sugar. He urged me to take a bite, and I tentatively bit down on it. An eruption of flavor burst on my tongue.
It tasted like a churro.
“What’s this called?”
Simon shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. Orcs don’t eat it. They don’t know about it because it is in the ground. I could smell how sweet it was myself.” He sat up straight. “My nose is better than an orc’s.”
I stifled a laugh and took another bite. I opened the notebook, saw a pencil on the side, ready for me to use, and began to draw the roots, giving details on its taste and smell. I also put a brief note beside it that only a faun could sniff out the sweet-tasting roots.