8. Willow
Willow
While waiting for Rhune to get back, I accidentally end up falling into another deep sleep. One moment, I’m sitting in his bed of furs cuddling with the baby antethorpe, and the next, my eyelids are so heavy I’m unable to keep them open.
As I slumber, my mind is plagued by swirling visions of magic, shadows, and a deep blue, pulsing flame. It calls to me, claims me, licks my skin and bones—but I’m not afraid. Somehow I know that it won’t hurt me, that it can’t.
We are made of the same thing.
The vision fractures, and I’m falling, the darkness swallowing me whole. Terror rips through me, and I scream, but there is no sound, no air.
Wispy tendrils of magic float through the air, reaching for the edges of my soul. They carefully unthread my essence, malicious and determined to drag me deeper into the nothingness.
Then a pulse of that same blue light—blinding and powerful, a flame flickering in the shadows like a lifeline. I don’t know what it means, or why it’s here, but the sight of it brings me comfort, and for a moment, I am not afraid.
But I am also not alone…
I wake sweating despite the coolness of the room, my heart racing as if I just ran a marathon.
Sitting up, I wipe the back of my hand across my brow, the memory of my dream fading with each passing moment.
That was weird…
I don’t remember passing out, and have no idea how long I was asleep, but I feel even more exhausted than I ever have in my life.
There is an ache deep within my bones that spreads through my body, making my limbs feel heavy.
My skin is sensitive to the touch, and whenever I look directly at the glowing blue roots, a pounding builds in my head, and it doesn’t cease until I shut my eyes against the light.
I’m worried that this world is making me sick. Maybe it’s something in the air. Maybe the magic is affecting me in negative ways.
Or maybe I’m just really hungry and cold…
Smacking my dry lips together, I push myself upright, wincing at the twinge in my lower back. I stretch my arms over my head, letting out a moan as my back and shoulders pop, relieving some of my tension.
Curious about the noise, the antethorpe trots over to investigate. It sits at my side, staring up at me with those big blank, silver eyes.
“Hello there,” I say, reaching down to pat the top of its head. “Are you hungry, too?”
The antethorpe bleats, nuzzling its head into my thigh as if to say yes, now give me some food, woman.
“I don’t even know what you eat. I’m sure Rhune will bring you back something you like.”
As if called, the hide covering the doorway is peeled to the side, and Rhune steps into his bedroom. He’s all smiles and bright eyes, strong arms wrapped around a bulging sack of… something.
“I am home, my Willow! I have secured plenty of food for you and the little one—” he stops, his expression dropping. “You are unchained.”
“Yeah. About that…”
Rhune tips his face upward, nostrils wide and scenting the air in front of me. “You smell like Nyx.”
Dropping the bag, he grips my shoulders, his eyes wide and searching. “Did he harm you? Are you okay?”
“No. And yes.” I swallow, my mind flashing briefly to the heated moment between Nyx and me earlier. “We talked. He showed me around. Made me aware there was no hope of escape…”
Rhune chuffs. “As long as you are okay… Very well. I suppose I can’t be too angry with him for what he did.” His hand caresses my face, and I fight the urge to lean into the incredible sensation. “I’m so glad to be back. My soul—it was aching to be so far from you.”
Heat creeps into my cheeks and settles low in my core. I can’t recall Nathan saying anything nearly as romantic as that in all the time we were together. Sure, he had called me pretty and hot, but this is different.
Rhune pulls me out of my thoughts by shoving a large root-like object under my nose. It’s colored gray and is still partially covered in ice, but Rhune looks so proud of it, I can’t help but give him a small smile.
“It’s food. For you.” He places it down in front of me, then, grinning, he reaches into his satchel and pulls out several more vegetable-esque items—all of them different shades of silver.
“You reacted poorly to meat, so I assumed you are like the herbaceous creatures of this world. I have brought you one of each to try.”
I gaze down at the strange tubers and wrinkled fruit, wondering if any of it will make me sick. I’m so hungry that my stomach hurts, and at this point, I’d scarf down anything safe to eat no matter the taste. “Is it safe? For humans?”
Rhune nods. “My memory—it is not whole, but for some reason, I remember that the creatures and plants in The Far Place are able to be consumed by humans.” He points at the carrot-shaped one colored a faint purple hue. “You might try this first. It is quite bland, but is nutritious.”
“What is it?” I bring it to my nose to sniff. It has a faint earthy tinge, but otherwise, it smells and feels similar to a carrot.
“A hoarfrost tuber.”
I shrug, bringing it to my lips and taking a small nibble. I’m surprised at the complete lack of flavor. It’s similar in texture to a raw beet, and isn’t very appetizing—but I can choke these down if they will keep me alive until I can get home.
Rhune notices her slight cringe as she goes in for another bite. “Not good?”
“I can live with it.” I go in for a third bite. I’m just that hungry.
“Maybe this one?” He points at the wrinkled one. “Palepears are sweeter.”
“How do you know what they taste like?” I ask. “Don’t you guys eat souls or something?”
“I am… curious.” Rhune’s mouth tips in a shy smile. “I cannot ingest them without getting sick, but I can taste. Out of all of these, I find palepears the most enjoyable.”
I grab the small wrinkled fruit, taking a tiny bite of the edge. I chew slowly, my eyes widening in surprise as a pleasant sweetness bursts over my tongue. “Oh! These are delicious!”
Rhune’s eyes sparkle as he watches my mouth. “I am glad I found something you like.”
I finish the fruit, then two more. Despite the size of the meal, I feel strangely full—though, my mouth is now begging for water.
Anticipating this, Rhune grabs a small chunk of ice and wraps it in his palm, a faint blue light pulsing from his skin as the cube melts.
“Drink,” Rhune says, pushing his cupped hands closer to my mouth.
Face flushed, I part my lips, staring deep into Rhune’s heated eyes as I drink from his hands. The water is delightfully cool, and each small sip quenches my thirst in ways I’ve never experienced before.
When I’m sated, I pull back, a drop of water sliding down my chin. Rhune reaches out slowly, swiping the droplet away with the pad of his thumb, his gaze heated.
“Thank you.” I try not to focus on how close our lips are right now. “I feel much better.”
“I am glad,” he says. “I live to bring you happiness, my Willow.”
I drop my gaze, heat creeping up the back of my neck and settling deep in my core. Luckily, at that moment, the antethorpe bleats, breaking the spell.
“I’m so sorry! You must be starving.” I reach over, grabbing the fuzzy creature and pulling it into my lap. “Did you bring anything for it?”
Rhune nods, his lips twitching as he grabs a small bundle I hadn’t noticed before. There’s a dark liquid staining the hide—almost like blood—and the sight makes my stomach turn.
“What is that?” I ask, gulping.
Rhune’s eyes crease in sympathy. “A voidfin. They are similar to fish in your world.”
“Fish? As in, there’s an ocean somewhere around here?”
Rhune nods. “We are not far from it, though it is not as close as the welwig forest. I had no luck hunting in the forests earlier, but luckily, the ocean was still bountiful.”
He pushes the bundle behind him out of my sight. “I know it upsets you greatly, but the antethorpe needs flesh to survive. I will feed it out of your sight so that you do not have to suffer through the ugliness.” He hangs his head. “I am sorry, but it must be done.”
My chest squeezes with an unnamable emotion. This big, scary beast is just so damn sweet. I can’t take it.
“It’s okay, Rhune.” I reach out to touch his hand. “I don’t eat meat, but if the baby needs it, then it should have as much meat as it needs.” I offer him a smile, and he perks up slightly. “Thank you for being so thoughtful.”
“It is nothing,” he mutters. “I made a horrible mistake earlier. I will be more attuned to your needs in the future.”
My chest aches to think of how there is no future between us. But he looks so happy now, I don’t want to say anything to spoil the mood. Instead, I sit back and watch Rhune feed the antethorpe small bits of meat, awestruck at how gentle he’s being.
Nathan would never do something like this…
At the thought of my shitty ex, my stomach twists, and I tear my eyes away from Rhune, fixating on a small crack in the wall.
Rhune is a beast—a demon—and still, he’s shown me more kindness and care than my ex ever did.
It’s so strange to realize how unhappy I had been with Nathan, and how unsafe he made me feel.
I always had to be on my toes, present myself with grace and poise, live up to his unrealistic expectations of beauty and status—and it was exhausting.
I thought I was truly free before. Unquestionably happy. But here, trapped deep underground with four crazy demons, I’ve found the ability to breathe again.
“Why do you look so sad?”
Rhune’s soft voice pulls me out of my thoughts, and I turn to him with a strained smile. “Nothing at all. Just thinking.”
“Thinking about something that makes you sad.” He cleans his hands and moves away from the antethorpe, his glowing pink eyes staring deep into mine, searching for something. “What is wrong, my mate?”
The way he says it makes my heart clench. Like he really wants to know. Like he really cares. I open my mouth to reiterate my previous statement, but for some reason, I find I’m unable to lie to him or myself any longer.
I don’t know what possesses me at that moment, but the floodgates burst, and I wind up telling Rhune everything.
About my past, my relationship with Nathan, my friendship with Kimberly, and the discovery that led to my heart shattering.
Through it all, Rhune sits there and listens with rapt attention, taking my words in without a sound.
It feels good to let it all out. Although, the tears that accompany my story are a bit mortifying. When I get to the part about losing my mother’s necklace, I absolutely lose it, and I have to end the story.
When I manage to calm myself, Rhune’s expression has hardened to stone, his lips a thin crease in his handsome face.
“Never in all my years have I heard of such a fool-brained male.” His words drip with disgust. “To disrespect you so fully, to desecrate your bond… it is inconceivable.”
He reaches for me, and when he tries to pull me into his lap, I let him. His arms curl around me, covering my torso and pressing my head to the spot just below his thrumming heart. His palm brushes down my hair as he rocks me gently, his throat rumbling with a low purr.
“His actions were despicable. And still, I am grateful for it, because his foolishness has led to me having you.” He looks deep into my eyes, and my breath catches at the loving tenderness shining in him.
“Willow Wood, light of my soul, I would never treat you as such. I wouldn’t dream of it.
If I did, I would throw myself onto the tallest pike I could find.
Would tear my heart from my chest and feed it to the nearest hungry arachnix. ”
My lips tilt in the barest of smiles. “I don’t know what an arachnix is, but that might be the most dramatic thing I’ve ever heard.” I squeeze his hand back—well, more like his finger, because his hand is so massive. “And the sweetest.”
I lean up, pressing my lips to his jaw in a chaste kiss.
I don’t know why I do it, but the touch sends heated fire coursing through my system all the same.
Of course, once I realize what I’ve done, I pull away from Rhune, absolutely mortified.
Even though things are over between me and Nathan, it feels weird to be kissing another man so soon.
Though, he’s not really a man, is he?
“I’d like to be alone now, if that’s okay,” I whisper, suddenly tired again.
Rhune nods, but he doesn’t look happy. “I’ll be nearby. Call if you desire anything.”
He casts a longing look over his shoulder, and it takes everything inside me not to call him back and tell him that he is what I desire.