Chapter 5 Arabella #2
He tilted his head. “Which is curious, because sometimes I can remember each second. Very odd.”
“Okay.” I nodded in what I hoped came across as understanding.
“Before this, I was in Europe.” He finally found a small metal tool and came to crouch down in front of me, motioning for the wolf. I offered it to him, and he began to make a small hole on the back of the neck. I had a feeling what he was doing, so I waited patiently.
“What made you come here?”
“I was born here,” he answered easily. “Well, less born and more created. My first memories are here, so I returned home I suppose.”
His answers were honest as far as I could tell, and they only added to the mystery of who he was. I licked my bottom lip, catching his attention. I blushed and searched for words as he met my gaze.
“You’re not a nightmare type I’m familiar with,” I said once he looked back down, continuing his craft. I felt like I couldn’t ask what he was directly, and his eyes lit up with a bit of amusement.
“That’s because there are only two others like me,” he explained. “Both of them are more isolated than myself.”
“Can I ask what you are, or is that bad manners?”
His frame stilled as he looked down at the wolf, pulling a leather string from his pocket and stringing it through the hole. When he motioned for me to move forward, he looped it around my throat, the fit like a choker against my skin.
My skin warmed there, and tension rolled out of my body, happy to feel the gift sitting so solidly on my skin.
I also understood that this held some significance, like Amun placing that bracelet on my arm.
I was learning quickly that nightmares never did anything by accident, especially when it came to giving gifts, offering protection, or marking someone.
“I don’t have a name for it,” he admitted when I sat back down.
His arms came down on either side of me, his eyes darting to the necklace with a smile.
One that made him look far younger than he actually was.
“My magic is connected to the earth. I shift like those you call ‘creature terrors,’ but it can be into any form. I just prefer a wolf.”
“So you have earth magic?”
“I draw from the earth,” he began, looking for the right words. “I can create, but I can’t change.”
I blinked in confusion. “Can I have an example?”
“I could create mountains—massive ones—but once they exist, I can’t take them away,” he explained.
“I am a creator. Or was. I don’t do it anymore.
This world has become far too crowded to create mass wonders like that—so instead I keep to the shadows and create small havens like this for nightmares who don’t want to interact with the human world.
I preserve spaces where we can still live in our true nature. ”
I smiled softly. “That’s beautiful, Ashur. So did you create the Oceanic Forest?”
“In part.” Ashur’s lips pressed into an amused smile. “My brother, a creator of water, and sister, a creator of air, helped me craft it… Which is why it’s a bit unusual.”
“I love it,” I admitted.
“There are plenty like it, hidden throughout the world. Untouchable by humans.”
Something popped into my head. “Is that why the nightmare at the start of the forest line didn’t want me coming in?”
Ashur's expression turned dry and amused. “Yes, he is one of the forest guardians. Although I think he has made himself a leader. I’ve allowed it, but I’m mad that he put you in danger.”
I toyed with my necklace and decided to be a bit bold. “But if I hadn’t come in here, I wouldn’t have met you.”
Ashur grasped my jaw and held my gaze. “You don’t think that would have been for the better, my moon?”
My initial reaction was to be hurt by his question, but I could see that he was honestly asking, so I tried to return the favor by being honest.
“I’m really glad I met you, Ashur. I couldn’t regret that.” His eyes lit up as lightning bolts darted across it in an intoxicating pattern I loved. “Why did you have me look away from you earlier in the clearing?”
He let out a soft hum of frustration. “I may be eons old, but there are some things that my powers won’t allow.
Because I am one of the first nightmares, the dominance factor won’t allow me to ever look away, so it is far safer for you to look away first. I don’t ever want you to feel in danger or threatened by me. ”
“I don’t,” I promised and then smiled. “Plus, I can’t feel fear.”
He blinked and then chuckled softly, the sound like warm velvet against my skin.
“I haven’t encountered sis metas in so long.
I forgot about that.” Ashur’s face went suddenly serious, his hand smoothing over my hip.
“Arabella, I don’t want you to think that is why we have this connection.
This isn’t because you’re a sis meta. I would never want you to think I was using you. ”
I leaned forward, cupping my hands on either side of his chiseled jaw, and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips.
I didn’t know how to describe it, but any insecurities I could have had disappeared with his words. Instead, I just felt this need to be connected to him. A deep groan rumbled from his throat as he finally pulled back, looking almost wild off the energy between us.
“You feel the connection?” I knew he did, but I wanted to hear it.
“Yes,” he said, almost looking distressed about it. I didn’t want that. I wanted… I honestly wasn’t sure what I wanted.
Raised voices drew our attention and I swallowed nervously, feeling flustered all the sudden from being so close to Ashur. I stood up, and he grunted but stood with me, nodding towards the shower. “I will find some clothes for you, but the bathroom should have everything you need.”
“Thank you.”
He disappeared out the door. My cheeks heated from his attentions, not bothering to lock the bathroom door behind me as I stripped out of my clothes while turning on the shower.
I loved the clothes Ashur kept bringing me, but I also missed my own at this point, and I was eager to get back to the RV.
I frowned, tilting my head. Would Ashur come with us?
Could I ask him to come with me and leave his home?
He obviously didn’t want to be in society, but he’d also admitted to feeling the strong connection between us.
I muttered a frustrated curse in confusion before stepping under the warm water and washing myself. I made sure to scrub every inch, and when I was finally done, I stepped out and wrapped myself up in a towel, looking at myself in the mirror.
There was so much different about me now.
For one, my gray eye now featured a hot pink circle which was really unique, and I knew it came from Damian marking me.
My heart swelled looking at the little heart underneath my scar, which came from Damian’s magic as well.
Just like the slight glow to my scar came from Zain.
Both nightmares had marked me in such unique and obvious ways, ways that I adored.
Examining my arm, I looked over the glowing tattoo-like bracelet from Amun and then moved to the center of my chest where Saint’s mark was, a skull that was extremely stark and very clear.
My mates didn’t shy away from marking me, just like Blackwell hadn’t with his brands on my hips and the scaled pattern Cy had left on my neck.
In fact, all of them had marked me extremely obviously…
except for Razar. His bite mark had healed, leaving me with the feeling that a part of me was missing.
Letting out a sigh, I used the toothbrush and hairbrush left out on the counter for me, braiding my hair out of the way before going into the bedroom.
On the bed was a set of clothes that looked like women’s clothing, and I had to wonder where they had gotten them from…
Although the minute I unfolded the t-shirt and saw the peace sign on it, I was pretty sure I knew.
Pulling on the leggings, socks, boots, and shirt, I felt a bit better.
I didn’t like not wearing panties, at least in this circumstance, but at least I had a bra, and that was something at this point.
Honestly, all this was teaching me was how much more prepared I needed to be on trips.
Also that I was possibly not cut out for the RV lifestyle.
After a quick look in the mirror, I left the bedroom, determined to talk to Peace. This would be the fifth god terror I’d met, and I was sincerely hoping it would go better than with Love and Hate.