Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 120029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
I don’t know what I expected to happen after that, but it wasn’t him donning that red hoodie underneath his fancy cloak and carrying me away toward the sunset. A cop car stopped us right after we left town, but I managed to talk our way out of getting arrested for vagrancy, and we soon left the edge of the asphalt road, heading off into the woods.
Which is when my trust in this experiment starts to dwindle.
Yes, he did show me incredible things.
Yes, my grandparents told me to go for it.
He seems kind, and respectful, but it’s still not impossible that he convinced me to believe his delusion, and once we are hidden from view, he could break my neck and sacrifice me to Satan. Just because the police would later find him and put him in prison wouldn’t make me any less dead.
“I don’t want to be rude,” I say as it becomes too dark for me to comfortably see everything around me. “But where will we be crossing into the Nightmare Realm? This place is deserted.”
Tristan rubs my chest reassuringly. “It won’t be too long now. I just need to find the right cave,” he says, once more pulling out what looks like a compass, but its golden dial doesn’t act like one. At least I’m dressed warm.
My large backpack is attached to the horse, and contains some extra clothes, vegan snacks, and a couple of books I wanted to read for a while. I also bought, or rather allowed Tristan to buy, canned peaches as a gift for the Lord of the Nocturne Court, because apparently, I will be ‘officially presented’ to him.
Is it really so strange that after years of reading fantasy and romance I want to believe Tristan? Or will following him tonight be the last terrible decision I ever make by trusting my heart?
“A cave? That’s where the palace is?” I ask, now worried Tristan’s a member of a cult, and the lord he’s taking me to is their guru.
Despite it being so dark, neither my knight, nor his horse seem bothered, and the animal calmly climbs the incline, maneuvering a narrow path with dense bushes on either side. At least I don’t have to walk this path in the dark. It’s worrying how much reassurance Tristan’s arm around my waist gives me. I’m melting into him and his fantasy world already, and I won’t even be his Dark Companion, which… taints the whole experience a little bit.
“No, but it’s where the crossing is hidden. We still don’t know for sure how these gates between our worlds appear. Most elves think it’s a question of star alignment. A crossing that has been there for years can sometimes just disappear. Last year, I was summoned to a village, because an old human lady was found in the woods. She was helpless and confused. Apparently, she went out to forage for mushrooms, slid down a hill, and the next thing she knew, she was wandering a forest in our realm. If you ask me, she was one of the lucky ones. Humans unaware of the dangers they can encounter are sadly most likely to perish devoured by a beast or poisoned by plants they shouldn’t have eaten.”
“Oh, my God. She must have been terrified. Is she okay?”
“She’s fine, I escorted her home personally. One of my more exciting jobs to date.”
“Really? Escorting someone home was exciting?” I ask with a frown, and Tristan sighs.
“Oh, I know. When I signed up to the Nightcloaks, I thought I’d be visiting the human realm every week. Instead, I’m dealing with lots of paperwork.”
“So… is it really this dangerous out there? Should I be worried?” I ask, sinking deeper into Tristan’s chest. He picks up the sides of his cloak and covers us both with it.
“I’m by your side, so no. You don’t have to worry about a thing.” He kisses the side of my neck, making me all warm and gooey inside. Tristan is so affectionate and open. So unlike any of my past boyfriends who dreaded romantic gestures and promises.
I must have terrible taste in guys, since obviously happy couples exist. They get married and always support one another. I just never found anyone who’d want to share that with me.
I exhale, letting my head loll over his shoulder. “Hm? You’d protect me even from a wolf like this one?” I ask, opening the duffel bag in front of me a bit wider to pet Lady, who’s sleeping soundly, lulled by the horse’s rocking gait. Half of all my shopping was supplies for her.
I’m surprised by a moment of prolonged silence before he speaks. “Yes. I am your escort, and I take that very seriously. Here we are.”
I can barely see in the darkness, but there’s a rock wall next to us, and when Tristan helps me off the horse, my boots meet soft moss.