When Worlds Collide

Eleven

It was almost dusk when I first saw the gentle, shimmering waters of Lake Luna. It was a beautiful, large body of water surrounded by nature's finest flora and fauna and home to an array of creatures that used it as their main water source. It was not only nature that flocked to Lake Luna, but stories of its magical properties had both humans and Lycans' alike taking trips to bathe in its relaxing waters. Legend says that those whom are blessed by the Goddess and choose to bathe in her waters will be gifted with that which their heart wishes for the most.

It was mostly silly bedtime stories and now that I was a grown woman, I did not believe in such magic. Still, I couldn't help but marvel at such a beautiful place and I knew why the tales of magic were believed by many. As we arrived I spied a pair of rabbits dash hastily into the undergrowth of the nearby forest and couldn't help the smile upon my face. I liked animals, but was never allowed any of my own aside from the livestock on Nanna's farm. I never liked to grow close to any of them as a child, for I knew they would never stay for long. Either they would sent to the bigger towns and cities, or slaughtered to feed the villages families.

"We will make camp here," Callan announced, "Lex and Rueben I need you to scout the area, Arlo, Ezra gather your men for firewood. Orson, take a few men for tonight's hunt. Everyone else set up tents and make yourself useful."

A chorus of 'Yes Sir's' and 'Yes Your Majesty' was shouted out by around twenty male voices. It made the rather peaceful Lake almost ripple with her displeasure as birds took noisily to their skies, frightened from their perches.

I dismounted from my horse following Callan, he smiled softly at me as I handed her reins over. He led both horses to a tree, untacked them and tied them both to a long rope, separate from each other this time, so they had space to roam and yet would not venture too far. My mare tugged at her rope for a bit, but upon realising she could reach both the lake for water and grass to sate her belly she soon calmed, bending her head and swishing her tail as she dozed.

I stood beside the lake silently, watching the placid water ripple as fish moved below it and the animals and insects whom preferred the cooler hours of evening fluttered above. A lone dragonfly zipped across the pretty, lavender pickerelweed, stunning with its vibrant, blue wings.

"Beautiful isn't it," Came a familiar voice from behind me. I wasn't expecting it and startled with a gasp, placing a hand on my chest.

"Oh!" I turned to see Callan stood just a few paces behind me, looking out beyond the lake. Hearing my gasp, he turned down to look at me with an apologetic frown.

"I'm sorry, I did not mean to scare you."

"No, No, I just did not hear you arrive, I was deep in my own thoughts your Majesty," I replied quickly.

"Callan."

I could feel the blood rush to my cheeks, I had forgotten to use his name again. "Callan," I repeated.

"I hope you do not mind, I have had one of my men erect a tent for you should you wish to sleep alone. My tent is large enough and I would much prefer that you stay there with me, however I know that you are...apprehensive and I would not want to force you. I do however insist that your tent is next to mine so that I am aware you are safe."

I was taken aback by his thoughtfulness. I had almost assumed he would insist I slept with him, perhaps even to warm his bed on the first night. I did not know exactly what that consisted of; my mother ensuring that my husband to be would teach me all that I ever needed to know on our wedding night. I knew some of what a woman was expected to do, but I was definitely a little unsure of the details. Brietta on the other hand had a wild and dangerous mind, she had taken it upon herself to teach me the 'art' of sex, and I would often shut her down before her mouth got us both into trouble. Now I was almost wishing I had listened to more of her 'lessons', at least I would be somewhat prepared.