When Worlds Collide

Twenty-Two

I can only apologise for the long delay, I've had major writers' block just trying to decide where I want to take this story, but to be honest I'm still not sure, so buckle in for the ride cause I've no idea where we're going :) :) 

My mind kept replaying that blissful moment. Over and over it played those few, fleeting minutes where I seemed to ascend to heaven and return to earth feeling like a brand new woman. The tingling across my bare skin as he stroked his fingers ever so lightly up and down my thigh, how I could still feel the tickling of his beard and the softest, gentle licks of his tongue that still ignited a fire within my lower belly, sending a pool of heat to my core. Was this how every woman felt once a man had touched her there? How was such a wonderful feeling considered such a sin? 

I rubbed my hands across my face, willing myself to forget my impure thoughts. If my mother and father knew what I was thinking, I would not be able to sit down for a week. If they knew what I had done with the King of Lycans, while my poor sister was still missing, then they would never forgive me. The realisation of my actions was like an ice cold bucket of water being doused through my very soul. 

Who was I? 

I sat up and hugged the top of the bed roll to my chest. The distinct lack of raucous, booming voices told me that it was very early in the morning. Too early for even the birds to begin their morning calling. Tears pricked the corners of my eyes and for the first time in a while, I let them fall. Soon they were cascading down my cheeks like a waterfall and I was unsure if they were ever going to stop. I wasn't truly sure of the reason I had begun crying, whether it my guilt for my actions, my longing for my family or perhaps simply because my life was changing so quickly I did not know how to keep up. I felt as though I was being pulled in several directions, my emotions towards Callan pulling me one way, and the logic and fear within my brain pulling me another. 

I stayed that way for some time, just letting the tears fall when they needed and allowing myself this moment of vulnerability for after all I was only a girl. A girl who somehow had to become the Queen of her beautiful, little Kingdom. Inhatia may only be small, but I knew it was powerful, their King and the man who sent my entire being into turmoil, was powerful. 

And yet, I was just a girl. 

I sniffed and wiped my eyes, becoming faintly aware of the day beginning; a crow perching atop my tent and calling to his mate. He cawed and I heard the flapping of wings before there was a noise directly outside my tent. 

"Psst, Phina are you awake?" 

I smiled despite myself, "Yes Bri," I whispered. 

She unzipped the tent and let herself in, a mess of dangly limbs and wild, uncombed hair that she had obviously not decided to tame before she came and called upon me. Brietta zipped up the tent and turned to face me with a grin, before she must have noticed my tear stricken face and immediately her face became one of concern. 

"Oh my goodness what happened? Did he hurt you? I'll kill him, I do not care if he is the King, I'll cut off his balls the son of a bi-" 

I held up my hands with a short laugh, "Brietta no, it is not Callan's fault, please calm down." 

"Then why do you look as though you have been crying all night?" She accused, placing her hands upon her hips. 

"Oh Bri, it is just everything. I feel so guilty and torn, I suppose my heart and my brain are warring against one another." 

Bri let out a quick breath through her nostrils, "Why are you feeling guilty? You have nothing to be guilty about, none of this is your fault!"

I shook my head, "I have done something terrible," I cried, placing my head into my hands dramatically.