I could feel her eyes on me as I turned to lead her deeper into the jungle. The forest was thick, the air heavy with humidity and the scent of damp earth. She was following me, but I could sense the hesitation in her every step, the way she glanced around nervously, as if the trees themselves were closing in on her.
She’s not from here, I thought, my gaze flickering to her once more. Her clothes—jeans and a tank top—were so out of place in this wild, untamed land. It wasn’t just the difference in clothing that separated us. It was the entire way she carried herself, the way her presence seemed almost fragile in contrast to the strength of my world.
I watched her, her eyes wide, taking in every new detail as we walked. She had no idea where she was, or how she’d gotten here. And I had no idea how she ended up on my island. But I couldn’t leave her alone. Not in a place like this.
"You’re on my island," I said, my voice steady, but with an edge to it. It wasn’t a question, but a declaration. This was my home, my land, and now she was here, an outsider in a place where outsiders were very rare. “I don’t know how you got here,” I added, my mind still trying to piece together the mystery of it all, “but I can help you find out.”
“Come with me to the kingdom,” I continued. “My people might know more about how you ended up here.” I hoped the word “kingdom” didn’t sound too strange; it wasn’t like we were living in some medieval fairytale, but outsiders always found it hard to understand what this place was.
She didn’t respond right away, but I could hear her steadying her breath as if she was trying to keep it together. Her clothes were laughable in this place—jeans, a tank top, nothing that would protect her from the wild dangers of the island. The sight of her, so out of place.
I waited for her to respond, but she just looked down at herself, clearly aware of how out of place she seemed. “The island can be dangerous,” I warned, gesturing to the dense forest around us. “Especially for someone like you.”
She folded her arms, eyeing my attire as if to say I was the one out of place. "Someone like me?" she echoed, half-challenging.
“Yes,” I said simply. “Someone who came dressed like… that,” I finished, nodding toward her outfit. She folded her arms, looking at me with narrowed eyes, and I couldn’t help the small smirk that tugged at my lips. She had spirit, I’d give her that.
she huffed, “it’s not like I planned to go on a jungle hike.”
I chuckled, nodding. “Fair point,” I admitted. “But since you’re here, you’ll need a place to stay while we figure this out. You’ll stay at my mansion. It’s safer, and my people will respect it if I say you’re under my protection.”
She hesitated, glancing back toward the forest as though hoping she’d wake up and find herself back in the real world. Finally, she sighed and nodded. “I guess it’s either that or... risk getting eaten by something.”
I bit back a smile. “Wise choice.”
We started walking, and she trailed a few steps behind me, still looking wary. Every time I glanced back, she was looking around, taking it all in. Eventually, though, her gaze drifted back to me, and I could feel her sizing me up. She seemed both curious and cautious, which wasn’t a bad way to approach things here.
“Your people…” she began, “are they okay with someone like me just showing up?”
I glanced over my shoulder, giving her a reassuring look. “They’ll accept you,” I said confidently. “As long as I say so.” I tried to keep my tone light, but something in me tightened at the thought. She was an outsider, sure, but right now, she was under my protection, and I wasn’t about to let anything happen to her. “Trust me,” I added, catching her eye. “They might not love it, but no one’s going to mess with you. Not while I’m around.”
“Are you… like, the leader or something?” she asked, her tone half-sarcastic but curious.
“Yes,” I answered simply, raising an eyebrow. Her eyes widened, and I saw her mask slip for just a second, the surprise flashing across her face before she caught herself.
“What’s your name, by the way?” I asked as we began walking again.
She hesitated for a moment, clearly unsure of how much to share. But she gave in. “Lily,” she said, her voice faint but clear.
“Lily,” I repeated, the name rolling off my tongue with a new sense of significance. Lily, the woman who somehow ended up on my island, in my world. It would be interesting to see.
For now, though, I had to focus on getting her to safety. The jungle wasn’t kind to outsiders.
I turned my attention back to the path ahead. “So, Lily… you like wandering around strange islands or is this just a one-time adventure?”
She huffed, her cheeks flushing slightly. “Just a one-time thing, thanks. Believe me, I didn’t mean to get lost in the jungle and end up... here.”
I laughed, a genuine sound that startled her a little. “Yeah, I figured as much. This island doesn’t get many... visitors. You could say we’re off the map.”
She glanced around again, the reality of the jungle setting in. “Well, off the map is... putting it mildly. I feel like I fell off the planet entirely.”
We stepped into a clearing, and she stopped short, staring at the small path leading toward the hill where my mansion lay, its dark silhouette just visible in the distance. She swallowed, clearly a little overwhelmed.
“Don’t worry,” I said quietly, catching her eye. “You’re safe here. As strange as it all is, I won’t let anything happen to you.”
For the first time, she looked up at me with a trace of genuine relief. “Thank you,” she said softly, a hesitant smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
YOU ARE READING
beyond boundaries
Romance"You don't belong here," he murmured, his voice rough, yet his hand was gentle as it traced the edge of my face. "But somehow, I don't want you anywhere else."
