beyond boundaries

chapter 8 (Callan)

Lily had been here for a while now, but I still hadn't figured her out. She was... unpredictable, like a force of nature. The kind of person who didn't just fit in-they changed the world around them by existing in it. And though I wasn't sure if I liked that, I couldn't deny it either.

Since the trial, things had shifted between us. There had been a moment when she was vulnerable-really vulnerable-and it stuck with me. Her guard had dropped, and for a brief second, I'd seen the rawness in her. The confusion, the fear... the uncertainty. She was far from the confident, unshakable person I'd expected her to be. And despite the walls I kept around myself, I'd felt a strange pull toward her in that moment.She wasn't like anyone I'd met before, certainly not the kind of person I usually associated with power and politics. And yet, in a strange way, she made everything feel less... rigid.

She wasn't afraid to ask questions. To challenge me. To make me question things I'd never thought about. And while that should've made me uncomfortable, it didn't. It made me curious.

Still, I wasn't sure what to make of her. She made me want to show her things, to give her answers to the mysteries she kept asking about. But there was this part of me, the part that had been hardened by years of leadership and responsibility, that wanted to keep her at arm's length. I knew better than to get attached.

And yet, when she was near, it was harder to stay distant. Her energy was infectious, and I found myself thinking of her more often than I cared to admit.

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The days had settled into a strange rhythm since Lily's trial. I'd been caught up in council matters-politics, power plays, the usual-but today, I had a rare moment of peace. For the first time, I was going to show Lily my kingdom. Nothing formal-just a simple tour.

I could sense her excitement before she even spoke. She had this way of looking at everything like it was new, fresh, like it held secrets waiting to be uncovered. It was contagious, that curiosity of hers.

"Where to next?" she asked, her voice full of energy, the questions tumbling out.

I smiled, enjoying the spark in her eyes. "This way," I said, leading her toward the gardens.

As we passed through the gates, her eyes lit up. It was a look I'd never gotten used to-how everything seemed to come alive for her.

"Wow... , this place is beautiful," she whispered, as if afraid of disturbing the magic around her.

I watched her with a soft smile. She was like a child-restless, free, unafraid to explore. Her enthusiasm was like a light that made everything brighter.

"Do you like it?" I asked, the words slipping out before I could stop myself.

"Like it?" she laughed. "I love it! It's like... something out of a dream."

Her clumsiness showed as she brushed against a flower, a stray leaf getting caught in her hair. She laughed it off, but I found it endearing-there was something soft about her, something that made her stand out in a way I hadn't expected.

Her gaze shifted to the forest beyond, her expression almost wistful. I saw the way she looked at things, with such open wonder. "So, explain this obsession with beauty in your world," I asked, half teasing.

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, it's ridiculous. People spend forever trying to look a certain way-never satisfied. They're always chasing after something."

I shook my head, amused. "We don't have time for that here. We work, we gather, we build, we love. Pretending to be something else? It's a waste."

She raised an eyebrow. "But in my world, people hide their flaws. It's like... they're afraid to show the real them."

I studied her for a moment. "Flaws are part of who you are. What's the point in hiding?" I paused, then added, "And what about love, Lily? Is it any different in your world?"

She sighed. "Love? It's not what it used to be. People treat it like a game. One-night stands, cheating... it's like they don't care."

I scowled. "One-night what?" I repeated, my tone thick with disbelief.

"One-night stands," she said with a wry smile. "People spend the night together and move on like it means nothing."

The idea hit me like a punch. I couldn't fathom it. "How can people be so careless with something so important?" I muttered, my voice rough with protectiveness.

"Here," I said firmly, "when we find our mate, that's it. Forever."

She looked at me, stunned. "Forever?"

I nodded, the words feeling like they came straight from my soul. "When we find our soulmate, we pledge ourselves completely. Body, mind, and soul." I placed my hand over my heart. "It's a vow we don't break."

She went quiet, her expression shifting. "In my world, people vow too. But it's just words. Most of the time, it's impossible to find that kind of loyalty."

Her words struck a chord deep within me. "And what about you?" I asked, my voice softening. "Do you think it's out there?"

She gave a half-smile, almost wistful. "Maybe. But I don't know. It's hard to believe in something you've never seen."

There was a pause, and then she added, almost too casually, "You're the leader here... and you're... handsome. I'm sure a lot of women would want to be with you."

Her words hung in the air, a mixture of straightforwardness and something deeper. It made me pause, unsure of how to respond.

Clearing my throat, I reminded myself to stay focused. "I haven't found my mate," I replied, the words feeling heavier than I'd intended. "It doesn't always work that way."

She tilted her head, a soft crease of curiosity in her brow. "But why not? You're the leader. You must have someone."

I hesitated, glancing at her. "Maybe... maybe I don't want to find someone," I said quietly, almost as if I were admitting it to myself for the first time. "But when it happens, I'll know."

The silence between us felt different-charged with unspoken words and a strange understanding. For once, I didn't feel the need to fill it with anything. She didn't push, didn't pry, and maybe, for now, that was enough. I allowed myself to watch her, to let the moment sink in, knowing full well that despite my resistance, she was slowly becoming something more than just a guest in my kingdom.