The Waning Hour

Chapter 3: When opposite souls meet

Niklous stalked quietly in the shadows. Rage still swelling in his chest at what he had witnessed before. If there wasn't a truce to uphold he would have been there in an instant. However he was the nights guard and the truce was something taken very seriously amung him and his men.

With daylight fading fast he knew he had to get the girl with the honey colored hair out of the woods, and fast. Though being in the woods during the day was not forbidden between the two kingdoms, it wasn't something the Sun children really did. Almost like an unspoken boundary between the two kingdoms. Even worse so, if she were caught out her at night Derek would not hesitate to kill her. That was something Niklous could not let happen.

Niklous watched her from afar for some time more. He let out a quiet sigh as she continued to wonder in the wrong direction. Left with no choice Niklous drew in a deep breath before stepping out from behind the safty of the shadows. This would be the first time since the truce that a shadow child and child of light met. A feeling of anxiety washed over him for the implications he could bring about just by showing himself to her. He just thanked the moon goddess that he still had his human form.

"You are going the wrong way." Niklous spoke up in a firm voice causing the fair haired maiden to jump in fright. This was the first time he really got to admire her beauty so close. It was a moment he would surely savor.

"Who...who are you?" Elizabeth stammered as she held her small hand up to her chest trying to steady her nerves. The Mor Woods were playing with her head and she couldn't handle much more.

"A friend." Niklous replied with a small smile hoping not to scare her further. Those soft blue eyes swirled with intrigue.

"Well.... friend, if you could please point me into the right direction I'll quickly be on my way. I do not wish trouble." Elizabeth spoke trying to push her words out in a strong tone. It only earned her a small chuckle from the tall man before her.

"What's so funny?" She huffed as she placed her hands on her hips in frustrstion.

"Nothing. I appologise if I offended you miss...." Niklous replied under the safty of the shadows of the Mor.

"Waymore, Elizabeth Waymore. Now if you could please point me into the right direction out of here thank you so kindly!" She spoke as she narrowed her eyes at him.

She was fierce he would give her that. Something that only drew him to her even more. However would she still be so fierce if she knew his truth?

Suddenly, the sounds of howls shot off into the distance signaling the beginning of the waning hour. Playful chit chat was over and it was now or never for him to get her out of the Mor's, lest she find out the truth sooner rather than later.

"Wolves." Elizabeth spoke more to herself as she circled around hoping to catch a glimpse of the beautiful beasts she always read about.

Niklous watched her for a moment amazed by the sheer thrill in her eyes where fear should have been. Then the second round of howls shot out piercing the quiet Mor. It was now or never. The howls were growing closer and no doubt Derek and the others picked up on Elizabeth's trail.

"Right well, I think that's our que. Follow me." Niklous spoke as he quickly grabbed Elizabeth by her delicate hand, rushing them both in the opposite direction of his brothers.

"Wait! You are going to fast!" She cried after him as she tried to run as fast as her small feet would carry her.

"Forgive me but I'm afraid we don't have time to slow down. Trust me, you do not wish to meet those beasts back there." Niklous replied as he tried to slow his pace just enough for Elizabeth to keep up.