I feel the cold wind blow on my cheeks. I shift on the bed and cover myself to alleviate the cold. I open my eyes and see a man peering down at me. A huge man. I close my eyes and open them again. I sit up and am about to think about how to fight when huge hands cover my mouth.
"Shhh, my dear werewolf," his knees are already on my bed! "It's only been a few months and you already forgot me?"
He removes his hand from me. I blink and realize it is Klevon. It's obvious he just shaved and cleaned himself. But other than that, he still looks the same hulking giant of pure muscle.
He grins at me. "You miss me? The last mission I've been on took longer time than I thought," he says.
Rather than his mission, what the hell is he doing in my room?! Knowing him, I look at my clothes. The fabric is thin, but at least, it's not see-through.
"Hmmm, you are right," he says. His eyes travel from my head to my stomach, which is thankfully covered by the blanket. "You need to change your clothes. It will be cold outside."
He gets up from my bed and goes to my wardrobe. He throws a thick dress and turns around, "Now, dress up. I'm going to show you something really neat," he says. "Just to add to that, it's something werewolves will love." There is some excitement in his voice that I can't help but be curious about.
So against my better judgment, I take the clothes and change.
"Close your eyes," I order, just to make sure. All the while checking if he will even try to take a peak. And if he does, no matter how curious I am, I will not go with him.
"I'm done," I say. And that's the only time he shifts his attention to me.
"Perfect," he says. "Let's go."
I move towards the door, but instead, he lifts me. He chuckles, "Where do you think you're going?" he asks.
"We're going outside so out the door of course," I say.
"Where's the thrill in that? We are going outside through the window."
"Then, put me down, I can jump from the window too."
"Oh really now? If I jump from this height, even I, as a hulking giant of pure muscle will break a bone."
I frown. "I said that aloud?"
"You did. I'm glad you also noticed that I shaved."
I roll my eyes. "Then, will you put me down now?"
"Nope. I only have one hoverboard, unfortunately. Or do you want a broken bone or two?"
"I don't think it's that bad," I say.
He furrows his brows and fixes me on his arms. "You will stay in my arms then."
He jumps on the hover, and the sudden rush of wind on my face makes me wrap my arms around his neck. I look up at him to see that he is watching my reactions.
"It's cold, right?" he asks.
I nod. Then he pushes my body closer to his. He starts to activate his hover, and we speed through the night. I make a little squeal and hide my face on his chest. Werewolves are meant to be grounded. Not hovering on air.
"Open your eyes, Kaiya. If you don't, I will be choked to my death and we will fall from this height."
I slowly open my eyes and the first view that I see is his smiling face. I loosen my arms around his neck and see the stars behind him. The night sky is so clear. I look around and see that we are hundreds of meters up in the sky. Pitchford castle looks very small in this perspective.
I can see how big the island is and how wide the surrounding ocean is. It is encompassing, wonderful, and exhilarating. Has Klevon been going in and out of this island? Traveling and seeing beyond that horizon? I wonder what the direction of the other Kingdoms are.
"Huge," I say.
"And exquisite," he adds.
"Where's your last mission?" I ask.
I look at him and catch him staring at me. I ignore it.
Klevon points with his mouth. "That's the Stine."
"General Brandon's home."
"Not anymore."
"What have you done there?"
"Information gathering," he divulges.
"Have you met a lot of people?"
"More than I can count. I even forgot their names now."
"How about places?"
"What kind?"
"Is there a place where werewolves can thrive?"
He grins. "What is this? Are you rebelling against the King?" he jests.
"I am not. It's just for the future."
"Future, huh? You think you can't keep the King's affection?"
"There's no affection, to begin with," I say. Before he can say anything, I point at the other side of Stine Kingdom. "What's the Kingdom in that direction?"
"Orttenburg and a way back would be Penrose."
"You know a lot of places."
"Because I travel a lot."
He pauses and I just take in the beauty and silence of everything around us.
"I think that a she-wolf like you should travel," he whispers. "If you feel restricted, you should see everything. The world is huge and beautiful. It's there for people like us to discover."
Without taking my eyes off the horizon, I ask, "Do you think I can do that? I am bought and freed from slavery."
"The easiest way would be to become a general," he says.
I shift my attention to him.
"You are physically strong, Kaiya, especially your magic. You just need to train more, achieve more, and I am sure you can become a general."
"There is no woman in Theo's list of generals."
"Doesn't mean that you can't."
"I am the King's lover. Don't you think it's such a big change from my path?"
"Well, werewolves are never meant to become the submissive lovers, especially you. You can live on your own, Kaiya. I know that you are still in grief for losing your child. But having a goal for yourself will help you heal faster."
"You are starting to sound like Harbin."
"Because contrary to what you believe, there are other humans who care for you. You just need to widen your horizon." He pauses and then he points in front of us, "Look. Watch how beautiful the world is, Kaiya."
I follow his line of sight and am blessed by the sight of sunrise. The sun is slowly appearing from the horizon as if it is hiding in the ocean and is going to fly high up in the sky once again. A yellow-orange hue starts to light up our surroundings, making the clouds visible. It spreads the light all over us, on the ocean on the ground. It overwhelms and races against the darkness until the big ball of fire completely rises from the horizon. It is a magnificent sight. Somehow, I feel like the darkness in my heart is also being defeated by this light.
I am still enamored with the impressive sight when Klevon places a chaste kiss on my lips. For the first time, I did not struggle against him. After a few more seconds, he pulls back and gazes into my eyes, wondering whether I find his kiss disgusting or not.
"Thank you," I say, breaking the heavy silence between us. "For this sight."
"Kaiya, I-"
"And for this splendid gesture, I will overlook that kiss," I cut him off.
Instead of taking it negatively, his features brighten up. Then, he grins, "Then, I will show you more amazing things. Then maybe, you will let me kiss you more."
"Don't get too ahead of yourself. That is just one time. If you already forget, I have a mate."
Klevon laughs. "Then let's get you back down to the castle. Or our King will kill me if he learns that I kiss you."
"Let's do that."
"Choke me again, Kaiya. Or you will escape from my hold."
"Idiot," I say, and yet when he starts to activate his magic, my arms tighten around his neck as we swoop down back to my prison of a castle.