Chapter 8: Erick

 

 

 

After a lunch of bologna sandwiches and crunchy, oily disks that Aiden called "barbeque chips," we stretched our legs with a hike around the woods.

"Isn't it weird how we haven't seen any animals around here?" Aiden remarked as we stepped through the trees.

"It does seem strange," I said. Although secretly, I knew that the animals could probably sense that this was now a dragon's territory.

It was an unusually sunny day. Warm light streamed through the branches weaving over our heads, forming pockets of illumination on the damp, forest floor. There was also a light breeze. If I turned my head a certain way, I could catch Aiden's scent as it drifted past.

I was no longer agonized by it. At times, I barely even noticed it, perhaps because we'd spent so much time together in close quarters. But it was still on my mind, him being my fated mate. I was constantly torn over whether or not he deserved to know—

Or whether or not I could leave this realm knowing that my mate was here.

Aiden cleared his throat. "So what brought you to Riverrun?" he asked. He stopped in his tracks to pick up a perfectly round stone.

"I was summoned by Rowan. She's an old friend," I answered quickly.

Recoiling his arm, Aiden flung the stone into the distance. I heard it bounce off of tree bark and land in the soil several yards away. "I hope it's okay to ask…you seem to have an accent. Where are you from?"

"North."

Aiden raised his eyebrows. "North?"

I fidgeted. "Er…northern Europe."

Aiden's expression flickered with confusion, but he seemed to accept my answer. "Okay, then."

Looking at him in the sunny, tranquil forest, I felt the sudden urge to break down and admit everything to him. But as quickly as that urge crept over me, it disappeared. I broke away first, hinting at Aiden that we should continue our hike.

"Now, may I ask you a question?" I asked, my eyes fixed on the path ahead.

I heard Aiden's jacket rubbing against itself as he shrugged. "Sure."

"Why did you want to be cured of shifting?"

Aiden sighed. "It's…it's a long story."

His voice sounded different. Strained. It intrigued me. I could hear a lifetime's worth of burden, and it pained me to think that he was shouldering it alone.

I stopped walking and gestured towards a fallen log. "Please. We have time."

Aiden sighed. "Okay, if you insist," he said. His voice sounded irritated, but there was a flush of relief in his smile.

He sat on the log first and patted the spot beside him.

"I was bitten during my first year of college," he began as I sat beside him. "I met this guy at a party. I didn't know he was a shifter. He took me out into the woods and…"

His hands were quivering in his lap.

Without even thinking about it, I grabbed his shoulder and squeezed.

Aiden's breath rattled as he exhaled, but his hands were still now. "It wasn't consensual. I don't think I want to talk about it anymore."

"We don't have to," I murmured in a steady voice.

Inside, though, I was fuming. My breath of fire sparked in my belly, a sure sign of my anger.

It wasn't consensual. That meant Aiden had been forced to do something against his will. The thought of anybody, man or woman, shifter or human, hurting him made my inner dragon awaken with rage. I had to consciously wrestle it back before it emerged.

"I'm sorry that happened to you, Aiden. If I'd known you back then…" I trailed off helplessly. What could I say? "If I'd known you back then, it wouldn't have happened," I finally concluded. I knew it was true. If I'd known Aiden back when he was bitten, I was certain he never would've been hurt.

"I've put it behind me, but thanks," Aiden said with a small smile. "Besides, if I was never bitten, I never would've come to Riverrun for the cure. And we would never have met."

A gentle wind blew past just then, and Aiden's scent billowed around me. I stifled a shiver, even though I didn't shiver often.

This was the closest I've ever felt to Aiden yet.

"You saved my life twice. That means a lot," Aiden continued, "even though I'm still your prisoner."

The last few words were said in humor, but I couldn't help but feel a small jab of guilt.

It was true; Aiden was my prisoner. Although I hadn't hurt him or bitten him, I was still making him do something against his will.

Once again, I felt the irresistible urge to confess everything. But I absolutely had to resist.

"If you want to leave," I said instead, "you may. I don't want to keep you here against your will."

Aiden chuckled and kicked at some dry leaves. "I already tried. Last night, when I told you I was taking a walk to help me sleep? That was a lie."

Dumbfounded, all I could do was stare at him as he laughed. It was the first time I saw him smiling with warmth in his entire face, and I found that it was impossible to look away.

"What?" he said. "It's funny."

If only you knew, I thought. I lied to you last night, too.

"I suppose it is," I said, smiling.

"Besides, this is far from the worst prison in the world," Aiden continued, gesturing at the wilderness around us.

I had to agree with him.

Feeling much lighter than I did when we began this hike, we stood up and turned around to make our way back to the R.V. Each step took us closer to the prison that was no longer a prison. It was just a small shelter in this beautiful untamed landscape, a shelter I could share with my one true mate.

Something had changed inside both of us during our conversation. I couldn't ignore the sense that it was for a reason, as if the universe were preparing both of us for what the next day would bring.