5 comments/ 20641 views/ 11 favorites Fortune Wood By: Lucreace The Fortune woods were not a place to find yourself stranded, I mean, there is a reason people don't normally go wondering up here. There has always been rumours of Other things lingering here from times long passed and the woods have never been an inviting place. Wood is a bit of an understatement, forest would be way more accurate but Fortune Forest sounds silly, even in my mind. I'd heard the rumours that all manner of creature lived out here from large packs of wolves to lone roaming Thruls; large humanoids with grey skin and dead eyes. Not a good place for a girl like me to find herself with only a hunting knife. I'm not exactly good with it either so for most of the things inhabiting this particular wood, I was easy prey. Not that I had a lot of choice, it was forage in the woods or die of starvation. The bright pale sun had begun to sink past it's zenith and I knew I should be heading back but I hadn't been able to find anything edible. The winter had come early this year destroying most of our crops and if I didn't find anything to use as a food source then we'd go hungry again. My family may not have much but we are a proud people and will not take charity from our neighbours. My father always says doing so is the fastest way to ruin friendships. However, the sun was rapidly descending and as I looked around I discovered I couldn't remember the way back, the warmth was draining from me and that wasn't all to do with the setting sun. I took a deep breath and picked a direction to start walking, it was better than standing still and panicking at the very least. I tried to follow the path I had already cut through the undergrowth but the fading light did nothing to help me. I stumbled more than once and fell over at one point, tearing a gash through my soft hide leggings. I cursed as I felt the wound, there was a sticky dampness growing but I knew instinctively that it was nothing serious. I hauled myself back to my feet, pulling twigs out my thick dark hair. That was the first time I heard the Call. I ducked back down to the undergrowth and tried to make myself as small as possible. I'd not smelt anything approach but then, that call sounded very far away and I was walking into the bitter wind. I shivered again before steeling myself. "Pull yourself together Freyja" I said to myself, "It might not even be after you." but this did little to reassure me. We were not the only ones going hungry this winter. I stood up and tried to make my way through the undergrowth as silently as I could. The light had nearly completely faded by now, slowing my movement. I heard another howl, closer this time and I knew I had to get out of the woods as soon as I could. The howl was joined by another, off to my left so I swung my direction away from the noise and broke into a jog. A prayer to the Eleven was on my lips as I moved through the forest, thankfully, the ground here wasn't too uneven. The howls, stronger now they had been joined by others, seemed to reverberate around the forest until I wasn't sure I was running away from them any more. I swallowed hard and forced my legs into a run. I reached a clearing and legged it as fast as I could to the other side. The moon was slowly rising, giving me enough light to see by. As I turned, I thought I saw a light through the trees and prayed I was nearly home. I hadn't recognised any of the forest, but then, I hadn't been concentrating on the scenery much. I knew I had to reach the light and turned to run as one of the creatures entered the other side of the clearing. Dire-wolves. Bigger than normal wolves and twice as aggressive. I swallowed hard as its glowing red eyes spotted me, I needed no further encouragement, it was that light or death. I ran like I had never ran before. I forced my legs to keep up a hard pace, willing them to push faster as I heard the crashing through the undergrowth behind me. My legs began to ache as I ran but I could see the light growing as I pelted towards it as fast as I could. The noise behind me was closing faster than I could go and I swallowed hard, willing myself to make it. My burning lungs pulled in each breath like a chore but I wasn't going to give up, not with that shining light of life just in front of me. I reached out with my arms, willing myself to go faster, to make it, I was so close. The next thing I knew I was on the ground with a wrenching pain coming from my ankle. I let out a cry of surprise and looked about, seeing the offending tree root, I cursed loudly and pulled out the hunting knife I still had with me. If this was how I was to die, then I could at least take one of them with me. I rolled onto my back and braced myself against the tree that owned the root I had tripped on. It may as well make itself useful. I held the knife in front of me and awaited the oncoming Dire-wolves. I watched as one approached, the moonlight tinted against its matted fur and its eyes glowed a sinister red. I could smell the animal's foul breath as it approached, its teeth looked whiter in the moonlight and a wave of fear passed through me. I tried to hold my hand steady as the creature curled its lips back in a sinister grin. It's breath was unbearable and I couldn't help letting out a scream. I slashed the knife wildly in front of me and screwed my eyes shut. I felt the knife bite into flesh and the creature let out an angry yowl. The next thing I felt was a blow to the side of me head and a heavy weight forced me sideways. I tried to let out a scream but the blow had knocked the air from me. I let out a wet cough, tasting blood I tried to move but the weight of the creature pinned me to the floor. I braced myself for the bite that would follow the blow and wasn't disappointed, I felt teeth sink into my shoulder and I screamed again. The pain sent fire shooting up my arm and a wave of nausea followed. Another set of teeth grabbed my leg followed by another on my left arm. I knew this was it for me, I never expected to die at the fangs of Dire-wolves. Another wave of nausea passed through me and I knew I was loosing consciousness, at least I wouldn't be conscious while they began eating me. I became vaguely aware of a weight being lifted from me but that was the last thing I can recall. When I awoke, I was surprised I wasn't dead. I should be. I tried to move but found I didn't have the strength to, I was sore all over and my body didn't seem to want to co-operate with my mind. I must have bruises and cuts all over my body by the way I felt when I tried to move. I could hear a few voices in another room and tried to listen in to what they were saying. It sounded like someone was unhappy by the tone that was being carried. "I cannot believe you disobeyed me..." This didn't sound good. "Why did you bring her here?" Ah-ha, so they were discussing me! "Being eaten by Dire-wolves is no fate for anyone, even a human." came another voice, the tone was apologetic more than anything. "But to heal her partially too and then asking me to finish the job. You know what will happen now and I don't want that!" returned the first. "What were you thinking?" "You may well have endangered us all!" came a third female voice. "She'd just a young woman who was lost in the woods. What can she do to us? Am I to believe you are all scared of a human woman? Besides I couldn't bare it. She was in so much pain, you could all feel it as much as I could." "God's be damned!" a loud thunk punctuated this statement and I felt fear creeping into me all over again. I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to block out the shouting. I hate it when people shout. "Calm down Leif, done is done, we'll deal with this." "Yes, we will Chena." So, the angry one was Leif, despite my fear I was also curious about who had rescued me. If it was indeed a rescue, he sounded so angry. "I need time to think about this." his voice dropped and all I could hear was the murmur of speech rather than any specific words. I felt my eyes rolling again and snuggled further into the blanket someone had thrown over me. Sleep came quicker than I thought possible. It was still dark when I awoke again but found I was feeling a little better. I could sit up at least, which was an improvement. I looked around the room I had been dumped in and found I was in a wooden cabin of some sorts. No surprise there considering I was in the middle of a forest. There was a light coming from the room next to mine where the argument had taken place earlier and I was curious to see who or what my rescuers were. There was the sound of voices coming from the room and it took me a while to pluck up the courage to stand. My wounds had indeed been healed by some miracle but they still felt very stiff and more than a bit sore. I gasped as I put weight on my ankle and the noise in the other room died instantly. I became aware that I was no longer in my own clothes. In fact, I wasn't in any clothes at all, just my underwear, small as it was. "We know your awake so you may as well come out." I hauled the blanket around myself for modesty, not wanting to be examined by a room of strangers was high on my list, although at least one of them must have already seen me. Still. I wanted to save some ounce of dignity. I pushed the door open and was peered at by five sets of eyes. I suddenly thought I would have been more comfortable with the Dire-wolves...scratch that, I could get through this. "Hello." I said in a small voice. I scanned the room and found myself looking at five very different people. The woman nearest me looked like she was from Karana originally, she had the pale skin and dark hair that was typical of the people found there. There was a young man next to her with inky black eyes and olive skin, pegging him as Swari in origin. Opposite these two sat another, slightly older man, whose skin was ruddy, he looked as though he came from Quillaan stock, his hair had that reddish tinge to it that most the locals carry. Next to him was a tall slender woman, her skin was well tanned and she wore a ceremonial veil around her head as they did in Nebatia. I then turned my attention to the being on the final chair in the room. Now he was something to behold, his blond hair hung loose to his shoulders and there was evidence of real strength underneath the woven tunic he was wearing. I would have examined him further if his luminous blue eyes weren't boring into me making me feel like I was something he stepped in. "What were you doing in the forest human?" he asked, his voice was deep and filled with menace. The way he spat the word human made me feel like I was an ant beneath his boot. "I was searching for food." I replied, it was the God's honest truth, "I got lost" I added, feeling I needed to explain when his eyes didn't leave me. "And then I couldn't find my way back. I got chased by those animals when I saw this light. I thought..." "That if you got here you'd be safe?" he finished. I let my eyes fall to the floor and shifted my weight from foot to foot while trying to keep a firm grip on my blanket. "You were wrong." "I gathered that from the argument you all were having earlier." I retorted, "And if I knew the way I'd leave right now. I don't know who you are but its clear you don't want or need me here." "That was yesterday." said another of the creatures that I was beginning to suspect were not quite human. "I slept all day?" I asked. "Yes." The blond said. "Where would you go?" "I don't know." I shrugged, "but you've made it clear I am not welcome here." "You wouldn't last five minutes out there." said a voice I recognised, Chena was it? "Maybe not but I'm beginning to think I'll take my chances." I replied. "If you would be kind enough to point me in the right direction." "You can't leave." blondie chirped in. "Name of the Eleven; what do you want?" I snapped, "First you loudly proclaim you don't want me here, then you tell me I can't leave. What is going on?" I asked, surprised at my own daring. "You are in the house of Night-walkers now." I knew my eyes went wide as he spoke, Night-walkers were rumoured to live in these forests but I had never ever dreamt I would be caught by them. I had heard from my mother that they captured people, forced them to drink their blood and become one of them as well as doing other unspeakable acts with them. Maybe that's how I had been healed. I shuddered despite myself. "Leif!" snapped Chena. The blond turned to glare at the female, "Look honey," she said, her voice softening as she turning to me, "What Leif says is true, you can't leave for the time being. The weather turned while we all slept during the day and the forest took the brunt of that." I glanced out the window as she spoke and noticed the pale moonlight shining off a generous layer of snow. To my dismay, the sky was liberally sprinkling more snow on the ground. "The clearings and all the pathways will be blocked until the snow thaws and that could be weeks." I nodded, knowing this to be true but not really wanting to accept it. "I see." "So you'll have to stay here for the time being." Leif said, his voice softening a little although the sentence was anything but friendly. "What happened to my clothes?" I asked, shivering inside the blanket not yet ready to face the idea I had to stay. "Of course." one of the others said, "They're cut up pretty badly but you're a similar size to Loretta over there so she'll loan you some clothes." "Thank you." I said with a small smile, "Who are you all?" "My name is Chena," started the woman, "And the cantankerous blond who is doing a good impression of an ass is Leif." he nodded his head at me and I tried to raise a smile at him but his eyes were so tumultuous I couldn't manage one. "This is my mate Francis." she said indicating the Swari man, "That's Loretta and her mate Talon is next to her. You're turn." "My name is Freyja. I live in the farm about three miles from the edge of the forest." I shrugged, "I am what you see." I became aware of Leif starring at me once again but this time it seemed less hostile. "No." he said, "You're not." "Pardon me?" he asked "There is something about you that's different but I don't know what it is yet." "Don't be silly." I snorted but the look he gave me told me he was being serious."Well. I don't know anything about it." I shrugged feeling uncomfortable under his piercing scrutiny again. "Give me some time and we'll find out." he growled. "The room there shall be yours until you decide to leave us." Chena said. I got the feeling I was being dismissed but there were some things I needed to know first. "Thank you." I smiled, "But, where is the bathroom?" "There is a bathroom behind the room where you'll be staying." she replied. "What about food?" "There is a small kitchen down the hall, help yourself to what's there." "Thanks again." I said with a weak smile. "I think I'll go get dressed." Chena gave me a nod as I scuttled back into the room. I found the clothes that had been left for me and wriggled into them. They were tighter than I was used to but were made of a comfortable soft material I couldn't identify. I sat on the bed and thought about nothing for a while, trying to absorb what I had been told. There was a knock on the door and I called that it was OK to enter. Leif stood in the doorway and he gave me a wan smile. He entered the room with a lit candle and shut the door behind him. "What do you want?" I asked more tartly that I wanted to. This guy had made me feel like I was something he had stepped in so I felt more than a little justified. "I came to apologise." he said, placing the candle on a shelf. He took one from the shelf and lit it before returning it to the holder it had been in. "I am not used to... visitors." he said turning to face me. The soft light bounced off his golden locks and his eyes were softer too. Now he was standing I could see exactly how tall Leif was, everything about him was huge; his arms were well formed and I could sense the power coming from him somehow. He moved with confidence and grace, then I noticed his hands. They too were huge, there was a small scar on his right hand. I found myself starring at them and had to force eyes back up to his face. I felt a blush rise in my cheeks but did my best to not look flustered. I had no right to admire such a harsh man, even if he was gorgeous; and Leif was. "I can tell." I said drily, I spotted a small glimmer in his eye and I turned away from him. "I want to tell you that you're welcome to stay as long as you wish." he said, folding his arms across his chest. "If you decide you want to leave, I can arrange for you to be taken home, as soon as the snow clears if that is what you desire. I have behaved poorly towards you and that was ill done of me." Despite myself, I felt a lump forming in my throat and my eyes filled with tears. I was so sore and tired and confused. This man had shouted at me and said some unkind things and here he was now telling me exactly the opposite. I let the tears fall and he looked on uncomfortably. "Please don't cry Freyja." he said. There was no real emotion in the voice but his eyes looked distressed. "What did you expect?" I asked. "I am sorry." he said with an aspect of finality in his voice indicating the subject was over. He strode over to the end of the bed and patted me on the shoulder. I sniffed and looked up into those cool blue pools of his and managed a smile. "We don't often have human's here and we are a little out of touch with your kind." he explained "What are you, exactly?" I asked sniffing and wiping my tears away with a hand. "Night-walkers." he replied, "We are a race of long lived creatures who dwell mainly in the forests." he replied. "You don't kidnap people and eat them?" I asked, I felt silly doing so but had to make sure these were only rumours. "Of course not!" he replied, his surprise showed on his face. "Why would you think so?" "Tales they tell us as children." I replied with a shrug. "I see." "And you don't force human's to drink your blood?" "You've had mine." he replied, my eyes went wide and I feared I would cry all over again, "Our blood has healing qualities to it and you were gravely injured." he said by way of explanation. "What does that mean?" I asked. "I'll know what your feeling and always know where you are." he replied. I blushed slightly as he spoke, remembering my thoughts about his hands, but managed to keep it hidden in the warm light of the room. "Right now, you're a little embarrassed because you were wondering about my hands." he said, the smile creeping onto his face again. "Why yours?" "Talon rescued you and gave you enough to stop you dying but he is bound by oath to not allow others to drink of him." I gave a frown but Leif said no more and I knew he would remain silent on the subject. "I see." I nodded, "Well, I'm still aching and sore, so if you don't mind I'll get some sleep." I said, wanting a bit of time to think on it, besides, I was tired and the sore wasn't a lie. "We'll talk more tomorrow." Leif said, turning his back and leaving the room before I could say anything else. I looked at the wooden door for a moment before shucking off my clothes again. I knew I'd only just put them on but I couldn't bare the thought of sleeping in them, after all, they weren't mine. I awoke about mid morning and found I was ravenous. After using the bathroom attached to the room that was now mine, I decided to explore the rest of the house. I walked to the kitchen and discovered that although it was small, it was also functional. I grabbed a slice of bread and some cold meat and washed it down with some water. I noticed there was a fine layer of dust on the surfaces in the room so decided to clean it, seeing as there was very little else to do. I'd cleaned the whole kitchen and living area by mid afternoon and began looking around for something else to do. I'd located the back door and on opening it discovered there was a thick layer of snow. It would make travelling the forest even more dangerous than it already was. I sighed to myself and said a small prayer to the Eleven, hoping my family found food and didn't worry too much about me. I shivered and shut the door, turning back inside, where it was marginally warmer. Fortune Wood Ch. 02 I awoke sometime later that day not entirely sure how I felt. I knew something had gone from me and it was more than my maidenhood. I rolled over and saw Leif laying next to me, thankfully, this time I was less surprised at his presence. I took the time to get a close examination of him in his day form. His skin was cold and smooth, he looked statue-like with a greyish hue. I knew from the other morning that he could move so wasn't as rigid as a statue but it was still a little unnerving. I wasn't entirely sure whether he was breathing or not and this was truly alarming. I swung my legs out of the warm blankets into the cold air of the wooden house the Night-walker's called their home. I gathered some clean clothes and hastily drew them on, shivering in the crisp air. I looked back at the one who had taken one of the few gifts I had had to offer a husband and threw one of the blankets over his naked body. I didn't know whether he could even get cold during the day but it made me feel slightly better. I stoked the fire in the living room back into some form of life and went in search of food for myself. The supply in the small kitchen was low but there was enough to get a stew going on the fire I'd revived in the other room. I carried the pot with a chopping board and the vegetables in it, returning for a pot of water and the dried meat I had located in one of the cupboards. I then set to cutting vegetables and dropping them in the pot. It sure gave me plenty of time to think about my situation and what I could do about it. From what I gathered, Leif; Chief Night-walker and drop dead gorgeous, had given me his blood as a healing draught when I was dying from an attack by Dire-wolves. It hadn't been willing and he made it clear he hadn't wanted me there. However, my drinking his blood had created a bond between us and we knew what each other were feeling. Things got interesting when unfiltered surges of desire had caused us to 'do the nasty' the previous night. Thinking of that nasty sent a shock-wave through me so sharp that I was left gasping for breath for a moment. I'd like to think it was more him than me but I also knew this was untrue, I was as curious about boys as the next girl and he just happened to be there. I was sure interested enough to keep my mind pondering over him as I chopped the carrots. My mind turned away from the contours of Leif's flesh and doubt began to creep in, not unlike the wind blowing in under the door. I didn't know where we could go, we were very different and I didn't know the second thing about Night-walker's. The first I had learnt a day or so ago; they didn't eat humans. But he had said I wasn't even human; I didn't even want to ponder that. I looked around the small cabin and sighed. My family would be missing me and although Leif said he would get word to them I knew it would do little to relieve their fears. I knew I should go and see them but the snow, which incidentally was still falling, had blocked all the passes. I didn't know how the Night-walker's hunted in it and I wasn't sure I wanted to find out either. I heaved the last of the veggies into the pot and threw in the meat as well. I heard myself sigh and I returned the cooking utensils back to the kitchen and put them away after cleaning them. The room was cold and I know I didn't do the best job I could but I was eager to return to the fire. I looked around the room and noticed it was in a state so decided to clean it from top to bottom. I gathered some rags and set to it. By the time I had finished I was parched and aching a bit but the room was almost gleaming. I poured myself some water and looked out the window at the falling snow, trying to let the hushed forest soothe me but I could still hear the nagging doubts in my mind. I turned my attention to the bookshelf and examined the titles a little more closely that I had before. A thought entered my mind as I spotted a book on Myths. I grabbed it and planted myself on one of the chairs in front of the fire. I scanned through it and found the section on Night-walkers. Smiling to myself I began to read. "It's mostly lies you know." came a voice behind me. "Name of the Eleven! Don't you know it's rude to sneak up on people!" I gasped. "I didn't mean to startle you." the voice replied, I looked round and saw Loretta standing behind me. "That's OK." I shrugged, "So, you mind telling me what you folks are all about?" I asked, "Seeing how I am learning nothing from here?" Loretta smiled at me, her teeth white and perfect. She flicked a black braid out of her way and sat next to me. Her veil was made of a lacy black material and she was almost beautiful. There was something ethereal about her presence and I shifted slightly to make room for her. "I will tell you what I can." she said, "We don't eat people, nor do we have much association with humans. Not here in the forest anyway." "Why?" "You have seen us during the day." she replied. "What exactly is that?" "It's... hard to explain... it's how we sleep, like you do but it's more enforced." she said, waving her hands as she spoke. "I can't describe it any other way." "What does it feel like?" "The same as sleeping does for you I imagine, time passes, we're aware of it, but not at the same time. Sometimes there are pictures while we're in Harmony. Our skin greys and everything in our body stops until the sun sets." she explained. "I think I understand." I nodded, not entirely sure but I had a better idea. "Is that the only reason you shun human-kind?" I asked. "No. There are other creatures, human but not, who pose a threat to us as well as you." "Such as?" "The Vampire, we may have similar traits but they are all evil, preying on humans for sustenance and pleasure. They kill as they see fit, we only want to be left to hunt and do as we do." "Is that where all the stories about Night-walker's come from then?" I asked, slowly becoming aware of others moving around behind me. "It is a common misconception."Loretta said with a sad smile. "We are quite different and yet similar in some ways." she added, rising. "We can continue this conversation later if you wish. I have to hunt." I nodded and watched her stretch, cat-like but there was something far more dangerous about her than the farm cat. She shot me a look that I couldn't decipher before turning away from me. I looked down at the volume on my lap and I smiled, maybe I should have just asked! I helped myself to some of the stew I had cooked and tried my best to think of nothing particular. I knew Leif was up and about because I could feel a slight tingling in the back of my mind. I wasn't sure if it had got stronger since the previous night or whether I was learning to recognise it. His feelings seemed to be associated with colours in my mind, at the moment he seemed content, which was a hazy orange. I focused on the colour and the bond and watched it changed to a yellow for excitement. I puzzled over this before realising he must be getting ready to hunt with his companions. "Not quite," I heard him say to me. I opened my eyes and say his intense blue ones looking down at me. I managed a weak smile and thought my own colour must be a deep red, like my cheeks. "Hi." I managed, knowing I sounded lame as I spoke. "You're getting more sensitive, good." he said. "Pardon me?" "We'll be ready to explore your talents soon." "Talents?" "The part of you that is not human is coming forward and that's what I want to explore in you." he said with a smile that made me glad I was sitting down. "I'm still not sure I believe that." I shrugged. "You will in time." he nodded, "I do have duties to attend to tonight, will you be all right here?" he asked "Of course." "I won't be long." "Leif. What's going to happen to me?" I replied, "I'm sure I can manage by myself for an hour or so, no worse than during the day." I knew I sounded a bit snippy but what did he think was going to happen? He gave me an odd look before turning away from me. I yawned and returned to the book I had been reading, turning the pages to the section titled Vampire instead. After a while, I found my eyes rolling and I drifted off into a strange waking dream state before the fire. I knew I was sitting in the chair but at the same time I was with the Night-walker's. It was as though I was floating just behind them as they ran through the forest, faster than anything I had seen before. It was what I imagined flying would be like. I could hear their breathing, feel their pulses and sense their agitation as they moved. The forest seemed more alive than it had ever been before. The smallest falling snow-flake sounded like an avalanche as it landed; I could sense life ducking between the trees. A deer. I couldn't make them hear me so I forced Chena's head around and made her see the red pulses that was the deer. The next moment I was soaring back up through the forest and I was above the trees. I could see the colours of life pulsing beneath me, like tiny winking stars, showing me where they were. The colours were as varied as the creatures living down there. I felt my physical body tremble and I began receding back to the cabin. The forest was withdrawing from me and there was nothing I could do about it. I desperately wanted to stay and observe the winking life lights from the great vantage point but I didn't know how to stop myself from tumbling back down. My eyes flicked open and I was back in the room in front of the now sputtering fire. I shivered and tossed another log onto the smouldering embers and poked it with a stick, making sure the wood caught. I felt heavy so flopped back into the comfortable chair and turned my thoughts to what had just happened. Before I had chance to think it through, the Night-walker's returned, carrying with them a fresh killed deer carcass. Somehow I already knew they would. I smiled weakly as Talon walked past me covered in blood and Eleven knew what else. I closed my eyes again as I felt a heavy pressure building in the front of my head. I felt a yellow presence in front of me and knew it was Leif without opening my eyes. "Now do you believe me?" he whispered. "I don't know what that was." I replied, rubbing my temples with my fore-fingers. "I've never felt anything, done anything like it." "I think I'm beginning to understand." he said. I felt him sit next to me and he picked up my feet. Placing them across his lap he began pummelling the soles with his large deft fingers. "She's expended too much energy Leif." I heard Talon say, "Leave the poor girl be, she has helped us enough for one day." "It's OK." I heard myself saying. "Don't let him exhaust you." he said with his Quillaan accent, his colour was green. I wasn't entirely sure what it meant. I was having some trouble concentrating, I felt tired all over and I could almost hear the bed calling me. Leif's fingers found a particular spot on my foot and I shivered. I felt his smile rather than saw it and I let my mind relax. Leif began speaking to me in a language I couldn't even begin to understand but his voice was soft and I felt soothed. I was vaguely aware of him turning his attention to the other foot. "You truly are tired." I heard him saying. I nodded. "I'll take you to sleep." I felt him shift his weight and knew he was carrying me to my own room. I lay there, limp and half dreaming as he carried me. His arms engulfed me and I was vaguely aware of him laying me in the bed and pulling the cool blankets over me. "We'll speak of this tomorrow, when you have recovered." he whispered, brushing his soft lips against my forehead. I muttered a response before relaxing into the blankets and letting sleep take me. It was dark when I woke up, my head pounding. I pressed my hand against my forehead and shook, instantly regretting the movement. It felt as though my brain was loose in my head and was bouncing about when I moved. I took a deep breath and swallowed, my throat dry. I noticed I was still dressed but disregarded this idea and headed for the kitchen. The Night-walker's were up and sitting at the table discussing something but I chose to ignore them. The need for water was for more pressing, I did give them a wave to not be rude. I poured myself a large glass of cool water and drank the liquid down. It was the best I had ever tasted. Feeling refreshed I returned to my room, showered and changed my clothes. This did wonders to restore me and the headache was almost a distant memory. I smiled to myself and headed back to the living room, there were questions I had that needed answers and I knew where to get them from. I entered the room and the chatter stopped as I crossed the room. Chena gave me a dark look as I pulled the empty chair out from under the table. I did my best to ignore it as I sat down. They all looked at me with severe eyes in silence and my palms began to sweat a little. I tapped my foot under the scrutiny and fixed my eyes on the table. I felt a trickle of sweat run down my back and I swallowed hard, "Did I do something wrong?" "Not exactly." Talon replied. I lifted my head to look at him and found that he wasn't smiling. "What you did had the potential to be very damaging." Francis cut in. "What did I do?" "You took over Chena during our hunt. I don't know how you managed it but you did." "It was only for a moment." Chena added. "But it's something that you shouldn't be able to do." They all began talking at once at this point and I couldn't understand much of what they were trying to say, only that they were angry with me when I had only been trying to help. I buried my hands in my hair and leaned heavily on the desk as they spoke at me, rather than to me. I felt as though I was a young child again, one who had just been caught handling my father's wood axe and was being scolded. I sighed and looked up at them all, the four of them were still talking but I could no longer hear the words. "Stop." I said, "I don't know what I did but it has offended you. I was trying to help and in doing so I have caused some unknown harm to you. For that I apologise." I paused to make sure they were all listening. "But I want to make this clear. Before I came here, I was a normal farm girl with a normal life. I did my chores, I loved my family and I was happy. I didn't have any abilities and I was happy that way." "Are you finished?" Talon asked. "Are you?" "Almost. It is clear that regardless of how you feel about it, you have these abilities and you must learn to control them." Loretta said, the glimmer of a smile on her face. "I don't even know what I am." I said, my voice coming out in a small thread rather than the strong noise it should be. "I have a good idea about that." came Leif's voice, silent up until now. "But I don't know for sure yet." "I'm not going to hurt anyone am I?" "I don't know but if what I suspect is true, we may well have to take a trip to see someone who will know more." Leif said, the colours of those around me dropped into a dark shade of grey: fear. "We cannot leave here." whispered Chena. "I'm not asking you all to, not yet. There are things we can do here but if we cannot find the answers within these wooden walls then we shall have to swap them for stone ones." Leif said, his voice boded no argument. "For now, I will talk with Freyja and we will do what we can." The silence that followed was palpable and I just wanted to leave. I pushed my chair back and rose from the table. I felt a flicker of green follow me as I moved away but ignored the emotion; maybe it wouldn't be that hard to control whatever it was that was flowing through my veins. I grabbed a book and returned to my own room, letting the Night-walker's discuss whatever it was they had to discuss. The candles in my room gave off enough light to read by and I planted myself on the comfortable bed and opened the volume. I found the words blurring in front of my eyes and knew that my mind wasn't interested in reading. I shut my eyes and saw the colours in the opposite room, ranging from the grey of fear to the flame red of anger. I could feel Leif's frustration filtering through the link we shared and I felt saddened that I had brought such trouble to these beings, maybe it would have been better to have left me in the forest. I gave myself a mental slap for such thoughts, my life was just changing, that didn't mean it was going to be bad, just different. My thought turned to the night we had spent together the other night and I shivered, there was something spectacular about the things he did and I really wanted him to do them again. I suddenly knew that it was the loss of my maidenhead that had caused these changes within myself and I realised that this would have happened regardless who took it. It was not the fault of the Night-walkers. I felt a whisper of approval and desire filter through the bond and I smiled to myself. I looked with my second sight at the colour that I knew was Leif and decided I wanted to try something. I slipped my hand up the tunic I was wearing and brushed my fingertip over my sensitive skin. I have an ample curvy figure, one I was not always happy with but I knew its sensitive places. I hesitated a moment, wondering what consequences this would have for me, before giving my right nipple a gentle squeeze. I hardened under my fingers as I pressed it between my thumb and fore-finger. The shiver reached my spine in a shuddering shock and I had to keep myself from giggling aloud. I gave my nipple another squeeze before turning my second sight to the other room again. One of the reds had turned to a deep shade of purple and I smiled, removing my hand from my chest. I knew in that moment that I had a power over Leif, I suspected it would work the other way as well. I shrugged mentally and returned my hand to idly playing with my nipples. I revelled in the melting sensation that had begun sliding between my legs. I heard my door open softly and I sat up, already knowing who it was standing there watching me, "Don't stop on my count." He whispered, his muscular arms folded across the expanse of his chest. He was leaning against the door frame, his blonde head facing me as I lay there. I could see his blue eyes full of untamed fire as they looked at me, waiting for my invite to join me. "What are you going to teach me tonight?" I whispered, knowing my voice was heavy with unspent lust. He smiled at me, one filled with lust and desire, I wanted to gobble him up where he stood and slake my trembling need. "I'm pleased to see you're more eager to learn about me than you are about yourself." he said, raising an eyebrow. "Can we forget about that for the moment?" I asked, not wanting to discuss it any further for the time being. "Of course," he shrugged, walking over to the bed with a swagger that on anyone else would be arrogant. "What would you like to learn this evening?" he asked. I leaned forward and tucked a blonde lock behind his ear, trying to stop my hand from shaking. His eyes followed mine, I brought my lips up to meet his. I felt him flinch a fraction before relaxing, allowing me to kiss him, as he had done to me before. I could smell the woods in his hair and the moonlight seemed to exude from his skin as I felt his lips part and his tongue brush against my own. His fingers pushed through my thick dark hair and urged me to deepen the kiss I was giving. His height made the kiss awkward at this angle and I urged him to flop next to me. His weight caused the fluffy mattress to dip and I tumbled into his laugh with a suppressed giggle. Leif's strong arms caught me and pulled me onto his lap. The melting sensation reappeared as I felt his hardening bulge press against my outer thigh, I could certainly get used to this. I felt his lips brush the nape of my neck and I kissed the top of his head, his hair soft under my lips. He reached my clavicle and nibbled it before looking up at me. "Relax." he whispered before pushing me back onto the bed. "Scoot up." he indicated. He knelt between my legs and kept his eyes on me as I gazed right back. Fortune Wood Ch. 02 "What are you doing?" I asked. His hands pawed at my belt and he soon had my pants off. I tucked my legs up, feeling a little exposed in nothing by my little panties. "I'm not going to hurt you. This is your next lesson." he said, his hand knocked my knees apart and traced a line up my thighs. I quivered as his finger stopped at my shivering pussy, he grazed over the fabric of my panties and down my other thigh. He repeated the motion, always glazing over the one part of me which desired his attentions the most. His fingers worked their way up the the waistline of my panties and worked them down over my hips, I was powerless to resist and shifted my weight to help the process. He leaned over and placed his lips on my stomach, below my navel and I sucked in a breath as I felt one of those large fingers slip inside me. "God's" I whispered, half in surprise and half in pleasure. Leif inched himself down the bed and I suddenly felt his cool tongue nudge my melting nub and I was water all over again. His tongue curled around and his finger moved at the same time and I felt myself clench around him. He flicked my clit and a heard a whimper escape my voice, "Leif..." I muttered as the motion send a wave of watery delight through me. My leg tensed and I felt a fire building from the water in the small of my back. The motion he was making with his tongue seemed to intensify and there was nothing else in the world except the sensation he was creating and a closeness that seemed to grow in my mind. I seemed to reach a stillness, a tension in my body, like a water duct that had been blocked awaiting release. Leif moved his face away from my tension and smiled at me. He blew a gentle breath onto my clit and that was all it took. I felt all the stillness and tension flood away from me and I plummeted back down to the chaos that was the sensations running through me. I shivered uncontrollably and drew in ragged breath after ragged breath. The convulsions were intense; like I was drowning. The waves lessened and I was deposited by the sea onto a warm beach. My breathing slowed and I let out a sigh. "That good?" I heard Leif ask. I managed a feeble nod and he bounced up the bed to lay next to me. He kissed me again and I tasted myself on his lips. I could feel his desire flowing through the bond and I knew I wanted him too. I stroked his hair as he wiggled out of his clothes. His form was so well sculpted, it could have been a statue, there was real power in those muscles and it made me glad he was on my side. I gulped as he lay next to me naked, there really was nothing small about the Night-walker and I admitted I was still new, eager but new. "Don't be scared." he said. I noticed his fangs had extended and I smiled. "Are you going to bite me?" I asked. "Not tonight." he replied, "The hunt..." he said in explanation. The candle light flickered over his perfect body, the shadows danced over his skin, all I wanted to do was touch him. He ran his hand through my hair and down onto my shoulder. It flowed to my waist and suddenly I was being hoisted through the air and I was sat straddling the Night-walker. I felt his cock squashed between my wet pussy and his body and I grinned despite myself. "Not so bad." he laughed. "No." I replied, rubbing the tip of his cock as it poked between our bodies. I saw his eyes shiver upwards as I touched him and smiled. I lifted my body and brought my weight down on his length. The sensation as I slid down was divine and I had to take a few seconds to accustom myself to him being inside me. I clenched a little and Leif pulled a face before pushing upwards. I squealed and let my body fall forward. He caught me with those big hands and pushed again. I rocked forward as he did so and he nodded. His hands grabbed a hold of my hips and held me in place as he thrust upwards. I let myself go and pushed downwards to meet him. I watched his face flicker as his movements caused me to tense around him. I felt his hands curl around to the small of my back and cup my ass as he pushed upwards ever deeper. My heart pounded in my chest, so hard I thought it would burst out my chest. His rhythmic thrusts caused my breath to raggedly escape my lungs and I felt the water rising to take me again. I wasn't sure how but a moan escaped my lips, Leif's expression changed as I cried out; sort of like a smile in a distracted way. It reminded me of riding in a perverse way so I flicked my hips forward as he moved upwards. He groaned and his hands gripped my ass as I met his thrusts. I felt my legs begin to cramp up again, Leif must have felt something because his thumb was suddenly pressing against my nub. It was too much, I felt the wave suck me under again and the feeling of floating took over. I let the waves clench through my body, transferring the sensation to Leif. His mouth opened in a silent scream and his forced me down on his cock with his hands in one final thrust. I could feel his orgasm through the bond and everything when white for a moment. My breathing stopped and I let my mouth open as I screwed my eyes shut. The sensations streaming from my orgasm washed over me again and again until I felt I was drowning. I drew in a ragged breath and let my eyes open, I was seeing spots prickle in front of my vision and I wasn't sure if my legs would work. I looked down at the Night-walker between my legs and gave a weak smile. For a brief moment I thought I felt him shiver. The colour of sexual contentment seemed to be a deep red, so deep it was almost brown. His hands caressed my waist before lifting me off and placed me next to him on the bed. I snuggled into the crook of his arm and he planed his lips on my hair, "I hope you enjoyed your lesson." he whispered. "Yes," I managed weakly. "When we both wake tomorrow, we're going to work on that gift of yours. I need to know what you are but for now, you should get some rest." "What about you?" I asked, not wanting him to leave me just yet. "I'll stay if you wish." I nodded, feeling comforted by his nearness. I felt his large hand wrap around my shoulder and I closed my eyes. I knew sleep was coming fast and couldn't fight it. I let it claim me and I would worry about everything in the morning. Fortune Wood I left the kitchen and walked the hall to the main living room, the table was in one corner of the room and I noticed there were now six tables instead of five. I smiled and felt I had won a small victory. There were comfortable seats around a huge fireplace, a bookshelf containing many large volumes was next to it and I got the feeling me and it would be well acquainted before I left. I threw a couple of logs onto the low banked fire and grabbed a volume from the shelf and settled into the chair nearest the fire. I opened the volume and found it contained mythological stories from the northern islands. I knew a few of the old legends and wanted to know more, now seemed a perfect time to learn. I found my eyes growing heavy as I read the pages and I found myself drifting off. A large hand settled on my shoulder and I jumped, "Way to sneak up on a girl." I snapped. I looked around and there was Leif standing over me, his face stern but not unfriendly. He had a bowl of hot soup in his other hand. "I thought you may be hungry." he said, his voice low and gravelly. "Thank you." I smiled, knowing he was trying his best to make up for being such a jerk the previous night. He nodded as I put the book aside, he raised a blond eyebrow as he noticed what I was reading. "Good choice." he said, leaning against the arm of the chair I was currently occupying. I couldn't help notice the size of his hands again and I smiled despite myself. I noticed his other eyebrow joined his raised one and he turned away from me. I flushed and concentrated furiously on eating my soup, which was amazing. "Who made this?" "I did." Chena's voice said, I heard her approach and was relieved when she sat in one of the chairs near me. Leif was becoming a little distracting to be around, I wasn't sure whether it was his blood or something else but it was distracting none the less. "What is it made from?" "Vegetables mainly, there is very little in the way of hunting out there at the moment but there is a small amount of deer in it." she explained. "Do you cook much?" "Yes." "Well, I can do that for you." I replied, "You guys can't move during the day so I can fix it up before you all awake." "Makes sense." Chena nodded. "I may as well earn my keep while I'm here." I shrugged, "And it will give me something to do as well. Seeing how I'm going to be here a while." She exchanged a glance with Leif who nodded an assent. I let a breath escape me and turned my attention back to the soup. I finished it and moved to get up but Leif took the bowl from me and walked away. I looked after him and gave a shrug, picking up my book again. I looked across at Chena for a moment. "What's on your mind?" "What do you do for fun around here?" I asked. "Hmm." she frowned, "I don't know what you mean, we hunt a fair bit in the forest, we read a lot. We mate." she grinned, flashing her white teeth at me. "Pardon me?" I asked, not sure if I had heard her right. "I'm sure you heard me." she replied, her eyes looking towards Leif, who was standing looking on in the doorway looking on. I remained silent for a moment, a little flustered at her frankness. "Only with our mates." she added when she saw my confused look. "I'm not sure if that helps." I stammered. She smiled again. "I'll leave that thought with you." she said raising to her feet. I wondered her meaning for a while before returning to the book I had decided to read. I could hear them all discussing the various chores they had. I heard the door open and close several times before there was silence, I was alone once again; it was going to be a long winter. I buried myself in the book I was reading and focused on the words, trying not to think of my family back home, how they would be missing me and maybe even looking for me. "I'll send a message to them, let them know you are safe." "Don't you know how rude that is." I replied, "Sneaking up on people and listening to their thoughts." "Is it?" "Yes." Leif was carrying a large pile of wood and began stocking up the pile beside the fire. I could see his shoulder muscles moving under his shirt and I had to look elsewhere, guarding my thoughts was going to become a priority for me when he was around it seemed. "I'll try my best not to do it, if you'll be more comfortable." "I'd appreciate you telling my people I'm alive." I said, by way of apology. I let the silence hang for a moment, the only noise was the pop of the fire and the sound of the wood being stacked. "Are you not hunting tonight?" I asked eventually. "No." he replied, "How are your wounds?" "Better. I think moving about today helped." "Thank you." he said with a small nod. "Welcome." He pulled a book from the shelf and sat in one of the other chairs, he opened the volume and began reading. I turned my attention to my own pages and resumed where I had left off. The silence became comfortable as we both read our respective books and after a while I looked over at him. His huge hands dwarfed the volume he currently held and the way his hair fell gave him the look of absolute concentration. I could smell his musky scent from where I was sitting and found it not altogether unattractive. I wondered what it was and as I watched him from my half closed eyes I saw a slight flush raise on his smooth white skin. My eyes looked at his firm chest and I tried to imagine what it would be like to, "Please stop." he said, not looking up from his book. "It's making me a little..." "Stop what?" I asked. "Looking at me like that." "Oh God's I am sorry." I stammered, "I had no idea." he looked up from his book and there was a look of animalistic longing in his eyes. He was up and sat next to me before I could blink, pushing his fingers through my dark hair. "I..." "Please, leave such thoughts alone." he said, almost pleading with me. I nodded and gave him a nervous smile, I had to admit as he leaned close to me I was a little scared. I felt him breath in my own scent and he nodded, "It's my blood in you, it has other... effects on humans." "What do you mean." I could feel the warmth emanating from his body and I had to force myself to remain at this distance from him. His eyes remained focused on my face, softening as he licked his lips, he leaned forward and I shut my eyes blocking out all my thoughts of him. I could feel him close to me and he traced a long finger down my jaw line. "It makes you more receptive." he said, I knew he was struggling to find the right words so I tried to picture the nastiest thing I could. It was the Dire-wolf who had first attacked me. "Good Girl." he whispered. I felt his tongue brush my ear and I shuddered despite myself. "You're not helping." I replied, trying to focus on the fangs of the wolf. "My apologies." his breath brushed against my neck and he planted his mouth at the base of my neck, I swallowed and in the next moment he was gone. I took a couple of deep breaths before opening my eyes. He was back where he had been reading his book as though nothing had happened. "What was that about?" I asked "You watch me as though I am something you like the look of. At the moment I am connecting with you because you have my blood in you. Night-walkers are sexual creatures Freyja, some of the rumours you've heard are true." The way he said this was so frank I could not help blush. I may be twenty summers old but I'd never known a man that way before. I was sure curious about guys like most girls but the way these folks spoke about it was a little embarrassing. "Curiosity is healthy for you," Leif said, "But not with me." "God's damn it." I said, "Cut it out. I am allowed to look ain't I?" "I'd rather you didn't." "Fine." I said, getting to my feet. "Where are you going?" "Somewhere I can be alone." I retorted, "I clearly can't stay in this room with you. "Probably for the best."he replied. I knew his eyes were on me as I left the room. I awoke the next morning to find Leif laying there next to me. He was as cold and unmoving as though he was made of stone, He was half dressed and his leg was over the ankle of my own, his arm over my waist. I had no recollection of him joining me or what had happened the night before and I wasn't sure why he was there. His arm was heavy and it took most of my strength to heave it off me. I wriggled out of the bed and in a moment of sympathy I threw the cover over his body, not wanting him to get cold. I went to the bathroom and showered using the fresh heated water system they had somehow installed. The water brought me out of my stupor and I suddenly felt angry. Leif had no right to climb into my bed after dismissing me. I stomped out the room, shooting him a look I knew he would not see, I thought my anger at him but got no reaction so stormed into the kitchen. I grabbed pots and pans and clammered around until my anger faded. By the time I had finished, my feet were sore and I wanted nothing more than a hot drink and to sit down. I grabbed my book, which I was enjoying and found the couch, which I was also enjoying. The book had become suddenly interesting and this time I had no trouble staying awake reading. That night, the Walkers awoke and they all went hunting. The house was very empty without them and they awoke and went straight out so I didn't get a chance to confront Leif. They came back late and from the sounds of it they were less than successful. I sent glowering thoughts at Leif and he seemed to get the message. The other four disappeared after eating and he was left in the room alone with me. He sat down in the same place as the night before and began reading. I glowered at him and he soon became restless. I watched him shift his weight a few times, eventually he got up and began pacing the floor. I could hear his heavy breathing and he turned to face me, "What is it?" he demanded. "What is wrong with you?" I asked. "What?" he frowned, crossing his arms across his chest. "You blow me off and practically tell me you don't want me looking at you, then you climb into bed with me? What's that all about? And now your acting as though nothing as happened." I replied, "I don't care what you are, that's not what you do." "I was wondering about that too." he said, "You dreamt of me I think." "So you got into bed with me?" He shot across the floor and was looking into my eyes, his bored into mine and I shifted in my seat. Leif remained perfectly still as he examined me, I tried to keep my mind clear and I knew he was trying to read me. He moved closer until his nose was almost touching my own, he seemed to be drinking me in, searching me to the very core. "If I have offended you, I am sorry." he whispered. "It's just not how we do things." I said, unable to tear my eyes from his. "Then how do you do such things." "Well, first you have to ask my father whether you can court me." I said, he moved away from me and sat on the sofa next to me, he pushed his blond hair from his face and I smiled despite myself. I couldn't imagine how someone so huge could be so graceful. "And then?" "Well, you'd take me out some place and after a while, we'd get married." "Married?" "Yes," I replied. "How do your people survive." he said, more to himself than anyone else. "How do you go about acquiring a... partner than?" I asked, curious about how these creatures lived. "I can show you if you like." he said, grinning wolfishly. I was unsure whether I really wanted to know or not. "Why are you alone?" I asked. He frowned at me and I knew I had said the wrong thing. "I'm sorry." I said instantly. The frown lessened a little and he took in a deep breath. "For the moment you have my undivided attention." he said. His arms plucked me out of my comfortable chair and plopped me on his lap. "Leif..." I said, trying to keep the nervousness out of my voice. "God's I can't get your thoughts out my head." he whispered, pulling my hair from my neck, his lips brushed my neck and I shivered despite myself. I felt his teeth scrap my neck and I knew he was smiling when he stopped. The soft tunic he wore brushed against my skin and I felt his firm muscular form underneath. I laid a trembling hand on his chest and he smiled down at me. "Are you shaking because you're afraid of me?" he asked. "Yes... No... Maybe a little." I replied. All of a sudden his mouth was on mine, his lips were soft on mine, his large hand pushed through my hair and held the back of my neck as he kissed me. I didn't know how old he was but he'd clearly had a lot of practice at kissing. His tongue caressed my lips, questing to find mine. I let myself melt into him, let his arms support my weight as my body sagged under his heavy kiss. His tongue brushed my own and he tasted like sunlight. I wasn't sure how seeing how he seemed to become immobile in the sun but the way he tasted sure reminded me of sun light days spent basking in the sun. He pushed his tongue further into my mouth and he seemed to want to suck mine out. I didn't mind, he was so beautiful and he was interested in me, the farmer's daughter. His hands were on my body, exploring the contours as best they could while I was clothed. His lips deserted mine and I pouted a little at that. They reconnected to my neck and I let out a moan. "Forgive me." he whispered. "For what?" I murmured, running my own hand up his tunic. "This." he said and I felt him bite my neck. I let out a squeal but the pain soon faded as he suckled on the wound he had just made. It felt a bit strange to start with but from the way he was touching me and the effect I seemed to be having on him it seemed OK. I let my eyes close and shuddered as his hand descended and rested on my stomach. "What are you doing." I whispered not minding at all. He growled a little and returned his mouth to my own. My blood was still on his lips and I could taste it as he kissed me, deeply. I could taste the metalic tang as he caressed my tongue with his own. He broke his connection with me and smiled. "It's what we do." he whispered. "Not often and only from those we make love to." he kissed me again and I parted my lips, inviting him in and brushing my own tongue against his. He seemed a little surprised but yielded to me, allowed me to explore his coppery mouth at my leisure. He had fangs. I didn't remember them being there before but found them interesting. I probed them with my tongue a bit and felt his arms curl around my waist. I touched his tongue with my own and he caressed mine back. "Where these here earlier?" I muttered. "They extend when we're hunting." he replied, brushing his lips against my cheek, "and when we're getting ready to make love." I flushed a little but he touched his hand to my chin and looked into my eyes. "I won't hurt you." he kissed me again as reassurance and his arms drew me against his chest. I felt so small against his giant form, safe almost. "I believe you." I smiled. He shifted his weight, moving me along with him as though I was light as air. "oh my." I said, swallowing had as I noticed the effect my thoughts, blood and kisses had taken on him. He laid a kiss on my clavicle and I shivered at his touch. I did my best to ignore the distortion in his pants and he smiled at me with an open mouthed grin. Leif scooped my up and crossed the room to my bedroom in two strides. He kicked the door shut behind him and laid me gently on the bed. His eyes drank me in as he laid beside me and I tried my best to bury my nerves. "You be nice to me." I said. "I swear." He kissed me then, laying those soft lips on my own, urging my lips apart and bombarding my tongue with his own. His hand pushed through my hair again, he seemed to like my hair and his hands were amazing so I didn't mind. I brought my own hand up to his sandy hair and pushed it behind his ear. I let my fingers brush against the back of his neck and I felt a slight shudder go through his body. I let my hand push up his tunic and I traced my nails over the hard lines of his torso. His kiss deepened, he flicked his tongue against mine and his hand strayed down my chest and back up my top. His hand kneaded my breast, his fingertips squeezed my nipple, it hardened under his deft fingers and a let a little squeak escape my mouth as he did so. "Leif." I whispered. "Just relax." He took a hold of my trembling hand and kissed my fingers lightly, like butterfly wings brushing. He nipped one with one of his fangs and sucked on the wound as we lay there facing each other. I watched as his eyes grew glassy for a moment, finding it odd what he was doing. He stopped then and the look he gave me was one of abject longing, the blue eyes almost painful to look into. I disentangled my hand from his ran it along his side and watched him shudder with what I hoped was pleasure. I let it trail on his hip and my gaze turned again to the disruption that seemed to be taking place right near my hand. I heard, rather than saw his smile and he nuzzled my neck trying to reassure me. Leif's hands suddenly seemed to be on me everywhere at once; one moment he was forcing my warm knitted tunic over my head, the next he was working his hands down the front of the soft pants I had been loaned, his mouth was hot on my breast, that deft tongue of his working some kind of magic with my nipple. I moaned as his long fingers parted my lips and pressed against the nub there. His touch sent ripples through me that I had never felt before, it verged on the point of being painful but I forced myself not to jerk away. I gasped as he pushed one of those delightful fingers inside me and let it settle there. "You really are new to this." he whispered, drawing away from me for just a moment. I muttered an apology to which he just laughed and kissed me. He pushed his finger against me again and another wave washed over me. I contented to let him explore me more thoroughly, mostly with his tongue, I tried to relax as best I could and the hot waves that passed over me, emanating from the magic his fingers were working. His mouth covered mine and I felt a tension build in me, something I'd never felt before. I felt my legs quiver, as though I was getting a cramp, only more wonderful. Leif pressed further, insistently moving those fingers of his and I felt my lower back arching. I felt as though I was climbing a vertical wall, and at the top there was something wonderful waiting for me. I heard myself moan and the wall I was climbing fell away and I was left floating, the cramp that had built in my leg evaporated. The Moment passed and I let out a wail as Leif's finger hovered over my quivering nub. He applied just the right amount of pressure and I fell. My leg quivered and I jerked sharply, gasping for breath. The ripples were still flowing through me as I relaxed back into the sheets. Leif's lips brushed mine and he was smiling right up to his eyes. "That was..." I said, trying to explain what had just happened. He removed his hands from my pants and licked his finger with a grin. He scooped me against him and I was no longer bothered that his hardness was pressing into me with insistence. We lay silent for a moment and I put my arms around him, nuzzling against his chest. I plucked up the courage to put my hand on his cute butt and he actually laughed in a low soft way. I took this as a good sign and gave a squeeze. I brushed my hand around to his hip and paused for a moment. I felt his hand grip my wrist firmly and place it on his firm cock. "I know you're nervous of me, I don't need to hear your thoughts to know that." he whispered, his blonde hair brushing my cheek. I noticed the softness of it and I pressed my hand against his length, exploring him through the pants he wore. There was nothing small about Leif. Anywhere. I heard him inhale sharply as I moved my hand to the tip and back again. He seemed content to let me explore a little. His body responded to my touch and I felt his cock bounce under my touch. His hand drew mine away from him and he sat up. Leif removed his shirt and unbuckled his belt. His pants fell to the floor and he grinned at me. I knew my eyes were wide but only partly because of his erection. He looked like one of those statues in Quillaa, of white skinned sculpted Gods with perfect muscle definition. Leif was perfectly formed in every way. He was suddenly tugging at my pants and was pulling them off. Fortune Wood I didn't have time to worry about being naked, he was laying over me,his hands supporting his weight, "You look so beautiful." he whispered, leaning down and kissing me. He put one of his large hands under my hip and inserted one of those long fingers inside me. "This may be a little uncomfortable." he whispered and my eyes went wide, "Do not fear me." he almost demanded. He withdrew his fingers and I ached for their return. I was so hot for him I felt I would burst into flames if he didn't do something. I thought I had been ready for him. I was quivering all over and I had never been so wet before but I still cried out from the shock of his push inside me. He remained still for a moment, letting me get accustomed to him being inside me. I drew in a deep breath and turned my eyes to his, his ice blue pools were more animated than I had ever seen them before. He kissed my neck when he saw my nerves and withdrew a little, "Isn't so bad." he said as he felt me clench against his shaft. He pushed forward again, questing deeper inside me and I squeaked a little. I let my legs curl around his waist instinctively and he thrust forward again. I found his movements were more comfortable with my legs around him and if I brought my hips to meet his thrusts, it sent a tingling down the bottom of my spine which spread upward with each thrust. His strong arm snaked around under my waist and brought me up to meet his every push. I could see his fully extended fangs and his eyes took on a gleam that made him look a little crazed. He sped up then and I moaned louder than I wanted to. "Leif." I quavered as I felt a gathering tension growing inside my stomach. His mouth clamped down on my breast and his fangs sank in; it didn't hurt but it did surprise me. I flinched and he stopped for a moment, his eyes questioning me. he renewed his pushing in earnest. He sucked on the blood that was pooling on my breast and I felt my back beginning to tense again. A wave of fire ran through me as he moved and I felt a golden wave flowing around me. I was vaguely aware of my body beginning to tremble but the wave was sweeping me away from that. I moved in time to Leif's thrusting, He held my hips and his pace increased. I tensed and I gripped him, digging my nails into his well formed back. He moaned and his mouth was on mine again. The wave pulled me under and I couldn't resist any more. I jerked under him and my back arched. I was with the clouds and rain at that moment and I felt that nothing else mattered. Motions of exquisite pleasure rolled over me again and again. Leif gave a couple of thrusts and I heard him cry out in a language I didn't understand. He flopped down next to me, a pleasant expression on his face. A few silent moments passed and I found my breathing was returning to normal. "That was..." I breathed. He pushed one of those skilled hands through my hair and drew me close to him. "wonderful." he whispered, finishing my sentence for me. I felt a radiant glow flowing through my body and I nestled close to him. I knew he was watching me; I also knew my eyes were growing heavy. "Sleep." he murmured, planting a kiss on my forehead, "I will watch over you for the night." Somehow I felt safer with his arms around me and I found for the first time since I got here that it was safe to do so. Sleep came quickly to me that night.