The smoke slowly cleared, and I stepped out of the broken Veil, feeling the cold air brush against my bare skin.
I was in human form, the same height, the same muscles, the same face. But inside, I was not the same man anymore.
I could feel it in my bones, in my blood. A heavy power, like a sleeping dragon had finally opened its eyes inside me. It hummed under my skin, ready to roar at a moment's call.
The villagers watched with wide, terrified eyes. Some backed away. Some dropped to their knees. Even the warriors, who once looked at me like an enemy, now looked like they were seeing a god.
I didn't care about them. I didn't care if my little man, between my legs dangled to entertain them. I moved forward, my bare feet making no sound on the cracked ground.
Millicent, the Plume Queen, tried to stand tall, but I saw the way her hands shook at her sides. I saw the way her throat bobbed when she swallowed hard, forcing herself to meet my gaze.
I approached her. Voices filled my head, cold and sharp. Kill her. Kill them all. Take what is yours.
I closed my eyes for a second, breathing through the madness. No. I wasn't a monster. I would not become the beast they feared.
When I opened my eyes again, I spoke, my voice low but clear. "Bring me something to wear,"
Millicent flinched like I had struck her, then quickly nodded to one of the warriors. The woman sprinted away and came back with a long, dark cloth, thick enough to wrap around my waist.
I took it without a word, tying it firmly. Then, ignoring them all, I turned and began walking away, out of the village, the way we came, even as dusk approached.
"Wait!" Behind me, Millicent called out, her voice shaky.
I stopped but didn't turn around.
"You...you should stay for the night," she said, stepping forward slowly, like I was a wild animal that might snap at her throat.
I lifted my head slightly. "And if I refuse?"
She opened her mouth, but before she could answer, the ground rumbled under our feet.
Everyone gasped.
I turned and looked up. The black cloud, the Veil, had returned, swirling back into the sky as if it had never left.
This time, it hovered calmly, no longer threatening.
The villagers cheered, shouting and crying in relief. Some dropped to their knees, chanting prayers to their Goddess.
Millicent's eyes widened in excitement. She stumbled a step closer, her eyes fixed on the cloud.
"Do you still want me to stay?" My voice pulled her attention back to me.
"Please," she said. "Stay."
I watched her for a long moment, then gave a single nod.
She let out a breath she had been holding and quickly ordered two young warriors to lead me to a guest room.
We crossed through the heart of the village, passing huts made of white wood and stone, with thick vines curling up the walls. But the house they led me to was different.
It was larger than the rest, sitting on a small hill overlooking the village. The walls were carved with strange, flowing patterns that glowed faintly under the moonlight.
There were even guards posted outside, standing stiffly like statues, their eyes darting away when I looked at them. They were all females.
Inside, the room was simple but rich. The floor was covered in thick, soft furs. A low bed sat in the center, the mattress stuffed so high it looked like a throne. A table in the corner held a silver basin of water and neatly folded towels.
Then on another table were litted lanterns, glowing dimly.
The windows were wide, letting in the cool night air, but covered with soft drapes that could be pulled closed for warmth.
I was still looking around when the door opened again. Two young women entered, carrying trays of food. They bowed low before me, setting the trays down carefully on a small table near the bed.
The food smelled good, too good to ignore. There was roasted meat, dripping with juice. Fresh bread, still warm from the fire. A bowl of sweet-smelling fruits, berries, melons, and strange golden apples. And a cup of something steaming, tea or maybe a light broth.
The girls backed away, kneeling by the door, heads bowed. They now treat me like a king. I was a king where I come from. The Grand Alpha of Crescent Mont Province.
I didn't hesitate. I sat down and began to eat. Maybe in another time, I would have been careful, fearing poison. But now, I could feel it, whatever lived inside me after the Veil would crush anything they dared to sneak into my food.
I tore into the meat with sharp teeth, the rich, salty flavor filling my mouth. I ate the bread, soft and buttery, and drank the tea, which tasted of herbs and smoke. The more I ate, the more stronger I felt.
When I finished, I leaned back, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. I was just about to lie down when the door creaked open again.
Two women stepped in. They were naked. Their skin was painted with gold dust, catching the light of the small lanterns in the room.
Their long hair flowed down their backs, loose and wild. Their hips swayed as they walked closer, moving like dancers.
I didn't move, and thankfully, my groin didn't react.
They came to the edge of the bed, smiling shyly. One leaned down, letting her hair brush my chest.
The other knelt by my side, touching my arm lightly with her fingers.
They must have been sent to pleasure me. A reward. Or maybe a distraction.
My heart squeezed tight. Vanessa's face flashed in my mind. Her laugh. Her scent. Her stubborn, beautiful smile.
I wouldn't cheat on my mate. Good thing I wasn't dead, only thrown back to time. I believed I would find my way back, to my time and my mate.
I closed my eyes for a moment, breathing deeply. When I opened them, my voice was hard.
"Leave,"
The two women froze, glancing at each other in confusion. The one by my arm leaned closer.
"We were sent to—"
"I said leave," I cut her off, sharper now.
They hesitated a second longer, then quickly gathered themselves, backing away. Before they slipped out the door, I spoke one more time, my voice softer but unbreakable.
"I don't want anyone else. Not now. Not ever."
They bowed their heads and left, closing the door behind them.
I sat there for a long time, staring at the empty room. Outside, the village slowly quieted, the chants dying away into the night.
I walked to the window, pulling the drapes apart. The Veil still floated above the village, but it was calm now.
I let the drapes fall shut, then walked back to the bed. It was large and soft, covered with thick blankets stitched with gold threads.
The mattress welcomed my weight as I lay down. For the first time in days, I closed my eyes without fear. I was safe here. At least for tonight.
Deep into the night, a scream shattered the silence. I jerked awake, my heart slamming against my ribs.
Another scream followed, this time closer. I threw the covers aside and sprang to my feet.
Boots pounded the ground outside. Men and women shouted. The sound of clashing steel tore through the air.
My hands curled into fists as I rushed to the window and yanked it open. Below, the village was in chaos. Torches blazed in the darkness.
Figures in dark cloaks stormed through the paths, dragging villagers out of their homes. Some of them carried strange weapons, long spears that crackled with a sick green light.
Millicent and her warriors fought back fiercely, but they were being overpowered.
And then I saw him, a tall figure cloaked in red, his eyes glowing gold in the dark. He pointed straight at my room. Straight at me. A cruel smile twisted his lips.
My blood turned cold. They hadn't come for the villagers.
They had come for me.