CHAPTER 370: THE LITTLE THINGS

Winter/Sylthara~

I lay there in Nick’s lap, my eyes squeezed shut, pretending to drift into slumber while my mind spun like a whirlwind of shadows. The weight of his questions pressed down on me, each one a thread threatening to unravel the fragile web of lies I’d spun. How could I reveal the truth? That my life had been a labyrinth of darkness, hiding in realms where light dared not tread, with Vaelthor as my only anchor? No, I couldn’t. So I feigned sleep, my breaths slowing to a rhythm that mimicked peace, even as guilt clawed at my insides like the nightmares I could weave with a whisper.

But as his fingers continued to stroke my hair—gentle, rhythmic, like a lullaby from a world I barely knew—something shifted. The tension in my body eased, the fears that had haunted me like persistent ghosts began to fade into the background. The warmth of his touch, the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath my cheek, the scent of pine and earth mingling with his unique musk—it all wrapped around me like a protective shroud. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, I let go. My pretend sleep melted into the real thing, deep and dreamless, untainted by the dream-walking that often plagued my nights. It was the best sleep of my life, a stolen moment of bliss in a existence defined by survival and shadows.

I didn’t know how long I slumbered, but when awareness trickled back, it came with the soft brush of Nick’s voice, warm and close, like sunlight piercing through clouds. "Winter... hey, beautiful. Time to wake up. We should head back before it gets too dark."

My eyelids fluttered open, and I blinked up at him, disoriented for a heartbeat. The forest around us had shifted; the sun hung lower, casting golden hues through the leaves, turning the woods into a canvas of amber and green. His dark eyes met mine, that brooding intensity softened by a smile, but there was something else there—a flicker in his gaze, a tightness around his mouth that sent a ripple of unease through me. It was like a shadow passing over his features, gone in an instant, but enough to make my heart stutter.

I sat up slowly, rubbing my eyes, my voice still thick with sleep. "Nick? Is everything okay? You look... I don’t know, like something’s bothering you."

He shook his head, his smile widening, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. "I’m fine, Winter. Really. Just thinking about how peaceful this is. Come on, let’s get moving."

I wanted to press him, to peel back that layer of cocky assurance and see what lay beneath, but the words caught in my throat. Instead, I nodded, forcing a small smile as he stood and stretched, his muscles rippling under his shirt. Gods, he was breathtaking—tall, lean, with that black hair tousled by the wind, framing his sharp features. But before I could dwell on it, he started peeling off his clothes again, casual as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

My cheeks flamed instantly, heat rushing to my face like a wildfire. I spun around, staring fixedly at the gnarled oak tree, my hands clasped tightly in front of me. "Nick! Warn a girl next time!"

His laughter echoed through the trees, deep and genuine, laced with that magnetic charm that always made my pulse race. "Oh, come on, Winter. You’ve seen it all before—twice today, actually. And like I said, it’s all yours. No need to blush like a schoolgirl."

I peeked over my shoulder, unable to resist, and caught a glimpse of his toned back, the play of light on his skin as he folded his shirt neatly. My breath hitched. How could someone like me—a creature of darkness, born from vengeance and shadows—be granted such a sight? It was beautiful, raw, and utterly human in a way I’d never experienced. The vulnerability in his nakedness contrasted with his hybrid strength, and it stirred something deep within me, a mix of awe and longing that made my chest ache.

"Easy for you to say," I muttered, my voice shaky with embarrassment and a hint of laughter. "You’re used to this shifter stuff. I’m... well, I’m not."

He turned then, fully facing me, his dark eyes sparkling with mischief as he stepped into his pants—no, wait, he hadn’t yet. I squeaked and averted my gaze again, thrusting his bundled clothes toward him blindly. "Here! Just... hurry up!"

"Admit it," he teased, his voice closer now, warm breath brushing my ear as he took the bundle from my hands. "You like the view."

I swatted at him playfully, my face burning. "Shut up, Nick. You’re impossible."

With a final chuckle, he finished dressing—no, wait, that wasn’t right. He was stripping to shift, not dressing. My mind was a mess. He tossed the clothes back to me, now fully bare, and I clutched them to my chest like a shield, my eyes glued to the ground.

"Ready?" he asked, his tone shifting to something softer, more inviting.

I nodded, stealing one last glance as he crouched, his body shimmering with that fluid energy. In a ripple of fur and muscle, he transformed into Leo, his massive gray wolf form emerging with a low rumble. Those piercing eyes—still Nick’s, dark and intense—locked onto mine, and he nudged me gently with his muzzle, urging me to climb on.

I hesitated for a split second, then swung my leg over his broad back, gripping his thick mane with one hand while holding his clothes and shoes in the other. "Okay, big guy. Let’s go."

He yipped in response, a joyful sound that vibrated through me, and we took off, bounding through the woods. The wind whipped my hair again, the forest blurring into a symphony of colors. It was around 4 p.m. now, the light slanting through the trees in lazy beams, casting long shadows that danced like my own powers might. But as we raced, my stomach betrayed me with a loud, insistent growl. Hunger gnawed at me, sharp and familiar, but I bit my lip and said nothing. Why burden him? This was nothing new.

That morning at breakfast replayed in my mind like a cruel taunt. The table had been laden with delicacies—fluffy pancakes dripping with syrup, crispy bacon, fresh fruits glistening like jewels, eggs scrambled to perfection. Scents that made my mouth water, foods I’d only glimpsed from afar in the mortal realm. But I hadn’t touched a thing. The cutlery gleamed mockingly—forks, knives, spoons in intricate arrays. How did one use them without looking like a fool? In the demon realm, Vincent and I survived on whatever scraps we could conjure or steal, eaten with hands or not at all. Hunger was our constant companion; days blurred into weeks without sustenance, our demonic resilience keeping us alive but hollow. Even here, in this world of plenty, we’d relied on the kindness of strangers—a piece of bread from a sympathetic vendor, a shared meal from a wanderer. No one at breakfast had noticed my stillness, my plate untouched amid the chatter. I’d endured, as always.

Another growl rumbled from my belly, louder this time, but Nick—Leo—didn’t slow. We burst out of the forest’s edge, the trees giving way to open fields bathed in afternoon light. He slowed, shifting back in a seamless flow, rising naked once more. I averted my eyes, blushing furiously as I handed him his clothes.

"Here we go again," I mumbled, peeking through my fingers as he dressed with that infuriating grace.

He grinned, buttoning his shirt. "You know, Winter, your blushes are adorable. But seriously, thanks for the ride-along."

I rolled my eyes, trying to play it cool. "Anytime. So, back to the palace?"

He shook his head, his expression lighting up with excitement. "Not yet. I’ve got another place I want to take you. Trust me?"

My stomach twisted again, hunger sharpening, but I nodded. "Of course. Lead the way."

Without warning, he scooped me up bridal-style, his arms strong and secure around me. "Hold on tight."

Before I could protest, he blurred into motion—his vampire speed kicking in, the world streaking by in a dizzying rush. Trees, fields, roads—all melted into a whirlwind. It was faster than the wolf run, exhilarating and terrifying, wind tearing at my clothes, my hair flying wildly. My heart pounded, not from fear, but from sheer joy. I’d never felt so alive, so free.

We skidded to a halt in what felt like seconds, and he set me down gently. I wobbled, clutching his arm, laughter bubbling up. "Nick! That was... insane! Faster than anything I’ve ever experienced."

He chuckled, steadying me with a hand on my waist. "Vampire perks. Glad you liked it. Welcome to the market."

I looked around, eyes widening. It was a bustling open-air market, alive with energy—stalls overflowing with vibrant fruits, spices wafting in the air, vendors calling out in cheerful voices. People milled about, laughing, haggling, children darting between legs. The scents were overwhelming: fresh bread, sizzling meats, sweet pastries. Colors exploded everywhere—red apples, golden corn, fabrics in every hue. It was chaos and life intertwined, a far cry from the barren shadows I’d known.

Nick grabbed my hand, pulling me through the crowd with infectious enthusiasm. "Come on, first stop."

He led me to a hotdog stand, the vendor grinning as steam rose from the grill. "Two hotdogs, loaded," Nick said, handing over cash with a wink.

The vendor piled them high—juicy sausages in soft buns, topped with mustard, ketchup, onions, relish. Nick handed one to me, his dark eyes sparkling like stars. "Eat up, Winter. We’ve got a long way to go—more exploring, more food testing. Can’t have you starving on me."

I stared at the hotdog in my hand, simple and handheld, no cutlery needed. Shock rippled through me. How had he known? The growls, perhaps? Or that intuition from our mate bond? This was something so little and yet he noticed. Gratitude swelled in me, hot and unexpected, tightening my throat. This small act—knowing without words, providing without judgment—it pierced the walls I’d built. A tear escaped, trailing down my cheek before I could stop it.

"Winter?" Nick’s voice softened, concern etching his features as he stepped closer, thumb brushing the tear away. "Hey, what’s wrong? Is it the hotdog? Too much onion?"

I shook my head, a watery laugh escaping. "No, it’s... perfect. Thank you, Nick. Just... thank you."

He pulled me into a quick hug, his chin resting on my head. "Anytime, beautiful. Now, let’s eat before they get cold."