Chapter Eight

***~ Day One ~***

“Montai, this is nonsense put me down. I told you I’m perfectly fine to walk.” Though Lelani met what she said her voice was not harsh or stern. Instead, she spoke with a tone only angels should have. Or maybe sirens as they swift you into the depths of water with their sweet lullabies. Montai only held on to her tighter as he carried her in his arms the way you would carry a new wife into your home.

“For centuries I have been without you. Forgive me if I want you so close to me. Just let me hold you a little longer besides we’re already here.” What would take a mortal three to five days to hike only took Montai until sunset and that was merely because he walked and carried Lelani to pass time. When he placed her on her feet Montai reeled her close to his chest. His kissed her forehead tenderly before pulling away so she could catch sight of what was around them.

Montai was scratching the back of his head. Kicking at the dirt a little nervous for her reaction. He was a Lycan. He didn’t have much. They were not about jewels and fancy things. The closest thing he had to fancy was the palace and he hated that. He missed the woods and the cabin he once had. Making the palace as homelike as he possibly could. What made it worse was it was her palace and after the war, it was the only place that stood. All he had to offer in the world was beautiful still moments he found in nature. Feeling the sting in his heart as he hoped it would be enough. She had been away for so long would she grow to love him more? Or hate him?

He watched her gaze fall from him and turn to the side of them. Montai had carried her up a rather large mountain. Her breathing changing slightly to adjust to the air change. He had placed her next to a cliff and as she catching glimpse of everything for the first time. When he saw that first sparkling glow set in her eyes a rush of relief hit him. “I was going to show you this place on our wedding night. My father found this place for my mother and named it after her. Crystilla Lake. It was to be yours on our wedding night and… well.. And now it’s yours. If you wish to have it that is.”

Lelani’s eyes gazed upon the most beautiful scene of nature she had seen in a long time. They were practically on a cliff point. One wrong move would send them down into the water below but next to them was a grand waterfall. A masterpiece all its own. Rushing down an immense amount of crystal clear water. The mist of the water could be felt lightly on her skin. Her eyes falling from the rushing water into the beautiful pink pond it settled in.

Pink because of the magical water lilies that grew underneath the water and the sun reflecting from the water. A pond that broke out into smaller ponds and streams. Liki mini polls running off into one another. Surrounded by smooth grey rock, berry bushes, and trees. One willow tree in the corner next to the waterfall. Surrounding the ponds were dozens of weeping Yoshino cherry trees. Followed by a rare purple wisteria tree. Colliding into beautiful colors across the pink waters. As the wind blew softly petals of blue, white, and purple sprinkled into the ponds. The sky full of pastel colors soon to set.

“Oh, Montai this is stunning. There is nothing in the world I’ve seen more beautiful.”

Montai’s voice cracked as he responded to her. “I have. I’ve seen something filled with much more beauty and kindness and she’s standing right next to me.” Lelani rolling her eyes she hadn’t realized just how much of a man Montai had become with her absence. The way he spoke, how he held her. All this time her memories were gone but he’s remembered her and suffered so much without her. She could feel herself falling in love with him all over again. Placing her hand in his when he mentioned he had one more thing to show her.

Into his arms, she went once more as he lifted her from the ground and jumped from the cliff. The lack of warning caused her to clutch on to him tight. Watching as they landed on the ground only for Montai to leap off his feet and towards the waterfall. A shriek escaping Lelani’s mouth for she thought behind the water would be nothing but hard stone. However, to her surprise, she was met with just a brief amount of dampness. Her beastly Lycan taking mostly all the water placing her on her feet as he shook himself free of water.

“Well, what do you think? I found the cave behind the waterfall empty. No animals ever and I made it into this for you as a surprise for whenever you came back. That little pond there has water come in through this side and out the water so it’s always clean. Keeping the boulders around the water burning gets the water warm and the leaves on the inside will keep you safe from being burnt if..you know… you wanted to bathe alone or something.”

The cave was rather large. It had to be for a Lycan. She saw the decent-sized pond that was made to be more like a hot bath. The rock in here was smooth on her feet. The candles and fire kept it warm. In the corner, there was a bed made of leaves and warm furs away from the fire. He even had a bowl of fresh fruit. When did he have time to do all of this? She thought to herself. It was at that moment she realized how tired her body was. Still wrapped in the blanket from this morning she released her hold on it. Letting it fall to the ground as she stepped into the warm waters. Closing her eyes and leaning her head back. So many questions ran through her head and she had few answers. But, for the three days, she would let those matters go and rekindle with the love of her life.

The small waves of the water stirring could be felt as Montai climbed in. Making his way to Lelani his clothes were removed and placed next to the blanket Lelani was once wrapped in. Pulling her close kissing her collarbone. “Would I be allowed to bathe my Queen?” He asked. Looking down watching as she smiled and pulled her hair to one side turning to reveal her back.

“If my King doesn’t mind starting with my back first.”

Her voice gentle when she spoke.