Chapter 13

Lyanna

By the time we reached the tavern, it was night. We passed a couple of houses but the street was empty. Riding next to Silas was more comfortable than riding alone, I could rest my back against him. His arm around my waist kept me warm. We travelled through the sleepy town, no one out to greet us like the others. We rode forward, heading for the stables. As we entered the closed space that smelt like hay and horses. "Keep your hood up till it's just us," Silas whispered in my ears. Nodding, I exhaled raggedly as he gets off the horse before helping me. I know we still had a long way before we reached the capital but I was grateful we get to sleep indoors tonight.

"Make sure the men found good camping ground," Silas says to Ryker, with his saddlebag draped over his shoulders. "Bring the rest of my things after"

"Lyanna stay close to me," Silas pulls me back to his side before we enter the tavern. Not sure what I expected, it was filled with music and chatter but all stop when they noticed us. A tall bearded man, the red-haired man holding a jug came our way.

"What do we have here?" He asks, clearly drunk.

"We require shelter for the night," Jon answered. Several people watch us, men and women. So used to seeing dark-haired people I took in all their ginger red hair and eyes.

"We have plenty of shelters,"

"Good." Jon hands him a bag of coins. "We need two rooms plus supper."

"Raya!"He yells and a red hair girl comes towards us, "show these lovely people to their rooms. Make sure to send hot food," he tells her pocketing the bag of coins.

"This was milord," She bows at Jon, pointing to a set of stairs. "We have rooms on the third floor." We follow her from the entryway to the stairs, I heard some people gasping as they recognised the King. Making sure to put my head was down when we passed the light torches.

The room was surprisingly large, a double posted bed sat in the middle calling my name. But I didn't dear go near it with my dirty cloak and stained clothes. Silas drops his saddlebag to the floor, I draped my cloak over a wooden chair. The fireplace was lit and next to it was a massive bath filled with hot steamy water. I hear Silas moving around the room, ignoring him desperate for a proper bath. I quickly undress, leaving my clothes on the floor. My gooseneck prickled skin melted immediately welcoming the hot water. I close my eyes and my muscles loosen. But snaps them opened when the water dips. Silas got in, settling into the water, splashing some onto his face. I dip my hair back into the water, knowing it needs a wash. Silas grabs the soap, pulling me towards him before he starts washing scrubbing my body. His fingers dance over the scars on my back, I haven't shifted since that night and I was grateful for that. Staring at his face, his beard had grown a few inches, the blue in his eyes darker. The curls were thicker, somehow he had aged this past few days and I knew why. He hasn't fed in days. His skin was pale and veiny.

"Are you tired," I hum stroking his face

"Mhmm," he closed his eyes. "You need to feed Silas and you haven't slept in days." It was mostly my fault, I was afraid if I let him feed on me that I would shift.

"I can't risk hurting you," he mumbles "I lost control last time."

"It didn't hurt," I breathed, he lifted his brows. "You enjoyed it?"

"Possibly," I mutter. A half grin appeared on his face, climbing into his lap pressing a light kiss on his lips. Moving my neck to his lips, he inhaled snarling. "Take what you need, my king," I say his words to him. He hesitated but licks the water off my skin, his fangs breaks my skin when there was knocks on our door.

"It's Ryker, my king." Silas ignores him to be busy sucking on my neck.

"Come in," I moan out. The door opens and shuts quickly, meeting Ryker's eyes. "I have your things," he looked away giving us privacy.

"Thank you," I breathe out when Silas' fangs leave my neck. He quickly licks the blood that flows out.

"See you didn't hurt me," I smile at him a little light-headed. "I was interrupted." He snapped at Ryker, he apologises before leaving us again. Silas goes back to feeding from my neck as I washed his hair.

~~~~~~

I sat up shivering, breathing hard. Glancing at Silas he was still sleeping, the fire was out. Getting out of bed slowly not wanting to wake him. After the bath, I had supper and we went to sleep. Shivering in my nightshirt, I search for more wood but we were out. Knowing it would only get colder I put on my cloak heading out the room to get more wood. The tavern was now empty and quiet but lit torches kept it bright, taking the stairs two at a time. I spot the pile of wood on the other side, the floorboards creak beneath my feet. Gathering some in my hands, the window slams opened letting in a gust of wind, dropping the woods when my hood fell.

"He marked you." A voice calls out, starling I spin around see an older woman standing behind me. Where did she come from? I quickly pulled up my hood, hiding my face.

"What?" Confused by what she said, ignoring her I pick up the woods I dropped, heading for the stairs. I had to pass her to get to the stairs, making sure she couldn't see my eyes I move past her but her boney fingers grasp my hands.

"Let go of me." I yank my hands but her grip remained. staring at her face. One of her eyes was gone, the other one bright yellow.

"You've doomed us! You shouldn't have let him mark you. I know what you are girl, his scent is all over you. I need to have a taste too," not understanding her.

"Let me go," I beg but an ugly laugh fills the tavern. She was stronger than she appears, using one of the wood to hit her head snapping it to the side. She snaps it back and laughs some more.

" I just want a taste don't be greedy." She yanks my hands to her mouth biting into my wrist, screaming until she lets go. I cradle my hands, the bite she left burning tears fills my eyes. I watch her abnormally long tongue lick my blood off her lips. "I have tasted blood before, this isn't it." She snarls.