Chapter 10: The Lingering Temptation - How the Stars Fall

It was day four of their journey south, and Ryker was hopeful that they were far enough from the villages surrounding the palace that less and less people would recognise or care who they were. Only a few more days and they would reach his friend’s house.

Chester Oak had been a friend to Ryker for many years. They’d met along their travels. Chester was a historian, which had him travelling all over the country filling journals with knowledge and stories passed down through generations. The hunter and the historian crossed paths often enough that Chester insisted it was a sign. Thus, a friendship was born.

Surely, he would have some answers.

The sun was setting, and Ryker could see soft smoke tendrils coming from the treetops ahead, confirming the town he’d expected to be nearby, just in time to replenish their rapidly dwindling rations.

Hopefully he wouldn’t run into any . . . old friends. He’d managed to avoid Sable and her crew and if Branoc had sent men after them, there was a good chance they were still a few days’ ride behind.

“We need to make a shortstop at this village up ahead. We need to replenish our food supply.” Ryker said as they both dipped under a low-hanging branch.

Nova nodded, but remained silent. She’d been doing a lot of that. Could he blame her? Who knows what was swimming in her head? This whole entire experience must be baffling.

Just like it baffled him to have found her completely naked on the balcony.

There was no denying the attraction he felt for this woman. Every day he was finding it harder and harder not to reach for her and pull her close. Her scent was intoxicating. A mix of something from another realm and the lavender soap he carried. The way her body fit against his as they slept in the tent each night was almost like she was created just for him. He pushed down every feeling and thought. He wasn’t looking for whatever she was.

His heart already belonged to someone else.

Nova glanced over her shoulder, a smile tugging at her mouth. “Is that all we are doing?”

The galaxies glittered in her eyes, and Ryker pulled his gaze away. He was losing his soul very quickly. Perhaps stopping in town would give him a little breathing space.

“That is all we are doing—I swear.”

“I hope I’m not walking into some sort of trap.”

Ryker shifted in the saddle. “I told you I would get you home.”

“And how can I trust you?”

“Have I lied to you yet?”

Nova huffed with a smile and returned her gaze to the road ahead. “You certainly haven’t told the whole truth.”

Ryker sighed softly, “I didn’t know Branoc would be so brutal.”

Nova was quiet. The shoulder of her gown slightly slipped, revealing a few purple blemishes on her skin. Ryker’s gaze skimmed over them before he pulled it away. He didn’t like what the bruises awoke in him. Something was brewing deep within—something he hadn’t felt in a very long time. He gripped the reins tighter in his hands, fighting the urge to turn the horse around and go back to Emberfell, where he would beat the living daylights out of Branoc.

He may still do it.

“He will pay for his crimes, Nova . . . I promise you this.”

Nova sighed. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

A small crack formed in his already broken heart, widening with every breath he took. She was right. Who was he to make promises?

They broke from the safety of the forest into a small clearing between the woods and the small town. A modest tavern stood at the centre, its sign swaying gently in the breeze. The general store sat just beside it, stocked with essentials, while the small church, with its weathered stone, overlooked the square. The rhythmic clink of metal echoed through the air, signalling the presence of a blacksmith hard at work nearby.

A few people greeted them with nods or smiles, which Ryker returned sparingly. The less attention they drew to themselves, the better. He glanced down at Nova’s hands and was grateful to find that she wasn’t glowing. It was going to be hard to hide it in a crowd.

Ryker pulled up to the tavern, eyeing every possible escape route. Should they need one. There wasn’t a pirate or guard in sight. Once satisfied that no one seemed to pose a threat, he slid off Charlie’s back and hitched the black stallion to a railing before helping Nova down.

She was like air in his hands, a fragile skeleton of bones covered in a bruised blanket of skin. Did they even feed her at the palace? A few more days with him would see that she was eating well. Ryker was relieved that the long sleeves of her gown concealed the blemishes on her arms. Though the marks on her face were starting to fade, traces of them still remained.

“Will we stop for long?” she said as she glanced towards the tavern doors.

Ryker shrugged. “Long enough to eat, bath and gather supplies.”

“And this place offers all of those things?”

“Food and bathing, yes. I will get supplies after we’ve eaten.”

Ryker made sure all his weapons were in their right places before he took Nova’s hand in his. It felt like ice on his skin. Hopefully, the tavern offered hot water in their rooms.

“Stay close.”

Nova nodded, following him inside.

The inn was dimly lit and scattered with travellers. A pair of half-orcs sat at a corner table, their hulking forms hunched over steaming bowls of food and large pints of ale, their guttural laughter blending with the low hum of conversation. Beside them, a group of elves in finely woven cloaks exchanged quiet words, their delicate features betraying little emotion as they sipped from smaller goblets.

Ryker scanned the room for any threatening figures. A group of humans filled a table nearby, boisterous and animated, playing cards and shouting over each other in good-natured rivalry.

The atmosphere was alive, a mix of tension and camaraderie. Ryker’s hand slipped to the small of Nova’s back as they moved towards the counter, where a female, human barkeep with a round, joyful face gave them a nod, wiping a mug clean with a rag. She threw a glance Nova’s way, her gaze remaining on the star’s face a little too long. “What can I get you folks?”

Ryker hoped the woman didn’t think he’d caused Nova’s bruises. “What are you currently serving for dinner?” He asked, trying to sound calm.

“Pea and ham soup with a side of toasted sourdough. Oh, and we have an ale special on. Two for the price of one. Only lasts for another hour, though.”

Ryker looked at Nova before answering the woman. “Does that sound alright?”

Nova nodded vigorously.

“Give us two servings of the soup, then please, and two ales.”

“I’ll bring it over to yer’ table.” The woman smiled at them and headed back towards the bar.

A few villagers watched as they made their way to a small table tucked in the corner of the room. Ryker was pleased Nova’s glow was currently diffused. Most likely, they just looked like two travellers passing through. It seemed most occupants kept to themselves, so he allowed his guard to drop—just a little.

“Did you see those pirates who came through town yesterday?” a voice drifted through the air. “Loud bunch, I tell ya.”

Ryker focused in on the conversation happening at the table behind Nova. He eyed the two males. One was definitely human, by the way his ear rounded at the tip. The other was elven. They looked like regulars.

“I didn’t see them, but I heard they come through looking for supplies,” the second male answered before taking a large gulp of frothy ale.

Nova’s gaze caught his. “I want to see a pirate.”

“No, you don’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because they are more trouble than they’re worth,” Ryker murmured, leaning back in his wooden chair.

Nova squinted her eyes as she looked at him from across the table. “Have you met one before?”

Ryker huffed. “Too many times.”

“Tell me about them.”

“You don’t want to know the pirates I know . . . trust me,” Ryker muttered. “Meddlesome bunch.”

Ryker clenched his jaw, his thoughts circling around Sable Bloodfin, the notorious pirate captain from Corsair. She was always getting in his way, meddling in his bounty hunting business. Somehow, he’d earned her ire, and too often he’d got close to securing a big score, and she’d swoop in, messing up his plans.

Nova released a light laugh as she fiddled with the linen napkin on the tabletop. Ryker watched her as her eyes travelled around the room, taking in all the sights.

“Are those people kissing?”

“Who?”

Nova pointed to a couple at a table across the room. Ryker smiled quickly before returning his gaze to Nova.

“I suppose they are.”

“It looks like they are enjoying themselves. Maybe we should do that?” Nova looked at him with such an innocence about her, that Ryker didn’t have the heart to kill her joy, even if he felt a flush crawl up his face at the thought.

“That’s something two people in love do.”

“Only those in love?”

They were interrupted by the woman returning with their ale and soup. Ryker was thankful. He probably wasn’t the best person to be having this kind of talk with. He’d never been great at expressing his feelings. More than a few people in his life would tell him that.

They thanked the woman, and she left them to eat.

“Well?” Nova pushed.

Ryker took a sip of ale before he continued. “Others do it just because it feels good.”

“Have you done it before?”

“I have.”

“Did you enjoy it?” Nova’s eyes glittered with anticipation.

“Very much.”

Nova sat back against the wooden booth and sighed. “I hope I can experience that one day.”

An impulsive smile played across his lips. “How about we worry about getting some food into you first?”

With a nod, Nova picked up her spoon and ate.

Each savouring the taste of soup and toast in silence. They were two ales deep each when Ryker sensed that maybe the liquor was affecting Nova more than he thought it would.

“Are you alright?”

Nova smiled a sleepy smile. “I feel great. Why?”

Ryker huffed in amusement and signalled for the woman who had served them their meal. She hurried over.

“Do you know if there are spare rooms this evening?”

“Yes sir, we have a couple available, but all are only single sleeping arrangements.”

Surely sharing a tent was the same as sharing a room, right? Of course it wasn’t. Who was he kidding? A room with a warm bed—only one—was much more inviting than a thin mattress inside a tent on the forest floor. Especially when the company was as beautiful as Nova was.

“Are you alright with that?” Ryker turned to Nova and asked.

She simply nodded in response.

Ryker stood. “Perfect. Could I please purchase one for the evening?”

With a smile, the woman hustled back to the bar and returned with a key. “Room six, on the right as you head up those stairs.”

Ryker thanked her and took Nova’s hand in his.

The stairs creaked beneath their weight as Ryker led Nova towards the room. Unlocking it with one hand, he stepped inside and closed the door behind them. The room was small but tidy. A small vase of wildflowers, freshly picked, sat on a round wooden table by the window, their vibrant colours adding a touch of warmth to the space. The curtains, in a faded floral pattern, were already drawn against the approaching dusk, leaving the room bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun.

He released her hand and opened the bathroom door. “You can freshen up here while I go and get supplies.”

“You trust me in this room all alone?”

Ryker glanced down at her full, soft lips, fighting the urge to bend down and kiss her soundly. “Are you going to run away again?”

She took a step towards him, her eyes holding his as she fluttered her dainty lashes. “Is there a reason to?”

“Let me warn you, little star, if you run away again, there will be consequences to pay.” A smirk tugged at his lips.

She was enticing him—daring him to play.

A flash of mischief filled Nova’s eyes, and she smiled bigger. “Maybe I’d like to see what those consequences are . . .”

Her words almost brought him to his knees.

Ryker steadied himself with a hand on the knob of the bathroom door, trying to still his mind. He was lost for words. This little star was creeping under his skin, and he didn’t know how to react. No woman had had this effect on him in a very long time—four years, to be exact.

“It won’t be me you should be worried about.” Ryker traced her facial features, noticing her silvery skin sprinkled with tiny stardust like specks. Her hair was floating around her like glittering threads, lighter than the feathers from a dove. “Branoc will be looking for you. Not to mention the Twins. Possibly pirates.”

“Pirates?”

“Yes, pirates.”

Each time Nova took another step towards him, the glow from her skin grew brighter. She reached up to fiddle with a button on his coat. The simple act brought a heat to his core that he didn’t want to acknowledge.

“Why would pirates be searching for me?”

He lifted a brow, unsure if he should dignify the question with a response.

She pressed her lips into a thin line. “Fine . . . I promise to stay in the room on one condition.” Nova’s eyes flicked to mouth and back up again. “Perhaps before I leave this Earth . . . you could kiss me?”

Ryker swallowed down the fire building in his stomach, fighting the urge of blood that wanted to harden certain body parts. She was too close. Too beautiful.

This wasn’t the plan, though. He rescued her from the king. Now he needed to find a way to get her home so she would be safe and he would go back to his life—the one where he was responsible only for himself.

So why did the thought suddenly feel wrong?

He kept his expression even. “Perhaps you should bathe first?”

The light in Nova’s eyes snuffed out, but her smile remained. “Rude,” she called behind her as she moved into the bathroom.

“I will get supplies now. Lock the door behind me and don’t answer it unless it’s me,” Ryker said.

Nova nodded, and Ryker left the room. The fresh air would do him some good.

The village was beginning its slow journey into sleepiness. Soon, all the stores would close, and everyone would retreat to their homes and beds for the night. Ryker wandered through the bustling marketplace, selecting a variety of food supplies: fresh bread, smoked meats, and a few ripe fruits. The aroma of spices and roasted vegetables filled the air as he navigated the crowded stalls. Once his pack was full, he led Charlie to a nearby stable, patting the horse’s neck affectionately as he handed the reins to the stable master.

“I’ll be back for him in the morning. Have him saddled and ready to go by sunup,” Ryker said, slipping a few coins into the man’s hand. With Charlie settled, Ryker made his way back to the tavern.

He knocked and announced himself. Relief washed over him when Nova warily opened the door. Her hair was still damp, and she smelt of the soap she must have found in the bathroom.

Jasmine and lemon.

“Did you get everything you need?” she asked, moving across the room to sit on the edge of the bed.

Ryker nodded. “It will do for the next few days.”

He locked the door behind him. There was definitely no need for unannounced visitors throughout the night.

“Are you going to join me?” Nova murmured.

Ryker slowly moved towards the bed and looked down at Nova. The longer he stayed caught in her beautiful eyes, the brighter her glow seemed to grow. He wanted to do more than join her on the bed. He wanted to do things with her on the bed—-if that’s what she wanted too. Yet, he knew as soon as he opened that door, there would be no holding back the floodgates of consequences that would unfold if he did.

He didn’t want to resist, but if he allowed even a tiny part of him to let Nova in, she’d have to join the ghosts of his past, and he wasn’t sure he’d ever be ready for that.

Certainly not today anyway.

Ryker placed his hands in his pockets, taking a few steps back. “I’ll rest in the chair over there. Sleep, little star.”

Nova held his gaze for a few more moments before stifling a yawn. “Suit yourself,” she said as she lay down and turned on her side, curling up in a little ball.

He reached for the blanket that hung over the edge of the bed and draped it across her body. Once he was satisfied that she was asleep, he sat himself down in the chair opposite the bed and pulled a flask of rum from the inside of his jacket pocket. His mind needed numbing, and this was the only way he knew how to do it.

Nova was nearly as intoxicating, and his body knew it.

He hadn’t touched a woman in four years, and it was beginning to show. The hardness between his legs grew as he watched her sleeping form. The way her chest rose with each breath and how her dainty hands rested upon the bed had him wishing he could cover her entire body with tiny kisses.

However, sleeping with her would be connected with feelings and feelings were not something Ryker felt comfortable around. He had never been the type to fuck and run.

Nova stirred on the bed, a small whimper escaping her lips. It was at this moment; he knew that if he didn’t stop now, he was going to fall into a place he was not yet willing to go.

A phantom pain pulled in his heart, a sore reminder of the last time he gave it away. He’d sworn to never again give it to another.

Yet just for a moment, he imagined what it would be like if he did. Could he do it?

His body ached from nights on the forest floor, but he knew if he gave into that desire, she would sidle up to him in her sleep and he would once again lay awake all night wishing he could touch her.

Ryker took another swig of rum. If he found a way to get her home and this torture will end. With that thought in mind, he finally drifted off to sleep.