Chapter 14: The Brown Rabbit - How the Stars Fall

Nova watched how Ryker interacted with Chester and Pippa as he said farewell. There was genuine love and respect between the males. She smiled. It was nice to see this side of the moody hunter she was used to. Beneath his tough exterior, his heart was soft—maybe he needed a safe place to use it.

Seeing Chester and Pippa love one another was the highlight of Nova’s journey so far. That, and being taught about all the different food varieties, how to plant seeds, how to make bread. If she was to stay here on Earth, this is the life she wanted. The palace had been too much, but a small cottage in a village where she could plant her own food and flowers—that would be perfect.

Maybe she could convince Ryker that if he could help her find a little house, he could go on with his life and she could begin hers.

Ryker embraced Pippa, and the act brought memories of their kiss to the front of her mind. Rough but gentle hands grasping at her skin and the heat of his body warm against hers. The whole moment was almost like a dream.

He’d apologised for the kiss—said he was scared of her.

Nova knew that wasn’t the whole truth though. Something was stopping him from stepping forward and embracing life. She wanted to pry it from his fingertips as they meandered along the beach, yet she’d seen the pain in his eyes, screaming from the depths of his soul. It begged to be released. That day would come, Nova was sure of it, and she hoped she’d be around to help him bear its weight.

Perhaps one day, Ryker would let her kiss the pain away.

In the decades of watching humans on Earth, love was the messiest and most beautiful act she’d ever witnessed.

Surely it wasn’t love she felt with Ryker though, she barely knew him. Perhaps it was purely an attraction?

He caught her eye after he pulled from Pippa’s embrace. The energy flowing in her veins pulsed as his brown eyes found hers. Her magic danced on her fingertips, so Nova tucked her hands behind her back. This was the effect he had on her. Love or attraction, whatever this was, Nova wanted more.

“It’s been so wonderful to meet you Nova, I hope you find your way home and that the time spent here on Earth are memories you will never forget. I certainly won’t ever forget the time I met a star.” Pippa pulled her in for a squeeze and Nova hugged her back.

“Thank you for everything Pippa. You and Chester are such generous and kind people. I had a wonderful time,” Nova answered.

Pippa beamed and she handed Nova a beautiful, light grey cloak. “It’s meant to storm tonight, and I noticed you don’t carry a coat with you, and that cloak won’t be enough on its own. Take this one, please. I have many.”

Nova ran her fingers over the fabric. “Thank you, Pippa. It’s so lovely.”

Ryker approached, fiddling with his ruby pendant. “We should get a move on then. Don’t want the storm erupting while we’re trying to find shelter.”

Nova nodded and hugged Pippa one more time, waving to Chester before turning and pulling herself up into Charlie’s saddle. Ryker followed, and the pair said their goodbyes to the Oaks.

Somewhere in the mountains waited their last hope. With any luck, the woman would have answers—even if Nova was still hesitant on going home.

* * *

Most of the morning was left in silence. Nova’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. She glanced at Ryker every now and then, noticing the way he absentmindedly chewed his lip, his brow furrowed in concentration. He, too, seemed lost in his own world, eyes fixed on the horizon as if the answers to his troubles lay somewhere just beyond the distant hills. Though it was out of sight now, the wind still carried a hint of the sea.

It was past midday, and they’d just stopped at a small clearing off the main trail to rest Charlie and eat some food.

“How long have the Oaks been married?” she asked as she sat down on a small mound of tufted grass.

Ryker huffed in amusement and smiled while he loosened the girth on Charlie’s saddle.

“You find me humorous?”

This time Ryker chuckled. “I find you inquisitive.”

Nova looked at him and squinted. “Would you rather I wasn’t?”

Warm brown eyes met hers. “I’d rather you be exactly who you are.”

“Inquisitive it is then.” Nova grinned.

“Perfectly fine by me.” Ryker answered her as he placed himself down on the ground and opened their food bag. “They’ve been married a few years.”

Nova reached for the bread and cheese he held out to her. Pippa had made the bread fresh this morning just for them and Nova could still smell its warm, toasty aroma.

Her gaze flicked to Ryker. His mind once again deep in thought as he stared at the ground beneath his boots. Perhaps he was thinking of his friends and the relationship they had.

“Have you ever been married?”

Ryker didn’t answer, he simply shook his head.

“Do you want to get married?”

He lifted a knee and rested his arms around it as he cleared his throat. “I do not. Besides, marriage isn’t on the cards for me.”

“Why not?”

Ryker simply shrugged.

“Have you ever wanted to get married?”

She watched him fiddle with the pendant around his neck again. Something about storms and talk of love was tied to that glittering red ruby. Deep in her heart, Nova knew there was a side of Ryker she didn’t know yet. A part of him that stayed locked up tight. If only she had the key to free him from his prison.

“I did once . . .” he murmured before standing to his feet. “Eat quickly, we don’t want to hang around here for long.

She nodded and let the matter drop. They ate quietly, neither one breaking the silence, and once their meal was finished, they continued on their way without a word.

Ever since they walked along the beach together Ryker had been quieter than usual—his mind busier. The grip on the reins and around her waist tighter, as if he was waiting for something disastrous to happen.

They’d just reached a fork in the road when he stopped. Nova could see the two paths stretched before them.

“What are we doing?” Nova asked over her shoulder.

He shifted in the saddle. “The right path is well-trodden and will take us through the outskirts of another village.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“No, it would offer us safety, but it’s predictable and easily tracked by those who may be searching for us.”

Nova knew they’d already risked themselves in the last village, as well as in Chester and Pippa’s home town. She wanted to stay out of sight just as much as Ryker did, especially when they were so close to reaching the woman who might have answers for her.

“So, what about that way then?” Nova pointed.

“That one . . . will lead into the Mordino Forest.”

Its entrance was shadowed by ancient trees and thick undergrowth. It definitely seemed like the more unpleasant option.

“That way looks dangerous,” Nova murmured.

Ryker nodded. “Dangerous, but no one will expect us to do it.”

“Will both paths take us where we need to go?” Nova asked.

“Mordino Forest will get us to the mountain range faster but not without risk.” Ryker gripped the reins tighter.

“And what pray tell, would this risk entail?”

“Galanthors, Lycan, rotten swamps . . . just to name a few.”

Nova swallowed the fear that began to blossom in her chest. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Ryker to keep them safe. It was more that she didn’t particularly feel like facing large monsters or swamps. However, her time on Earth had already been quite the journey . . . why not add a few more experiences?

Nova bit her lip, considering their options. “Do you think we can handle the forest?”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “It’s a gamble. The forest is a risk, but it might be safer in the long run. They won’t expect us to take it, and we can hide better there.”

“Then let’s do it.”

Ryker’s arms tightened around her waist slightly. “Are you sure?”

Nova considered for another moment, then nodded. “The guards—if they are still pursuing us—will most likely presume we’d take the easier route. If they don’t and follow us through here, well we’ll just have to do our best to blend in—or hope a creature eats them.”

Ryker huffed in amusement, and it tickled the back of Nova’s neck. Small bumps rose over her skin, and she shivered.

“Such a vicious little star.”

She threw Ryker a smile over her shoulder as he pulled Charlie to the left.

As they stepped onto the forest path, the trees seemed to close in around them, their branches forming a dense canopy that blocked out the sunlight. The air grew cooler and filled with the scent of moss and Earth. The sounds of the ocean faded away, replaced by the rustle of leaves and the distant calls of unseen creatures.

It got darker the deeper they went, and Nova wondered whether the storm that had been brewing on the horizon all day had already reached them.

Ryker had suggested they keep talking to a minimum as they made their way through the dense forestry—the less noise, the less likely they’d be eaten by something. Which was more than alright with her.

She drew her cloak closer, bracing against the sharp bite of the colder air as she surveyed her surroundings. Some parts of the forest were drenched in some sort of fog, she could only presume they were areas best left unexplored.

Thunder rumbled in the distance, the deep sound echoing through the air. Nova glanced upward, but the thick canopy of trees blocked any view of the sky. She was grateful for Ryker’s solid chest behind her as they ambled along. There was no way to tell how long they’d been travelling, but the light around them grew darker by the minute.

She quickly glanced over her shoulder. Ryker’s jaw was tense. His eyes darted to every shadow and flicker of movement in the trees. His hand hovered near the hilt of his sword, always ready. His other arm was firm around her waist. Their bodies brushed with every movement of the horse beneath them. She wanted to trace his lips with her own. She wanted to taste his tongue as he took her to a place she’d only ever dreamed of. Every part of her ached for him.

“Ryker . . .”

A hand flew to her mouth and silenced her.

“Don’t make a sound.” Ryker whispered in her ear.

Trembling at the intensity of his voice, Nova froze.

Something rustled to their left, even Charlie held his head high and turned towards the sound. Nova held her breath while looking around. She was waiting for someone or something to jump out of the bushes when a small brown rabbit ran across their path.

She felt Ryker relax behind her as he took his hand from her mouth.

“It’s just a hare,” he murmured.

She let her body relax. “I thought we were about to be atta—”

Something large flew at them both from the bushes, collecting Ryker and ripping him from Charlie’s saddle. The moving smudge of vicious sound and dark colour disappeared into the dense flora and Charlie took off running in fright. Nova clung tightly to the reins as the horse charged through the forest, dodging low-hanging branches while sharp twigs grazed her skin.

“Charlie stop!” Nova cried. “You need to slow down, we can’t leave Ryker.”

The black stallion continued to run.

She tightened her grip on Charlie’s mane, squeezing her eyes shut as if sheer willpower could bring the horse to a halt. The thought of Ryker lying injured and alone in the woods gnawed at her heart, filling her with dread. The kiss they shared couldn’t be the last one, there had to be more than this.

Despite the little time she’d had to bathe under the moon, Nova called to her magic.

Tiny pin pricks began in her fingers, spreading their way into her hands. A white glow grew, and Nova could feel a hum of electricity running from her chest, into her shoulders and down her arms. The glow and hum intensified, and she cried out as light exploded around her. Charlie instantly reared and pawed the ground, uncertain. She turned him around and kicked him into a run, back in the direction they came from. As she neared the area Ryker went down, she saw him.

Nova’s heart pounded in her chest as she watched the scene unfold. The forest around them seemed to blur, her focus narrowing solely on Ryker and the beast attacking him—fear froze her limbs and her mind.

Whatever it was, it was large. With four legs and a head as big as a small child. Sandy brown fur mixed with grey whipped through the air in a flash of colour. From Nova’s limited knowledge of Earth creatures, it looked as if it was a large dog. Ryker battled the creature with his sword, a dance of claws, snapping jaws and saliva. But in a swift, horrifying moment, the creature sank its teeth deep into Ryker’s thigh. His agonised cry pierced the air, sending a shiver down her spine. She wanted to scream, to rush to his aid.

“Ryker!” she managed to gasp, her voice barely a whisper.

He grit his teeth, his face contorted in pain, but he didn’t falter. With a desperate, savage strength, he drove his sword deep into the beast’s side. The creature let out a guttural roar, its grip loosening as it staggered back, blood oozing from the wound.

Nova’s legs finally obeyed her, and she stumbled forward, her eyes locked on Ryker. He pulled his sword free and, with one final swing, severed the creature’s head from its body. The beast collapsed, lifeless, at his feet.

She let out a distraught cry as Ryker took a step towards her, blood pouring from the wound in his leg. He staggered before dropping to his knees and collapsing onto his side. His breaths were coming in quick and shallow.

“It’s alright.” She dropped to the ground and pulled Ryker’s head into her lap, brushing his inky tendrils from his face. “Ryker, stay with me . . .”

Warm brown eyes rolled back into Ryker’s head as he grappled with consciousness. Tears formed, flowing down her face as she placed one hand on the wound on Ryker’s leg. Ruby red blood pulsed from the gash; the skin torn in shreds.

“Ryker please . . .” Nova closed her eyes.

Now was not the time to go dying on her. She would certainly not survive alone in this forest. She needed to heal him. Yet she knew how depleted her levels were. It had been heavily cloudy over the past few days. The moon hadn’t been able to refill her powers to full capacity. She used too much to stop Charlie from dashing off into the unknown. But she needed to try something—anything.

With a hand to the gushing wound, she drew in a deep breath and willed it to heal. She’d done it once before; she could do it again. She concentrated on the feeling, and tingles began again, and a hum travelled down her arms. In her mind she clung to the image of Ryker’s skin knitting back together.

When she glanced down, it was actually happening. Even with him so close to delirium, Nova managed a smile. It was working. If she could just hold on until the bleeding stopped, Ryker might have a fighting chance.

She poured every ounce of her energy into the wound. With one last surge of power, Nova’s glow flickered and vanished.

Flashes of light lit up the sky as Nova drew in shallow breaths. “Ryker . . . ?”

He remained lifeless, so she called his name again. “Ryker. Please come back to me . . .” she whispered.

Seconds felt like hours as she watched and waited to see if he would live. Her heart pounded against her ribs, breath hitching in her throat as her hands trembled uncontrollably. Every muscle in her body was tense, frozen in place. Eyes wide, she stared at Ryker, unable to move, her chest tightening with fear that seemed to grip her from the inside out.

Here she was alone in a dark forest, with a thunderstorm looming in the distance and a wounded man. If there were any more of those creatures out there, she was most definitely still a target.

Ryker moaned and his eyes fluttered open.

Nova let out the sob she’d been holding in as she pulled Ryker closer. “I thought I’d lost you.”

He moaned as he tried to sit up. “What happened, how . . .”

“Careful, the wound is still fresh,” Nova said as she wiped her eyes. “I didn’t have enough power to fully heal it.”

Ryker sat up and ran a hand over his face. “Nova, I’m so sorr—”

Nova shook her head. “Please don’t. None of this is your fault.”

“Are you alright?”

She nodded. “What was that creature?”

“A Lycan,” Ryker muttered. “I haven’t seen one in years.”

“It nearly killed you.”

He wiped his hand across his furrowed brow. “Some Lycan travel in pairs, so there’s a good chance of another out there somewhere,” Ryker groaned as he slowly stood. “We need to find shelter.”

“The storm is nearing too,” Nova added softly as she stood too.

Ryker held her gaze before reaching for her and pulling her into a crushing embrace. “Thank you, little star.”

She melted into his embrace, feeling the tears build once more. Being human was exhausting, she realised—every emotion raw and relentless, the weight of physical strain, the ever-present danger of creature attacks. It was a constant, unyielding battle, each day pushing her to her limits. In his arms, she allowed herself to breathe, but even that felt like a challenge.

Ryker gently eased her from his grasp and helped her into the saddle, his hands steady as he guided her up. Once she was settled, he swung himself up behind her, wrapping his arms securely around her waist again. “Let’s find shelter.”

A deep rumble of thunder echoed through the trees, and Nova glanced over her shoulder and caught a glimpse of Ryker wincing slightly, as if the sound had struck his soul rather than the distant ground.

As Charlie took off into a canter, the grip around Nova’s waist was tight and she smiled. Ryker could hold her forever and she wouldn’t mind one bit.