Chapter 20: The Lycan Attack - How the Stars Fall

Nova had never been happier to see Ryker as he scrambled down the rocky cliffs, and once he was safely in the boat, she allowed her heart to slow.

Sable hadn’t given him long before she was reaching for the chest still clutched in his hand. Nova was interested to see what treasure was so precious to the captain.

Ryker propped himself on the side of the boat as Toadie and Marla rowed through the choppy ocean waters of the Veridian sea. “I can’t believe you sent me in there for that.”

“You opened it and looked?” Sable cried out.

“You never told me not to!”

Sable huffed. “It could have been damaged.”

“It could also still be in your brother’s possession . . .”

The captain rolled her eyes as she drew out the object from the small wooden chest, letting it glint in the sunlight as she held it up. Nova watched, captivated, as Captain Sable turned it in her hands, inspecting every facet with a keen, assessing gaze.

Nova’s brow pinched at the odd-looking wooden object. Its surface was brightly painted in a flower pattern.

“What’s so important about it?” Nova asked.

“Pirate things . . . Most others wouldn’t understand.” Sable murmured. “Ratchet took it from me a long time ago.”

Ryker huffed. “Maybe you could keep me out of your ‘pirate things’ from now on. I don’t want to be involved in sibling rivalry.”

Sable shut the lid on the wooden box and shoved it into a pocket concealed on the inside of her jacket. “It’s not sibling rivalry. It’s just my turn to have it on my island.”

Nova angled her head to the side “So what does it do?”

Sable sighed. “Whoever holds the wooden nesting dolls receives protection from the skimmers.”

Ryker’s gaze snapped back towards the captain. Nova could sense that skimmers was possibly a word to be feared.

“No one has seen them for years.” Ryker eyed Sable.

“Just because no one has seen them, doesn’t mean they ain’t out there.” Sable folded her arms across her chest. “And I’d like to keep my island and its citizens as safe as possible. Anything is fair game—”

“For the right reasons—I get it,” Ryker huffed.

Nova glanced between Ryker and the red-haired captain. “Can someone tell me what a skimmer is?”

Sable sat back on the wooden bench seat, crossing her ankles. “Skimmers are a powerful and feared group, often referred to as the ‘cartel of the waters’. They operate along the coastlines, harvesting rare, valuable pearls and coral from the reefs. Turning them into a substance that is both highly addictive and deadly.”

Ryker eyed Sable warily. “What has that wooden doll got to do with the Skimmers?”

Sable reached up to adjust her hat. “Well, you see, skimming isn’t just about taking from the ocean; it involves ruthless control, smuggling operations, and bribing officials to keep their illegal trade flowing,” Sable murmured. “Their ships are sleek and fast, and their network reaches from hidden sea caves to the richest cities on the mainland.”

The captain fished the wooden box from her pocket again. “This thing here—is a sign of protection. Whoever holds this is free from the skimmers route. If they attempt to skim in my reefs . . . I have every right to declare war. Though I would hope it never comes to that.”

Ryker folded his arms across his chest. “How do the skimmers know who has the doll?”

“We raise the protection flag,” Sable grinned. “No doubt Ratchet will have to pull his down now.”

Nova couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Were there truly others out there more dangerous than the pirates she was surrounded by? Not only did they have to be wary of the leviathan that prowled the waters at night, but now they also had to watch out for the skimmers who sailed the seas during the day.

Ryker must have sensed her unease. He reached for her hand and gently squeezed it, only allowing his hand to linger for a moment. Now was not a great time to begin to glow. She offered him a small smile in return.

They travelled back to Sable’s home with little conversation. Ryker refused to sleep—even when encouraged, so Nova didn’t push him. There would be time to rest.

Once they reached the familiar shores of Corsair’s Haven, Ryker didn’t waste any time, prepping their small rowboat.

“Are you sure you wouldn’t like to stay one more night before making the journey back to the mainland?”

Ryker shook his head. “We’ve already been here too long.”

Sable nodded, taking a step back. She removed her hat and took a small bow. “Well, it was nice to meet you Nova, and Ryker—Thank you, I promise it’s the last you will see of me,” Sable murmured.

Ryker’s brow rose as if he didn’t believe the words coming from the captain’s mouth. A tiny smile hinted on Nova’s lips. The more time she’d spent with Sable, the more she grew to like her. Secretly, she hoped that it wouldn’t be the last she’d hear of Sable and her mighty crew.

They bid the pirates goodbye and Nova prepared herself for another long journey on the ocean. Sable had been kind enough to give them a basket of food and water for their trip as it would be a long one.

Deep blue ocean water stretched for miles. They’d been sailing for hours. Ryker sat against the small mast, letting his eyes drift closed as the wind pushed them forward. She couldn’t blame him. The man had been through a lot in the last few days.

“You seem lost in thought.” His words broke the silence.

Nova glanced at him and smiled softly. “I was just thinking how jolly the life of a pirate is. They all seem so content and happy.”

“Probably because they steal everyone’s money.”

Nova hesitated, scrunching her nose. “I know her approach to life is—different, but I do think she means well enough?”

Ryker huffed as he rowed the boat through the dark blue water. “Either way. What do you think the chances are that she’ll actually stop meddling in my affairs?”

“I do think she feels quite bad about that, and you must forgive her. I am completely fine and unharmed. The whole experience has actually been quite thrilling. Besides, I want to learn more about life here on Earth before you ship me off home and are rid of me forever.” Nova grinned.

“It’s not like that, little star. I don’t want to be rid of you . . . I just think if you stay, you’ll be running for the rest of your life, from those who seek to profit from you. You’re safer in Ara.”

Nova sighed as she leaned over the side of the wooden boat, letting her fingers trail through the cold salty water. “You could keep me safe though?”

“Living life on the run is not living. And besides, no one wants to live with me . . . I’m a grouch,” Ryker replied

Nova eyed the dark-haired man before her with the warm-coloured skin and the kind brown eyes and smiled. “You don’t have to be though.”

Ryker shrugged and let his gaze dance across the large body of water.

“Why did Sable call you the Hound?”

The slow grin that crept onto Ryker’s face had Nova feeling all warm inside her chest. It blossomed into her cheeks, and she couldn’t help but smile back at him.

“I don’t know how it started, but other bounty hunters in Emberfell began to call me that and I guess it just stuck.”

“It suits you.”

Ryker ducked his head, as if he were shy.

Nova lent forward with her elbows on her knees, her hands cradling her face. “Shall I call you Hound?”

The gold and dark brown flecks in his russet eyes sparkled. “Little star, you can call me whatever you like.”

Nova glowed . . . she planned to.

* * *

As the sun began to sink below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the water, Ryker dragged the boat onto the shore. The rest of the trip had passed in a calm silence, broken only by bits of small talk about the pirates and their plans once they reached the mainland.

When the boat was firmly on land, Ryker effortlessly scooped Nova into his arms, carrying her across the sand to keep her boots dry. She leaned into the embrace, a pang of sadness washing over her the moment he set her back down.

“I just need to return the boat and then we will head into town to get Charlie,” Ryker murmured as he surveyed the beach surroundings.

“He will wonder where we have been.”

Ryker nodded. “Once we have him, I think we should ride into the night a little.”

“Will that be safe?”

“Is it ever?”

Nova’s shoulders dropped. “Is that because of me?”

Ryker looked at her with his warm brown eyes and shook his head gently. “Not at all.”

They found the man Ryker had hired the boat from, and the two exchanged a handful of gold as the ocean gently lapped at the shore beside them. The man tipped his hat before he turned away, his boots crunching softly on the sand. Once Ryker had secured his money, they headed back towards the path that led into the woods.

The Hound took the lead, and the star followed.

“How far away is the mountain?”

“If we ride through part of the night, I think we can make it as early as noon tomorrow.”

Nova nodded. “Then we best get to it.”

Loud murmurs floated through the air, causing Ryker to stop abruptly. Nova, sensing the tension, wisely kept her questions to herself. She watched as his brow furrowed, his head tilted slightly, straining to catch the conversation. The tightening of his jaw told her everything—whoever was up ahead were those they’d prefer not to encounter.

“Something isn’t right,” Ryker whispered as he pulled Nova into the shrubbery. “I think it’s Branoc’s men.”

Nova sighed. They’d just come from chaos and hadn’t had a chance to rest before they were being propelled into it again. “How do you know?”

“I heard the name Branoc . . . and there’s certainly enough clinking for them to be royal guards.”

“Can we go a different way?”

“This is the only trail in this direction,” Ryker motioned up ahead. “I could create a distraction, and you slip away. You could wait for me deeper in the forest and I will come for you?” Ryker spoke in a hushed tone.

Nova shook her head and frowned. “We only just found each other again, I’m not leaving you.”

He reached for her hand and gently squeezed it. “I can’t fight them and protect you at the same time.”

“Then don’t. I’ll go on ahead and play innocent and you can ambush them. Do you have any dreamroot darts left?”

He checked the pocket inside his jacket. “I have two.”

“Give them to me,” Nova asked, extending her hand.

Without hesitation, he handed them to her.

Nova held the small darts in her hand and closed her eyes. There hadn’t been a chance to bask naked under the moon to fully recharge, but she’d been exposed to the moon enough to feel a small amount of power simmering in her veins.

The humming sensation began in her chest and spread down her arms and into her fingertips. A small glow of light burst around her clenched fists, then it winked out leaving Nova with not two but multiple dreamroot darts.

Ryker’s eyes were wide with amazement as he reached for darts. “No wonder Branoc wanted to keep you for himself.”

With a raised brow, Nova placed her hands on her hips and stared at the hound.

“Too soon?” Ryker murmured with a grin.

Nova returned his smile. “Just a little.”

The voices grew louder, so Ryker pulled Nova further into the shrubbery.

“What if there are only two of them?”

“There is never just two.” Ryker surveyed their surroundings. “Perhaps creating a distraction is our only option. You go on ahead and I will hide.”

She really didn’t want to leave Ryker’s side and place herself in the hands of Branocs’ men again, but there was little choice. She’d trusted Ryker to come for her in Corsair, now, she needed to trust that he would get them out of this situation as well.

Nova nodded and started to walk off just as Ryker caught her hand. The feel of his warm calloused fingers against her soft skin sent shivers up her arm. All her senses stood to alert as his gaze locked on hers.

“Be careful,” Ryker whispered.

“You be careful too,” she whispered back.

Over the last few weeks, Nova was beginning to feel braver with each day that she faced. The world was huge and there would be times that it would all seem too much, but for right now, in this moment, she felt invigorated. Ready to face whatever she needed to. If it meant she got to spend a little more time with Ryker.

The hound moved silently into the underbrush and Nova picked up her feet, heading up the trail. She figured the guards wouldn’t harm her, but the chance of Ryker being injured caused her heart rate to quicken. Or what if this all went pear shaped and the guards managed to ship her off back to King Branoc?

Nova’s zest for life and all it had to offer suddenly came crashing down.

Maybe she wasn’t cut out for this.

As she rounded the bend in the road, Nova wasn’t expecting the small group of men waiting ahead. Ryker had been right—there were never just two. Six guards stood together, talking and studying a map. There was no way around them.

On either side of the group was a dense amount of trees and shrubbery and Nova wondered how Ryker would make his way silently. Maybe she could draw the men away from him long enough that he could form a plan of attack without the threat of them finding him.

She tugged the hood of her cloak further down, shadowing her face in hopes of blending in. Perhaps, if she appeared as nothing more than a weary traveller, she could slip by unnoticed. Her heart raced as she imagined waltzing right past them, her steps casual but her every nerve on edge, hoping they wouldn’t pay her any mind.

“Hey . . . you!” one guard called; his voice harsh against her ears.

Nova swallowed and smiled cautiously as she took a few steps backwards. This drew the attention of all the men as they spun in her direction.

“We order you to stop in the name of the king!”

Frozen to the spot, Nova acted innocent. “Please help me, I have lost my way.”

Three guards started towards her, but before they could get close, two of them slapped the sides of their necks as darts pierced their skin. Nova wondered where Ryker was hiding, but was pleased all the same that he’d managed to knockout at least two of them.

“Ambush! Take the woman and go!” one guard called.

The guard closest to Nova lunged forward and roughly pulled her by the arm and she let out a yelp. Trying to free his grip, Nova squirmed and pulled but it was of no use. The guard held fast.

Ryker appeared from the bushes, armed and ready with his sword and chaos erupted. The guard holding Nova dragged her towards a small horse drawn carriage as Ryker fought off the other three men. He managed to knock one male out almost instantly and it became two against three.

With as much energy as she could muster, Nova summoned her power from within, unleashing a burst of viridian light from her hands. The suddenness of it made the guard throw an arm across his face, but his grip on her arm only tightened to the point of pain.

“Unhand me at once you buffoon of a man!” she cried.

“You better watch it, lady. Keep talking like that and see where it gets you. The king wanted you home alive, he didn’t say we couldn’t teach you a lesson for running away in the first place.” The guard’s face twisted with a wicked grin and Nova felt sick to her stomach. Maybe allowing them to catch her hadn’t been the best plan, but there was little time to think of something else.

The forest rang with the sounds of swords clanging and Nova strained to see Ryker as a flurry of bodies danced to the song of battle. Digging her feet in, she tried to slow the guard from shoving her into the carriage, but he was much too strong.

Nova punched and kicked, but with a rough grip, he shoved her up the stairs of the carriage. This was all going very badly, but she refused to be taken back to that fancy castle with its fancy dresses and abusive king.

She gave one last push off the side of the carriage door frame with enough force that it caused the guard to stumble backwards slightly but it wasn’t enough for him to loosen his grip, instead it just made the guard angrier.

Sharp stinging pain lanced its way across the side of her face and lip as he backhanded her, and Nova cried out as her neck twisted jarringly to the side.

“I told you to watch it.” The guard’s rough voice warmed her ear.

Closing her eyes against the pain, Nova fought to remain calm. A familiar taste of blood washed over her tongue and she felt a warm sensation trickling down the corner of her mouth. Dread pooled in her stomach as memories flashed through her mind. She couldn’t go back.

Ryker cried out and Nova lunged, but the guard used both hands to shove her inside the carriage and slammed the door, locking it securely.

“Ryker!” she cried through the bars on the window.

He whipped his head towards her cry, and it was enough to see him rage. Blades clashed and bodies twisted as the two guards he was in combat with finally fell to the ground. He dashed for the carriage and as he neared, Nova spotted a large, weeping gash across his upper right arm. The blood ran bright red, soaking into his shirt.

The guard who’d taken Nova captive lurched for Ryker and the two men fought furiously, but the male was no match for the Hound in single combat. Ryker slashed him across the face, and tears of red liquid streamed down his cheeks and neck. As the guard dropped to his knees in pain, Ryker hit him over the head with the handle of his sword, knocking him to the ground. He didn’t rise again.

Relief washed over Nova.

Ryker wasted no time in freeing her from her wooden cage.

Leaping from the carriage, Nova threw her arms around Ryker’s neck and squeezed him as hard as her arms would allow.

“I’m so glad you’re alright,” she whispered.

Ryker held her tight before gently pushing her to arm’s length. “He hit you?” The look that crept across Ryker’s face was one of pure madness.

Nova stepped towards him again and cupped his face. “I’m alright . . . we’re okay. Let’s get out of here before anyone comes to.”

Ryker nodded, taking her hand in his as they hurried off through the woods.

After collecting Charlie from the stablehand who looked at them oddly, the star and the Hound took to the forest.

“I think we need to find shelter for tonight and lay low for a few days. I didn’t think the king’s guards would actually be that good at finding us but it seems as if I have underestimated them,” Ryker said as he trotted along the road.

Nova studied the way his fingers gently held the reins. “That was a close call, I thought I was going to lose you for a moment there.”

Wrapping an arm around her middle and shifting in the saddle so his body was pressed up against her back, Ryker answered, his voice confident, “It’s going to take more than six guards to take me down.”

* * *

The fire’s flickering light cast dancing shadows across the cave walls where they’d made camp for the night. After hours of navigating the dense forest in search of a well-hidden spot, they’d finally stumbled upon a cave free from any lurking creatures. Once inside, they brought Charlie in, pitched a tent, and built a crackling fire to warm the space.

Nova had grown so accustomed to setting up camp that it felt instinctive. She moved through the motions effortlessly, no longer needing to ask Ryker for help. Even building the fire, something that once felt foreign, was now a task she could handle with ease.

The warmth on her skin was welcome as she sat by the fire with her arms wrapped around her knees. Her body ached from the rough handling from the guard, not to mention the dull throb of her swollen lip. Painful memories from Branoc beating her surfaced again and she closed her eyes against the phantom slap that echoed in her ears.

Nova’s eyes flicked to the male across the cavern. Ryker was busy sorting Charlie and gathering some food from their bags. His brow was pinched, his mouth pressed in a thin line.

Ryker’s steps were soft as he approached her with a canteen of water and a small piece of cloth. He sat beside her and gently reached for her chin, turning her face towards him.

“Let me clean this up for you.” He motioned towards the water.

“I’ll be alright,” Nova murmured.

Ryker tugged her chin closer to his face. “You’ve cared for me many times. Let me do it for you.”

His eyes pleaded with her and before she could stop herself, Nova found herself nodding.

Soft hands dabbed at her lip, and she hissed in pain at the first touch of the cool water against her skin.

“Sorry . . .” Ryker said softly.

He dabbed her lip a few more times and, once satisfied, put the lid back on the canteen. “It will hurt for a few days.”

“I can’t be any worse than the wound on your arm. Let me heal it for you.”

Ryker shook his head. “I’ll be fine. It’s only a surface wound.”

“I’m sure I have enough power in me—”

“You need to rest.” Warm brown eyes gazed into hers for a few moments before he sighed and started to undo the front of his shirt, shrugging out of it and letting it fall to the ground. “No powers, but I’ll let you clean it.”

Nova shifted so she was sitting on her knees with Ryker’s bare chest gleaming in the low light of the orange flames.

By the stars, Nova thought as she trailed her eyes over his torso. He was utterly divine to look at. The grooves along his hardened stomach glistened with sweat, each droplet like melted gold as they beaded on his skin. Veins in his arms slightly bulged each time he moved or flexed his hands.

The dark tendrils of his unruly hair hung loosely over his forehead. And over the past few days his jaw had produced light stubble. Nova found him utterly desirable, wishing she could climb into his lap and do the things they’d done the other night.

Before pirates and guards.

“Hand me that cloth,” Nova murmured.

Ryker handed it to her, and she splashed it with water from the canteen beside her. It was the Hound’s turn to wince in pain as she gently wiped away the blood and grime. His arm felt huge beneath her small hand. She fought the urge to run her fingers along his muscles.

“I think that’s as clean as we will get it.”

Ryker nodded.

Before he could move, Nova placed her hand on his arm just below the wound and closed her eyes.

“Nova . . . what are you doing?”

“Shh,” she hushed him.

Nova concentrated on the feeling of her magic, she called it calmly, willing it into being. At first, nothing happened, so she took a deep breath and let it out slowly, internally calling to it again.

A slight buzzing sensation rippled down her arms and into her hands. Her body began to glow, and, with a push, Nova expanded her power out through her hands. The golden essence flowed to Ryker’s wound and began to knit the skin back together with invisible threads of light.

Within moments the wound was a faint red line.

She pulled the power back into her body, opened her eyes and met Ryker’s. He was watching her with awe and wonder.

“There you go . . . like new.” Nova grinned.

The Hound couldn’t help but crack a smile at her words. “Thank you, but you really need to rest.”

Nova moved back to face the fire, warming her hands. “Now I will rest. If you’re so concerned, perhaps you should keep yourself from harm, so I don’t have to keep healing you.”

Ryker huffed as he stood and reached for his shirt. “Perhaps you should stop getting taken by pirates, so I don’t have to keep rescuing you?”

Nova flashed him a smile as she shrugged. “Can’t promise.”

Ryker shook his head but smiled as he started to place his shirt back on.

“Where did you get those scars?” Nova asked as she eyed the three large, darkened lines across his left pectoral muscle. She’d seen them the first time they bathed together, but was too shy to ask.

Ryker paused; his shirt gathered in his hand. He glanced down at the old wound and ran his hand across the ridges in his skin. “A Galanthor.”

“Like the one I saw that day I ran away?”

The corner of Ryker’s mouth pulled up. “Yes.”

Nova felt warmth crawl up her neck and into her cheeks at the thought of what might have happened had Ryker not found her in time. “Tell me the story.”

“I was out hunting deer one day in the deeper parts of a wood near home. Galanthor didn’t like that I was taking his food.”

“Obviously you lived.” Nova threw him a playful smile.

Ryker chuckled. “I certainly did, but the Galanthor met a different fate, unfortunately.”

Nova stood and closed the distance between them, her steps faintly echoing through the space. She placed her hand over the scar, right above his heart. His skin was warm under her hand. “I’m glad you’re still here.”

The feeling of his heart rate quickening brought a prickling sensation over Nova’s entire body. She went from looking at his chest to looking at his soft, full lips that beckoned to her. She wanted his mouth on hers, but she wanted him to want it too, so she stilled and waited for him to pull closer. Silence rang loud as the star and the Hound held each other’s gaze.

Disappointment replaced desire as Ryker slowly took a few steps back.

“Sometimes I’m glad too.” He moved towards their bags as he shoved his shirt over his head. He fished around inside one of them before pulling out their rations. “We should eat.”

Nova dropped her hand to her side and nodded in response. Maybe he was beginning to regret their moment the other night. Maybe it was for the best. He was so determined to get her home that perhaps she should be focusing on that too, even though she was becoming more and more certain that home was possibly not a place.