Fencliff

Bess’ coat gleams in the early morning sun as we make our way toward the citadel. Ayris’ hand remains in its usual position over my stomach as we ride, but the gesture carries a deeper meaning after the revelations of last night. Protective not just over his mate, but of his *pup*. The word still feels foreign to me when used in this way. A way to describe our *baby*. I place my hand atop my mate’s and squeeze gently in an act of reassurance. He nuzzles closer, placing a gentle kiss at my temple, but never taking his eyes from his destination. I can tell he’s distracted. Ayris’ body is tense and no matter how I try to reassure or soothe him I seem to be unable to do so.

My mind races as we ride on; and I worry that my mate’s preoccupation isn’t *entirely* due to the impending danger we find ourselves in. We had never discussed this. No mention of children since… Since that night at the cabin. The night he’d mentioned pups and I’d rebuffed him. Perhaps Ayris has realised that he doesn’t want pups after all. Particularly given the perils we still face.

“Your mind is racing” Ayris whispers, his breath tickling the shell of my ear.

“My mind has a lot of things to think about” I sigh. Bess huffs as though in agreement.

“Indeed” Ayris agrees.

“We didn’t time this very well” I whisper, almost ashamed of the words that fall from my mouth as I run a hand along my stomach.

Ayris is silent for a beat or two before he speaks again.

“Some things cannot be timed, they simply happen as they are meant to” He replies, pulling me closer. “Look at our first meeting. Ill timed, but transpiring exactly as it was meant to”.

I stifle a laugh with the back of my hand.

“You cannot seriously be using our first meeting as an example of things happening as they’re meant to!” I cackle. “We hated one another!”

Ayris chuckles as he continues to guide Bess through the undergrowth.

“We may not have gotten off to the best start” He agrees “But surely you cannot deny that our meeting was a work of fate? How else would you account for it?”

I can’t deny the man has a point. Truth be told I still have no idea how the portal brought me here. It’s a thought that my mind circles back to frequently. How sad and boring life had been back home. How my biggest worry had been my fiance’s infidelity. Not… *giant portal monsters and evil sorceresses?!*

“And besides” He continues “I have never hated you, my velatha. On the contrary, I hated how much I *did not* hate you” Another kiss, this time atop my head.

“I was a fool, battling my own feelings and how vulnerable they made me” My heart skips as he speaks. I’ve never heard him speak so candidly about this before. I know he finds it difficult with the guilt he feels about how he treated me.

“But look at me now” he smiles “The most bewitching and beguiling little mate and now blessed with a pup” he strokes my tummy as if speaking to our baby directly.

“In this moment I would change nothing, Laurel. Not a damned thing. You have made me the most blessed lycan in all of Valia. Truly”

I’m silent for a moment, stunned at the sincerity of his words as Bess continues on.

“Well… I only hated you a little bit” I smirk “I would have hated you more if you weren’t so damned handsome”.

Ayris’ bellowing laugh rumbles through the air as he grips me tightly.

By nightfall we have almost reached our destination. The edge of the forest falls away and we look down from our vantage to see the torches of the citadel shining brightly above the gates. The men continue patrolling, scouting the area for potential threats – whether they be from men or monsters. The king is aware of our journey – his acknowledgement of Ayris’ raven was clear he didn’t feel we posed a threat; or that that we intended to follow through should Ayris and the regiment deem it necessary. But Ayris appears unconcerned with what the king does or says anymore. The sense of disgust and disappointment he feels for the man who once commanded my mate radiates through our bond whenever his name is mentioned.

I don’t think Ayris will give the king much leeway during their talks. I know in my heart that Ayris seeks retribution for what was done to me, no matter how much I try to dissuade him. I do not want to risk lives because of my mate’s hot headedness. Even though I know he is a skilled strategist I still worry about his ability to maintain his cool. Even more so *now*.

The once waxing moon now appears full as it hangs low between the clouds, casting shadows on the footpath that leads to the city gates. Ayris and I sit atop Bess, my mate deep in contemplation as he watches on from our location. I sense the tug of concentration and contemplation as he watches the comings and goings of the city below.

“Are you ready?” I ask, my hand gently stroking his oversized palm that still rests protectively over my belly.

He grunts, nodding in acknowledgement. “I am”.

Silence falls between us and I sense a level of anxiety drifting through our bond.

“I need to ask you something, my velatha. I know you will refuse, but I have to ask it of you, regardless”.

I turn atop the horse, meeting his eyes as he gazes down at me.

“Will you remain behind? With some of the civilians and a small contingency of the men? I need to know that you are safe no matter what happens”.

His eyes cast downward to where his hand still lays.

“Both of you”.

His request catches me off guard. Honestly’ after all we’ve been through, I had thought he’d moved past this. Especially given how heightened my powers have become in recent weeks.

“Ayris, I-“He looks at me lovingly, thumb stroking my cheek.

“You are refusing me” he states, no hint of a question in his voice.

I nod.

“I’m sorry. But I can’t stand by and watch you all risk your lives down there. Not when I could be useful” Ayris nods before pressing a gentle kiss to my lips.

“As I suspected”

His back straightens and he directs his gaze to the path beyond.

“You’re not mad?” I ask.

“No. I anticipated as much” He says nothing more, but I still sense conflict within him as he sits quietly, the heat of his chest radiating through my cloak.

“Come, my little velatha, we are almost at our destination”.

I’m surprised as we ride on, veering away from what I had perceived an ideal location for camp, instead winding our way to the east toward a steep cliff face that looks toward the ocean. The noise of the running water grows louder as we journey up through a steep pathway carved into the cliff side.

"Where are we going?" I ask, as Bess continues n her route. It's as though she knows the way from memory.

"We are almost there, Laurel, just a little further".

My mouth hangs open as we follow the path to the source of the noise: a waterfall cascading over the side of the cliff face. As we venture beneath it, I gasp. There, situated inside a tunnel carved into the hillside is an enormous set of carved oak doors.

Ayris pulls me tight and talks into my ear so I can hear him above the noise of the falling water.

“We are here, my little mate”

The doors open into an enormous cavern within the cliff. As I gaze in awe at the spectacle before me I’m startled by a cacophony of voices.

“Laurel!”

I’m shocked beyond measure to find Purdy and Thea striding excitedly toward us, Finn clutching his mother’s hand as a male I don’t recognise walks by her side.

“Uncle Rissy!” Finn beams as Ayris dismounts from Bess and hugs his nephew before helping me from the horse’s back.

I stand shocked, unprepared for the sight of not just the secret cavern we find ourselves in, but the people stowed away inside it. The space is *vast*, enormous stalactites descending from the roof of the cave, and what appears to be dozens of people scrabbling around attending to our party, as though anticipating we would be coming. There are various tunnels jutting off from the main area, which has seating carved into the rock, torches evenly dispersed throughout to provide a surprisingly generous amount of light, and what appears to be crates of supplies stacked in the far corner.

“Welcome to Fenncliff, my little velatha” Ayris states, pulling me tightly to his side.

“Oh it’s so good to have you back with us, dear” Purdy beams, striding toward me and scooping me into a hug so tight it catches my breath. I can sense Ayris raising a brow at his mother’s decision to address me first; and it makes my mouth quirk in response.

“Easy” Ayris states firmly, releasing me from Purdy’s grasp.

“Oof, you grump” Purdy muses as she takes in the sight of both before her. “I am allowed to hug my daughter, am I not? I have missed you both, but I am beginning to think perhaps I missed Laurel more” She jokingly huffs as she cuddles into her son’s side.

“You remain as charming as ever, dear brother” Thea smirks, her beaming smile betraying her words.

Ayris keeps me firmly pressed into his side, his warm palm resting gently upon my belly.

“Ignore him” I joke, elbowing him playfully in the ribs, forcing a huff from Ayris. “It was a long journey”

“I have so many questions!” I beam, my eyes darting around the space, trying to take everything in. “I had no idea this place existed”.

“Ahh there is much to discuss!” The male to Thea’s left smiles. “But first a toast! To welcome your safe return”.

A tall, thin man approaches with a tray of glasses with what appears to be wine. Everyone takes a glass, so I do the same, raising a glass as he makes a toast.

Everyone takes a sip, but me, aware of the life growing inside me. Ayris’ family all eye me curiously, before Purdy’s eyes dart to the hand at my belly, widening in surprise and searching both our faces for answers.

Ayris nods in confirmation.

“We have returned safely, with an unexpected addition” he smiles, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

“A pup?!” Purdy gasps, almost dropping her glass in shock.

I nod and Ayris cuddles me warmly.

“Indeed” He beams, sounding like the proudest man in the world. “Our pup”.