It was dark when I arrived at Oakhaven. Mother was just finishing cleaning up for the night. Ash was out with his drinking companions, and Father Oak was fast asleep. I helped Mother finish cleaning, and sat down to have some bread and fruit before heading up to bed.

As I entered my room, it was completely dark, but warm as if the fire had recently died out. I took a step in and closed the door, and in that moment I knew I was not alone. My mouth went dry, fear clinched my stomach, but only for a second. It took my mind only moments to remember I was Dreya, and whatever was in the dark could not harm me. I took a slow step closer into the room. I could feel raw anger vibrating through the air. My eyes adjusted to the darkness.

He sat resting his back at the head of the bed. One leg bent at the knee, the other stretched out in front of him. He looked peaceful lounging there. He wore all black, his head was bowed and his midnight hair shielded his face from my view. I just stood there, waiting. The silence stretched for what felt like an eternity before he spoke.

“You bring your lover here, you dare” he said, it was not a question but a statement. My lover? I thought…Nicky, and had to actually stop myself from laughing. I took a step closer…and another

I could hear his heart race, his breathing become faster. I stood inches from the bed. He lifted his head, his eyes bright glowing amber…the moonlight poured through the window. I could see his nostrils flare as they do when he’s angered, the ticking of his jaw as he ground his teeth.

He turned his head looking up at me… “Not my lover” I said breathlessly

He moved so fast I barely saw it, slamming me against the wall, his large hand gripping my neck, he stood towering over me, staring down. His breathing was heavy, the scent of him wrapped around me. “Mine” he hissed. Yes, I thought.

“I should kill you, you could torture me no more, no more would you bewitch me, intoxicate me” he whispered in my ear. His tongue gliding down my throat. I pushed him away, he staggered for a second before slamming me so hard against the wall it knocked the breath from my body. I glared at him, violet eyes meeting golden ones.

“Mine” he growled and lifted my skirts, plunging into me…at last, I thought. So it was all night, and as dawn approached we were exhausted. The last thing I heard as I drifted to sleep was “My love, My soul”.

Hours later, for the first time in over a thousand years, I woke complete, with Raven by my side.