Evelyn woke to the dappled light that streamed through her windows. The soft comfort of the blankets draped over her.
Her sleep was peaceful even though she was in this strange new place.
She heard a knock on the door before she saw the red headed maid walk into the room with a tray of food. Evelyn's stomach growled in response as she remembered she had barely touched her dinner last night.
"Good morning miss. I have brought your breakfast and will prepare a bath for you." The maid smiled as she set the try on a nearby table.
Evelyn stretched and removed the blankets as she scooted to the edge of the bed. It was then that she noticed she was still wearing her clothes from last night, now all rumpled from sleep. The nightgown was still hanging pristine from the bathroom door.
Evelyn was shoveling porrage with dried fruit into her mouth when her maid emerged from the bathroom to let her know it was ready when she was finished with her breakfast.
Sorin was outside by the carriage as he waited for his staff to finish preparing for the second half of their journey. He turned when he heard the door of the manor house open to see Evelyn exit the house wearing a simple pastel blue cotton dress, with her hair pulled back in a braid that was decorated with wildflowers.
Sorin thought she looked like an angel has his hear started thrum in his chest and his core started to blaze with desire. He quickly turned away to take a deep breath, calm his heart, and adjust the apparent bulge in his pants before he turned to greet Evelyn with a smile.
"Good morning Evelyn." Sorin's smile faltered for a moment when he saw that the collar had again been placed around Evelyn's neck. "I hope you slept well."
Evelyn's smile was more radiant than the sun as she approached him. "I did" She replied shyly. Sorin reached out his hand to help Evelyn into the carriage, and his blood sang with just that little bit of contact.
Evelyn blushed as she slipped her fingers into his outstretched hand. She felt the heat of his touch and her hand lingered in his a moment longer than needed as she settled herself into the carriage.
Evelyn watched as the carriage moved down the lane from the manor house and on to the main road. This was the most travelled road between the capitol and all of the other cities in the beast lands. It wasn't until they turned down a less travelled path that Evelyn turned to Sorin in confusion. She had thought they were travelling to another beast city but this road had them headed farther into the forests.
"Where are we going Lord Sorin?"
"How much do you know about the beast lands?" Sorin answered with a question of his own.
"Not a lot I'm afraid. My village resided on the border of the human territories and the beast lands. Our elders always told us stories of a great beast that resided in the mountain near our village. That this beast descended the mountain and took human form one day. The beast was curious about humans and wanted to learn more about us. Our village welcomed him and taught him about or ways. In return the beast formed a pact with the elders and vowed to watch over the village and keep it safe." Tears started to form in Evelyn's eyes as she spoke about her village.
"We were safe and prospered year after year until they came. Why did the beast from the mountain not come to save us?" She cried as the tears left wet tracks down her cheeks. "Those monsters killed my family! They stole me away from my home and took away my freedom!" Evelyn tugged on the thick leather collar that was around her neck. "Why did this happen?" She whispered as she held her he'd in her hands and continued to cry.
After a few moments Evely felt a pair of warm strong arms wrap around her. "I wish I could take away your pain." Sorin breathed in her ear. "But I swear I will protect you for as long as you will let me."
Evelyn looked up to see those intense golden eyes look into her red rimmed emerald ones.
"Why would you promise such a thing to a human?" Evelyn was genuinely surprised by his declaration.
Sorin sighed and pulled a handkerchief from his pocket. "Because you stir feelings in me that I have not felt in a long time." He replied as he dabbed the tears from her face. "I wanted to ask if you felt anything from me. Do you feel the pull of energy between us?"
Evelyn furrowed her brow in thought. She didn't want to voice everything she felt for him because even if he was human there was a clear class gap between them. It was not proper for her to talk about such things with her Lord.
Sorin used his finger to smooth the lines on Evelyn's forehead. "Please tell me what you are thinking." He begged as he leaned back in his seat to give her space.
Evelyn took a deep breath. "When we touch it feels like lava runs through my veins. Even now the heat from your finger lingers as a warm tingle on my skin." She admitted.
Sorin nodded as he took in this information. So she could feel a part of the bond but not all of it. This made some sense to him as she was human and they normally did not experience a bond like this.
"What does it mean?" Evelyn asked, pulling Sorin from his thoughts.
"Truthfully this could mean complications. Have you ever heard of a mate bond?"
Evelyn hadn't, but if it meant what she thought it did! Her face immediately blazed with heat as she attempted to hide her reaction behind her hands. "N-n-no I haven't." She stammered.
"A true mate bond is very rare." Sorin began. "This bond transcends physical attraction and connects our very souls. Most beastmen will never experience this bond in their lifetime and instead will take a chosen mate."
"Wait! You think we have this mate bond? But I'm not even a beastman, I'm human." Evelyn placed a hand on her chest. This was not happening. Evelyn could not be bonded to a beastman noble. Such things just didn't happen. She started to breath heavily as her heart pounded in her chest.
"Calm down Evelyn." Sorin looked at her with a concerned expression. "I don't want you to pass out and hurt yourself." He placed his hand on her shoulder and Evelyn immediately felt his strength start to calm her racing heart.
"We will figure things out as they come." He promised. Evelyn just nodded before she again turned her gaze to the landscape beyond the carriage windows.