I grabbed the bottle and my glass, snapped my fingers for one of the bar wenches before tossing a few coins at her. “I need to bathe and you can ask me your questions then,” I offered him a soft smile.

I sighed softly gripping my bottle before tossing him a look over my shoulder. I was nervous, he had questions and what if I gave the wrong answer, or one he didn’t like. My stomach flipped as I grabbed his hands and hurried out the door. I walked in silence and thank the heavens the Inn I was staying in was only a few blocks away.

I didn’t give him a chance to speak as my pace was quick, the clicking of my heels echoed in the alleyways. The pace of my heels matched the beating of my heart. I knew it was only a matter of time before we dug deep, but I didn’t think it so soon. Calm down you over reactive girl, Nikita quipped.

I pushed open the Inn door, my eyes met with the Inn keep as I nodded. I knew she would understand by how I was covered in dried blood. She hurried away calling out for someone to warm so water for the bathing tub.

“We can talk once we get upstairs,” I gave him a nervous smile as I let go of his hand. I dug in my pocket looking for my room key. Quickly and fluidly I made my way up the stairs taking them two at a time. We were met by a short girl, her black pixie cut framed her young face.

“That was quick,” I mused knowing that the Inn Keep was frightened of me.

I pushed open the door and set down the bottle and glass before peeling off the blood soaked clothes. The sound of sticking fabric maybe a shiver run down my spine. I could feel his eyes on me, watching me intently. I enjoyed his attention and it made me feel less tense.

I walked towards the bathing room and smiled seeing that little pixie girl had been hard at work. I lowered myself into the large tub and glanced over my shoulder to see Erik standing in the doorway. He had his shirt off, baring the medley of scars on his flesh, but he'd kept his pants on. He moved into the bathroom and leaned against the wall, a curious expression on his face.

“My first question, I suppose, is, do you want me to join you?” He raised one eyebrow.

I laughed softly nodding my head as I grabbed a loofa and lathered it up with soap. “Of course I do.” He slowly peeled off his pants and tossed them out of the bathroom, then gingerly climbed in, scooting me forward to hold me in his lap as his legs settled into the water. He groaned and I looked back to see his head dropped back slightly.

“The heat feels good.” He defended himself without opening his eyes. One arm wrapped around me as the other took the loofah, and he started gently washing my back. For the moment, he seemed content not to ask anything.

Then he leaned forward and kissed the back of my neck before murmuring into my ear. “If there's anything I ask that you don't want to answer, just tell me. I won't be upset, sweetheart.” He gave me a squeeze and handed back the loofah before sitting back in the tub.

“So, your transformative state. It's one you control freely? Not tied to a cycle, or environment?” His voice was steady, but curious. His eyes watched me without a hint of judgment, just that interest shining in them.

I sighed softly trying to figure out how to put into words the question he wanted answered. “When you are a lycan it is something completely different than a werewolf. At a certain age you ascend it’s painfully for a while but a spirit from a lycan chooses you. You become one so when I shift my lycan spirit takes control. My halfling state is the only time we both have control over the body.” I glanced at him, I knew that it was confusing and at times I was confused at the mechanics of it all still.

“It’s confusing and messy and at times makes me feel crazy when she talks but also comforting.” I shrugged innocently. He blinked, stared at me, tilting his head to one side as his eyes widened.

“You've two Souls? Vying for dominance, or trading it. I - oh dear. Second Soul, I apologize if I'm not to your taste. Is - Hm.” He seemed thrown for a loop. I laughed softly cupping his cheek, “Nikita is someone entirely differently and she is bitter after all we have been through so she doesn’t truly have an opinion that matters on my personal life.”

Thanks for that, Cammy. Nikita growled with frustration. Erik leaned into my touch for a moment before raising an eyebrow.

“So, she doesn't like me then. I'll keep my distance from her in that case.” He chuckled, a bit strained. Then he rubbed his chin with a hand, and caught my hand in his grasp and gave it a squeeze. “So, aside from sharing control with a second Soul, does that form have any hidden benefits or demerits? I've seen you are stronger and faster when changed.”

“I do, I am stronger than a regular person and I heal somewhat faster. I can take hits better than most people. There are downsides though, I am more emotional, unstable at times. I can sometimes be animalistic. Being a lycan is a blessing and a curse, I had a soulmate, literally, a soulmate. Nikita, she is the lycan spirit and imprinted on a man once. I fell in love with him hard and when he broke both of us not once but twice I let her take control for many months.” Realizing I had just shared one of my most intimate secrets that I had kept for over two years. I grabbed the bottle pouring my glass full and gulping it down greedily.

Erik was quiet, letting me drink, and instead watched me with a half-closed gaze, his brow furrowed in thought. He reached out gently and took my hand, lacing his fingers with mine. “I told you that I was married, yes?” He waited until I nodded, half-remembering him mention that. “I didn't say that she was responsible for my first death. Not that I knew it at the time. I told you I rejected the cycle my world was trapped in, and that I fought the gods over it, receiving my curse of Undeath. But - I only lost the first time because she betrayed me to my enemies. I didn't know, at the time, didn't learn for over a century. My world has a limited reincarnation cycle, reusing old, weary souls after a time of rest. I thought she had died at my foe’s hands, and so I waited for so, so long, hoping to see her again, knowing I would still be alive when she was reborn.” He let out a short bark of a laugh.

“It was only as I found her and started to rejoice that one of the damned messengers of the gods found me. He took a great deal of pleasure in informing me that she had willingly handed over the key to our chambers so I could be slain. So, to you both. You are not alone.” He gave me a strained smile and climbed out of the bath, and shook himself dry before reaching for a towel. “This conversation has become rather maudlin, I'm sorry.” He gave me another smile, and slowly left the bathroom.

A few tears slipped down my cheeks as I dabbed at them. I had still not fully gotten over Gnarl but having Erik with me was something that eased my suffering. I slowly washed my hair, enjoying my fingers as they diligently worked at my scalp. I rinsed and repeated a few times before washing the rest of the dried blood away.