Chapter 1

Book 1: Mistress of the Veil

The chill nipped at me through my cloak, making the woods feel even darker and more ominous.

I tugged my hood further over my head, scanning the quiet, still surroundings. The sky was a dull gray overhead, and the forest shadows were a deep, inky black.

I tried to guess the time. Maybe late afternoon, but I couldn’t be sure. I’d been wandering for what felt like forever, but everything around me stayed the same.

I hadn’t really thought about where I was going when I’d entered the forest. To be honest, I hadn’t been thinking about much at all, except escaping.

I kept looking over my shoulder, wondering when they’d find me. The mere thought of hearing a horse’s hooves made my heart race.

That sound would mean the end for me. I was sure of it.

When you’re running from a situation like mine, the odds of escaping are slim. I knew that, but I ran anyway. At sixteen, I was ripe for the role I’d been sold into.

But I also knew what it meant to work for that heartless count.

Young women who worked in his manor didn’t get to keep their dignity, especially not those of us from the lower class.

My father might have seen some advantage in selling me to him, but I refused to accept that fate.

I’d promised myself a long time ago that I wouldn’t let any man control me, no matter where I came from or the fact that I was a woman.

And that’s what led me into these deep, dark woods.

I wasn’t naive enough to think I had much chance of escaping, but I was desperate enough to try.

Ever since I was a little girl, I’d heard stories about this forest.

They said it was a gateway to another world, and that people who entered either disappeared forever or had their wishes granted by the Faerie folk who lived there.

For me, the chance of having a wish granted, no matter how childish it seemed, was enough to draw me in.

As a young woman in the fifteenth century, I didn’t have many options.

Whether it was having a real wish granted by a fairy or simply disappearing, anything was better than being forced to serve a heartless man.

A distant howl made me stop and look around. Was that a wolf? I knew there were probably some in the area, but I’d never seen one before.

Scared, I quickened my pace, darting through the underbrush and trees. The forest seemed to grow darker, denser.

There was a strange energy in the air as I ran, something I’d never felt before. It seemed to crackle around me, like a fire.

Then, suddenly, there was sunlight.

I stopped in my tracks, stunned. The once dark, dense woods were now clear and beautiful, like something from a fairytale.

I lowered my hood and looked around, taking in the warm air. Everything was so green, so untouched. I couldn’t remember ever seeing a place so naturally beautiful.

I thought back to the stories I’d heard. Had I just left my world and entered the world of the Fae?

A sudden rustling brought me back to reality. I looked around cautiously, trying to figure out where it had come from.

It was a quick, subtle sound, like something moving slowly through the underbrush. An uneasy feeling washed over me, and I instinctively stepped back.

That’s when I noticed something large moving slowly towards me through the trees. My eyes widened as I saw it, my mind struggling to comprehend what I was seeing.

It was some kind of creature, standing at least eight feet tall with a massive body that looked like it was made from tree bark.

It shook its head as its glowing gold eyes locked onto me, opening jaws that looked like an inky void but made no sound except for a loud hiss.

Terrified, I turned and ran. I didn’t know if it was going to chase me, but I didn’t want to find out.

The bright forest was alive with the sounds of birds and strange calls as I ran. I didn’t know where I was going, but I was going to run until I felt safe.

Just as I reached a large embankment, I heard a strange hissing sound. I barely had time to turn before something hit me, sending me tumbling down the steep slope.

I hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind out of me. My body was scraped and bruised, and it took all my strength to try to sit up.

As I did, I stared in disbelief as something slowly slithered down the embankment towards me. It was the strangest creature I’d ever seen.

It had a long body, like a snake, but the top part looked almost human.

Its face was elongated and odd, with big black eyes and a slit mouth that extended from ear to ear. It was slithering towards me, slowly but surely.

I was cutting my hands on the rocks, too scared to get up.

This wasn’t a fairytale land at all. It was a nightmare, and one of those nightmares was about to eat me!

But just as the snake-like creature reached me, it suddenly recoiled in pain, blood spurting from slashes on its chest. I watched in disbelief as something landed between us.

It looked like a figure in white. As it held out a hand, I saw that its fingertips were claws.

Those claws were now bloody from cutting into the creature.

“Be gone with you. This one is mine,” a male voice commanded.

I sat still as the snake retreated, scrambling up the embankment and into the forest. The one who had saved me turned and looked at me, seeming to consider me quietly.

I’d never seen anyone like him before. He looked like a man in many ways, but he was definitely not human.

He had a pale complexion, with white hair and eyelashes that reminded me of clouds.

From that hair, I could see wide, perky ears that reminded me of a dog’s. He also had a long, fluffy-looking white tail.

His eyes were what caught me first. They were a beautiful light gold, captivating and a little bit cold. It was as if he was hardened, distant from others.

He wasn’t a man, but he wasn’t a beast either. He was like a mythical creature, straight out of a fairytale.

“Who…who are…,” I stuttered.

“The better question is why you’re here,” he interrupted.

He knelt in front of me, leveling our gazes. “You’re human. How did you get into this world?”

“World?” I echoed.

He studied me, his expression unreadable. “If I had to guess, I’d say you stumbled through the gateway. Maybe you even wished yourself through. But this isn’t the fairytale you imagined. We who live in the Veil might look human, but we’re not,” he explained.

I shook my head. “I… I can see that. It’s pretty scary here.”

“Scary. Yes, that’s one way to put it.”

He stayed where he was, studying me. I shifted, wincing at the pain in my hands. They were bloody from the sharp rocks. My legs were scraped, my skirt was torn, and my dark hair was tangled around my face and shoulders. I must’ve looked a mess.

“However,” he continued, “you’re also quite beautiful. I like that.

“Your light brown eyes and long dark hair make you stunning, even in this state.

“And you had the strength to get here. Maybe I can use you. I’ve been needing something more lately.”

“What do you mean?”

His words sent a chill down my spine.

Ignoring my fear, he stood up. “First, let’s get you cleaned up. I want to see what you really look like.”

He lifted me from the rocks with ease. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, careful not to get blood on his white shirt.

As ridiculous as it seemed, I felt like I owed him for helping me.

He moved quickly, darting through the trees. In minutes, we reached a cave-like opening in the woods.

We emerged into a large courtyard. It felt safer, more secure than where I’d been. Across the courtyard, a large palace was built into the cliffside.

I stared in awe. Who was this creature? Was this his home?

“Is this your palace?” I asked.

“It is. From now on, you’ll stay here with me. These lands are mine, and no one dares challenge me,” he said.

He led me to the palace, where he set me down.

“What are you?” I asked, looking at him.

He wasn’t human, and neither were the creatures in the forest.

This must be the world of the Fae I’d heard stories about. Was he a Fae king? Was that why he looked the way he did?

“I am the ruler of these lands. Since you’re a human who’s stumbled into this world, I’ll introduce myself. I am Lord Jekia.”

“Lord Jekia,” I repeated.

What a strange name. But then, this was a strange world.

“Come on,” Jekia said, turning toward the palace. “Let’s get you cleaned up. We’ll take care of those wounds. They’re not a pretty sight.”

I followed him into the palace. He led me to a large washroom and told me to sit while he prepared water and a rag to clean my wounds.

I looked around. This place was more luxurious than anything I’d seen in the human world. This creature was a king here. But something about it didn’t sit right with me.

“Thank you for helping me, Lord Jekia,” I said as he cleaned my cuts. “I know I might owe you, but I don’t want to be a burden. If you could help me get home, I promise I won’t tell anyone about this.”

“You’re not going anywhere. I’ve taken a liking to you, so I’m keeping you,” Jekia said calmly.

“You’re…you’re keeping me?”

I felt a sense of dread. It was like I’d escaped one prison only to find myself in another.

Jekia stood up, looking at me thoughtfully. “I think I will.

“I’ve claimed these lands and secured my power. The next logical step is to find a suitable female.

“You’re beautiful for a human, and you have a strong spirit. I think you’ll please me and eventually give me a few pups.”

I stood up quickly. “No way! I didn’t come here to be some ruler’s whore!” I protested.

“And what did you have in your world?” Jekia challenged. He moved toward me, and I backed into the wall as he placed a hand beside my head.

“You’re young. That’s clear as day,” he said.

“And if you were out in those woods chasing after fairies, like you seem to have been, then I’d guess you were trying to escape from a pretty bad situation.

“Judging by your clothes and your messy hair, I’d say you’re a peasant. I’m going to take a wild guess and say you were being sold off to some ruler in your world because you’re the right age for them to do whatever they want with you.”

My cheeks flamed at his words, but I kept my glare steady. He spoke so calmly, so casually, like this was just another day for him.

As much as I hated his condescending tone, I couldn’t deny that he was right. My fate back in my world was no better than this. But I wasn’t ready to give up just yet.

“I refuse to believe that I’m nothing more than a plaything for a man, no matter who he is, or a convenient woman to bear your children.

“I’ll stay if that’s what you think is fair payment, but I won’t submit to you like some common whore,” I warned him.

Jekia looked amused, chuckling softly as he took a step back.

“As I said, you seem to be exactly what I need, so you might as well get used to the idea. From now on, this is your home, and I am your lord,” he said again.

I stayed where I was as he looked at my torn skirt and dirty peasant top.

“This won’t do at all. Stay here while I get Edifel to clean you up. I expect you to look much better the next time I see you.”

I stayed where I was as he left, closing the door behind him. I didn’t know what to do now.

Even though this place was like a dream, I was afraid that being here with him was already turning into a nightmare.

Whatever Jekia was, he was definitely strong-willed and powerful.

I sat down in the chair, going over everything that had just happened. He claimed that he was the ruler of these lands, and now he wanted to keep me here with him.

He thought that I would make a good lover and mother for his future children.

Pups.

~Oh God~, I thought, ~Is he supposed to be a dog? How many different kinds of mythical creatures are there in this world?~

Well, I had to admit that if he was, then he was a pretty good-looking dog. He looked more human than anything else.

I put a hand to my chest, thinking it all over. Maybe this could work out in my favor. It wasn’t like I had anything good waiting for me back home.

My father certainly wouldn’t help me, and the count might even have me thrown in jail for running away from our contract.

I jumped when I heard a knock at the door. The knob turned, and the door opened to reveal a beautiful woman. She was tall and dressed in long white robes that flowed around her.

Her black hair was shiny and straight, falling to the floor, and she had a full face with ruby-red lips and eyes so dark they looked black.

She smiled when she saw me, like she was pleasantly surprised.

“My, you are a pretty one. Lord Jekia has a good eye,” she said.

“Who are you?” I asked cautiously. She didn’t seem threatening, but I was sure she wasn’t human.

The woman gave me a polite bow, her robes swirling around her.

“I am Edifel, and I will be working with you under Lord Jekia’s orders. I will make sure that you are cleaned up and dressed properly, as he wishes,” she explained.

~As he wishes~.

I didn’t like the sound of that, but I let it go. There was nothing else I could do right then.

Edifel came over to me, holding my chin with her long fingers to get a better look at my face. Her fingertips were pointed, but her touch was gentle.

“Yes, yes. Very lovely indeed. Such pretty eyes and hair, and such a flawless complexion. How very beautiful,” she said.

“Um, what’s going to happen now?” I managed to ask.

“First, I’m going to clean you up. You’re a mess, and I can tell that you haven’t had a bath in a while.

“Your hair will look much better once I’ve washed it and trimmed it,” Edifel explained.

She went over to the bathtub and waved her hand over it. Water bubbled up from the bottom, filling it in minutes. Edifel added soap, creating a mass of bubbles.

Before I knew it, I was being undressed by two sets of hands and placed into the warm water.

I had to admit, it had been a while since I’d had a proper bath, and this one was more luxurious than any I’d ever had.

The soap smelled like flowers, and Edifel’s fingers, though pointed, were gentle as she massaged them through my hair. I closed my eyes, trying to relax. I might as well enjoy this.

Edifel rinsed my hair and had me finish washing myself, then had me get out.

She wrapped a large towel around me, then sat me down in a chair in front of a mirror, pulling my hair back as if she was deciding what to do with it.

I stared at my reflection as she worked, letting everything sink in. I’d run away from one bad situation only to end up in another, even worse one. What kind of luck did I have?

If I was being honest, I’d never had much luck since the day I was born.

Edifel finally finished trimming my hair, letting it fall into place. She looked pleased with herself as she took in my new look.

“Lovely. This is much, much better,” she said.

“It looks nice, but what about my clothes?” I asked her.

“Those aren’t suitable for Lord Jekia’s chosen one. I’m going to take you to the fitting room to get you some better dresses,” Edifel announced.

She helped me up from the chair, and we left the washroom together. I held the towel tightly around me, looking around as we walked down the long hallway.

This place was so big, so vast. I wondered if I’d get the chance to explore it soon. I guessed it would depend on what Jekia wanted.

I could be free, or I could be trapped by his desires.

The dressing room Edifel led me to was as big as the house I used to call home. It was filled with racks of dresses in all shapes, sizes, and colors.

I stood frozen in the center of the room while Edifel moved to one of the racks, sifting through the dresses.

She finally picked a blue one with black lace trimming the bottom of the skirt and the top of the dress.

“This should suit you. Let’s try it on,” she suggested.

I did as she asked, dropping the towel and letting her dress me. It wasn’t quite what I’d expected.

The dress was comfortable, feeling like satin against my skin. The skirt fell just below my knees, and the top was cut low, revealing my chest with the lace looping around my arms.

I felt more exposed than I was used to, especially around my breasts. Proper ladies didn’t show that.

At least, that’s what I’d always been taught.

“Um, this is a bit… um…”

I couldn’t find the words as I looked at myself in the mirror.

“You might feel a bit uncomfortable now, but you’ll get used to it. Lord Jekia wants your clothes to flatter your body, not hide it,” Edifel explained.

I shook my head, trying to adjust to this new reality. Maybe things were just different here. It wasn’t like I had a choice but to adapt.

Edifel guided me out of the room, leading me through a labyrinth of hallways. The next door she opened revealed a bedroom. I stepped inside, taking in its size.

Like the dressing room, it was larger than the house I used to live in. There was a round bed on the right side of the room, surrounded by various dressers and wardrobes.

Large windows lined the right wall, and I moved the curtains aside to take in the view of the bright courtyard outside.

“This will be the bedroom you share with Lord Jekia. I’ll leave you here for now, as he requested,” Edifel said.

My heart pounded at her words, and I turned to face her.

“Wait—”

But it was too late. She had already left, closing the door behind her. I took a deep breath, standing still and trying to calm my racing heart. This place was like a beautiful prison.

I was both excited and terrified of what was to come.

After about ten minutes of sitting on the bed, the door opened again, and Jekia walked in.

I stood up and remained still, letting him walk around me and inspect me. He seemed pleased.

“Much, much better. You’re as well suited as I’d hoped,” he said.

“What are you planning to do with me now? You brought me here, so you must have something in mind,” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

“I do, but that will come later. I just wanted to give you time to see the room we’ll share,” Jekia replied.

He was calm and composed. “Come. You’re thin, and I imagine you haven’t had a decent meal in a while. You’re no use to me if you’re unhealthy.”

“I still don’t understand what you want from all of this,” I continued as we walked down the hallway together.

I couldn’t look at him as we walked, but I wanted to talk more about the things that were bothering me. I hoped he would let me.

“I’m a human, and you’re clearly not. Why would you choose someone like me to be your mistress?”

“I don’t want you to be a mistress,” Jekia replied.

“Then what am I supposed to be here?”

“You’re to be my wife.”

I stopped in my tracks, not believing what I’d heard. “Your wife? But this isn’t my world. I don’t belong here.”

Jekia stopped too, turning to face me with a casual look. None of this seemed to bother him.

“You’re here now, so here you’ll stay. Once a human enters the Veil, they can choose to stay and they won’t age.

“Being here will give you a long life with me, but the only price is that you can never return to the mortal side.

“If you do after the next four days, you’ll fall ill and die within days,” he explained.

“I’ll die?” I echoed softly.

“Yes,” Jekia confirmed. He crossed his arms. “But you seem to misunderstand your situation with me. I have no intention of keeping you as a slave.

“As I just said, I want you to be my wife. You’ll stay by my side and let me bed you as I please, and eventually you’ll bear me a few heirs.

“In return, I’ll give you whatever your heart desires. It’s a fair trade, don’t you think?”

“But I’m human. Is that even possible for me?” I needed to know.

“It is,” Jekia confirmed. “As you can see, our bodies share many similarities despite me being a Luna Dog, as do most in this world. Humans and what they call the Fae aren’t that different when you really look. We’ve just been mostly forgotten by humans since the worlds were separated long ago.”

He made good points, and although he had those animal-like traits, he mostly looked like a handsome young man. It didn’t leave me much room for argument, but I had plenty of other concerns.

“Will there be other wives?” I had to ask. I had no idea how things worked here.

“No. I only need one wife.” Jekia stepped closer to me, looking me over before cupping my chin with his thumb and forefinger,

“As I said before, I find you quite attractive, so I think you’ll satisfy me physically. You also seem to have a strong sense of self, which I appreciate.

“I don’t like women who can’t think for themselves. I can’t stand them. At least with you, there seems to be a spark in your eyes and a deeper intelligence in your mind.

“I think I could enjoy talking with you as much as I enjoy our physical connection.”

His words caught me off guard. I hadn’t expected him to want to talk to me.

“You’d actually want to talk to me? Listen to what I have to say?”

“There’s no reason not to. You’re free to express your thoughts and feelings,” Jekia assured me.

“I...I’ve never been given that opportunity before,” I admitted.

“Then consider it your first privilege here. Now, let’s go. I’m sure they’re serving dinner now, and I don’t want it to get cold,” Jekia said.

I followed him to the dining room, my stomach growling as the aroma of the food hit me. It smelled amazing.

Walking in, my eyes widened at the sight of the spread on the round table. It was a cozy setting, but the food looked incredible.

I’d never had such a fancy meal before.

Jekia took the chair next to mine, maintaining the same calm demeanor he’d had since we met. I watched him as we ate, trying to learn as much as I could about my new husband.

He wasn’t bad looking at all. He seemed a few years older than me. His white hair, along with those ears and tail, were quite attractive.

But what really caught my attention were his eyes. They were beautiful.

“Lord, may I ask you something?” I asked as we finished eating.

“You may,” Jekia permitted.

“I know I might be prying, but I don’t know anything about your world. You told me you’re the ruler here and something called a Luna Dog. Is that a term for a certain type of Fae?” I asked.

Jekia huffed, looking slightly offended. “Not at all. I know humans tend to lump everything into the fairy category, but that’s not how it works here.

“As for me, I’m simply a Luna Dog. I just happen to be very powerful, which is why I’m one of the rulers of this realm,” he explained.

“I see. How many rulers are there in this realm?”

“There are four, including me. But for now, you don’t need to worry about the others. All you need is me.”

“I understand.”

Jekia looked thoughtful as he studied me. “Tell me, what’s your name?”

I blinked, realizing I hadn’t told him. How rude of me. “Oh, it’s Lana Barnes.”

“Lana. That’s an unusual name. I don’t think I’ve heard it before,” Jekia remarked.

“My father was a bit eccentric. He was a poor man, but he always said he could leave a legacy through his children.

“Although I don’t think he was thrilled about having a daughter,” I confessed.

“Some people don’t understand a woman’s worth, but let’s not get into that.

“Would you like me to explain this world to you?” Jekia offered, standing up and extending his hand to me.

I nodded gratefully. “Yes, I’d really appreciate that.”

We walked outside to the courtyard. The sun was setting, and the twilight sky was beautiful.

It was peaceful out there, a stark contrast to the woods I’d been in earlier.

Jekia looked up at the sky, quietly taking it all in.

“Let me start by saying that this palace and its surroundings are protected by my energy. You can roam freely here, but don’t leave without me.

“The forests outside the palace grounds can be dangerous for a human, as you’ve already experienced.

“There are other towns and villages in these lands, as well as many other creatures that you might call Fae. You’ll see it all in time,” he explained.

“So, this place is like a mirror of my world?” I guessed.

“It is,” Jekia confirmed. “The world you’re standing in now, my home, is often referred to as the Veil.

“This is the unseen world, separated from the mortal world eons ago.

“Every creature you’ve heard of in stories exists here, and many you’ve never heard of as well.

“Think of it this way: everything in your world has a counterpart here, though they might be more human-like or more monstrous.”

“And if I stay here with you, I can never go back to my world?”

“That’s correct. But considering your situation, I think you might find a happier life here with me. I’ll make sure you’re treated well,” Jekia promised.

I sighed, kicking at the grass. “Do I have a choice? I have nothing to go back to, and I can’t say I dislike you.

“You’re a bit demanding, but you’ve been kind to me, saving me and accepting me like this.”

“I do have a kind side, especially for those I care about, which are very few now,” Jekia confirmed.

He extended his hand to me. “Come on. Let me show you around your new home. I think you’ll like it.”

I didn’t know what I was getting into with this arrangement. The only thing I knew for sure was that it had to be better than where I’d come from.

If Jekia was offering sanctuary in exchange for me playing the role of a wife, then I could do that. I was a survivor, and I would find a way to survive in this world too.

At least, that’s what I believed then.