Page 32 of Sent To A Fantasy World and Now All the Men Want Me 7

Fortunately, it wasn’t a medieval privy sort of situation, where I had to piss into a hole connected to a shaft that led down into a moat or whatever. It functioned somewhat like modern-day toilets and even flushed.

Small blessings.

After taking care of business, I washed my hands and crept back out into the room. A creak in the floorboard drew the attention of a certain sleeping Fenrir puppy, and he startled awake, his fluffy ears jutting upward as he lifted his head to look at me.

I tossed him an apologetic smile before ever so slowly inching toward the door. Now that my bladder was sated, my stomach was calling the shots. And it was grumbling up a storm and wanting something to snack on.

Hopefully something that would sop up some of that ale and calm the churns.

Oreo followed me from the room like the fearsome little protector he was, the light pad of his paws sounding behind me in the corridor. It was a comfort knowing he was with me. Because, while Rowan was besties with the shadows, they unsettled me.

Especially when I was alone. At night. Maneuvering through winding hallways in the dark with very few windows along the way. The promise of a late-night snack gave me courage though.

Oreo sneezed.

I jumped a foot off the floor. So much for courage. The puppy cocked his head at me before woofing and padding along ahead of me.

Upon reaching the kitchen, the light crystal hanging from the ceiling activated, lighting the room enough for me to make my way around. Whipping up something quick to eat was no problem at all.

However, a sudden bout of nausea had me slumping against the counter, second-guessing my life’s choices.

Maybe just toast for now.

Moonlight came through the tall windows beside the table, brighter than I’d seen it in a while. A full moon? After plating some leftover rabbit for Oreo, I cut off a slice from the bread loaf and slathered it in honey before stepping closer to the window and peering outside, taking it all in.

The Shadow Realm really was beautiful. Even more so in these late hours, when the sun had set and the nocturnal plants and creatures thrived. Lush forests, mountains, and ponds filled with glistening water that faintly glowed beneath the moonlight. Leaves and sections of the grass glowed too, luminescent in the dark of night.

Movement from the back terrace caught my eye. Red fabric ruffled in the breeze, as did long, raven black hair.

Huh? I inched closer to the window, nose pressing to the glass.

Onyx stood against the railing and tipped his face to the night sky, eyes closed.

What was he doing outside so late? Did the guy ever sleep?

Says the one currently awake and stuffing his face with honey toast. My inner Evan was a sassy brat sometimes.

Onyx stood that way for several moments, motionless and basking in the moon’s silver light, before opening his eyes. He then turned his head toward me.

Impulsively, I ducked out of sight. Too quickly. The loud thump of my forehead against the windowsill echoed in the quiet kitchen, and my slice of half-eaten toast, unfortunately, flopped to the floor honey side down.

Oreo paused mid-bite of rabbit and regarded me, then lost interest and went back to his food.

Fair. My clumsy ass wasn’t anything surprising these days. And apart from my achy forehead, the only causality was my toast. I sighed and picked it up, inwardly groaning at the sticky mess I now had to clean.

But when I turned around, I jolted in surprise and dropped the slice again.

Onyx was leaning against the kitchen archway staring right at me, his red eyes bright and a slanted smile on his lips. “The hour is late, little bird. Why are you out of bed?”

Chapter Seven

The Muffin and the Carrot

“Holy hell, you can’t just sneak up on people,” I said, hand flying to my chest. “I don’t care if this is your castle or not. You nearly gave me a heart attack.”

“Yet, there you stand, alive and well.” Onyx’s smile slanted. “Still here to whine about it.”

“I’m not whining,” I responded in a voice that… well, sounded a lot like a whine. Damn him. “How did you get in here so fast anyway? Two seconds ago, you were out there.” I pointed to the terrace beyond the window. “You have, like, superhuman speed.”