46 Shade

They both lay side by side on the fur bed. Daryn lay beside her with a smug smile on his face.

"Shameless" she sighed the words as she wrapped herself around him.

"I agree" he rumbled. "But you like me this way. I can tell." She snorted and lightly pushed his chest. He kissed her head and she relaxed in his arms.

"I am going to miss this." she sighed.

"You won't have to miss this too much promise" he reassured her. Darla hummed then she raised her head to look at him.

"What did you do earlier when you disappeared and reappeared behind me, I did not know you could do that," Darla asked

"That was just me manipulating space. Otherwise known as teleportation"

"Oh I see, It makes you move like a shade then"

Daryn had to stop himself from laughing when she said that. His mate was just adorable. "No... it's not like that." he began

"Then tell me. I understand the part when you said you manipulated space. It's not the first time I had seen you tear through space, I just don't know how it works."

"Ok. You know when I tear through space I create a rift right," she nodded. "From that tear, I get to another point or location. Is the same as me creating a door to another location without the door being there. Once I tear through, the tear appears in another location I want to go to."

Darla stared wide-eyed at him. "That's wonderful. So it means we can still see each other even when you are away,?"

He stroked her chin "Yes. That is what it means. We can not be apart for long. I would be coming to see you." He kissed her and then cuddled with her. The only thing he was not sure of was if Selene would agree to that.

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The pair walked hand in hand as they headed back to their shed. They had taken their baths in the stream after their morning session but still, they could not keep their hands to themselves. It had been that way till Daryn made them walk the path that led to the shed. He did not shapeshift this time because he wanted them to return at a slow pace there was no need to hurry.

Entering the shed clearing, they found Eric in front of the house still punching the dummy he had hand-made earlier. All sweaty from the exercises. Daryn had not been lying when he said his friend was training hard for the tournament. He had to be his champion self before he got to the battlegrounds.

"You are gonna destroy that thing," Daryn said when he and Darla were close.

"That's the point" Eric replied. Daryn shook his head and went to sit on a stump nearby. Darla stood to watch Eric a little.

"I think he is right Eric. You are overstressing yourself" Eric stopped punching the dummy and looked a both of them.

"Why don't I make you something to eat? You must be very hungry." Eric nodded and went to find his towel to wipe his sweat.

"And take a bath too," Daryn added. Darla giggled and went to make their dinner leaving the friends outside. "You are all toned up my friend. You look prepared for war."

"And you look like you have the sun flowing in your veins from the way you are shining. I see a day alone with your mate did wonders to you," Daryn laughed and Eric chuckled shaking his head. Then they both fell silent.

"Haah~ to be honest, I'm going to miss this place, Daryn.

"Well, you can still come back if you want. There is a house waiting for you now. The one you built." Daryn said with a raised brow.

"Yeah, I built that house didn't I,"

"Yes you did...and it would need people occupying it. So when you are coming next time, bring a mate with you."

"Mhmm. Maybe I will find her on the battlefield. It would be called...love at first fight" Eric said initiating a dramatic display. They both got serious and started discussing their next journey and who was the first champion they would search for. After their discussions, Eric went to the back of the house to take a bath in the lake.

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*Shade: Greek reference to a ghost. Could also be known as phantoms, spooks, or shadows depending on the culture.