The Last Moon Goddess

Chapter 6

Chandria and Nate finally arrived at the guest house that Lasha had booked. They saw a quaint, stone and wood building, with colorful bunting strung up outside and laundry flowing in the gentle breeze. The air was crisp and clean, filled with the scent of trees and wood smoke. As they made their way inside, they were greeted by a chorus of quacking as a group of ducks waddled around the front porch.

At the front desk, Nate introduced Chandria to the friendly owner, Nana, an old woman in her late fifties. Nana welcomed Chandria with a warm smile and handed over a set of keys, her deep-set hazel eyes twinkling with hospitality. The wrinkles on her sun-baked skin and the white strands in her coal-black hair hinted at a life of hard work.

Nate helped Chandria check in, his strong arms carrying her bags effortlessly. As they made their way up the narrow stairs, Chandria couldn't help but take in the rustic charm of the place.

Nate showed Chandria to her room, which was small and simple, yet cozy and clean. The walls were clad with fragrant pine wood, and the white sheets on the bed looked pleasing. A vase of wildflowers sat on the bedside table, adding a pop of color to the room. The window looked out onto a stunning view of the snow-capped mountains that surrounded the village, their peaks glistening in the sunlight.

“So, what do you think?” Nate asked, placing her bags at the corner of the room as she looked around. “Are you okay here, or would a city girl like you prefer a much bigger room? I think I can request one.”

Chandria shook her head, smiling. “No, need. This is perfect.”

The corner of Nate's lips turned upward. She kept surprising him with the little things, and he couldn’t help but be as curious about her as she was about their village.

“Will you be okay here? Let’s meet up later after you’re settled down. I’ll be staying in the room next door, so feel free to knock if you need anything,” Nate said with a smile.

“Yeah, sure!” Chandria felt a twinge of excitement at the thought of spending more time with him and learning more about the village. "Oh, is it okay for me to bother you anytime though? Wouldn't your girlfriend mind?" she asked, trying to keep her tone light. The last thing she wanted was for her trip to become complicated.

"She wouldn't mind," he responded, and her heart sank. "But she would if she existed," he added with a mischievous smile.

Chandria let out a sigh of relief, which she tried to mask with a light-hearted laugh. She didn't want to sound too enthusiastic.

Although in her heart, she couldn't believe that someone like Nate would still be single in a small village where everyone knew each other. Now, he had become one of the things she was most excited to learn about during her short stay.

***

As Chandria settled into the guest house, she decided to take some time to back up the videos and photos she had taken so far onto her hard drive. As she browsed through her captures, she couldn't help but smile at the memories she had already created and imagined the final product she would produce. She was grateful for the guest house's WiFi, which allowed her to email a few photos to Lasha to update her on her progress.

After finishing her work, Chandria decided to take a shower to soothe her aching muscles. She made her way to the small common bathroom that Nate had told her about. However, due to its size, she struggled to undress and took a while before she was completely naked.

And just as she was expecting a hot shower, she turned on the tap and was disappointed to find that only cold water poured out!

"Great, just my luck," she muttered to herself, shivering.

Suddenly, a knock on the door startled her. She quickly wrapped a towel around her body and peeked through the door to see who it was. To her relief, she saw Nate holding a bucket filled with water.

Nate's eyes widened slightly, and his breath caught in his throat when he saw Chandria. He swallowed hard and tried to maintain his composure. "Hope it's not too late to give you this," he said. Chandria tightened the towel around her slim and toned body when he looked away. He cleared his throat and continued, "I knew you'd be cold. There's not much hot water around here." He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his hand involuntarily touching the back of his neck.

Chandria couldn't help but chuckle when she realized that Nate probably wasn't used to seeing women showing too much skin. But for her liberated nature, it was normal. "Thank you so much," she said, taking the bucket of water from him and flashing him a grateful smile. Nate caught a whiff of her sweet scent as she turned away, causing his heart to skip a beat.

"Just doing my job," Nate replied, trying to sound casual. But before he turned away, he noticed something. His brows furrowed as his gaze met the beauty mark above Chandria’s collarbone.

And because he wasn’t saying anything, Chandria found his prolonged gaze awkward and finally spoke. "Thanks again! I'll just see you later," she said before closing the door, feeling a little confused by the strange tension between them.

Nate remained standing outside, lost in thought. He knew he was in trouble.

***

In the afternoon, Nate took Chandria on a tour around the humble guest house. They went to a cozy lounge area furnished with simple wooden chairs and tables, and a small fireplace that emitted a warm and inviting ambiance. The restaurant and bar had a homely feel, with basic furnishings and local wines and beers.

As they sat down for dinner, Nate continued to share more about the village's history while Chandria savored each bite of the Kubdari, a traditional Georgian dish of meat-filled bread bursting with flavor. As she took another bite, she couldn't help but be fascinated by Nate's vast knowledge. "How come you seem to know everything about this place?" she asked, her mouth still full.

Nate's face lit up with a sense of pride. He leaned back in his chair, a smug smile playing at his lips. "Let's just say I've been around for a while."

Chandria raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What do you mean? How old are you?"

"I lost count. But it's definitely around a hundred years old. I've lived for centuries.”

Chandria rolled her eyes, knowing he wasn't being serious. She playfully shook her head, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Nice try. Well, I'm twenty-five, turning a year older in a few months,” she shared.

Nate's face softened, his eyes meeting hers with a sense of warmth. "So young," he murmured, his tone almost wistful. He couldn't help but marvel at her bravery, venturing all the way to the highest village in Europe alone.

"So, what made you choose Ushguli? Of all the places you could have gone to," he asked, genuinely curious about her story.

“I didn’t. Ushguli chose me. It was fate that brought me here.”

Nate’s facial expression turned serious. “What do you mean?”

Chandria's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she gestured animatedly with her hands, recounting the story of how Lasha had contacted her for a sponsored trip. Nate leaned in, his gaze fixed on her as he listened intently, his expression a mix of amusement and interest.

“Maybe you’re right. It was fate that brought you here,” Nate said, his voice low and thoughtful. His gaze fixed on Chandria as he pondered over her words.

When they finally finished their meal, Nate suggested they head to the terrace to catch the sunset. Chandria eagerly followed him, and they were rewarded with a stunning view of the village with its charming houses and narrow streets bathed in the warm light of the setting sun. The sky was a brilliant canvas of oranges and pinks.

"This is incredible," Chandria whispered, her breath taken away by the beautiful scenery.

Nate nodded in agreement before taking out a small flute from his pocket. He began to play a beautiful melody, and Chandria closed her eyes, letting the music wash over her. It reminded her of the journey to Ushguli and the life she had left behind.

As the song continued, however, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her chest. Her eyes flew open, and she gasped, her hand clutching her chest as she doubled over.

"What's wrong?" Nate asked, alarmed by her sudden discomfort.

Chandria couldn't speak, the pain was too intense. She squeezed her eyes shut, hoping the darkness would offer some relief. Instead, a disturbing image flooded her mind. She saw herself in the forest, surrounded by towering trees. The darkness was all-consuming.

"Chandria, answer me. Are you okay?" Nate asked again, this time with more urgency in his voice. He was holding her arms with both hands, trying to steady her so she wouldn't fall.

Chandria managed to nod weakly. The music had stopped, and the once peaceful terrace now felt eerie and threatening. Slowly opening her eyes, she noticed that the sun had set, leaving the sky a shade of dark blue. The mountain peaks appeared like ominous thorns piercing the sky. The village below was shrouded in a thick fog.

"Let's go inside," Nate said firmly, taking her hand and leading her back to her room. Chandria felt relieved to leave the terrace, but she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled deep in her heart.

***

Chandria found herself lost in a dense forest, the darkness enveloping her. She sensed someone nearby, and before she could turn around, she felt a strong arm wrap around her waist, pulling her close to a warm chest. She gazed up, trying to look at the stranger's face, but all she saw was a shadowy figure.

Suddenly, the stranger's lips were on hers, sending an electrifying jolt through her body. Her heart was beating fast. Her senses were overwhelmed by the intense passion coursing through her veins as his soft, demanding lips devoured hers. His skilled tongue explored every inch of her mouth, igniting a fire in her that she couldn't control. His hands roamed over her body, tracing every curve, sending her into a rage of desire.

As the kiss grew more urgent, the stranger pushed her against a tree, the rough bark scratching her back. But the sensation only added to the erotic thrill, and Chandria found herself wrapping her arms around the stranger's neck, pulling him even closer.

Suddenly, Chandria's eyes flew open, and she found herself back in her room, her body flushed with heat from the dream. She was breathing heavily as she realized it was just a dream and felt ashamed. She needed to cool off and gather her thoughts, so she stood up and went to stand by the window.

As she gazed into the distance, memories of the afternoon flooded Chandria's mind. She used to dream about mountains with werewolves, not men kissing her. Her desires and fears had become entangled, she realized.

Looking around, the dark mountains slowly came into focus, reminding her of the many dreams she had as a child. The mountains were a constant reminder of one thing - werewolves.

Suddenly, Chandria's thoughts were interrupted by the sight of Nate walking towards the guest house, shirtless and covered in sweat, as if he had just emerged from the woods. Despite the lingering memory of the stranger from her dream, she couldn't help but feel curious about where Nate had been.