Page 73 of Whispers of the Elderoak

He narrowed his eyes at Ava and then looked at Aro. “Let’s go.” He turned around and headed back toward camp, the bear following with Ava.

Aro made a chuffing sound resembling laughter as he followed his friend back to the others. Casimir’s shoulders looked more tense than before, silently brooding as they walked back.

She remained quiet as they made their way through the woods, running her fingers through Aro’s rough fur and scratching his ears during their trek. Aro made happy growls the whole time and Casimir glanced back at one point, seemingly curious about his bear’s quick acceptance of her.

They emerged from the trees into camp, the remains of the other creatures the fae had killed lying on the ground, one whose head had been severed clean.

“How the fuck is she riding Aro?” exclaimed Raine, looking from her to Casimir.

Jorrar was holding back a smile and Quinn raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms, looking at Ava and the bear.

“The fluffy moron apparently has a soft spot for humanfools.” Casimir shook his head as he dragged one of the bodies away to dispose of it.

Raine laughed as he walked up to her and glanced at her leg. “That’s two pairs of my pants you’ve now ruined.”

“I—shit. What? These were yours?” Her face turned red.

“They were. But it’s fine. I’ll get more,” he said and held out his hand for her to hold onto.

Ava carefully climbed off Aro and collapsed to the ground. Raine returned to aid the others in cleaning up camp and she leaned back against the tree she had been tied to as Jorrar approached.

“I can’t even walk, so tying me up is pointless,” she said.

He nodded his agreement and inspected her injuries, asking her what happened. She explained one of the creatures had grabbed her leg and was dragging her away when Aro showed up and killed it.

“Dragging you away?” he said as he ripped open the leg of her pants to better access the bites. “It didn’t kill you on the spot?”

“Obviously not,” she said. “I figured it was taking me somewhere else to eat me or something.”

He opened a small satchel and removed a vial of brown liquid.

“This will hurt,” he warned, before pouring two drops on her wounds.

She gritted her teeth, holding back a scream as tears formed in her eyes. Aro walked closer and lay down next to her, plopping his giant head in her lap, comforting her through the pain. She stroked his head and he purred with contentment.

“I’m sorry. I know it hurts but those daemon hounds have poison in their fangs. This is leeching the poison from your wounds and it’s quite painful,” he explained as he continued to pour the liquid over the remaining punctures. Then he looked at Aro. “I’ve never seen him act this way before.”

“Who? Casimir? Or the bear?”

He chuckled. “The bear. Casimir is often grumpy, that’s nothing new. Aro likes you. The only person he’s ever let touch him or ride him is Cas. I’ve known them both since they were barely able to walk and Aro hardly tolerates my presence.”

“I’ve always been good with animals.” She shrugged. “There was this cat… Anyway, she was injured, and I helped her. From then on, she became sort of a friend to me.”

Jorrar listened quietly as he bandaged her leg. “Animals are precious to those of us from Monterre. It is our sacred duty to care for them and keep them safe. That cat sounds like she was special to you.”

“She was. I miss her,” she said.

Jorrar finished treating her wounds and made his way back to the fire as Casimir approached and stood over her, arms crossed, taking in Aro’s head in her lap. She smiled sheepishly. “Jorrar said Aro likes me.”

Casimir ignored her comment. “Why was the daemon hound taking you away? Why didn’t it kill you?”

“I don’t know.”

“Those hounds were sent from Deidamia,” he said. “They were hunting you. Why? What do they want from you?”

“I told you. I don’t know.”

He knelt, closer to eye level, and quietly said, “You’re lying.”

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