Page 74 of Whispers of the Elderoak

She held his gaze but said nothing. She wasn’t ready to tell them her story, still not sure how much she trusted them. It made more sense to wait and meet the king. Then she could go from there.

Casimir stood and walked away, joining the others by the fire. “We will get the truth eventually, Ava.”

27

Casimir reluctantly allowed Ava to ride on Aro the next day. Raine had walked next to her most of the time, keeping her entertained with stories of debauchery from his younger years. The others had rolled their eyes when he told her about the time he got caught with the daughter of one of the lords of a local village. Raine had frantically pulled his pants back up as he fled into the woods, the girl’s father shouting obscenities behind him.

“That was before I was named a captain though,” he’d said as he winked at her.

“Like your rank has stopped your ridiculous behavior,” Quinn had called out from in front of them.

Ava had decided then, that she liked Raine. He seemed to have forgiven her for stabbing him and was funny, considerate and appeared to want to be her friend. She hoped his kindness wasn’t a ruse.

Tonight, they’d allowed her to join them for dinner, and she watched them curiously. Clearing her throat, she dared to ask a question. “So… um. What’s it like in Mosshaven?”

She’d remained mostly quiet after the first night whereshe’d bit back at both Quinn and Casimir and the four warriors looked at her, surprised she had broken the silence.

Jorrar answered, “It’s beautiful. More beautiful than anything you could ever imagine.” He spoke of it with a reverence so great, it moved her. “The city was built into nature itself. There are trees and flowers and plants everywhere you look. Our kingdom specializes in farming, and we provide a large portion of crops to trade with the other kingdoms. Our farmers are proud and incredibly talented. The food there is so good, it will make you cry.”

“Better than your stew?” she asked, attempting a joke.

The four warriors were silent, taken aback by her jab. She froze and blushed, worried she had offended them. But Raine started laughing, soon joined by Jorrar. Even Casimir was wearing a small smirk, shaking his head. Quinn tried to suppress a smile, glancing at Ava.

“Yes,” Jorrar responded. “Muchbetter than my stew.”

Raine tilted his head and asked in his smooth voice, “Do you like sweets, Ava?”

She smiled. A genuine smile for the first time in what felt like forever. “Yes,” she said. “They’re my absolute favorite.”

“Well, we have every pastry, tart, cake, pie, cookie you could imagine. Things that you could only invent in your wildest dreams. One bite and its pure ecstasy,” Raine explained, eyes twinkling.

“Ew, are you turned on?” said Quinn.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?”

She glared at him. “Gross.”

Ava laughed quietly, quickly clamping her hand over her mouth. “Sorry,” she said, stifling herself.

“Don’t be sorry,” said Jorrar. “The two of them are always like that.”

“Insufferable is what they are,” mumbled Casimir.

“Can it, you big lout,” said Raine. “You’d be bored out of your mind without our entertainment.”

Casimir shrugged.

This felt good. Sitting with people around the fire, laughing and enjoying their fellowship together. Ava had never truly had this. The ease of the way they were with one another. These fae were bonded deeply, loyal to the end. She could see beneath the jabs and laughter that they truly cared for each other, would give their lives for each other, and she longed for it. Craved it.

Ava listened to their banter as she ate her bowl of dinner quietly, smiling to herself and surprised she was finding joy in this. Even if she was still technically their prisoner.

Braving another question, she asked, “So… are any of you… you know… together?”

Choking on a mouthful of stew, Casimir blanched. “Together? Us?” He shook his head and made a disgusted face. He pointed to himself. “Me?” Then looked at the others. “With them? Never.”

Quinn was smiling broadly, the first time Ava had seen genuine joy on her face, and Jorrar grinned. Raine looked put out and scoffed at Casimir. “Is imagining yourself with us so bad?”

Casimir looked at his friends. “You’re old enough to be my grandfather,” he said pointing at Jorrar. “You’re a downright jerk most of the time,” he said to Quinn, who grinned even wider. “And you…” he gestured to Raine. “You’re just…you.”

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