Page 75 of Whispers of the Elderoak

Raine waved his hands. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean, you grumpy asshole?”

Ava tried to hide her smile as she watched the taunting unfold.

Casimir continued. “You’re a vain, preening man who can barely stand to get his precious hair dirty.”

The other two laughed at Raine’s expense and his thunderstruck expression.

“It’s true,” Quinn said. “You were just complaining the other day about how muddy your boots were.”

“They’re fine fae leather,” he retorted. “I wanted them to last.” He lifted his foot and inspected his boot in the firelight.

“See?” said Casimir. “Vain.”

“Well, it’s your loss,” said Raine, looking at his friends. “I’ve been told I’m quite the lover.”

“That’s probably because you’ll bed anyone who looks your way,” said Quinn.

“I welcome all.”

Casimir shook his head as the teasing died down.

“So, what about you?” Raine turned to Ava. “Do you have someone back home waiting for you? A lost love or something like that?”

Ava’s heart leapt in her throat as she thought about Henry. “I…” she wasn’t sure what to say, or if she even wanted to say anything. “Not anymore.”

Jorrar leaned forward and asked softly, “What happened?”

Ava shook her head. “He wasn’t who I thought he was. But I don’t want to talk about it.”

They nodded their understanding, and didn’t bring it up again.

“Well, Ava,” Raine said. “How about I show you around Mosshaven and we have a tasting tour of all the sugar we can handle? My sister owns a bakery, and she’s very talented.”

Ava smiled. “I’d like that.”

Casimir turned serious. “Raine… we can’t be promising tours for her. She’s technically our prisoner.”

Raine rolled his eyes. “Yes yes, but I’m sure we can find time for fun.”

Eventually, most of them retired to their tents, leaving heralone with Casimir, who was taking first watch as he so frequently did.

She sat in silence, staring at the fire and listened to the symphony of the forest. The breeze rustled the leaves of the trees, providing a soothing sound occasionally interrupted by the faint call of an owl, while the crackle of the flames whispered as they devoured the wood.

She looked up and caught Casimir watching her, seated on the log to her right.

She met his stare. “What?”

His golden eyes reflected the fire before them as he answered, “You’re not like I thought you’d be.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “What does that mean?”

“You’re just… different.”

“Is that a good or a bad thing?”

He raised an eyebrow at her as he leaned his elbows on his knees and continued to stare. “I haven’t decided yet.”

They sat in silence for a moment unable to break eye contact.

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