Page 77 of Whispers of the Elderoak

There wasn’t much inside the brown canvas quarters. A bedroll topped with a soft fur beckoned her from the corner. She hobbled over and lay down, pulling a thin blanket over her that smelled of dirt and the hint of cedar and sage. She had barely closed her eyes before she was dragged into a deep slumber, embraced by the comforting scent and feeling safe for the first time in weeks.

With Ava asleepin his tent, Casimir stared at the fire and thought about what had transpired the last several days. He no longer thought she should be executed, it was obvious she wanted nothing to do with Deidamia and Andras, but he was unsure what the next steps were. They needed whatever information she had, and though he understood why she was reluctant to trust them, not having answers irritated him. It was his responsibility to ensure the safety of his kingdom and she was making it difficult to accomplish this.

Her behavior had surprised him. He was expecting a terrified, whimpering girl who cowered at the sight of the warriors. Instead, he found a sassy woman who tried to hold her ground even though she was nervous and lost in a world strange to her. Who had killed a helwraith with a bow and arrow in a single shot. Who stabbed Raine, one of his captains and his best friend.

She had noticed him watching her at the fire. His eyes caught on her fair delicate face dusted with freckles, her piercing green eyes framed by long lashes that matched her strawberry blonde locks, flowing over her rounded ears. She was much taller than he expected a human to be and could tellshe had ample curves if she hadn’t been so starved in Deidamia’s camp.

While she was still dirty and bruised, he admitted she was beautiful. She exasperated him and yet he was equal parts intrigued. Then there was Aro, who had never let anyone even touch him besides Casimir, and he hadn’t even hesitated to save her life and let her ride on him. And was he really at the camp when she escaped? When he had asked him about it, Aro just replied ‘Ava is special,’ and wouldn’t say anything else.

Damn animals and their secrets.

28

Ava was awoken by the sounds of shuffling around the tent and the camp being packed up. Rubbing her eyes, she looked around and remembered where she was. Inside an army general’s tent in the middle of a forest in a magical world.

The flaps opened and Casimir’s head peeked through. “Get up. It’s time to go.”

She threw off the blanket and put on her boots, flinching as the leather rubbed her injured leg. Crawling out of the tent, she found the makeshift crutch and stood outside, watching the fae tear down their camp.

Jorrar handed her some bread. “We’re eating breakfast on the road.” Then turned to dismantle Casimir’s tent and pack the last of their supplies.

“Do humans always sleep that late?” Quinn asked as she helped Jorrar.

Looking around at the bustling warriors she felt a twinge of guilt. “I didn’t… I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to sleep that long.”

“Ignore her,” said Raine, readying the horse. “Cas told us to let you sleep. She’s just giving you shit.”

She glanced over at Casimir who nodded. She gave him atentative smile and turned away, waiting for them to finish packing their supplies.

As she took a bite of bread, she realized with a lump in her throat they would arrive today in the capital city of the Earth Kingdom. Her kingdom. It made so much sense why she had always been good with animals and plants, and explained the connection she had with Luna and why her mother had been able to use magic on plants in the garden. Though reluctant to meet the king and learn of her fate, she admitted to herself she was excited, curious to see where her mother grew up.

Ava rode on Aro, still unable to walk, while Casimir and Quinn walked ahead. Casimir appeared to be slightly less grumpy this morning which gave her some relief.

Raine walked next to her, willingly answering some of her questions.

“So does everyone have an animal companion?” she asked.

“No,” he said. “It’s usually the most skilled or powerful. The best healers, warriors, blacksmiths and the like. It’s an honor to be chosen by an animal and it usually happens in childhood. The animals can sense your potential and they choose to bond with you.”

“What kind of animal is yours?” she asked.

He looked at her and paused. Then turned his head and whistled between two fingers. After a moment he jerked his head toward their right and a large silver wolf appeared next to him, eyeing Ava warily.

“Her name is Sabriel.” He scratched between her ears. “She likes ear scratches too,” he added.

Ava smiled at him as she looked at the regal creature.

“She’s lovely,” she said, and Sabriel happily yipped in response and wagged her tail as she disappeared back into the woods.

“Interesting…” Raine muttered as he stared at Ava, taken aback by Sabriel’s friendly reaction.

She asked him what animals belonged to Jorrar and Quinn, but he told her they would reveal them when they were ready.

After a while, she turned back to him, fidgeting with Aro’s fur who didn’t seem to mind. “Will I be tortured again?”

He started and looked at her with slight compassion before regaining his swagger. “I’m still in disbelief you were able to endure that.”

“Me too,” she said quietly as she looked forward.

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