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"What are you thinking?" Thornix asked, echoing his earlier question.

I smiled, snuggling closer to him as we watched the sunset. "I'm thinking that maybe fate got it right after all."

He pressed a kiss to the top of my head. "Perhaps it did," he agreed. "Though I suspect you would have found your way here even without its interference. You're far too stubborn to let a little thing like destiny push you around."

I laughed, elbowing him gently. "You're one to talk, Mr. I-Vowed-Never-to-Love-Again."

"Ah, but I never stood a chance against you," Thornix said, his tone light but his eyes serious. "You stormed into my forest and my heart, leaving me no choice but to fall for you."

I felt a blush creep up my cheeks. "Careful," I warned. "Keep talking like that and I might start to think you actually like me or something."

Thornix's expression softened. "I more than like you, Acacia," he said quietly. "I love you."

"I love you too," I whispered, the words feeling both terrifying and absolutely right.

Nine

Thornix

I circled the ancient ironwood tree, my senses stretched to their limits as I tracked the lingering traces of corrupted magic. The signs were there, subtle but unmistakable. Patterns of decay that spoke of deliberate malice rather than natural corruption. My blood ran cold as I recognized the signature.

"Blackthorn," I whispered, the name bitter on my tongue.

"Who's Blackthorn?" Acacia's voice made me turn. She stood at the edge of the clearing, her bow slung across her back, looking more like a forest spirit than a human in the dappled morning light.

I hesitated, old wounds threatening to reopen. "The leader of the Shadowvale tribe," I finally said. "A wood nymph clan that broke away from our traditional ways centuries ago. They believe in using the forest's power rather than working in harmony with it."

Acacia moved closer, her trained eyes scanning the corrupted patterns I'd been studying. "And you think they're behind the attack?"

"I know they are." I pressed my palm against the ironwood's trunk, sharing its pain as it fought against the lingering taint."This is Blackthorn's signature. Corruption designed to spread slowly, poisoning everything it touches."

"But why now?" Acacia asked, her hand finding mine. The simple contact sent warmth through my entire being, chasing away some of the cold dread that had settled in my chest. "Why target us?"

"Because of you," I admitted, turning to face her fully. "Or rather, what you represent. A human who can connect with the forest's magic, who fights alongside a wood nymph as an equal? You're living proof that our peoples can coexist and can even grow stronger together."

Understanding dawned in her eyes. "And some people don't want that proof to exist."

"The Shadowvale tribe believes in maintaining strict boundaries between species," I explained, pulling her closer as if I could shield her from the threat with my body alone. "They see our match as an abomination, a threat to their vision of how the world should be."

Acacia's jaw set in that stubborn way I'd come to both love and fear. "Let them come," she said fiercely. "We've fought off worse."

"No," I shook my head, memories of past battles flashing through my mind. "You don't understand. Blackthorn is different. He's ancient, powerful, and utterly without mercy. The attacks we've faced so far were just tests, probing our defenses."

"Then teach me," she said, stepping back to meet my gaze. "Show me how to fight like a wood nymph. I'm tired of being a liability."

"You're not-" I protested, but she cut me off.

"I am," she insisted. "I can shoot a bow and swing a sword, but that's not enough against the kind of magic we're facing. I can connect with the forest now, you said it yourself. So teach me how to use that connection."

I studied her face, seeing the determination there, the strength that had first drawn me to her. She was right, of course. If we were going to survive what was coming, she needed to understand her new abilities.

"It won't be easy," I warned. "Learning to channel the forest's power takes years of practice."

A familiar spark of defiance lit her eyes. "Good thing I'm a quick study then."

I couldn't help but smile, even as worry gnawed at my heart. "We'll start now," I decided. "The first lesson is learning to listen."

I guided her to the center of the clearing, positioning her so she faced the rising sun. "Close your eyes," I instructed, moving to stand behind her. "Feel the forest around you. Not just the trees and plants, but the very essence of life itself."