Page 18 of Journey to the Elderoak (Daughter of the Earth #2)

“ W here are we going now?” Ava asked as she walked next to Casimir.

They had spent a couple hours talking and eating while they drank their tea. She adored the teahouse and was taken aback by his excitement as he explained each tea while she tasted them.

And now, he claimed he had something else to show her, and she couldn’t control her excitement and curiosity.

“You’re impatient,” he said. “We’re almost there and you’ll see.”

They walked through the main road, turning onto a smaller cobblestone street winding through dozens of houses built among the trees.

While some homes were at ground level, others were high among the boughs with stairs wrapping around the tree trunks leading to the front door.

Lush flower gardens lined the houses on the ground and the citizens waved merrily as the two of them passed by.

Children chased each other through the streets, laughing as they played their games while black and white spotted rabbits with silver eyes hopped along the road, pausing to munch on the bright green grass .

“This is beautiful,” she said. “What is it?”

“It’s one of the districts where citizens live. We’ll be at our destination soon.”

They continued through the neighborhood before stopping in front of a fenced-in piece of property with a sign that read The Leaping Frog .

Casimir opened the wooden gate and led Ava inside. They walked through a tunnel of yellow-leaved trees with purple blooms before the property opened, revealing a variety of enclosures, fenced in sections and large cages. It reminded her of a medieval-looking zoo.

“What is this place?” she whispered.

“It’s a healing facility for animals,” he answered.

She turned toward him, unable to stop the giant smile on her face and met his eyes. “Are you serious? Like a wildlife rehab? This is amazing!” She clapped her hands together. “Can I pet them? Can I feed them? Oh my gosh?—”

Casimir grasped her hands and laughed. “Slow down. Let’s go find the owner and he’ll let you feed any animal you want.”

He let go and they walked down the gravel path to a small hut built inside a giant old tree providing shade for part of the property.

“Durim!” Casimir called out.

The door opened and a short gnome with a brown beard and pointy green hat emerged and smiled as he greeted them. “Hullo, hullo! Are you here for your monthly visit, general?”

Casimir returned his smile. “It’s good to see you. Actually, I brought the princess to show her around.”

Durim turned to Ava and shook her hand as he bowed. “Your Highness! I’m honored to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you too.”

“Well,” Durim said to Casimir. “You know where everything is. Why don’t you give her the tour yourself? ”

“Alright.”

“I have some work to do. But please, do let me know if you need anything,” Durim said before wandering off.

Ava turned to Casimir. “Monthly visit?”

He rubbed the back of his neck, a subtle blush on his face. “I come once a month to volunteer.”

The general volunteered at an animal rescue? All the fae in Monterre cared for animals, but she was amazed at the gruff general taking special interest in this.

“That’s incredible. Okay, give me the tour. I want to see everything .”

“Follow me.”

He led her to a nearby enclosure and opened the gate. Shrubs, fallen logs and bright green grass filled the area with a small stream trickling through the space.

A large exotic feline chirped at the sight of Casimir and prowled up to them.

Dark gray fur contrasted the black spots that shimmered when the sun hit its hide at the perfect angle.

Its bright pink eyes evaluated Ava as she held out her hand, allowing the cat to sniff her, and a loud purr sounded in its throat as it relaxed and let her scratch behind its ears.

“This is Bale,” Casimir said.

“I love him,” she said as Bale plopped onto the ground and rolled around, begging for belly scratches. Ava obliged as she knelt. “So the big brute general volunteers at an animal rehab, huh?”

Casimir sat down across from her as another large cat plopped down beside him. “This is Willow.” He rubbed her face. “Why is that surprising? We all care for animals here.”

“Well, yes, but do the others come here to help on a regular basis?”

Casimir shrugged. “No, but they’re busy. Thorne does finance this place though. ”

“You’re the general. I’m pretty sure you’re just as busy, if not busier.”

“I make time.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s something I love,” he explained. “Ever since I was a young boy, I’ve always found hurt animals and nursed them back to health.”

Ava studied him, unable to look away at the kindness which always surprised her whenever he showed it.

She didn’t know why it was surprising; he was never cruel or mean, just calm and quiet most of the time.

But underneath the gruff exterior, he was generous.

Like the time he let her sleep in his tent even though he had just met her, or the fact that he noticed she struggled to eat when she was stressed.

And the way he took care of her after she was attacked in Saxumdale.

“I used to do that too,” she said quietly. “With my mother.”

They sat in silence for a while, petting the two cats who were on cloud nine from the attention.

“So, the general loves tea houses and helping injured animals…What other things does the general like?” she asked.

“I like to read. You were actually reading my favorite book this morning.”

“Seriously? That was a romance novel.”

“Brutes can’t like romance novels?”

Ava laughed. “You’re a hopeless romantic, huh?”

He gave her his usual half smile. “Perhaps.”

They remained quiet for a moment, unable to break eye contact when Bale got a burst of energy and pawed at Ava. He rose and head butted her so hard, she fell back onto the grass. The massive cat licked her face with enthusiasm, seemingly ready to play.

“Oh!” Ava exclaimed as she tried to push him out of her face.

Casimir let out a laugh as he reached over and pulled Bale off. He stood and grasped Ava’s hand to help her up. “He gets like that sometimes,” he said, still laughing. “He likes you.”

She laughed along with him as she wiped the drool from her face. “Then he’s a good judge of character, I guess.”

“Indeed,” Casimir replied as he watched her. He cleared his throat and looked away. “Let’s keep going. There are dozens more animals.”

As they exited the enclosure and walked along the dirt path, Ava asked, “So why are the animals here and what happens to them? Do they get released?”

“Various reasons. Bale and Willow were orphaned and unable to live on their own. They’ll have to stay here. Others have an injury or illness and once they can fend for themselves, they’re released.”

She couldn’t stop smiling as they walked into the next cage.

She was in heaven with all these animals, something she didn’t realize she needed until today.

A day to be Ava. Not the princess or the savior of Eorhan, training to defeat their enemies, but herself.

The animal obsessed wildlife nerd she was back in the human world.

They stepped into the tree covered space and a strange creature flew toward them, landing at her feet.

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

It was the size of a large dog and covered in blue feathers. It had a black curved beak, a long feathered tail twitching like a cat, and four legs ending in taloned feet. Its bright blue eyes regarded her as it tilted its head and tucked in its wings.

“It’s a finstrel,” answered Casimir. “And his name is Eldar.”

Eldar made a sound reminiscent of a growl and a bird call combined. Ava held her hand out, attempting to soothe him.

“Careful…finstrels can be dangerous. His beak and talons are sharp,” he cautioned.

“He won’t hurt me,” she insisted as she stepped closer.

“Ava… ”

She knelt, face to face with the sharp beak. “Hello, there. I’m a friend.” She kept her hand extended.

Eldar approached with caution. His posture relaxed and feathers fluffed with delight as he nuzzled her hand, small happy chirps sounding in the back of his throat.

“How did you do that?” Casimir whispered.

“Do what?”

“Calm him.” He looked down at her with wonder on his face. “He’s attacked every single volunteer here at least once. Including me.”

“I don’t know,” she answered as she continued to stroke Eldar’s face and scratched under his chin. “I’ve always been able to do it.”

“Like with the ocean drakes…” he trailed off.

“I guess so.”

Casimir walked closer to Ava and Eldar tilted his head toward him. The animal made a strange sound, stepping in between them, as if trying to protect her.

“Whoa,” Casimir said. “It’s me. Remember me?”

Eldar narrowed his eyes and glanced back at Ava. She let out a giggle. “That big ol’ brute isn’t going to hurt you, silly boy,” she said as she petted the top of his head. “He’s quite sweet underneath all the grunting and frowning.”

She chanced a glance at Casimir who was looking at her with a furrowed brow. “I don’t grunt and frown that much.”

She stood and turned toward him, crossing her arms and imitating his frown. “You’re literally frowning right now, general.”

He raised a brow. “Is that supposed to be me?”

Ava couldn’t keep a straight face and broke into a smile. “Yes.”

He lowered his voice to a velvety growl. “You didn’t do it right, princess.”

Ava cleared her throat. That voice. That was all it would take for her to melt into a puddle right there. There was a tinge of humor in his eyes. As if he knew what he was doing to her.

She broke his stare, ignoring the warmth coursing through her body, and turned back to the finstrel who was nudging her thigh and begging for more affection.