Page 33 of Journey to the Elderoak (Daughter of the Earth #2)

A va awoke to the sun streaming in her window. Unsure of the time, she assumed it wasn’t early as evidenced by the daylight. Casimir had let her sleep in. Even Cirilla hadn’t awoken her.

After her realization last night that the very person who helped her escape imprisonment months ago was the daughter of two of the kindest people she’d ever known, the guilt had overwhelmed her.

Though Jorrar assured her she did nothing wrong, she still felt a pang of shame that she hadn’t tried harder to get Isolde to leave with them. She should have dragged her away.

She rose and dressed before making her way to the living room where Cirilla had laid out breakfast. Ava took a seat, stomach in knots, but forced herself to eat a few bites of eggs and a pastry. Wondering where Casimir was, she knocked on his door but there was no answer.

“He’s already at the training rings, Your Highness,” said Cirilla, returning to clean the table.

“Thank you.”

Luna trotted alongside her, Titus on her shoulder, as she made her way through the castle, anxious to blow off steam and calm her nerves. Tomorrow was the day. The day she’d have to journey to their sacred tree and if she was deemed worthy, she’d take her true fae form and unlock her magic.

You’re going to succeed, Ava. I know it, said Luna.

Ava looked at her companion as they emerged outside. “Thank you. I take it you can’t come with me.”

No.

“Figures.”

Luna trotted off to Aro, who was snoozing under a tree, climbed onto his back and settled herself among his fur.

Titus disappeared into the treetops in search of his own breakfast. Raine’s wolf, Sabriel, and Quinn’s panther, Bastien, were even hanging around—lounging in the sun instead of hiding in the woods like usual.

The conversation last night about her and Casimir being soul-bonded made more and more sense.

The way Aro and Luna were attached to each other.

How Aro had saved her life. The way any time the group faced danger, Casimir appeared in front or beside her, ready to protect.

How he took care of her so gently in Saxumdale.

Even when they were angry with each other, he still found a way to keep a watchful eye on her safety.

Ava reached the ring where Casimir and Raine were sparring. He was shirtless and hadn’t seemed to notice her yet, his brow furrowed in determination.

She leaned her elbows onto the stone wall as she watched the two powerful warriors face off, this time using daggers. She couldn’t peel her eyes away from Casimir as he lunged at Raine, who dodged his attack with grace.

Casimir’s lightly tanned skin was coated in sweat, and she imagined herself touching him again.

Taking a break, he paused. His back was facing her as he pulled his hair out of his face, muscles flexing in the sun.

Her eyes drifted lower as she wondered what his muscular thighs looked like under those pants.

Among other things. God, she wanted so badly to?—

“Ava,” called Raine. “Whatever you’re thinking about, it’s gross.”

She straightened, clearing her throat as Casimir turned around and grinned.

“I wasn’t thinking about anything,” she choked.

“You’re a shitty liar. I’ll see you two later. I’m going to leave to protect my innocent eyes.”

“Oh, go away,” said Ava, blushing.

Raine left, laughing out loud, and disappeared into the castle.

Casimir strode toward her, a knowing look in his eyes, stopping a couple of feet away on the other side of the wall.

“You knew I was here the whole time, didn’t you?” she asked.

“Of course.” He smiled. “I heard you walk up.”

She rolled her eyes. “Men.”

“Alright, let’s get started. In the ring.”

“Now?”

He tilted his head. “Isn’t that why you’re out here?” He stepped closer and leaned in, whispering in her ear. “Or did you have other things in mind?”

She bit her lip, meeting his gaze as he pulled back. “Okay.” She cleared her throat. “Let’s train.”

She climbed over the wall and stood in the center of the ring.

He chose two training daggers from the weapons rack, turned around and handed her one.

“You need to work on your grip again,” he said.

He walked closer and wrapped his hand around hers, reviewing the hold and adjusting her fingers around the handle.

“Good,” he said. “Now we’re going over the basic moves. ”

“I know these.”

“But you aren’t very good at them.”

He backed away, gripped his own dagger and swiped the air. She copied, but it still felt clumsy and foreign in her hand.

“Again,” he said.

He strode around behind her. “Your stance is off.” He placed his hands on her hips and turned them. “Lean forward a little, but make sure your weight is in your heels.”

Her stomach fluttered at his touch.

“Better,” he said as he walked away and came around to face her. “Now try that move again.”

She did and it felt different this time. Easier.

They practiced for a while before Casimir changed tactics and asked her to get out of different holds. “If someone sneaks up on you like this.” He was behind her, chest pressed against her and a dagger at her throat. “Remind me what you’re supposed to do.”

A flash of Corvus in the same position went through her mind but she pushed through it and turned her attention to the warrior behind her, focusing on his hard body, warm against her back.

“Ava.” A shiver ran down her spine at the way he said her name. “Whatever you’re thinking right now is very distracting.”

“Well, you should put your shirt back on. That’s distracting.”

Using this distraction to her advantage, she stomped on his foot with all her strength, causing him to release her.

“Shit,” he said as he grabbed his foot.

She whirled around while he was off balance and shoved him to the ground. Gripping her dagger, she straddled him, wrapping her legs around his as she held her weapon at his throat.

His eyes went feral as he took her in. “That’s what I would do,” she said, breathing heavily .

“Nice try.”

He flipped her onto her back, pinning her arms above her. His eyes dipped to her mouth and he leaned in, running his nose along the side of her throat.

“Oh, fuck,” Ava gasped.

His lips met hers in a hungry kiss. She moaned, arching into him.

“I thought you two were supposed to be practicing,” Quinn’s voice sounded from the sidelines.

Casimir backed off, mumbling, “Every fucking time.”

“We were practicing,” Ava said, breathless as they both rose from the ground.

Quinn crossed her arms. “Mmm hmm. Anyway, I came to check in and see how you were feeling about tomorrow.”

Casimir put his shirt back on as Ava approached Quinn. “Honestly, I’m freaking out.”

Quinn put her hands on Ava’s shoulders. “Look, I know I’m not always easy to get along with. And I know I was unkind to you initially, but I believe in you. You can do this.”

“Thank you,” Ava said. “You have no idea how much that means to me.”

“Also, I have something for you.” Quinn reached behind her and handed Ava a dagger. A beautifully crafted silver dagger with a pommel ending in vines woven around a light green gem.

Ava’s eyes watered as she looked at Quinn. “Are you serious?”

“Of course. I had it made for you. It will never fail you. As long as you remember my instructions,” she added with a wink.

Ava wiped away a tear. “Thank you so much.”

Quinn gave her a hesitant smile and pulled her into a brief hug. She released Ava and said, “It was nothing. And stop crying, you’re making it weird.”

Ava laughed, still speechless .

“Don’t question yourself and you’ll be fine,” Quinn said as she walked away.

Ava turned around, sheathing the dagger, as Casimir approached. “I’ve never seen Quinn hug anyone.”

“She just likes me more than you.”

“That’s probably true. Come on, I want to show you something.” He took her hand and led her out of the training area.

“No more training?”

“I can tell you’re still too anxious. I think I know how to help you relax.”

She stayed quiet as they entered the forest and walked along a mossy path. Purple and yellow blooms in the grass hosted bees gathering pollen, buzzing from flower to flower. Beams of dappled sunlight warmed up the morning as they burst through the canopy above.

They walked deeper into the woods until they reached a dense copse of trees with a giant willow among them. The tips of the branches tickled the grass, swaying in the breeze. Casimir let go of her hand as he parted the leafy curtains and followed her inside.

She gasped as she looked above her. There were hundreds of shimmering purple butterflies fluttering around the canopy.

A small golden pond sat near the base of the tree and brightly colored fish darted about in the water.

The ground was covered with soft grass and brilliant pink flowers.

It was dim, the branches filtering most of the daylight, but the bioluminescence of the creatures and flowers provided an ethereal light.

“This is beautiful,” she whispered as Casimir stopped beside her.

“This is where I come when I need to think. Need to center myself.”

She turned to him. “Is there where you went last night during the meeting?”

“Yes,” he said reluctantly .

He walked to an area next to the pond where the ground dipped as if there were two seats made of grass facing each other. He sat on one side, legs outstretched and pointed to the other. “Sit.”

She joined him, crossing her legs as she ran her hand through the velvety grass.

A small golden snake slithered through her fingers, and she picked it up, murmuring to it as it stuck out its forked tongue.

She released it, letting the reptile continue on its way and turned back to Casimir. He was staring at her with fascination.

“What?”

He shook his head. “You’re not scared of snakes, but you’re scared of horses.”

She huffed. “I’m not scared of horses. They’re just unpredictable.”

He laughed. “Take off your boots.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to give you a foot massage.”

“My feet are probably smelly and sweaty.”