Page 35 of Journey to the Elderoak (Daughter of the Earth #2)

A va dressed in her room, her stomach in knots as she pulled on her leather armor. Cursing to herself, she struggled adjusting the straps due to the shaking of her hands, when a knock sounded on the door.

“Ava,” Casimir said. “Do you need help?”

She sighed. “Yes.”

He walked in, stoic and reserved. There was no smirking or grinning. No flirting. No delicate touches or caresses. He was the general, preparing her for battle and he would not get distracted.

He stopped in front of her. “Let me,” he said, fastening the buckles on her chest piece and adjusting the ties at her waist. “Is it too tight?”

She moved around a bit. “No.”

“You need to eat.”

She shook her head. “I’ll throw it up anyway. I’ve been throwing up all morning.”

A flicker of concern flashed in his eyes before he put the mask of the general back on. “Alright, let’s go then.”

They walked through the halls, Ava counting to four in her head with each breath, striving to remain calm.

Emerging outside, they were greeted by soft rays of the morning sun peeking over the trees.

Ava pinched a bud of lavender as they passed through the herb garden and brought her fingers to her nose, inhaling the relaxing scent and trying to ground herself.

Waiting for them was the rest of the group.

Thorne, Raine, Jorrar and Quinn. Even Kai and Fanya were there to give their support.

Though their faces were hopeful, it wasn’t enough to hide the unease beneath their masks.

Every single one of them was nervous. The fate of their world depended on Ava’s success.

They approached the group and stopped before them.

Raine gave a smile that didn’t reach his eyes and said, “You two look like you’re headed to a funeral.”

The joke fell flat, and Ava attempted to smile back. He grabbed her and hugged her, whispering in her ear. “You’ll be fine, dainty human.” He pulled back. “That’s the last time I can call you that.”

“It is.”

Raine reached behind him and handed her a bow and a quiver of arrows. “As your archery teacher, I decided you needed something better, so I had this made.”

Ava removed her current bow and quiver, handing it to Quinn, as she looked at Raine in awe. “I can’t believe you did this. I don’t know what to say.”

“Read what it says.” He pointed to an inscription in the wood.

To our missing piece.

Her eyes filled with tears, and she hugged him again. “Thank you.”

Pulling away, he shrugged. “It was nothing.”

She turned to the rest of the group, giving them all hugs, Thorne holding on the longest and squeezing her tight.

When he pulled back, he held her shoulders and looked into her eyes.

“I have something for you.” He reached behind him and presented her with a sword.

“This was our mother’s,” he explained. “Its name is Silverglow. And now it belongs to you.”

A lump in her throat, she touched the silver blade engraved with something in old fae. The grip was gold and the pommel ended with a motif of the Elderoak and a large emerald in the center.

“It’s beautiful. What does it say?”

“Va? l’ioh tren?sse. Which means ‘you belong to us.’ I had it engraved a few weeks ago.”

Ava’s lip quivered at her brother’s words. “Thank you,” she whispered through her tears. She sheathed the blade at her hip before yanking him into another hug, resting her head on his shoulder.

“Alright, little sister. The next time I see you, you won’t be human anymore.” He pulled away. “Remember your training and keep your wits about you.”

She let go, looking at the rest of them. “Thank you. All of you. I don’t even know how to express how much you mean to me.”

“Stop being so sappy and hurry up,” said Quinn. “I’m ready for you to be stronger so you can help me kick the rest of the idiots’ asses.”

“Fine, lady warrior.” Ava gave her a smile.

Quinn rolled her eyes but smiled back despite herself.

Casimir and Ava said their goodbyes and walked to the woods, heading in a direction she had never gone before. There was no path as they trudged through the brush and over logs, making their way through the dense forest.

“How far away is it?” she asked, about ten minutes into their journey.

“A couple of hours.”

“The map you showed me yesterday made it look a lot farther than that.”

“The forest is strange the closer we get to the tree. No one knows exactly where the Elderoak is, just that it’s in that general vicinity.”

“Then how will we know when we’re close?”

“We’ll feel it.”

“Alright then,” she said as they continued deeper into the forest.

Luna’s voice spoke in her head. I love you, Ava. You’re going to conquer this. I know it.

“I love you too, Luna. Watch over Titus while I’m gone.”

He just wants to chase butterflies all day. He’ll be okay.

It was a beautiful, yet strange journey.

The woods remained dense the entire way and they barely spoke, both full of nerves and racing thoughts.

The tree roots wove together, making their travel difficult as they clamored over them.

Ava stumbled several times, but Casimir caught her and encouraged her to keep going as he held out his hand and helped her through the lichen-covered maze.

They walked through a group of smaller trees with branches so thick they blocked the sunlight. Bright violet mushrooms grew along the base of their trunks, releasing their spores as their feet disturbed the soil.

“How are you feeling?” Casimir asked, holding out his hand to help her over a fallen tree.

“Perfect. Great. Best I’ve ever felt. I’m not nervous at all. Cool as a cucumber.”

“I have no idea what that last thing you said means. Another one of your human expressions?”

She laughed quietly. “Yes. But, I’m being sarcastic anyway. I’m terrified.”

“I know,” he said, voice full of tenderness.

She hopped down on the other side, about to say something, but out of nowhere Casimir shoved her against a nearby trunk and covered her mouth.

“Don’t move,” he whispered .

Her eyes widened as she nodded. He removed his hand, caging her with his body as if he was guarding her from something.

Vines rose from the ground and twisted around each other, encasing them.

Ava’s heart leaped in her throat, on the verge of panic, but Casimir looked at her and whispered, “Those are mine. I’m camouflaging us.

” He put his finger to his mouth to remind her to be quiet.

She didn’t move a muscle as the vines surrounded them, blending them into the tree. Though nothing seemed amiss, she could tell by his demeanor the danger had not yet passed.

Then, she heard it. Something moving through the forest. Massive, and taking slow steps through the trees.

Branches cracked and the ground trembled as it trudged along, crushing the roots.

Through a gap in the vines, Ava could make out something giant.

As tall as the tallest trees in the forest, it walked upright on two legs with long arms dangling by its sides.

Covered in roots and moss, leaves sprouted from its head.

Its human-like face scanned the forest as it passed by.

Casimir pressed closer, reassuring her they were safe. The creature moved on and disappeared deeper into the woods, but they remained frozen under the vines for a while longer, ensuring it was gone.

Danger now passed, Casimir released his magic and they were freed from their temporary cage.

“What was that?” she whispered.

“Tree giant.”

“I take it they aren’t friendly.”

“No,” he said as he adjusted his sword at his side. “But they aren’t very smart so they’re easy to hide from.”

She scanned the forest. “How much farther do you think?”

“Not far. I can feel the tree.”

Her nerves were on fire as they resumed their journey. She was so close to her goal and yet it felt so far away. Unsure what she would even face in the hazardous woods surrounding the sacred tree, she urged herself to have courage. It would be over soon.

The rest of the forest remained quiet, and they saw no more tree giants, much to Ava’s relief. Casimir stayed vigilant, scanning the trees for any other signs of danger.

Half an hour later, the woods opened up, trees thinning out though it was still dim under the canopy. Ava could feel something pulling at her, tugging her forward. She knew they must be close.

“I can feel it,” she whispered.

He looked at her. “You can?”

“Yes. I had dreams about the tree when I was living on the farm. I could feel it calling to me.”

“Then it’s fate.” He gave her a wan smile.

“It is.”

Casimir continued in front of her when he abruptly halted, causing Ava to crash into him.

“What?” she said, looking around for another tree giant.

“We’re here.”

She walked around and stood beside him. Before them was a lake.

Too wide to go around and surrounded by dense trees.

The dark glassy surface of the water was beautiful, reflecting the lights of glowing insects buzzing among the leaves above them.

Tempted by the cool liquid, she knelt and reached out, wanting to swirl her hand in it.

No, not wanting. Needing. Needing to touch it.

Casimir lunged and grasped her wrist, pulling her back.

“Don’t touch the water.”

“Why?” She blinked, realizing she’d been about to do something dangerous without thought, as if she didn’t have control of her actions. Was the Elderoak already trying to trick her?

“There are foul creatures in there you do not wish to disturb. ”

She rose and turned toward him. “How are we getting across?”

His eyes flared with worry before the mask returned. “ We aren’t.”

Her hands trembled when she realized his meaning. “This is it?”

“Yes.” He took her face in his hands. “I can’t go any further.”

She bit her lip as she tried to tame the pounding in her chest. Her heart was a drum, beating in time with her terror.

“Look at me,” Casimir instructed. He took her hand and placed it on his chest as he placed his own on hers.

“Take a deep breath. Feel my heart beating.” She did as he instructed, not breaking eye contact.

“Breathe in…and out…in…and out. That’s it.

Just like that. You’re going to be alright. You can do this.”

Her heart slowed enough to stave off the panic. She took one more steadying breath and nodded. “How am I going to cross?”

“I’ll build you a bridge.”

“Okay,” she said. “I’m ready.”

He grabbed her face again and pulled her into a frantic kiss. She returned the fervor and pulled him closer as she gripped the collar of his tunic. He released her, forehead touching hers as he traced her jaw. “I’ll be waiting here for you, love.”

She nodded as he pulled away and turned to the lake.

With a determined expression, he raised his hands as large roots burst from the ground, intertwining to form a makeshift bridge stretching across the water. Sweat dripped down his brow as he wove them together, ensuring there were no large holes she might fall through.

“I can’t hold it long,” he said, gritting his teeth. “I’ll make another when you return. Go. Now. Remember everything we’ve taught you. I’ll see you soon. ”

She kissed his cheek and made her way across the bridge, stepping over the uneven roots.

“A little faster please,” Casimir grumbled as he struggled to keep the bridge intact.

She sped up, watching for any signs of danger.

Halfway there. A little further. Small lights hovered among the dense canopy on the other side of the lake, as if they were urging her closer to the Elderoak.

Mesmerized by the beauty, she continued to walk, unaware of her surroundings as if she was in a daze.

“Dammit, Ava. Pay attention!” Casimir shouted, breaking her trance.

She blinked through the fog in her head, looking behind her, and that’s when she saw it. Something had slithered out from the lake and was barreling toward her along the bridge. A giant reptile with glowing white eyes, its scaled body covered in moss. Headed straight for her.

“Run!”

Only about fifty yards remained before she would reach the other side, but it felt like miles. Ava took off, sprinting to shore.

“Faster!” Casimir commanded, voice straining as he tried keeping the bridge steady.

She chanced a glance over her shoulder. It was gaining on her. Willing her legs faster, she pushed herself as hard as she could. Twenty yards to go.

Her foot caught on a root and she tumbled forward, shouting in surprise as she slammed into the bridge. The iron taste of blood filled her mouth, lip busted open on a sharp root.

She rolled over, scrambling to rise as the creature scurried faster, thirty feet away at most. Casimir bellowed her name as a root wrapped around her waist and hoisted her into the air. The creature jumped for her and she screamed, trying to reach her sword.

The bridge behind the monster folded in on itself, making a cage around the creature and pulling it into the water. The root tossed her the rest of the way to shore, and she landed with a thud on the hard earth.

Ava got to her hands and knees and wheezed, trying to take a breath. That was much too close. She turned her head to Casimir who was panting on the other side of the lake.

“Are you alright?” he yelled.

She gave him a thumbs up as she rose from the ground, slowing her breathing with her hands laced behind her head. Eyes closed, she took a moment to steady herself.

Ava opened her eyes and looked at Casimir. Her soulbond. Her destined one.

Her heart swelled as the warrior regarded her with steel in his eyes and determination on his face. He dipped his chin and she returned the gesture, squaring her shoulders. It was time.

Turning away, she walked into the woods.