Page 49 of Journey to the Elderoak (Daughter of the Earth #2)

V oices spoke from far away. Just out of reach. Everything was muffled and dark. Cold.

So…so…cold.

A door closed. Silence.

No, not silence. Footsteps. Loud and echoing, they hurt her head.

Back and forth. Back and forth. Someone was pacing.

She was so cold. Why was she so cold?

Slowly, the darkness waned. Faint light made its way into her vision. Her head pounded; body shivered. A hand grasped her own. Warm, large, and familiar.

Her name. Someone was saying her name. “Ava? Can you hear me?”

Yes, she thought. Yes, I can hear you. But the words wouldn’t come. Her eyes wouldn’t open.

“Are you there, love?”

I’m here. I’m here!

But darkness returned, and she was pulled under once more.

Ava could feel her body, the darkness and cold now replaced by warmth.

Softness surrounded her. The voices had been clearer, more distinct, but were currently silent.

Sometimes she heard them speaking in hushed tones, but could never make out their words.

Who were they? Her friends, maybe. Her family. Her love.

She released a shuddering breath and opened her eyes. Vision met with bright and painful sunlight, she squinted. Clenching and unclenching her fist, she tried to lift her heavy hand.

The ceiling came into view. Where am I? Vines hung above her. She turned her head. Ouch . It was like a vice, squeezing. There. A man, asleep in a chair. With long brown hair and a scar down his neck. Tall and large, hunched over uncomfortably. Worry etched on his face, even in slumber.

“Cas,” she rasped. Her voice. It hurt.

He sat up and looked at her. His golden eyes meeting hers, he sighed with relief and moved to the edge of the bed, hand stroking her face.

“Hi,” she said to him.

“Hi.” He smiled, holding back tears.

“What happened?” she asked, wincing at her dry throat.

He clutched her hand and stroked the back of it. “You were right. There was a man at the ball. He stabbed you. He was one of Deidamia’s soldiers. Sent to assassinate you.”

“Where is he?” she whispered.

“Dead,” he said, voice cold.

“Did you kill him?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

She tried to rise, but he shook his head. “Rest. ”

She looked around the room, eyes catching on Luna asleep near her feet. Titus was curled up in her fur.

“They haven’t left your side,” Casimir said.

“How long have I been asleep?”

“Four days,” he answered.

She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath and opened them again, catching him still watching her. “I could hear you sometimes. All of you, talking. But I couldn’t get to you. It was so cold and dark,” she rambled.

“It’s okay.” He brushed a strand of hair from her face. “You’re safe. It’s alright.”

The door opened and Kai entered along with Raine, who was grinning.

“Welcome back, little frog,” said Raine.

Ava frowned at him. “Is that supposed to be my new nickname?”

“It is.”

“How in the world did you come up with that?” Ava asked, voice still rough.

Raine laughed. “We have a frog that lives in the marshes near the coast. It’s called vil?r’setis, which translates to little frog.”

“And…” Ava said.

Casimir scowled and finished for Raine. “This frog has a defense mechanism where it basically ‘dies’ to trick predators. When the danger has passed, it comes back to life. Raine thought it would be funny to call you that.”

“Because that’s kind of what you did,” Raine said.

Ava burst into a fit of giggles, Raine along with her. Casimir glared at them which made her laugh even harder. Even Kai had a subtle smile on his face.

“It’s so stupid. I like it,” Ava said.

“I don’t,” said Casimir .

“Well, the princess approves. I must get going. Glad to have you back,” he said as he walked out the door.

“How are you feeling?” Kai asked as he approached and examined her.

“Terrible,” she said.

She almost said ‘like I’ve been hit by a truck’ but realized they wouldn’t know what that meant and almost burst into another fit of giggles. How strange to be in a world where they’ve never heard of cars or trucks or phones or televisions. This almost made her laugh more. Maybe she was delirious.

Kai handed a vial to Casimir. “Have her drink this every day. It will rebuild her strength quicker.” He turned to Ava and squeezed her other hand. “I’m so happy to see you awake.”

He rose and left the room, leaving her alone with Casimir again.

“Kai said you would have died had you still been in your human body,” he said, worry in his voice.

“Well, it’s a good thing I kicked ass on the journey, isn’t it?”

“It is,” he said, holding out the vial. “Do you want to take this now?”

“Yes. Can you help me sit up?”

He leaned over and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her up to sit, arranging pillows behind her back. She winced and put a hand to her stomach.

“Thanks.”

“What hurts?” he asked.

“Everything feels weak, but my stomach hurts the worst.”

She lifted her nightdress to inspect the stab wound. It was mostly healed, but the skin around it was still angry and inflamed.

“I’ll see if Kai has anything to help,” he said as he began to stand.

She grabbed his hand. “No. Don’t go.”

“Alright.” He reclaimed his seat and handed her the vial .

She drank it, wincing at the bitter taste. “What now?”

“Well, you continue to rest.”

“I need to start training my magic as soon as possible,” she said. “She’s obviously getting nervous. Desperate if she sent someone to the ball to assassinate me. We don’t have time for rest.”

He shook his head. “A few more days won’t make a difference. You can’t train if you can barely walk.”

“Fine. We could…do other things…” she suggested. She wanted to touch him. To hold him. To feel his skin against hers.

His eyes darkened. “No. You’re too weak. Soon, though.” He leaned in and kissed her, then pulled away. “In the meantime, you need a bath.”

She smacked him on the shoulder, and he chuckled. “Rude.”

Over the next few days, everyone visited. Ava’s brother had rushed in the moment he got word she was awake and had hugged her so hard, she thought her ribs would break. When he pulled away, he had tears in his eyes and was smiling with joy at her recovery.

Fanya came and gossiped with her, keeping her company whenever Casimir had to work and even Queen Thalia dropped by. She and her husband were staying at the castle now. Thorne had offered them an empty wing until they could reclaim their conquered kingdom.

Jorrar and Quinn had come, the latter chastising her for not hiding a dagger under her dress for protection, and the former sitting with her calmly as he did with most people.

Pax had stopped by several times, trying to hide the worry on his face as he told her funny stories to keep her entertained.

She knew she was missing out on the meetings and planning the King and Queen of Igneothenia were now a part of.

Casimir informed her they had almost finalized their plan to retrieve the book and rescue Isolde and were developing a strategy to take back the volcanic kingdom.

There was an abundance of work ahead and she could sense the anticipation and dread.

Cirilla had helped her bathe, and she was able to move around, feeling stronger each day. Raine told her he’d start training with her in a couple of days and she was ready. Ready for revenge for all she and her friends had gone through. Ready to face her enemy.

Ava and Casimir had briefly spoken about the soulbond. He wanted to wait until she was well enough, but she was done waiting. She was well now and ready to make that commitment to him. Ready to bind her soul to his.

Tonight, she was nestled on the couch in her robe after bathing, a soft white blanket pulled up to her chest as she read a book. Casimir was in another war council meeting, and she had promised Kai she would rest for one more day before venturing about.

Unable to focus, she slammed the book shut and leaned her head back on the sofa, releasing a frustrated groan as Casimir walked in.

“What’s wrong?” he said, sitting next to her, slinging his arm across the back of the couch and toying with her hair.

“I’m so bored. I can’t wait to get out of this room.”

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

“Completely fine.”

She raised her hand and cupped his face, her eyes roving over his features. She wanted him now. Didn’t want to wait any longer. Casimir’s hand moved to the back of her neck and brought her lips to his, cautiously parting them as if he was afraid she’d break.

Ava deepened the kiss, plunging her hands into his hair as she climbed into his lap and straddled him. He groaned into her mouth and gripped her hips as they continued their eager exploration.

She pulled away, her forehead pressed to his.

“Are you trying to seduce me, princess?” he said with a smirk.

She placed a kiss on his jaw as she ground herself into his hard length. “Yes,” she whispered into his skin, continuing her path down the side of his neck. “Is it working?”

“Yes,” he moaned. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

“Positive.” She gripped the hem of his shirt and lifted, but in one fell swoop, Casimir reached behind him, grasping the collar, and removed it, tossing it on the floor.

Leaning back, she let her eyes explore every dip and cut of muscle, running her hands along his abs, the dusting of hair on his chest. Exploring each and every scar with the brush of her fingers.

His breath caught as he watched her, raw need blazing in his eyes.

He stood, set her down and picked her back up, throwing her over his shoulder. He smacked her ass, and she shrieked as he carried her through the living room.

“Did you just spank me?”

“Yes,” he replied as he pinched her rear and she yelped. “I’ve been wanting to do that since you taunted me in those tight pants the day we left for Saxumdale.”

She let out a giggle. “Really?”

“Oh yes, love. Don’t think I didn’t notice you swinging your hips around.”

Casimir laid her on the bed, looking at her with feral desire. Ava raised her hand. “Wait.”