Page 56 of Journey to the Elderoak (Daughter of the Earth #2)

“ E xcellent,” coached Raine as Ava pulled the vines back in.

They’d been practicing all afternoon while Casimir was stuck in meetings.

A team would depart tomorrow on a small reconnaissance mission.

Once they got as much information as possible, Casimir would send word through Aro when it was time for a larger team to meet them at a predetermined location near the daemon camp.

They’d retrieve the book, the healer, and return to Mosshaven.

Ava loathed this plan, terrified of something going wrong. But both Thorne and Casimir had assured her this was only a mission to gather information.

She still didn’t like it.

“Let’s call it a day,” Raine said as he sat on the stone wall.

She plopped down beside him. “How are you feeling?”

“Back to my merry self.”

It had been about a week since they returned from Oakshire and Raine bounced back quickly. She laid her head on his shoulder, savoring the breeze as it cooled her off .

“Don’t ever do that again,” she said, replaying how his body had slumped to the ground.

“What? Try to protect you?” he replied. “Don’t count on that. You would have done the same for me.”

She sighed. “You’re right.”

They sat in silence as a group of soldiers from Igneothenia emerged from the barracks, ready to do their own training.

Raine perked up. “Let’s go watch,” he said. “It’ll be good for you to see other kingdoms’ techniques.”

They made their way to the field as soldiers lined up in formation. Sitting under a large tree, they watched the volcanic kingdom’s warmup routine.

A woman with crimson skin covered in neon yellow veins, which moved and writhed as she walked, paced in front of the company with her hands behind her back.

Black flames were tattooed on her neck, and her pointed ears were adorned with countless piercings.

The sides of her head were shaved, the rest of her black curls sitting in a mohawk-like style.

Her short, muscular frame was dressed in black pants and a matching tunic, tied with a bright red belt signaling her rank.

The rest of the soldiers wore gray outfits with yellow belts.

Twin golden swords were sheathed on her back, glinting in the sun as she strode along the field.

Authority radiated from her, barking orders at the soldiers in a subtly accented voice.

Raine tensed. “Who is that?”

“You haven’t met her yet? That’s Maeryn. She’s the general of Igneothenia’s armies. She’s kind of scary.”

He shook his head. “No. I haven’t met her,” he whispered.

Ava looked at him with curiosity, seemingly enamored with the general. Unable to take his eyes off Maeryn, he watched her lead her kingdom’s forces with unwavering focus.

“Are you alright?” she asked, startling him from his wonder.

His eyes darted to hers as he cleared his throat. “Fine. I’m good. I’m great. ”

Raine was never at a loss for words. Ava narrowed her eyes at him before he turned away. The soldiers practiced their blocks and stances, moving in unison as if they were of one mind for two hours before they finished and went about the rest of their day.

Ava rose. “Let’s go say hi and I’ll introduce you.”

Raine shot to his feet. “What? Now? I—shit. Okay.”

“What is wrong with you?”

“Nothing,” he said, smoothing his hair and regaining his swagger as they approached.

Maeryn turned to them. In addition to the jewelry in her ears, she had a golden ring pierced through her full bottom lip. “Your Highness.” She dipped her chin.

“Hello, Maeryn. I’d like you to meet Raine, one of our captains,” Ava said.

Maeryn’s bright yellow eyes scrutinized him as she held her hand out to shake his. He took it in both of his own. “If I’d known Igneothenia’s general was so exquisite, I would have introduced myself sooner.”

Ava tried to suppress her smile at his attempt at flattery while Maeryn’s eyes bored into his, her face devoid of emotion.

“And if I had known the captain was such a suck up, I would have said don’t bother,” she replied, pulling away.

“I—oh. I’m sorry, I—” Raine stuttered.

“Don’t mind him,” Ava intervened. “He’s always like that. You must be busy. It was good to see you.”

“Good to see you too.” Maeryn gave Raine a small smirk. “And it was interesting to meet you, captain.”

“Yep,” Raine answered. Ava looped her arm through his and dragged him away before he could say anything else.

They walked into the castle, and she halted to face him. “What was that about?”

He grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t know. She…wow. She’s stunning. ”

“I’ve never seen you stumble over your words when you’re hitting on someone.”

“Fuck. I know.” He glanced toward the door. “I should go apologize. I think I offended her.”

“I think she was amused. It’ll be fine. Though I don’t think your usual smooth-talking will work with her if you’re trying to get her to sleep with you.”

His gaze snapped to hers. “I’m not trying to bed her. No, not her. I—I just want to talk to her. I need to. I must get to know her.”

“I don’t understand what’s going on with you.”

“Me either.” He shrugged and laughed uncomfortably.

They resumed their pace, heading down the hall to dinner.

“Are you doing alright?” Raine asked, changing the subject. “You know, with Cas leaving in the morning?”

“No,” she replied. “I’m not.”

Their boots echoed in the corridor, occasionally interrupted by the sound of birds singing outside the open windows. First to arrive in the dining room, Ava took her usual spot to the right of Thorne’s chair.

“He’s going to be fine,” Raine assured her as he took his seat across the table. “He won’t let anything happen.”

“I know.”

The rest of the group trickled in, joined by Aelerion and Thalia, the sound of voices filling the room as everyone started visiting. Casimir kissed Ava’s head, pulling his chair close and taking his own seat.

Ever since they sealed the bond, he made every effort to be near her when they weren’t in separate meetings or training.

Her heart warmed at the way he sought her out the moment they were in the same room; how he was always holding her hand or touching her.

He wasn’t shy with his affections, not caring who was around when he whispered how much he loved her or placed a gentle kiss on her temple .

Casimir picked up her plate and filled it with food, a habit he hadn’t stopped.

She tried telling him he didn’t need to, but he insisted.

It was one of the many ways he showed his love and something she’d learned about him the last few months.

That he loved taking care of her, paying attention to the little things.

A few minutes into dinner, the doors opened and Maeryn entered, nodding her greeting as she strode to the table and sat next to Thalia, who was seated on the other side of Casimir.

Ava turned her attention to Raine, trying not to laugh at the sudden change in his demeanor as he stole glances at Maeryn.

“What’s with Raine?” Casimir whispered into Ava’s ear.

“He’s got a thing for Maeryn, it seems. Like he can barely function around her,” she whispered back.

Casimir grinned. “This is going to be fun.”

“Payback after all the shit he gave us,” Ava said, and Casimir chuckled.

Raine glared at them and Ava blew him a kiss.

Thorne cleared his throat. “Is everything ready for tomorrow’s mission?”

“It is. We leave at dawn,” said Casimir.

“I still think he needs to take someone else,” Ava started but Thorne held up his hand and gave her a look.

“We’ve already discussed this.” He was irritated at her push back. She’d yelled at him the other day in his suite when she learned Casimir was going alone, and he obviously didn’t want her protesting again in front of their guests. “You will not question me on this any longer.”

She put her hands in her lap, furious he would shut her down, but remained silent. Casimir moved his hand to hers, pulling it to his mouth, and pressed his lips to her knuckles.

“I’ll be alright,” he said. “Try not to worry.”

Ava was silent the rest of the evening, stewing in her anger and fear for Casimir's safety. Raine was also quiet, eyes finding their way to Maeryn throughout dinner, but even the entertainment of his awkwardness wasn’t enough of a distraction from her thoughts.

Ava shivered in the brisk morning air, pulling the cloak she was wearing tighter.

Golden light framed the treetops as the sun peered over the horizon.

Horses whinnied as the soldiers prepared them to leave on their mission.

Bags were packed, weapons were secured, and a sense of unease hung about the air.

Casimir approached and pulled her into his chest. Holding back her tears, Ava nestled into him as she inhaled his scent of cedar and sage. No words were spoken as they embraced each other, neither willing to let go.

“Sorry general,” said an approaching soldier. “But we must be going.”

Casimir pulled back and looked at her. She grasped his face with both of her hands. “Please come back to me.”

“I will.”

“If something happens…” she started.

“Don’t, love. Don’t worry.”

“Easier said than done.”

She pulled him into a quick kiss, his hands clutching her waist. They parted and he pressed his lips to her forehead.

“I’ll return soon. I love you,” he whispered.

“I love you too,” she said through her tears.

He walked away and mounted his horse, Aro staying close to the group. Luna sat at Ava’s feet while Titus landed on her shoulder as the group made their way out of the stables. Casimir looked back one last time and raised his hand, Ava mirroring his action.

She stayed until they disappeared down the road.

Are you ok? Luna asked .

“No,” she replied, looking at her companion. “This feels wrong.”

I know. But you must follow Thorne’s orders. It’s what he thinks is best.

“I know.”

With a heavy heart, she turned around and dragged her feet back inside.