Page 57 of Journey to the Elderoak (Daughter of the Earth #2)

C asimir sat in the woods at the edge of Deidamia’s war camp, the rest of his soldiers scattered about as they observed the schedule and routine of the daemons.

They were communicating through their animals about what they’d learned, memorizing the layout and attempting to locate where the book and Isolde were being kept.

The camp was much larger than he’d expected, hundreds of soldiers milling about. Though Quinn had gotten their numbers, it was overwhelming to see it for himself.

Ava had been kept here for weeks and rage surged through him at the thought of her in this camp.

Of her being tortured in a tent by the daemons, surrounded by soldiers and monsters.

How she had survived, how she endured it, he couldn’t even comprehend.

Especially when she had still been in her human form.

He was still in disbelief that he’d found his soulbond, something he never thought he would be blessed with but had always longed for.

It was rare for fae to find their destined one, and he’d found his love starved, beaten and dirty, wandering through the woods.

And now being here, he wanted to tear apart every single daemon who’d harmed her.

An owl hooted overhead as he remained in the dark, sticking to the shadows in the thick trees. He continued to watch the soldiers move about, learning their patterns.

I still think this is a terrible plan, Aro said from where he was hiding close by.

“Bringing a small team brings less attention to us. This was the best way.”

I disagree. You seem to think you know better than me. Your infernal stubbornness is making my fur fall out from stress.

“You disagreeing with me is nothing new. What would you have suggested?”

We should have brought a larger team and caused a distraction while the book and the healer are retrieved. Just like I caused a distraction to save your soulbond.

“Did you know then? Who she was to me?”

No. But I sensed she was important.

And she was. She was so fucking important.

To him. To their world. He yearned to get back to her as soon as possible.

Being separated was tearing him apart. But if this was what it took to keep her safe and out of their enemies’ hands, he would willingly walk through the depths of the darkest realm if only to prevent Ava from having to do so herself.

“Tell everyone to head back to our camp to discuss our findings,” he ordered his companion.

Casimir rose when a twig snapped behind him. He spun around and found himself face to face with a dozen daemon soldiers, arrows pointed directly at him. As he readied his magic to take them down, blinding pain exploded at the back of his head.

Then the world went dark.

Casimir awoke with a start, thrashing against restraints as water splashed over him in waves.

Was he drowning? He strained to lift his throbbing head as he opened his eyes.

Several daemons stood before him with empty buckets in their hands.

Soaked strands of his hair fell across his face and the strain of his arms overhead burned.

“He’s awake. Let them know,” said one of the guards.

One left while the other leaned against the wall, apathetically cleaning his nails with the tip of a dagger.

Casimir’s shirt had been removed and his wrists were bound in chains, attached to a rocky ceiling.

He wasn’t in a tent, but what appeared to be a cave.

Dirt covered the damp stone floor. The blazing flames of torches danced on the wall, casting sinister shadows in the dreary space.

The smell of soil mixed with excrement filled his nostrils, covering the scent of fear hovering through the air.

Shivering, he reached for his magic, but nothing would come.

Fuck, he thought. They must have given him something.

He tried contacting Aro but that didn’t work either. Whatever they’d given him cut him off from being able to communicate with his companion. That hadn’t happened when he was bitten by the insect. This must have been stronger.

Footsteps echoed in the distance, growing closer by the second. Two pairs; one light and quick, the other slow and calculated. He squinted, trying to see in the dark abyss before him. Moments later, two figures emerged from hollow depths.

Andras and Deidamia.

The daemon queen observed him, standing preternaturally still, her blue eyes boring into his. Her white hair swished along her back as she resumed her walk .

Andras stood with his hands in his pockets and grinned, pleased at their capture. “I was hoping I’d get to see you again, general. I just didn’t realize it would be so soon.”

“Fuck you.”

“I would,” replied Andras, looking at his nails in the torchlight. “But you’re not my type.” He stepped closer, grabbing Casimir’s face with his hand. “Your girlfriend, however. She is.”

He snarled, pulling at the chains, but Andras stepped back and laughed, looking at Deidamia who had finished circling him and returned to stand by his side.

“I heard you were snooping about our camp,” she said. Her voice was ancient, low and sensual. “What were you doing out here?”

He remained silent.

Deidamia closed in and stroked his cheek, sharp nails dragging down his neck as she asked, “Where’s Ava?”

Again, he didn’t speak.

Andras smiled at him. “It doesn’t matter where Ava is. Once she learns we have her love, she’ll waltz right in here. No need to hunt for her any longer. Our spy was right. We needed to lure Ava here instead of chasing her.”

Spy? It had to be the same person who’d snuck in the assassin at the ball. The traitor they had not yet been able to identify. Who was it? Were they still there among his friends? He had no way of communicating with them, of warning them.

He yanked on the chains with fury.

Because Andras was right. Ava would come the moment she learned he’d been captured. It didn’t matter if Thorne tried to stop her. She would never listen. He had to find a way out before she arrived.

Another set of footsteps approached. Loud and pronounced.

“Oh good,” said Deidamia, turning toward the sound. “You’re here. ”

Casimir narrowed his eyes as a massive daemon soldier appeared. His greasy dark hair hung in strands around his face, and he gave Casimir a broken toothed grin. The Scourge.

“General,” she said. “I’d like you to meet Vazgeth. I’m sure you’re aware he’s an old friend of your princess.”

Casimir scowled at her, remembering Ava’s torture at the hands of The Scourge. He would rip him to pieces with his bare hands the moment he was free of these chains.

Deidamia paced before him. “I’m sure you’ve figured out your magic does not work. We’ve also given you something to slow your healing. Injuring fae who heal too quickly is quite boring.”

She waved her hand at The Scourge. “Begin.”