Page 11

Keltania

We set out just before dawn, armed with the most updated maps for each region, food, water, and weaponry. By nightfall, we’ve already made it to the outer edges of the Hizten Forest—the border around the Autumn Lands. While Delkin’s previous relationship with Avastad might prove helpful, the Autumn Court was also the closest in proximity. It makes sense to start there.

“You know, little Fae”—Daroose waves at Valen—“this would go smoother if you’d just let my lovely druid handle things. I would go with her, of course, and you could scurry home and play in the snow.”

“So you could eat all the Fae we’re trying to recruit?” Valen snorts. “No.”

“I’m offended on Keltania’s behalf. She would never permit me to eat more than one.”

I stop between two massive pine trees and massage my temples. I only have myself to blame for the mounting headache. How could I have forgotten how these two bicker?

A gust of wind kicks up and whips my hair around as I scan the horizon. The forest is quiet. “Let’s camp here.” I set my own pack down and pull out the map, skimming the route Kopic and Celpin sketched out.

Valen jabs the small, circled section on the paper. “We’re close to where Delkin marked off. The Autumn Court—or what’s left of it—should be around here.”

“We should get an early start, then. As soon as the sun comes up.” I pull several things from my pack and settle on the ground, against a tree. Daroose does the same. “But temper your expectations. It’s pretty deserted out here.”

Daroose inhales. “Kelpies have a magnificent sense of smell—and there’s nothing here but a stinking Winter Fae and a whole lot of rot.”

“Really? Huh…” Valen settles across from me. “I could have sworn I smelled horse shit .”

Daroose balks. “How dare you!”

Valen laughs. It’s easy and relaxed, and for the first time since we returned from Ventin, it’s real. I’m transfixed by the way his lips curve upward, the top right corner of his upper lip just a hair crooked.

“I’ll have you know that kelpie shit smells like—like roses!”

“Then maybe you need a bath,” Valen says, pinching his nose.

Daroose jumps to his feet and clutches his chest. “I’ve never been so insulted in my entire life.”

“I find that hard to believe.” I laugh.

In an attempt to be subtle, Daroose turns and bends down to sniff himself. He stiffens. “I don’t have to take this abuse. I’ll be back…later.”

Once Daroose is gone, Valen leans forward, coming a bit closer. “See something you like?”

Not in the slightest…

“You wound my pride.”

I’m pretty sure your ego will recover.

“You know… Daroose already knows about the link. There’s no one to hide from out here…”

I’m like a moth drawn to the flame. I let down the wall between us, and the link floods, the tempting sting of desire, of longing, making me breathless. The urge to reach out, to touch him, is overwhelming, and I scooch back a bit.

I think back to a night just one week ago… A ghostly hand skimming the inside of my thigh in the dead of night. A soft, warm tongue caressing lips and teeth nipping and teasing. We’d gotten bolder. Or, more specifically, Valen had, and I’d done little to discourage him. I don’t trust myself—especially out here where there’s no one to see us.

He lightly trails his fingertip down his own arm, knowing I feel it just as plainly as if it were on mine.

Before Ventin, I was bound by duty, always on guard against unseen threats. Then, after Ventin, I needed to be aware of everything and everyone—all the time. Gods forbid I looked at Valen too long, lingered too close. This is the first real chance we have to ourselves since acknowledging the feelings between us. It’s been exhausting—for both of us. Maybe he’s right. Maybe taking a small, stolen moment for ourselves isn’t so bad…

“Skimming those hands down your own body is such a waste,” I say. “I bet you can think of a much better place to put them.”

Valen grins and drags me close, then crushes his lips to mine, lowering us gently to the ground. The sound of contentment I make drives him insane, and he chuckles. “I’ve got some interesting ideas…”

Valen presses his lips to mine again. At first the kiss is soft, requesting. He pulls me close and wraps his arms around my waist, locking them tight as it turns to something else. Something needy and primal.

All the things we’ve been holding back—every emotion, every stolen glance—they all pour out into that kiss. It’s euphoric and far too easy to lose myself. I push in close. Never mind that there’s nothing separating us other than our clothing. Forget that I don’t know where Valen ends and I begin. I want more. I need to be closer. Every bit of restraint I’ve been holding on to slips away, and the link floods completely.

…

Despite the less-than-stellar accommodations and every bone in my body telling me we’re making a mistake, Valen and I thoroughly enjoy our time together. I drift off easily, his arms wrapped tight around me, as the sounds of the forest play like a lullaby. I’m in the middle of the most amazing dream when a noise at the edge of the clearing jolts me awake.

Valen—wake up! But don’t open your eyes.

He groans and rolls over. “Huh?”

We’re not alone. There’s something moving on the edge of the camp. I grab my dagger and creep to the tree line.

“Daroose?”

Definitely not.

“Can you see anything?”

Still too dark. But there’s definitely something there.

“Animal?”

Not sure. I’m going to check it out. I venture deeper into the woods, squinting against the dark.

“I should come with you.”

I’ll be fine. Just stay put.

The clouds part, allowing a small beam of moonlight to shine through a gap in the trees. I freeze. Several tall, skeletally thin figures loom a few yards away. A lump forms in my throat, but I choke it down.

Depleted! There’s depleted all around us! Run east!

“Daroose—”

He’ll find us. Go! I couldn’t lose the kelpie if I tried.

I change direction, heading east as I told Valen, but in my haste, I make too much noise. A horrible wail fills the air, and the depleted give chase. One, I could handle. Maybe two. But these creatures are strong. If a pack of them manage to corner me… I swallow back the lump forming in my throat and quicken my pace, ducking into a thicker part of the woods in hopes of losing them. All I manage to do is sacrifice what little light I had, and I’m stumbling in pitch blackness.

Valen, where are— I step forward, and the ground beneath me gives way. There’s an odd sense of nothingness. A numb sensation and weird sort of displacement. I bite back a scream and thrust out my hands to grab for something—anything—but there’s nothing there.

Then I’m falling into oblivion.