23.

  Faelwen

  The elves who had guided us through the palace led us into the west wing, a curved stretch of hallways that seemed to wind with the living body of the great tree itself. The air here was thick with the scent of moss and sap, moonlight pouring through the branches that had long since become one with the walls.

  Our quarters formed a quiet alcove within the tree’s embrace: a communal chamber and three adjoining rooms. Two elves, both clad in worn leather, sat at a small dining table when we entered, their low conversation dissolving into silence at our approach.

  Ash stiffened beside me, his hand twitching near the hilt of his blade, but Spook’s gaze drifted somewhere far away. I could almost see Elora’s face reflected in his eyes. Her laughter now only a ghost between us. My heart ached for her.

  I missed her. Simple as that. I just missed her.

  We all felt it. That hollow in our chest where her presence had been. When the tunnel collapsed, I had scorched the earth in my grief while Ash dragged me away, soot clinging to my skin like shame. I had scorched him too in places. The memory burned behind my eyes. I blinked it back. I wasn’t angry with Ash for dragging me away. I was angry with the cruel rhythm of fate that kept tearing people I care about for away from me.

  I reached for Spook’s hand, my fingers curling around his in a silent promise. “They’ll find her,” I whispered. He met my gaze, the faintest flicker of hope breaking through his weariness before he gave a weak smile.

  “You’ll be staying here until your departure to the human lands,” one of our escorts announced. “These two are from the other search party. You’ll have much to speak of so we’ll let you be. Food will be brought to you shortly.” With a curt nod, the elves withdrew, closing the door behind them.

  For a moment, the only sound was the quiet sigh of the tree around us.

  “Hi,” I began carefully, stepping toward the pair. “You’re the ones who recovered the runestones from Islethys and the Aelthwyn Peaks, right?”

  “Obviously,” said the younger male. His tone clipped but not unkind. His dark-green leathers carried the scent of pine and battle. Sharp eyes of forest jade studied each one of us, settling finally on me. “Where’s Lady Elora?”

  The question pierced straight through me. I bowed my head to hide the tremor of my lips.

  “She’s still trapped in the tunnels of the hatching grounds. The lord and lady of Sylvaeris are sending soldiers to reach her.”

  He exhaled slowly, shaking his head.

  “Poor thing. Let us hope they reach her in time.”

  “I heard you lost companions as well?” I asked carefully, my voice softer now. The woman beside him, her auburn hair braided with silver twine, nodded, clenching her jaw to hide her emotions. “Yes. In Islethys. When the Fiend interfered.”

  My breath caught. “He… interfered?”

  “Don’t worry, dear.” Her tone gentle as she pulled two gleaming stones from her pack. “We still have the runestones. That’s what matters most.”

  All five runestones complete, Artemis’ voice resounded in my head. The Rune of Breath that stands for life, renewal and awakening, the Rune of Flame symbolizing will, creation and courage, the Rune of the Tides embodying memory, reflection and transformation, the Rune of Shadows representing endings, death and descent and finally the Rune of Healing signifying unity, restoration and truth.

  “I’m sorry for your loss,” I responded to the elves memorizing Artemis’ words. Interesting you know so much about them, Buddy.

  Oh Wen, what can I say? I’m an old wolf and these are the stories I’ve heard.

  Hmm… right, I responded sceptically.

  Ash’s attention snapped to the relics, his eyes glinting. “We should get them to Westray as soon as possible,” he said before any of them could respond to me.

  “Yes,” the male elf agreed, “but first you rest. We leave at dawn.” He rose, placing a hand over his heart in a formal bow. “I am Golwend?r, and this is Ayla.”

  Ayla smiled, the weariness in her eyes softened by kindness.

  “I’m Faelwen,” I said quietly. “They are Ash, Spook and Artemis.”

  “Pleasure,” Golwend?r replied, then gestured toward two side doors. “There are spare rooms through there. Take your well-deserved rest. We’ll discuss plans later this evening.”

  Only then did I feel the weight in my limbs. My skin was smeared with ash and dust, my nails blackened with the remnants of the earth I’d burned. I could smell the smoke still tangled in my hair. We wordlessly chose our rooms. Spook went left with Artemis, and Ash and I took the one on the right.

  You’ll be okay, Wen?

  I managed a small laugh. Yes, buddy. I’ll be fine. Stay with Spook, he needs you more than I do tonight.

  After we washed away the dust of battle and grief, we gathered again at the table with Golwend?r and Ayla. The wooden chamber glowed with the faint shimmer of fireflies and starlight. Light pooling in gentle hues of blue and gold. Outside, the great tree groaned softly, its pulse steady beneath the floorboards as though it too was telling the world to take a moment of rest as night crept in.

  We would leave at first light. The mages would help us cross the veil to Caradsher?n, and from there we’d seek counsel on how to best wield the runestones, where to awaken their power, and how to keep them from the Fiend’s reach.

  Spook groaned at the mention of teleportation, rubbing his temples. “Again? I get that it’s faster, but I really don’t like it. And can someone please explain why we can’t just blink straight into Westray?”

  Ash sighed, his voice a calm ripple over the tension. “Elven cities are bound by ancient circles, connected through ley-lines as we call them. The humans never built such things. Especially not Westray. Late high king Talron forbade magic before his fall as you well know. The land itself resists it now.”

  The room fell quiet after that, the weight of the world pressing between us. When the discussion ended, Spook lingered, muttering something about checking with the guards for word on Elora. His footsteps faded down the corridor, leaving me with the sound of rain beginning to patter faintly against the wood.

  I followed Ash onto the balcony.

  It was a small balcony and half-enclosed by curling vines, overlooking a part of Sylvaeris. On one side lay the silver glimmer of the city lights, on the other the shadowed forest breathing in the dark.

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  A chill breeze tugged through my hair, carrying the scent of wet bark and autumn leaves. Clouds hung heavy above, their bellies swollen with rain.

  Ash stood with his elbows resting on the railing, eyes tracing the horizon as if searching for something far beyond it.

  I stepped up beside him and leaned my head against his shoulder. The tension in his body softened just enough to let me in.

  “I hate this distance between us,” I murmured, my voice trembling against the wind. “I don’t want to lose you.”

  He drew me closer with one arm, his breath brushing my ear. “You’re not going to lose me, darling,” he whispered, the words warm enough to sooth the ache in my chest.

  I hadn’t realized how badly I needed that. His arms, his scent, the familiar weight of him grounding me. I buried my face in his chest and held him as if the world might crumble again at dawn.

  “I just…” His voice faltered. I felt his throat move against my forehead as he swallowed. I waited.

  “I keep seeing that moment between you and Spook when I close my eyes,” he said finally, his tone raw. “And I don’t even know why it tears at me so much. It’s like something inside me twists. And all I can think of is that you belong with me.”

  His hold tightened, his body trembling faintly.

  I tilted my head to look up at him.

  “You know,” I began softly, “you and I aren’t so different. We both lost family. We’re both the eldest… the ones who were supposed to protect our siblings and failed.”

  Ash’s fingers brushed through my hair, his lips hovering just above my temple.

  “And what does that make us, Wen?” he murmured.

  “It makes us marked,” I said. “By guilt, by love, by the weight of what we couldn’t save. Even though it wasn’t our responsibility, you as the eldest will feel responsible for the loss of your family. You build walls high enough to keep the world out, thinking it’ll protect you, but it only keeps you from feeling what you truly feel. From knowing what you need. You learn how to survive, but not how to live. Or how to connect.”

  My words hung in the air like the falling rain.

  “You get scared,” I whispered. “Scared of failing again. Of losing again. Of loving too much. You lost your mother, your sister… of course you’re afraid. You snap at me because all that fear has nowhere else to go. And I snap back because the same fear lives in me.”

  Ash’s gaze met mine then, the anger that once burned in his eyes now softened, vulnerable. He brushed his thumb along my lips, his touch reverent.

  “I think you’re right,” he said quietly. “But even if it meant nothing to you… whatever that moment was between you and Spook, it meant something to me. You hurt me.”

  His words cut deeper than any blade. I drew in a shaking breath. “I know. I’m sorry,” I whispered. “Truly. I won’t walk away from you, Ash. Just because I care for a friend deeply doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten what I feel for you. What we have… it’s more than love. It’s hope. Light. The one thing I never want to lose.”

  A ghost of a smile touched his lips. “Good,” he murmured. “I feel that too. And I’m sorry for not trusting you. Spook’s a good man, maybe too good. Maybe I was afraid you’d see something in him that you were missing in me. That I was too broken to hold.”

  He paused, his hand cupping my cheek. “But if I were to fall before you… I’d want him to look after you. I know he would protect you no matter what.”

  I shook my head fiercely. “Don’t say things like that. We’re going to grow old together, remember?”

  He laughed softly, the sound low and warm. “Alright, darling. You’ll love me until the end of time?”

  “And even longer,” I smiled through my tears.

  “Me too,” he said. Then his lips found mine, soft, certain, and achingly gentle. The most loving kiss I’d ever gotten from him. The kiss deepened, slow as the sunset. His hands trailed along my waist, pulling me closer until the railing pressed against my back. The taste of rain mingled between us, and for a moment the world stilled.

  Then…

  I see you two finally made up. Artemis’ voice slid through my thoughts, smug and amused.

  I groaned inwardly. Yes. Now can I please have some privacy?

  His chuckle echoed faintly before fading, leaving only the quiet hum of the forest and the warmth of Ash’s breath against my skin.

  ? ? ?

  “Good morning, darling,” Ash murmured against my skin, his voice still thick with sleep. His lips brushed the hollow of my throat, tracing a languid path across my bare shoulder, down to where my heartbeat trembled beneath his mouth. A soft sigh escaped me, unbidden.

  “Good morning, love,” I breathed, trying to turn toward him, but he pressed me gently back into the mattress. His palm drifted down the curve of my stomach, slow and knowing, spiralling just above where I started to ache for him. The tease made me gasp, my body arching in a quiet plea.

  My fingers sought him out in return, skimming over his warm skin and the firm lines of his abdomen. He shivered under my touch, a low moan humming against my neck.

  “Go on,” he whispered, voice like dark silk. “I know you want to.”

  Heat bloomed in my cheeks. Even after last night, I craved him still. Hungrier somehow for the way he touched me as if time itself bowed to the rhythm of our breaths. My hand moved lower, curling around him, drawing a sharp breath from his lips. His mouth found my throat again, biting gently, then soothing the mark with his tongue.

  His fingers mirrored mine, trailing lower until he reached the pulse of my need. A tremor tore through me. Before I could moan, he claimed my mouth, stealing the sound, swallowing it whole. One finger slid inside me, then two, his pace a slow, deliberate torture. I moved with him, meeting his rhythm, the world narrowing to heat and breath and quiet surrender. His palm pressed against my centre, his fingers finding that secret, sensitive place deep inside me that made my mind unravel.

  “Let me hear how much you like this, darling,” he breathed against my ear his voice causing a shiver to run down my spine. The pace quickened, his and mine, pleasure tangling between us until I could barely keep my hand steady on him. Just when the edge of release began to crash like a wave, the door gave a protesting creak.

  I froze.

  Ash chuckled low in his throat and kissed me once more, drawing his hand away but keeping me trapped against him.

  “You’re going nowhere, my sweet, wicked love,” he murmured. “I’m not done with you yet.”

  “Well, you’ll have to be,” came Spook’s voice from the doorway, dry as ever. “A messenger just returned from the hatching grounds.”

  Mortified, I yanked the blanket over my chest, my face burning. Both men laughed. Ash with lazy amusement, Spook with infuriating delight.

  “Don’t worry, darling. You are among friends,” Ash comforted me and gave me a quick kiss before swinging his legs out of bed and dressing as if Spook weren’t standing there.

  “Spook, get out,” I hissed.

  He grinned, cheeky as always. “Why? It’s like Ash said you’re among friends. Or is it that you don’t want me to see how wet you are for him?”

  “Get away!” I hurled a pillow at his head. He dodged with effortless grace, laughing as he backed out, hands raised in mock surrender.

  By the time I dressed and followed them to the central room, Artemis was already bent over his porridge. The two other elves nodded in greeting. I offered a distracted smile, snatched a warm slice of bread with cream and hurried after the boys toward the throne room.

  “You coming, buddy?” I called to Artemis with a mouthful.

  Eat with your mouth closed, little one. I thought I taught you that. His mental voice carried its usual dry tone, but there was affection beneath it.

  “Porridge, really?” I glanced down at him, ignoring his remark.

  I prefer my meals properly made, he sniffed. Unlike that sad excuse of a breakfast you’re gnawing on.

  I chuckled and scratched behind his ears, my heart softening. I love you, buddy, I sent the thought to him.

  He blinked, surprised, then let out a rumbling laugh that warmed my chest. I love you too, Wen.

  ? ? ?

  The throne room was alive with tension. Guards lined the walls, their armour catching glints of cold morning light filtering through the high canopy windows. The Lord of Sylvaeris sat upon his throne, tall and composed, his expression as still as carved stone.

  A messenger knelt before him, cloak heavy with dust.

  “I bring word from the hatching grounds,” he said in Elvish. The Lord’s eyes flicked toward Spook.

  “Speak in the common tongue,” he said sharply. “We have a human among us.” The word human fell from his lips like something bitter.

  The messenger inclined his head. “We have not found her yet. There are signs she moved deeper into the tunnels, perhaps searching for another way out. We continue to follow her trail and hope to bring better news by nightfall.”

  The words hit me like a stone dropped into my stomach.

  When we returned to our chambers, Spook began pacing, his agitation filling the room like static.

  “We have to go back,” he insisted. “If she moved deeper, she might still be alive. We know those tunnels. We can find her.”

  Ash tried to stop him, voice firm but quiet.

  “We can’t, Spook. The runestones come first.”

  Spook shook off his grasp, eyes burning. “If it were Faelwen, you’d go back without hesitation. So let me go. You two can keep going to Caradsher?n.”

  I stepped forward before Ash could reply.

  “We’re not splitting the group. If you go back, we all go back.” My voice cracked with conviction. “Please, Ash. Just a few days. We can delay the journey.”

  The room fell silent. Golwend?r and Ayla exchanged glances, words passing between them in a quiet language before the male elf finally spoke.

  “Two days,” he said. “No longer. Return by then, or we move on without you.”

  Ash’s jaw tightened, his frustration visible, but he nodded.

  It was decided. We would leave with the messenger at dawn, return to the hatching grounds, and search for Elora one last time. If she was not found by nightfall, we would walk away. And none of us said it aloud, but the truth settled over us like a shadow.

  None of us were ready to let her go.