Dark Elf by Jordan Falconer

Author:Jordan Falconer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bedazzled Ink Publishing Company
Published: 2013-01-29T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

NIGHTSHADE SLOWLY OPENED her eyes the next morning and blinked uncertainly in the dawn light. She became aware of the feel of a warm body in her arms. She looked down at Sunstar. Sunstar’s eyes fluttered open and lit up with pleasure as her lips curved into a smile. Nightshade could not help but smile back.

“Good morning.” Sunstar stretched as best she was able.

“Good morning.” Nightshade glanced down. “Are you ready to go down?”

Sunstar nodded. “I’m ready.”

Nightshade shifted, and Sunstar climbed onto her back. She looked back at Sunstar with a half grin. Sunstar nodded.

Nightshade stepped off the branch and leapt toward a neighboring tree. She caught a branch, using her momentum to flip around it, and let go when she reached the bottom of her swing. They flew down, and Nightshade grabbed another branch. They did this for most of the way down.

Sunstar clung to her and sucked in a whistling breath. Nightshade braced herself, half expecting Sunstar to shriek in her ear, but it never came. Sunstar remained mercifully quiet as she tightened her arms around Nightshade in a death grip.

Nightshade thought she would have to pry Sunstar off her, but once they were safely on the ground Sunstar let go and released a shaky breath.

Sunstar stared at her. “Where did you learn to do that?”

“I was a scout. It paid to move quickly,” she said.

Sunstar nodded. “I’m sure it did.” She shook her head, bemused.

They continued their journey and ate their morning meal as they traveled.

The trees gradually thinned out, and the forest became a plain, dotted with stands of trees.

There were no signs of any civilization for miles. They were completely alone in the wilderness.

Nightshade looked up at the sky, and Sunstar followed her gaze.

“What are you looking for?” she asked. “Dragons?”

Nightshade suppressed a grin and nodded gravely.

The smile fell away from Sunstar’s face. “You’re joking, right?”

Nightshade shook her head.

“No.” Sunstar’s gaze turned skyward. She turned back to Nightshade, a glint in her eye. “Are you sure? I never heard anything about dragons living anywhere close to our forest.”

Nightshade grinned.

“Oh, come on.” Sunstar pulled her to a halt. “Dragons?”

“Of course. Dragons.” Nightshade pulled her into motion.

“I don’t look that naïve, do I?” Sunstar said plaintively. “Everyone knows dragons are extinct.”

Nightshade laughed softly.

“I will pay you back for that, you realize?” Sunstar said. “When you least expect it.”

Nightshade smiled. “Yes, Your Highness.”

Sunstar’s face darkened at the use of her title, and Nightshade grinned.

“Be at ease, young elfmaid,” she said. “If you won’t believe in a dragon, how about looking up at the blue sky before I lose sight of it for the day?”

“Oh.” Sunstar’s expression became serious.

Nightshade saw her change in mood. “I didn’t mean to upset you,” she said, blinking. Her eyes were beginning to hurt from the bright light of the day.

“You didn’t upset me,” Sunstar said. “It’s just that . . . sometimes I forget . . . you’re my friend.”

Nightshade was not sure what to do with the unexpected surge of emotion that flowed over her.

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