Eirwen (The Ealdspell Cycle) by Jesikah Sundin

Author:Jesikah Sundin [Sundin, Jesikah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Forest Tales Publishing
Published: 2022-02-10T16:00:00+00:00

WARM AIR HIT him first and he nearly groaned in relief. A pot belly stove burned in the corner with a pan on top simmering with water. His teeth continued to clack together and a strong shiver chilled goosebumps across his arms and torso.

“Is she alive?” An elf with wavy chin-length black hair and marigold eyes rushed to Florian. “What a pale thing she is.”

“Yes, madam,” Florian said, drawing to full height and squaring his shoulders, despite his body’s shaking from the cold. He didn’t know if she, too, was part of the military hierarchy and didn’t want to cause offense.

She tilted her head curiously at him. “Síocháin, soldier.”

Dalbréath sighed. “Not for you to command, Gellynor.”

“You’re not the boss of me, Dog Breath.”

The white-haired elf appeared as though he were ready to stride across the room at Gellynor . . . Death Talker? This was Gellynor Death Talker? And she called him Dog Breath? If he weren’t so overwhelmed, he might have found their interaction humorous.

“Gelly, I am in no mood.”

“Here, mortal,” she said. “Lay her on this cot.”

Florian moved toward the cot she indicated, next to the stove, and paused. A large owl, resting on the covers, turned large yellow eyes his way. “Pardon,” he said to the owl. “Thank you for warming the bed for Eirwen.”

The owl fluffed her feathers and flew to the next cot over. Gellynor tilted her head and studied him once more.

Florian gently laid Eirwen atop the covers, careful to keep the raven stone dagger from touching her as he did so. For a moment, he forgot all others in the tent, including the seven dwarves crowded in the corner peering at Eirwen with a combination of fear and grief wrinkling their foreheads and lining their frowns. Falling onto his knees, he knotted his fingers with hers and bowed his head over their joined hands.

“When that monster shifted into you,” he whispered, “I was entirely besotted. Those desires, though? They were real, not glamoured, and entirely for you, Eirwen. You may not feel the same for me, and I understand. Nor will I press you to return my affection.” He rested his forehead on their hands. “You are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. But it is your fierceness, your fire and humor, the generous way you treat everyone who depends on you, your thunder and lightning, how the earth trembles at your feet, and your willingness to sacrifice all for those you care about . . . it’s all those reasons and more I’m falling in love with.” He lifted his head and whispered in her ear, “Your beautiful heart is everything my soul craves.”

The tent bustled with voices and bodies. The dwarf from White Cap was being carried out of the tent. To where, Florian didn’t know. Gellynor was arguing with her owl. Bane busied with sterilizing instruments at the pot belly stove. The other dwarves still huddled in the corner, talking to one another.

Dalbréath’s eyes, however, were locked onto him and Eirwen.

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