Fire Heart (The Titans: Book One) by Avera Dan

Author:Avera, Dan [Avera, Dan]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, azw3
Published: 2012-09-07T04:00:00+00:00

~

Clare was only mildly surprised when she awoke to find that Will had left. What really got her attention was the wooden bowl of fruit, nuts, and what smelled like venison, as well as the sight of a pair of very pale feminine legs. Her eyes followed the legs up their owner's body until she saw Asper's smiling face.

“Good morning,” the woman said, pushing a red lock of hair behind her ear. “Did you sleep well? I've some food here for you. I hope I did not wake you.” The way she said “did not” was strange—almost as though she were trying to say “dinner”.

“No, no,” Clare mumbled drowsily, pushing herself into a sitting position. Asper knelt down beside her. “Thank you for the food. It looks delicious.” She reached down and plucked a large, ripe strawberry from the plate and raised it to her lips. She was using her left hand, though, and half-way to her mouth the berry fell from her numb-fingered grasp. And here I was hoping it had all been a nightmare. She let her hand fall slowly to her lap, her appetite gone.

Asper reached out then and gently caught hold of Clare's maimed hand. “Such a noble scar,” she murmured, tracing her fingers along the waxen flesh. “Would that I'd one just like it.”

“You don't want one,” Clare said, her voice a dull monotone. “Trust me.”

“But I do.” Something in the way Asper said it made Clare raise her eyes to meet the other woman's. “The only scars I bear are here,” she said, one hand falling to her belly. “They are the marks of one too weak to defend what she loves with her life. I am too much a coward for scars like yours.”

“How can you say that?” Clare asked, aghast. “You're acting like giving birth to a child is shameful.”

Asper smiled. “Then I misspoke. But you should not despise the mark on your hand. Wear it as a badge of honor.” She stood then, drawing Clare up with her. “Come, I've a mind to bathe, and you smell as though you need a bath.”

Clare giggled. “Yes, I suppose you're right.” She sniffed at her shirt and wrinkled her nose. “I smell like rotting vegetables.”

“Yes,” Asper laughed, “an inconvenient side effect of the plants' healing powers.” She began to lead Clare by the hand, drawing her away from the plate of food. As though sensing the thoughts crossing Clare's mind, she said, “Do not worry about the food. 'Twill all return to the Dark Forest soon.”

“What do you mean?” Clare asked.

“Very few of the plants or animals here ever truly die. We may kill them and eat them, but eventually their remains will find their way back to the earth, and they will be reborn. The food on that platter will soon be several lovely fruit plants and a happily frolicking deer.” They made their way through the trees, Asper continuing to lead Clare by the hand. Clare, for her part, was torn between listening to Asper and letting her gaze rove around the forest.

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