Hidden by the Shadow King by Anne Hale & Celeste King

Author:Anne Hale & Celeste King [Hale, Anne & King, Celeste]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Protheka Publishing
Published: 2024-04-04T00:00:00+00:00

18

ZEPHIRO

The scent of her pulls me from my turbid dreams. “Sierra.” The word is on my lips before I’m even conscious.

“Zephiro, I’m here.” Her cool hand visits my forehead. “You’re feeling a little cooler,” she says, sounding relieved. “I’ve been so worried about you.”

“How long have we been here?” I ask her. The elven blades were laced with magic and strange poisons. I have spent most of the time since the attack in a state of delirium. My body feels like it’s past the worst of it, but I feel utterly battered. There is not a part of me that does not hurt.

“I have no idea,” Sierra replies. “The firewood is almost gone, as is the food.”

“Damn,” I say. The supply of firewood was a fortunate find. I make a mental note to restore the supply before we leave.

“How are you feeling?” she asks.

“Better,” I tell her, not admitting how weak I feel. I know I need to heal fast. The dark elves could pick up our trail at any time. The maze of tunnels and caves that run through this area is our only hope if they track us down.

“Here, eat this,” she says, handing me some dried fruit. “There is no meat, I’m afraid.”

I take it and try some, but the stuff is vile to my taste. Spitting the mouthful into the fire, I hand the rest back to Sierra. “That’s disgusting,” I tell her frankly. “I don’t know how you humans can eat anything like that.”

Sierra laughs at the face I make. It is a beautiful sound. The radiance that flows from her lights up my heart and warms me up inside. I find myself chuckling, too.

“Well, I don’t know what we’re going to feed you,” she says. “I hope you don’t change your mind about not eating humans,” she adds.

I am shocked that she could think such a thing, and then I notice the smile at the corner of her mouth. “I could be tempted.” I laugh and lean in close in order to sniff her.

She squeals with laughter. I don’t think I have ever heard such a wonderful sound. It makes me do it again just to hear it.

“Help,” she calls, slapping ineffectually at me. “Help me!” Her cry for help dissolves into more laughter as I start to nibble on her exposed leg. She squirms out of my grasp and feigns terror as I pull her back in.

For a while, we lose sight of all our cares and worries as we romp. This new game is delightful, but before long, my heart pounds in my chest with the exertion of effort. My injuries are worse than I care to admit.

She stops wriggling and regards me from under her long, dark lashes. “Let me look at you,” she says gently. “You are still far from healed.”

“The poison on the elf's magic blades runs deep,” I say. “But I am healing, and now that my body has cast out the poison, I will heal faster.” My words are said to reassure her, but I am far from convinced they are true.

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