The Tracker's Revenge (Mate Tracker, #4) by Seymour Ingrid

Author:Seymour, Ingrid
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PenDreams
Published: 2021-06-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Like the time I had traveled with Damien, all the color that surrounded us washed away, then were remade into a different scenery.

We rematerialized at the edge of the city, facing an ample forest of massive trees that made our realm’s trees pale in comparison. What we could see of the sky above was peppered with millions of stars and a pale crescent moon. Lightning bugs flitted over flowering bushes. It was so magical, I almost ached inside.

Jake stood in a slight crouch as if he expected someone to leap at us from the woods. His nose twitched, his eyes roved around, and his hand squeezed mine tightly.

First, I thought his attitude was silly, then I remembered what Damien had said about the many creatures that lived in Elf-hame’s forests. I had wanted to shift instead of riding a pony, but he warned me against it.

“That would be a bad idea. Your wolf stench would make the creatures around us feel threatened, and I can assure you it wouldn’t bode well for us.”

So Jake’s caution wasn’t silly at all. Besides, it was nighttime, and the moon cast elongated shadows all around us, making the forest downright spooky.

“We should head for the city,” I said.

“Which way?” He peered at the forest with distrust.

I grabbed him by the shoulders, turned him around, and watched his face as he took in the majestic Fae capital. His mouth opened in an “O” of amazement, and I was tempted to kiss him again, to trap his full lower lip between my teeth and lightly suck on it, but instead, I faced Elyndell too and got my own fresh wave of astonishment.

By night, the Seelie Fae capital looked entirely different than it had during the day. Impossibly, it was more beautiful than I remembered.

From where we stood, Elyndell looked like a sprawling Christmas tree with the Vine Tower as its peak. Warm lights glowed inside the many buildings that seemed to grow straight out of the ground. Lanterns hung from branches, illuminating the mossy paths that meandered between the structures. A sense of wellbeing, quiet, and comfort suffused me at the sight of such an idyllic place.

“Wow,” Jake exclaimed in a rush of breath, “I had no idea.”

“I know, right? It’s like heaven or something.”

Just then, the sound of rustling bushes came from behind us, sending my heart into a dash.

“Um, maybe not exactly heaven,” I said, peering wearily over my shoulder. “Unless heaven hides unknown creatures with equally unknown intentions. Let’s get out of here.” I grabbed Jake’s hand and led him forward at a clipped pace.

“Unknown creatures of unknown intentions?” He staggered as I jerked his arm.

“Damien said to be cautious, especially at night.”

It was Jake’s turn to pull me along toward the city. When we reached its edge, he finally stopped. “Which way?”

“Down this path.”

As we walked in front of a row of houses built straight into the trunk of a tree and waved awkwardly at all of those who glared at us from their windows, I was struck by the timid quality of Jake’s movements.

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