Heart Over Sword-Chapter 255: Gone (2)

The remainder of the journey to the mountain did not take long. After another two hours of hiking and the group was finally in the first lot of tunnels beneath the palace, sheltered from the wind and snow. They weren’t quite deep enough for the Lyvarian magic of heating to kick in, but to the weary travellers, this was enough.

With practised efficiency, camp was swiftly and quietly set up with the tents equipped with that underfloor heating. They were weary from the travel and the beast that claimed one of their own, but the mundane routine of setting up camp was a welcome distraction. It allowed them to momentarily set aside the pain of losing one of their own and the hardships they had faced on their journey. The rhythmic tasks of securing tents, unrolling mats and furs, and arranging supplies provided a sense of normalcy in the midst of their sorrow.

Now settled, Garrett stared at the tunnel’s entrance, watching the dull, light grey skies swallowed by nightfall. The crackling of the fire set up cast the light blue glow of Fiza’s magic, keeping the lighting low enough to not attract other predators. Looking back at the camp, though, Garrett could tell the others did not care.

The air was heavy with grief, and their faces long, gazes distant. He did not know Ger well, but even he felt a tinge of sadness in his chest. To die by saving others was the noblest of deeds, and they would make sure Ger’s name would never diminish from history books. Evanna would never allow it.

The elf glanced at the princess’ tent before returning to look outside. Garrett decided to remain on guard whilst the others battled their broken hearts. freewёbnoνel.com

One of the tent flaps to Evanna’s tent was left open. Axel wanted to keep an eye on Evanna just as much as the prince and did not care for Arawn’s glare. Privacy could be granted when they were more at ease.

The prince could command it of them, but he did not. Axel’s gaze moved to the fire, though, his thoughts consuming him from the last moments they saw Ger. To his left, Ronan was lost in thought, quiet, and staring at the fire whilst drinking something much stronger than water.

Axel accepted the skin and raised it. "To Ger, the bravest and most noble of us all."

Ronan nodded once. "To Ger."

Fiza, Arawn and Garrett bowed their heads in acknowledgement before returning to their tasks. The night fae was set on making a meal from berries and handing them out to the men; even though it was not much to fill their bellies, she knew they would not eat much anyway. Drinking called to them more in times of grief.

Looking up, Fiza watched the pair who strained themselves the most in an attempt to kill the mighty dragon. Evanna was lying under the furs pulled up to her chest while Arawn hovered by her side, hand clasping hers, kissing her knuckle and caressing her face. Feeling her stare, the prince met Fiza’s eyes until she felt slightly embarrassed at watching such a private moment meant between lovers.

Fiza dropped her gaze. She’d not once felt embarrassed by spying. She’d even seen others in more embarrassing states and positions, yet she never cared. Was it because she could feel real compassion and love between them? The fae was not quite so affectionate, and bedding each other came easy as breathing air.

Arawn looked back at his Evanna now that the night fae stopped watching them. He was indifferent to the fae and others. He only cared for Evanna, who would wake up to a new reality where her lifelong friend had been taken from her. He could comfort her and help her through it.

Until Evanna did wake, Arawn would care for her. He would care for her regardless. How could he not?

"*How foolish could you be? To use your powers to such a magnitude." He kissed her knuckle again before pulling a washcloth from her bag and gently dabbing at the blood-dried areas. "My foolish, courageous Evanna.*"

Worry formed across his features. His heart pinched and almost cracked, remembering the moment he saw Evanna falling from the sky. The way his heart sank and the blizzard inside of him was ready to break free if she died.

He was scared. He’d been so scared it frightened him. He’d never felt so useless than in those moments. Evanna did not die, but now he understood his father’s misery much more. His father was sinister and twisted and still heartbroken from the loss of his mother.

For the first time since meeting Evanna, Arawn thought he might truly lose her. She was within reach of death. But she once again proved how powerful she was by controlling a dragon long enough to stop herself from crashing into the ground.

As Arawn caressed Evanna’s face again, hand lingering on her pale features, he felt a mixture of emotions coursing through him. He never wanted to experience the pain of losing her or seeing her hurt again. But his princess was not one to sit idly by; she was adventurous and so courageous. Pride swelled in his chest, as did the unsettling feeling of a deep sense of fear.

Fear for his Evanna.

With tender care, Arawn cleaned Evanna’s face, wiping away the traces of blood and sweat. He checked her over for any other injuries, relieved to find that there were only bruises and a cut on her right temple. The worry that had tightened his muscles slowly began to ease as he realised she hadn’t sustained any serious harm.

How? He did not know. His beauty fought a dragon and was left with only the sore, fatigued body from overuse of such powerful elven magic. She really was quite the ethereal creature. Though her body was unharmed, he knew when she awoke, she would feel a different type of pain.

Overwhelmed by exhaustion and the weight of earlier events, Arawn’s weariness overcame him. His muscles relaxed from the worry tensing them, fatigue claimed him, and he collapsed by Evanna’s side, drawing her close to him for comfort and protection. He sought solace in their shared embrace, finding a brief respite.

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