Heart of the Forest (Arwn's Gift Book 1)

by Christina Quinn

  His statement hung in the air like that scent of stale herbs. It was almost painful to admit that I wanted it too. I loved to posture, even to myself, but the truth was I did want him to stay and become a part of my life. Now, however, it was impossible, and we both knew it. Pushing away my emotions, I went back to helping him unload the cart feeling comfortably numb.

  By the time we finished, it was nearly sunset. On the horizon, toward the tall wooden gate, you could see the stream of elves carrying parcels filing out of the city. We stood outside in the cold in silence, watching the line of elves draw nearer and a trail of smoke rise from the within the city. The noise of the mob was barely broken by the wall now. Cries of “burn them all” could be heard distinctly on the howl of the winter wind as black smoke rose in great plumes.

  Suddenly there was a loud bang, and a fireball shot up from within the walls. Something had exploded. What a pity there’ll be no one in town to treat the resulting wounds. A smile slipped over my lips for a brief moment, a triumphant, smug expression of happiness that coaxed a chuckle from Aneurin. Wordlessly, he gathered me into his arms in a fierce embrace. He clung to me, holding me hostage against his body as he buried his nose in my dark hair.

  “I’m going to miss you,” he whispered, his voice half lost to the chaos of whatever was happening within the city walls. For a moment, I almost thought he was going to cry, but he quickly released me and ran his fingers back through his hair. Still I leaned against him and placed a nervous kiss at his throat.

  “I’m going to miss you too.”

  “I’ll… When the thaw sets in, I’ll visit.”

  “No, you won’t.” I swallowed, and my face warmed against the bitter chill. I was going to cry.

  “I’ll try to.”

  “But you won’t… I hate being right.” I laughed bitterly as hot tears trailed down my cheeks.

  “I’ll write.”

  “Will you?” I skeptically quirked a brow and wiped my eyes.

  “Mhm.” He kissed my forehead. It was odd how natural the closeness between us felt. It was like we had always known each other. I genuinely felt I was losing a dear friend, if not a part of myself.

  “I almost want to go with yo—”

  “No,” he barked cutting me off. “I mean…it wouldn’t be fair to you.”

  With a sigh, I stepped from him. He was lying. I didn’t call him on it because it was moot. The other elves started arriving. They placed their chests and crates on the wagon and spoke among themselves, their voices drowned out by the shouts from within the city walls.

  The sun had almost set completely when the line was reaching its end. Ynyr brought up the rear with Rhosyn, their possessions piled high on a cart he pushed before him. The waiflike Rhosyn stayed with their cart as Ynyr walked over to us. He pulled me into a tight hug and kissed my cheek.

  “Thank you. Thank you, for everything.” He cupped my face in his calloused hands before pulling me into a quick hug once more.

  “You’re welcome.” I beamed at him as he released me.

  “They burned everything—your home, mine. They came just so fast. There were others but…they didn’t make it. I still can’t believe this is real. I’ve lived in Laeth since Olwyn and I handfasted. I’ve mended pots, plows, and jewelry for all of those people. I didn’t understand it before. I always thought that they only went after those who provoked them. I did nothing to these people and yet they hate me.” Welcome to my world.

  “The important thing is you got out. You have your life and freedom.” I tried to be reassuring but failed. My tone read apathetic.

  “Here I am complaining, and you have to stay here unprotected.” He swallowed. “Don’t trust them, Valentina. No matter what they say after this. Don’t trust a single one of them. Promise me?” He placed his hands on my shoulders, and I raised my gaze to Aneurin, who was practically glaring at Ynyr.

  “I promise. I won’t trust them.”

  “All right.” He gave me a sad little smile and looked back at Rhosyn for a few moments. “I’ve never been good at saying good-bye.”

  “I don’t think anyone is.”

  “Be safe.” He kissed my forehead quickly and walked back to the others waiting around the wagon.

  Aneurin and I stared at each other for a few moments. The sun had long set, and snow started to fall from the dark sky in fat, fluffy flakes. In an instant he was in front of me, slamming me against the door so hard that it rattled. He claimed me with that kiss. Stealing my breath as he pressed his body against mine. I was practically aching with need by the time he broke from my lips. My breathing came in soft, gaspy breaths. My whole body practically throbbed with wanting to be touched by him. But there would be no touching. He stepped away from me and toward the gathered group of elves. With a single word they all started their sad procession to the forest’s edge.

  The tree line loomed like a dark specter, not at all far from the door of the cottage. The forest was actually closer than the gates of Laeth, and it took less than ten minutes for Aneurin to be swallowed up by the long shadows cast by that snow-dusted canopy. I stared into the darkness as the noise within the city walls died to nothing, and the black smoke of burning thatch homes turned to white.

  Chapter Four

  Summer 1356

  A storm was brewing. I stood in my tiny cottage staring out the window at the trees in the distance. They twisted, swaying almost violently in the wind. Ever since Aneurin left with the elves of Laeth over a year ago, I spent far too much time staring at that tree line. He made good on his word to write. I had a chest full of letters now, though their frequency had slowed. What used to be a daily occurrence had trickled down to weekly and now, in the last two months, I had received two letters. They’d stop soon. Every time I thought about it, the corners of my mouth turned.

  Thunder rolled overhead, loud and rumbling. Shaking my head, I turned from the warped glass and opened the door. The sky was pretty; the clouds, dark and ominous, made the world feel heavy. As I stepped out into the wind, my skirt flared and wrapped around my legs, the coarse linen thumping in the wind like a sail. The storm was welcome. Summer had been extraordinarily hot and dry, and the villagers blamed it all on me. They’d blame this on me too. A little gasp broke my lips as the first raindrop hit my forehead. Within heartbeats, the sky opened, and rain poured from the sky, soaking my dress and hair. Closing my eyes, I smiled up at the clouds and let those welcome droplets rinse away the dewy sweat of the day.

  I almost wanted to strip off my clothes and dance in the rain. It felt good to finally cool off. I didn’t even mind that the high wind put me on the brink of shivering, or that my nipples were so hard they ached. Listening to the cascading hiss of the rain falling around me, I let my mind wander back to Aneurin. Wondering if he was out in the rain too, how his skin would feel slickened with it and pressed to my own. The corners of my mouth tugged into a smirk, and I heaved a heavy sigh.

  When I finally opened my eyes, there were figures moving from the tree line. My emotions vacillated wildly. First, there was hope and happiness with the thought that Aneurin could be among them. Fear devoured all of that joyous hope. I lived outside the protection of the city walls; this meant anyone could pretty much come up and do whatever they wanted. The only thing saving me from drunken rioters was the townsfolk’s fear. Most were now convinced that I was a witch. These elves wouldn’t be afraid of me.

  Laughter and that soft language of theirs echoed across the field as the group neared. There was no hiding. They knew I saw them. And if I went inside, they could take offense. As the five of them approached, I waited with bated breath. Lingering in the threshold, my gaze tracked them until I could see their faces. I recognized two of the five. Aneurin and Islwyn grinned at me, but there was a certain sadness in Aneurin’s expression. Islwyn embraced me, placing a quick kiss on my forehead. Aneurin, however, hung back.

  “Here is the most gifted healer in all of Ersland! We’ve brought game, and wine and…st
rawberries!” Islwyn declared through a peel of laughter. He seemed drunk. “Have you had a strawberry? I don’t think they grow outside of the forest.”

  “No, I haven’t had one before… What brings you here?”

  “Oh nothing. We saved your life, so I insisted on seeing how you fare these days. Since you—unlike your smith friend and his daughter—have nowhere to go and none to look out for you.”

  “Saved my life? How?”

  “Witch hunters, a day’s ride away. Complete with a cart of kindling and an archpriest.” Aneurin’s voice coaxed a shiver from me that had nothing to do with rain or the news.

  “Oh, come in. All of you. I don’t have much in the larder. The crops haven’t been taking too well with the heat.” I opened the door and held it for all five of them. The last had seven rabbit carcasses tied together and slung over his shoulder. Their dead eyes stared at me as I closed and locked the door behind them.

  “We brought dinner and wine. Those sheep-plowing archpriests certainly travel with the finer things.” Islwyn stumbled about. “His whore was a pretty thing too. The sweetest tits I’d ever seen on an Erslander. Almost as sweet as yours. Come here and show them to us, it’s the least you could do. We did save your life after all.” Ignoring Islwyn, I sighed, crossing my arms over my chest.

  “I have three empty rooms you’re welcome to sleep in. And I’ll be more than happy to give you some linen to wrap yourselves in while your clothes dry. But none of you will be seeing my tits tonight.”

  “But there are five of us, and one of you. Math begs to differ.”

  “Islwyn!” Aneurin snapped. Islwyn held up his hands.

  “All right, all right. I’ll stop. It was all in jest. Can’t we joke like old friends?” Islwyn beamed at me. Even with those pretty blond curls rain-slicked to his head he was attractive. For a moment, I looked him over. Were I anyone else…

  “How about I walk to town and get the whore? I trust you have coin?”

  “Oh, beautiful Valentina, my pouch is more than full.” I rolled my eyes. Drunk males were all the same, elven or not, apparently.

  “My home is yours. Feel free to use whatever you find.” I grabbed my thin summer cloak off a hook by the door.

  “I’ll go with you,” Aneurin added quickly, taking a step to follow me. I stared at him for a few moments before nodding.

  We slipped out into the cool rain in silence. The road was muddy and sucked at my feet with every step. Aneurin didn’t seem to have that problem; his steps were sure as always. The quiet ate at me. It had been over a year since I had seen him. Admittedly, the cold reception I got wasn’t what I had expected. From his letters, I half expected him to pull me into his arms the moment he saw me.

  “So, why is Islwyn drunk?”

  “He drank an entire cask of wine by himself this morning because he was sick of carrying it after the horses died.”

  “And…to what do I owe this sudden, unannounced visit after a year?”

  “I was worried about you. They burned your friend in Edaen. After finishing with them, I had to know that you were okay. The rabbit, strawberries, and wine were Islwyn’s idea. I should warn you, though, they’ll expect me to share the whore.”

  “And why would I need a warning about that? It’s not like you’re my lover. You’ve written me a handful of letters over the last year. We’re not bound to one another.” Shrugging, I adjusted my hood. The linen was soaked through.

  “You were the one who wanted to keep us a secret.”

  “You agreed.”

  “Because I want you, and I want you safe. One thing I noticed about Laeth during the month I was here, humans and elves don’t live together.”

  “I’m not stupid, don’t plowing treat me like I’m stupid.”

  “My friends can’t know because to keep you safe from them, I would have to…have you in front of them. And, I would much rather have you alone before publicly performing with you.”

  “You still love me?” Tilting my head to the side, I curiously looked him over. In the shadow of his hood, I could see his lips twist into a joyous smirk.

  “Mhm. And it’s taking all the control I have not to pull you into my arms.”

  “My, aren’t you charming.”

  “How have things been? Are they treating you okay?”

  “Some refuse to pay my prices now because they supposedly have proof that I’m a witch. Oh, and I’m the cause of the drought, apparently. And I’m sure they’ll say I’m the cause of this storm too.”

  “Clearly. I vaguely remember you dancing nude in full moonlight… Mmm, now that I think of it, that was probably in my dreams.” We shared a short laugh, “Gods, I’ve missed you.”

  The whore took little convincing. All Aneurin had to do was say the word “elf,” and she was on her way to my cottage so fast I was afraid she’d left her shadow behind. Aneurin and I, on the other hand, walked slowly. Even through the chill of the rain it felt good to be around him, and I only felt a bit foolish for it… and for the smile that refused to leave my lips.

  “How long do you think you’ll stay?”

  “I don’t know. Until the storm clears at least, and by the looks of it that could be days.”

  “I’d keep you around indefinitely if I could control the weather.” He smirked at my words but fell quiet as we passed through the gates and into the outskirts. The rain picked up again, soaking us thoroughly as thunder cracked and crashed overhead.

  “You’re going to catch a chill.”

  “I’ll be fine. When we get in, I’ll brew some tea and leave you to your orgy.” I stuck my tongue out at him before a half-laugh broke my lips.

  “At least drink with us. The wine’ll warm you.”

  “Maybe.”

  “Can I sneak into your bed tonight?”

  “Maybe.” We shared a laugh.

  “You’re not giving me a whole lot to work with, now are you?”

  “Mmm.” I smiled, and we laughed again. “You can… Whether or not I’ll be willing to do more than sleep next to you is an entirely different matter. I have the nasty habit of sleeping with a dagger.”

  Upon returning, I honestly wasn’t sure what I had expected to find on the other side of the door. I did know that what I found wasn’t on the list. The room smelled like sex, which was a quite the feat considering I always burned sage, and the windows were cracked open. I expected Islwyn to be fucking the whore—that was a given. He was drunk and the whole reason I went to get her. However, I didn’t expect the other three elves to be in the nude, openly enjoying the show. Were I not drenched from the rain I probably would have said something. But my skin was nothing but puckered gooseflesh, and I was cold.

  “You love that thick elven cock, don’t you, Dy’ne bitch?” Islwyn growled to the whore as he forced her against the wall, mercilessly slamming into her from behind. Sophisticated race, my ass. The whore seemed to be enjoying herself immensely, as her nails literally shredded the paint from the wall in front of her. Her lips, smeared with rouge, hung open, and her eyes rolled back in her head, flashing pure white. I cocked a brow at the erotic tableau and then without a word stepped past them, slipping into my private rooms. I’d deal with the naked elves later. I needed to get out of my wet clothes.

  I changed to the cadence of Islwyn slamming the whore against the wall. It would have been ignorable if he weren’t so vocal. The wet dress slipped off my shoulders and hit the floor with something halfway between a thud and a squish. Next, I wrung my hair out as best as I could. The last thing I wanted to do was get my shift wet, for then I’d be stuck freezing for the rest of the night. After my hair was as dry as it was going to get, I pulled on my shift. The thin fabric felt exquisitely warm against my skin and coaxed a happy moan from me. I didn’t bother braiding my hair; I was more interested in getting warm than looking presentable.

  Aneurin had enforced some sort of order in the common room. The whore was now bent over one of the cots in the corner. Islwyn was still behi
nd her, rattling the wood with each hard thrust. But now, there was another elf in front of her, forcing her to take every last inch of his thick, veiny shaft right to the base. I stared for a few seconds before turning my attention to the others. Aneurin was playing dice with one while another watched, eating what looked to be rabbit stew. It was like they didn’t notice what was going on a few feet away from them.

  They had linen wrapped around their waists now. In the firelight, you could still see everything. The linen was thin enough that I could make out the length and thickness of each of them. The attempt to cover themselves, however, was appreciated. It made me look down at my shift and realize that the thin, soft linen gown that hung from my shoulders only thinly veiled my body.

  “You’re a fucking cheat!” The elf Aneurin was playing exclaimed, shoving Aneurin’s shoulder. Cheerful masculine laughter escaped his lips.

  “I’m loser playing. Fuck that.” The one eating the stew snickered, speaking in broken common.

  “Fine.” Aneurin stood and ran his fingers back through his hair. Pausing for a second, his gaze fell on me, taking in my body.

  “Could try the whore. You know, before Islwyn makes her too loose.”

  “I’m too tired to fuck,” Aneurin, said scratching the corner of his mouth.

  “If you say so. Oh, and…Valentina, thank you for letting us wait out the storm here.” The elf grinned up at me.

  “It was nothing.” I smiled before I walked over to the two pots on the hearth. For a few moments, I inspected the crocks. One had spiced wine in it, and the other a thick rabbit stew. I poked the stew a bit with the ladle, but I wasn’t hungry. Instead, I poured myself a mug of the warm spiced wine. All it took was one sip to know the wine was strong. Oh, it was delicious, and you could hardly taste the alcohol at all—but it made my lips numb. I almost didn’t have a second sip. Foresight wasn’t necessary to know where I would end the night, drunk around a mostly naked Aneurin.