by Toni Cox
Her father cleared his throat and stood. She looked up at him.
“There is a matter that we have been discussing since the war and I think now is as good a time as any to speak to you about it.”
She straightened, wondering what matter he could be talking about.
“Since the Humans have come to live with us, they have proven to be productive members of our clan. Aaron has built himself a reputation as a Builder and has done well for himself. In light of this, I see him as an equal to any good man of our own people. Considering all that has happened, your mother and I believe that it would be in your best interest that you marry. I have given my consent for Aaron to court you and, if you agree, a wedding date can be set for next spring.”
“Father, I …” She did not know what to say.
“Maia,” Aaron said and knelt in front of her, “I know what you have been going through and how difficult this must all be for you. Let me take care of you. Let us be a family and make you whole again. I promise to respect you, cherish you and love you with everything I have. You have been my wife once and I would like that to be again. You can take as long as you need to recover, as long as you agree. I will wait, for however long it will take.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring. “I know this is a tradition we have on Earth, but will you accept this ring as my promise to you that I will look after you for as long as I shall live?”
Her body trembled. She looked at him. He had grown into a handsome man; the elven magic had wrought many changes within him. His hair was now long and dark, held together at the back with a leather band. His skin was smooth and youthful. His grey eyes sparkled with intelligence and the love he had for her was written all over his face. She thought about everything he had done to win her approval, not least winning his category at Spring Feast and then riding into war to save her.
She did not love him, but he was a good man. The man she wanted had been banished and wanted nothing more to do with her. Riker, whom she had genuinely liked, had been killed. What else was left for her? A life alone, in misery? If she married Aaron, at least she could be with Luke and Jasmin every day. A single tear ran down her cheek.
“Yes, Aaron, I shall be your wife.”
He walked. There was nothing else he could do right now. Being one with Maia during the fight had been the most amazing moment of his life. She was the other half of his soul.
Then to see her broken and bleeding on the battlefield had ripped his heart asunder. He rushed to her, but the others got there before him. The clouds above darkened, as if in anticipation of what was going to happen. All he wanted was to be by her side in her time of need, but Lord Longshadow saw him as a threat. Somehow, Maia’s father was convinced that everything that had happened to Maia was his fault, yet everything he did since he came into Maia’s life was to protect her.
Lilith nudged him from behind. He had not heard her follow him and he was surprised to see her. At least she knew him for who he was. He stopped and took the bridle and saddle off her and dumped them on the ground. She deserved to be free.
He carried on walking.
The emptiness he felt inside consumed him; like a black hole, it threatened to devour him, never to be seen again. He felt only pain and disappointment. What was his life without Maia in it? What had made Lord Longshadow react to him the way he had? He recalled every word spoken on that battlefield.
“She needs my help,” Blaid said.
“You shall never touch her. Not for as long as I live,” Lord Longshadow replied.
“I have only ever tried to help her. To help you. Do you not see?”
“You were not here while she was fighting. Maia was the one who won this battle for us. I did not see you do anything that helped us win this battle,” the Human, Aaron, said.
“You have done this to her. Look at her,” Lord Longshadow then shouted. “She is almost dead because of you. I hereby banish you from Grildor and forbid you to see Maia ever again. Leave at once. Do not ever come back. I shall put a price on your head should you ever step foot in our country again.”
The announcement had taken him aback. Never to see Maia again would surely kill him. He could not live without her. Yet, there was nothing he could do about it. Lord Longshadow’s army surrounded her and they would not let him get to her. He had to let her go. For now.
“You cannot keep me away from her forever. We are meant to be together. One day you will come to realise this and let us hope it will not be too late by then.”
Lord Longshadow made a strange sound at the back of his throat, but Blaid carried on before the King of Grildor could interrupt him.
“Only if Maia speaks the words that she does not want to be with me herself, then I will leave and never bother your clan, or Maia, ever again.”
He had swung away, before anyone could speak. He needed to get away. The pain had been too great.
Lilith snorted behind him and brought him out of his reverie. He had not realised she was still following him. He did not even know where he was going. All he wanted was to get away from this pain and emptiness. Absently, he reached out and stroked her neck.
She was shaking with fear.
He stopped and looked around. They had entered the dark forest. How had he gotten here? What made him come here? He felt Lilith quiver beneath his touch and suddenly he felt it too; that debilitating fear that had gripped him while he rescued the prisoners from the Vampyre camp.
“Go, Lilith, get away from here,” he told her, and then watched as she ran back onto the open plains.
A plan formed at the back of his mind. He was consumed by emptiness and pain. What if he could replace those feelings with something else? Something that would make him forget - at least for a while - the ache within.
He drew his weapons and moved deeper into the forest. He was spoiling for a fight. He needed the distraction. As he progressed into the forest, the fear intensified. He wondered how the Riven managed to project such fear upon others, but was grateful for it. For the moment, agony was forgotten and all he could think of was the fear. He carried on regardless.
Suddenly a black shadow crossed the narrow gap between the dark trees ahead of him. His heart raced. He readied his blades. All his senses were alert, but the danger seemed to come from all sides. He spun, trying to see into the thick undergrowth of the forest. Even during the light of day, the forest was almost completely dark. He strained his eyes, but the creature was so well hidden, he only saw it when it leapt down on him from a branch above.
If asked, he would have been unable to describe the creature. It was black, but at the same time, it was the colour of the forest around it. Its hide was smooth, yet had the texture of tree bark, or moss, or river stones. It had four legs, then two. It had claws, then wings. It had fur, then feathers. The image of the Riven changed a hundred times in the blink of an eye; and it moved just as quickly.
Blaid had the presence of mind to raise his blades as the creature leapt and it hissed, or growled, as it connected with his swords. He spun, searching for it, but it was hiding again.
“Come on; fight me like you mean it,” he yelled at the beast.
Faster than should have been possible, the Riven swept down from a tree and slashed its tail, or whip, across Blaid’s legs. Screaming, he fell. Blood oozed out of the gashes on his calves and with it came a burning sensation, such as it felt when poisoned.
Grimacing, he struggled back to his feet. He turned wildly, swinging his swords. The Riven roared, or screamed, and with one smooth swipe of his arm, or wing, slashed his ribcage open.
Blaid shoved a hand against his chest, but his hot blood poured over his fingers, dripping dark red to the ground. He was having trouble breathing. The forest spun before his eyes. A raven, or a bear - he was obviously not thinking clearly - knocked him down. Teeth sunk into his neck and the weight on his chest stopped him from breathing.
Then it flew, or crawled, away. The world around Blaid went completely black. He c
ould feel the blood leave his body, felt the poison spread through his veins, heard the faint beating of his heart.
Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum …
He weakened further. His hands were slick with blood. His veins burned as if they were on fire. His heart slowed.
Ba … bum, ba … bum …
He thought of Maia. His last thought. With him until the end.
Ba … bum.
Copyright © 2018 Toni Cox
Copyright © 2016 Toni Cox – Map of Grildor
Copyright © 2017 Toni Cox – Map of Shadow Hall
Copyright © 2018 Toni Cox - Map of Greater Grildor
Cover design by Poppet
Artwork (Midnight) by Soné Botha
Editing by Redwing Productions
All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the written permission of the author constitutes unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are products of the author’s imagination and are all used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual events, locales or persons living or dead, are coincidental.
The Elemental Trilogy
Elemental Rising - 2016
Elemental Betrayal - 2017
Forbidden Elemental - 2018
The Elemental Short Stories
On Fire - 2017
Midnight Tales - 2017
Jasmine In Love - 2018
Luke - coming soon
I used to find writing the acknowledgments always to be the hardest part. (Go figure… here I write an entire trilogy, but struggle with the acknowledgments.)
It took me a long time (six books to be exact) to understand I was not writing the acknowledgments for myself, or even for the reader, but for the people mentioned in the acknowledgments.
These people are the ones that made this particular book happen and I could not be any more grateful to them. Expressing thanks is good for the soul so here goes…
Darren Cox, as always, you are my rock; the one that keeps me steady, makes me coffee, keeps me focussed, comforts me when I’m having a “bad-author-day”, and you are simply the most amazing husband any woman could wish for. THANK YOU!
Sian B. Claven, I am so happy you came into my life, even if you had to stalk me first to become my friend. You being my #AuthorBestie is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I could not wish for a better partner on this author journey of ours. THANK YOU!
Elaina J. Davidson, I was terrified when I handed over Elemental Rising and Elemental Betrayal and asked you to re-edit them. A real-life fantasy author editing my work. Oh my word. And then, when I eventually finished Forbidden Elemental, you put your entire life on hold to have it edited before my deadline. THANK YOU!
Gemma Poppet Rice, the temptation to start this with an apology is great, but I shall resist. You’re always there for me when I need quick fixes to any of my covers within five minutes of messaging you, or a completely new cover on the same day, or even a wrap without giving you a page count first. THANK YOU!
Ashleigh Giannoccaro, THANK YOU for always having time for me, even when you have so much else on your shoulders as well.
Misti Jo Runyon, THANK YOU for everything you have done for me in the short time we have known each other.
Franki Jean, THANK YOU for all that you do, whether it is asked, or not. You are an amazing person and I hope we can keep working together for a long time to come.
Andrew Christie, THANK YOU for all your advice and for always being there in the background, pointing me in the right direction.
Soné Botha, THANK YOU for keeping me inspired with your dragon pictures and your ever positive outlook despite the difficulties you face every day.
Then, a huge THANK YOU to some special fans who have made writing this book especially worthwhile. Larry Cerullo, Larouchelle Leveuvre, Bob Watson, your support means the world to me.
For my husband, Darren, who is the wind beneath my wings!
Belura sat down and tilted his head to the side, looking at the strange creature before him. He did not know why it followed him into the forest, or why it attacked. Blood spread around its body, sinking into the forest floor. He could hear the faint sounds of the insects in the soil scurrying to safety.
The creature made a noise; almost imperceptible, but he could hear everything. The forest around him was abuzz with life; the very reason he existed. Here was his home and this creature had invaded it and threatened him. He had no choice but to defend himself. Yet, looking at the dying life-form before him, he felt regret.
There was a pureness surrounding the creature that was at odds with the terrible rage and sadness he felt from it before. When it came, its intentions had been to fight. Belura was scared; not just for himself, but also for the forest he protected.
He shifted form and glanced at the dense trees surrounding them. Belura spent most of his time here in the darkest part of the vast forest that encircled the mountains, but now and then he would feel the need to travel and knew every part of the entire mountain range intimately. Some parts were populated with these strange creatures and he never went close to their settlements. They were different from him and, so far, he experienced no good experiences with this species.
Changing form again, he sighed. He needed to do something or the creature would die. As it was, it barely clung to life. Blood still flowed, now creating puddles on the sodden dirt.
Rising from the stone he sat on, he took the few steps that separated him from the dying, two-legged creature. He knew not whether it was male or female, but it mattered little. Suppressing his disgust, he lifted it as gently as he could and headed for his den.
The entrance to the cave he currently called home was hidden behind the roots of the large tree that stood upon it. It was a steep slope and it was a marvel how the tree had managed to use the cave entrance as its anchor to the forest floor.
Shifting the weight of the dying creature over one of his shoulders, Belura gently stroked two of the roots until they quivered. Then, with a soft sound like wind rushing through the trees, the two roots split apart to admit him. He stepped through, taking care not to bump the limp form he carried and, as soon as he was inside, the roots closed behind him.
It was dark inside, but he did not need light to see. Dirt, leaves and moss covered the ground, soft and springy under his feet. Moss covered the rock walls also, and hundreds of roots dangled down from the top. Glowworms were the only form of light within his home. There was a small spring at the back of the cave, cold, clear water bubbling gently to the surface.
Belura heaved the creature off his shoulder and onto a leaf litter, which he normally used to sleep on. The creature was quiet now and he knew it was dying. If he wanted to save its life, he needed to act fast.
Reluctantly, he gathered sticks and prepared to make a fire. The tree did not like fire, but for the medicine he needed to prepare, he had to boil water. He shifted form again; he needed opposing thumbs for holding the stone to grind the herbs.
Belura worked quickly, but carefully. Everything he needed was at hand. He had a store of every herb, seed, leaf, berry, root and everything the forest had to offer. It was his life’s work, having studied the properties of every plant. Often, when he found an injured animal, his medicines were the only factor that kept it alive and made it well again. That was his duty, to protect the forest.
He cast a glance at the form lying on his cot. The creature did nothing to harm his forest and, the more he thought about it, he did not believe it meant to do him any harm. It almost felt as if the creature came to him to end some kind of internal pain.
Finally, the mixture was ready. It was black, like tar, and smelled even worse, but Belura knew there was nothing better for the injuries he had inflicted on the creature.
Taking care not to hurt it further, he removed the peculiar items t
he creature had draped over its skin. Then, using some of the boiled water, he spent time washing the body before applying the reeking mixture. In a few places, he had to realign the skin before applying it, and he was horrified at the damage. Belura only wanted to defend himself, but now he regretted it.
Days passed. Nineteen times the sun rose in the mornings, travelled across the sky and then hid behind the mountains, before the creature finally woke. Belura had hoped for this day, yet dreaded it at the same time. He kept the fire going, keeping the inside of the cave light and warm. Now, as the creature opened its eyes, he was startled to find that they were a deep violet. He was not sure what he had expected, but the sudden despair and hopelessness he felt as the creature came to consciousness, took his breath away.
He should have let it die.
Maia breathed slow and steady and then raised her bow. The target was set at a hundred paces, a distance Maia excelled at. Yet Jasmin had matched her arrow for arrow and Maia could not gain the upper hand in this contest. Aaron cheered her on as she loosened her arrow and it hit the target dead centre.
“I believe it is time to move the target,” Archer said, smiling as he looked toward Jasmin.
“One hundred and fifty paces?” Jasmin asked, smiling back at Archer.
Maia watched them. They made a beautiful couple. She did not begrudge her daughter her happiness, but seeing it so openly brought her own loneliness to the fore.
Aaron was overjoyed when she agreed to marry him and had been at her side ever since. As was custom, he would court her for a while before they could marry. During this time, he would have to prove himself to her, and she to him, to ensure they were a match. Elven marriages lasted millennia and one had to be sure before making the final decision.