The Monster King looked at the man. “Thank you for joining me today. We have a mess to clean up here, and I expect great things from you. I’m promoting you within my rank as a mark of honor. But first, I want to knoweverythingyou know about Seda.”
The man bowed respectfully and looked up, his long beard and graying hair gently blowing in the warm breeze. “I, Jason Arbor, accept your offer, and I will not fail.”
The Monster King smiled and extended his arm toward the woman in the cell, signaling Jason to give the command. Jason turnedto the demoted Dragor. “Arrange for this woman to be taken to the medical wing. Make sure they give her enough drugs to keep her from speaking about the Camp again, and ensure they throw a small celebration for her successful rehabilitation.”
The Monster King nodded in approval.
The Dragor rose to his unsteady hind legs and gave the Rozzers instructions on what to do once they passed through the dome.
Chapter 30
Cahir
The night sky was waking with the first set of twinkling stars, and the sand slipped beneath their feet as they entered the mist of the Heath Forest, where the thick fog smelled like a blanket of damp moss. He could hear the soft song of crickets and see the partial moon illuminating the giant oak trees. Their tops clamoring for the freshness of the sky two hundred feet above. Deep red sap oozed down their trunks and gathered on the forest floor, where claw marks had torn into them, leaving scars that bore the weight of sorrow in the darkness.
Seda slept all the way through the dunes and had just woken up. He had spent hours watching her peacefully sleep as he held her, taking in the small details of her perfect face, like the freckle on her chin, the pink tint on the tip of her nose, and her pale eyelashes. She had one eyelash that stuck out to the left of her right eye. He wanted herto sleep longer, to heal and rest. He felt a profound sense of relief as he held her, and he was happy that she felt safe enough to sleep.
Cahir approached a large rock covered in moss and gently lowered Seda onto it. She moved her injured ankle and curled her toes. He watched her hand go to her lips to bite her nails nervously, then she lowered it before they connected.
“Thank you for carrying me. I’m sorry to be a burden,” she said to him.
He almost wanted to laugh. If she only knew how he felt to have her back with him. She would never become a burden—ever. “I would carry you all the way to the Wisps and beyond if you’d let me,” he smirked sideways at her. Cahir observed her cheeks flush pink despite the darkness, and she averted her gaze, concentrating on the bleeding tree.
“What is this place?” she asked.
“This is the Heath Forest. We need to be careful here. Hailecs roam these woods,” Ruel said as he walked up to the rock, panting from the long hike.
“What are Hailecs?” Seda asked, her eyes becoming wide with fear as she scanned the dark woods. Cahir placed his hand on her shoulder to comfort her, and she glanced up at him before quickly looking back at the haunted trees.
“Evil forest spirits that camouflage themselves as your desires to lure you away. If you see one, they could use their magic to enchant you. We need to be careful here,” Kalon said as he approached the rock and set down his bag. He sat beside Seda on the rock, their legs touching, and Cahir felt a flash of annoyance. He shot him a warning glance, but Kalon winked at Cahir and left his leg where it was. “Are you thirsty?” Kalon offered Seda a flask of water.
“Thank you,” she said as she took the flask from his hand and took a sip. Cahir watched her drink from the flask and ground his teeth together. He should haveoffered her water.
“Let’s set up camp here,” Benny said as he stepped out of the gloomy darkness, walking with Roya, Ferona, and Feich.
The group set up a small campsite and lit a fire. Ruel, Ojore, and Seren went to find something to cook, while Roya, Ferona, and Feich took to the skies, watching for any danger. Cahir had no desire to leave Seda’s side. He, Kalon, and Benny found ways to stay focused where she could see them. He constantly found himself gazing at her, checking to make sure she was alright, and scolded himself whenever he had trouble not staring at her exposed legs. He really wanted the chance to talk with her privately, away from prying eyes.
As the night wore on and they settled down to rest, Cahir got up to find a place to relieve himself. Roya remained in the sky, taking turns with her siblings to watch guard from the air, as Seren took turns with Kalon, watching from the ground.
He made his way around a large, bloody tree and unzipped his pants. The cool, misty air stung his exposed skin as the fog wrapped around his thighs.
“Cahir?” He looked around and saw Seda taking steps toward him, her leg limping painfully.
“What are you doing out here?” he asked, quickly zipping his pants back up. It was too dangerous for Seda to be alone out here at night.
“I had to find you.” Her long, silky hair sparkled like starlight in the darkness, and his eyes locked onto her full, rosy lips.
“Do you want to talk? I’m so sorry I could not protect you at the Wyrd. I’m so, so sorry. I will never live that down.”
She looked at him quizzically. “I missed you so much. I thought about you the entire time.” She walked a distance away from him and sat down on a large, decaying log, patting her seat, inviting him to join her. He stepped toward her, grateful for the chance at privacy.
She gazed at him with heavy-lidded eyes, and Cahir drowned in her beauty.
Her lips. Her breathtaking amethyst eyes.
He began to move toward her, the only thing in his line of sight.
“I want you, Cahir,” she whispered, her mouth moving in slow motion as she spoke. He watched her tongue slide across her lips, and his body responded instantly, his pants growing tight with desire.
