“Cyn, you’ve been around the wolves enough to know you don’t back away from a predator.”
“Is that what you are?” she asked.
“Most definitely,” he answered, taking another step forward.
She cleared her throat and crossed her arms in front of her. “What, exactly, are you hunting?”
Thalion took four more steps, and then he was standing less than a foot away from her. “You,” he whispered as he ran a finger across her cheek. “Always you.”
“And here I thought this was all about some plant,” she retorted.
Thalion dropped his hand and began to slowly circle her, the beautiful woman he would hunt unto the ends of the earth and every realm in between. His arm and shoulder brushed against her body as he moved, and the electricity between them was as real as the lightning that was still flashing above them. The emotions that welled up inside of him at the sight of her took his breath away, and being so close to her was testing every ounce of self-control he possessed.
She held her head still and her shoulders tensed. But the moment he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her back to his chest, her muscles relaxed and she practically melted into him.
Thalion leaned down until his lips were next to her ear. “Take us to my home, and we will go and ask the healer what plant it was she requested.” He pressed a kiss to the flesh just below her ear and grinned when she shivered.
Cyn did as he instructed, and before long, they were standing before Leede, the elven healer.
“Leede, this is Cyn. She is a fae warrior. She works under Perizada’s command,” Thalion told the healer.
Leede reached out her hands and clasped them around the one Cyn had offered. “It is an honor to meet you, Cyn of the fae.”
Cyn bowed her head slightly. “Thank you. The honor is mine, healer.”
Leede released her hand and then looked up at Thalion. “Did you get sidetracked and forget what plant I requested, Prince Thalion?”
He smiled at her, noting the playful tone in her voice. Leede could obviously see the connection between him and Cyn. “It’s easy to get sidetracked in the midst of such beauty,” he said, glancing down at Cyn. Her skin was flushed and, if they’d been alone, he would have kissed her to see if he could deepen it.
“Healer, I apologize to rush you, but could you tell us the identity of the plant so that I can assist the prince and then be on my way?” Cyn asked in her most diplomatic voice.
“Of course,” Leede answered and then turned to look at a book that lay open on a small table. “I need borage. It has wonderful healing properties, but it does not grow in our realm. We’ve tried, but it just doesn’t stay alive,” she explained. “Amazing, isn’t it? That the elven realm with such purity, such vibrant life, such clean water and air, cannot sustain such a unique healing herb. Yet, the human realm, with all its depravity, its pollution, its wickedness, provides the harsh environment that such a beautiful plant needs to survive.”
Cyn nodded. “Truly. I am familiar with the plant. Our gypsy healers have used it in the past. Some things must be hardened by harsh external trials before they are able to realize their truly fantastic potential. We shall return with your plant, healer.”
She flashed them before Thalion could extend his thanks to Leede. He imagined it was because she was so unsure of what he would say next. They reappeared in another forest, but this one was not currently being bombarded with rain, thunder, and lightning. Without a word, she walked away from him, her head down as she searched for the plant.
“Do you know what it looks like?” Thalion asked her as he followed her.
“Yes,” she answered simply. Then glanced over her shoulder at him. “Do you not know what it looks like?”
He shook his head.
“How were you going to find it?”
“Leede gave me a description.”
Cyn shook her head at him as she resumed her hunt.
Thalion had an idea as he continued to follow her. “Cyn.”
“Hmm?”
“What is your favorite meal?”
She stopped and took several deep breaths. Her shoulders were tense again and she seemed to be trying to keep herself composed.
“Why do you ask?”
