Avery
Avery stepped out of the tent and into the late summer sun. She fitted her backpack tightly to her body, the injured shoulder somehow nearly back to normal. She was returning home. Of course, Savine thought Avery couldn’t return to Montana, and planned to force her to help a rebel band of fairies. What was even happening in her life? Now wasn’t the time to dwell on it. Shehadto return home.
The mountains towered over the grasslands, casting a purple glow from high above the trees that skirted the mountain’s edge. The plains where she walked shimmered yellow. It had nothing to do with the sunlight. The plant itself shimmered. She had to take a sample of this plant with her back to Montana. She tore off a few stalks of the shimmering golden grasses and stuffed them in the side pocket of her backpack.
Savine had been silent during their departure. She expected the fae to gawk at her as she left with Savine, but had seen no one, even as they exited the wall that encircled the tent city. Savine told her the plan was to climb to the top of Quartz Mountain, spend the night on the mountain, and return the next day to prepare to leave for the winter encampment near Bayberry. Avery’s plan was to be back on the Montana side of Quartz Mountain by evening, and hike out to cell service by dusk.
“Which mountain is Quartz Mountain?” Avery asked after walking for thirty minutes in silence.
“Quartz Mountain is the tall peak to our left. It’s the only one that does not appear shaded in purple. The peak is made of pure, clear crystal,” Savine explained before going back to ignoring her. He quickened his pace, and the distance between them grew. She could keep up on a trail with most people, but this man was decidedly not human.
“Can I set the pace?” Avery called out, hoping he could hear her. He was at least fifty yards ahead of her at this point.
“Are your little legs having a hard time keeping up?”
“When you put it that way, no. But I was attacked by a bear a week ago, and I’d rather not pass out!” Avery shouted up to Savine.
“We may make faster time if I carried you, actually. Would you like a ride?” Savine asked.
“Just forget it! I’ll get there when I get there!” Avery yelled up to Savine.
“You know, you don’t have to shout. The folk have acutely sensitive hearing. You may injure my ear if you keep shouting,” Savine replied.
“Great!” Avery yelled at the top of her lungs. She watched Savine wince at the sound before she added, “Any other sensitive spots I should know about?”
In the blink of an eye, Savine was next to her. She did not know how he got there so quickly. “I could show you a few, if you’re interested,” Savine said with a devilish smile. A strand of hair fell in front of his eye, and she reached up on her toes to brush it to the side.
“No, thank you,” Avery replied in a tone that came out harsher than she meant it to.
“I’ll take the lead from here,” she said, sneaking past his large, hard body.
They walked in silence for a long time. As they walked, Avery soaked in the views. Wildflowers of all colors, textures, and sizes grew near the trail. She thought back to the meadow near Crystal Lake. The wildflowers there could never compare to the variety that grew here. She recognized some of the species. Yarrow with its tiny white flowers, black-eyed Susan in shades of sunshiny yellow, and pretty stalks of violet lupine caught her eye. Typical wildflowers that she saw back at home, but they were enhanced somehow. Brighter, with a shimmer that seemed unnatural in the wildflowers at home.
“It’s gorgeous here. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a variety of wildflower species in one place,” Avery eventually said. She never was good at keeping quiet for long.
“It is a beautiful place. There are many beautiful places in Latiah. I’ll show you them soon,” Savine replied. Avery shuddered at the thought. She ignored Savine's comment. No, today she would be heading home.
“Some of the wildflower species look familiar. I’d love to pick a few to bring with me. Is that okay?”
“It is only appropriate for a beautiful woman so interested in flowers to have a beautiful bouquet, little flower. I’ll pick them for you while you hike up. The trail will get steep soon,” Savine replied.
“Oh, I kind of meant for scientific purposes, you know, research. I’d like to preserve them and bring them to my old university. Maybe it’ll give others proof of my experience. Otherwise, they will all think I’m crazy,” Avery added. She laughed nervously at herself.
“Regardless of your purpose for the flowers, I can pick them for you, Avery,” Savine said. Her name on his tongue made her body warm with unexpected heat. She looked back at him and saw him reach down and pick a pretty aster. In his hands were already several types of flowers. All in different shades of red, blue,purple, and pink.
A warm, sensitive feeling bubbled through her from her hair down to her toes. The man basically poisoned her with wine yesterday. Now, looking at him made her fluttery. Yeah, there was something wrong with her.
“Tell me about your family. What are your parents like?” Avery asked after another stretch of silence between them. She didn’t expect him to answer.
“You have met Kyla. She is a confident woman, a skilled warrior, and has more of the essence than any fae I’ve known. My parents were soulmates, although I do not understand why. My father is ruthless. He’s complicit in butchering the people of Latiah. My mother was gentle and kind. She did not leave Orofine often and wished her daughter had more of her gentleness than my father’s fierceness,” Savine said.
“I’m sorry for your loss. When did your mom pass away?” Avery asked as she looked back at Savine.
His face darkened, and he turned his head to look out at the surrounding landscape. “She was murdered. The Latian King did it the night of the rebellion. You are not the only one who lost the right to mourn properly for their family.”
Savine struck her as the kind of person who didn’t appreciate others asking too many questions about his private life. Even now, he puts distance between them. They drifted back into silence as Avery led the way up the rocky path.
Avery’s mind drifted to what could be lurking in the flowers. After nearly losing her life at the top of Quartz Mountain once, she had no doubt that this place was full of monsters. She turned to look back at Savine and saw the bouquet was growing in size.
