Of all the dark fae, we were the ones who actually looked more like monsters. But that was only after Kaladyn’s curse.
“Elska claimed, ‘From this moment onward, your magick is stripped from you and all of your kind. You will keep only the beastly parts of your nature. And within you, chief, I am planting my rage. It will live there always and for your kinsmen to come, reminding you of the peace you stole from my daughter. You will forever be plagued by my fury as a constant reminder of what you’ve stolen.’”
Jessamine remained quiet behind me as we made our way closer to the place we would be stopping at for the night.
“Is that true?” she finally asked.
“It is what has been told.” I didn’t admit that I was certain it was true because of my own affliction. Whenever I fell into arage, there was nothing for me to do but leave, go deep into the woods until it had subsided.
“That’s so sad,” she added.
“Why? Because I am so ugly to look upon?” I grinned over my shoulder.
Her cheeks flushed pink. “No.That’s not what I mean.”
I laughed. “Witch, you don’t have to lie to me. I know I’m a brute. And Kaladyn may have cursed the beast fae, but we are a peaceful people. Whatever sins of our forefather, we have a good life now even if we are small in numbers.”
“Why are you small in numbers?”
That was more painful to admit, something I wasn’t willing to confess. During Kaladyn’s time, ages ago, the beast fae were plentiful and many. Now, there are very few clans. Our females rarely conceive. It was one reason I couldn’t fault my second Bezaliel when he brought his light fae female Tessa to our village. Beyond being his mate, she conceived quickly and gave him a healthy son.
“Our population is diminished from what it once was,” was all I told her. “We cherish every new life in our clan as precious.”
We rounded the corner where the mouth of the cave overlooked a view of the vast valley below. Another reason I liked to camp here was that I could see far and wide with the cave at my back. It was a well-protected encampment. Now that I was carting around this female with enemies hunting her, enemies she refused to confess to me, I needed this kind of fortress to watch for any attack.
Wolf automatically stopped at the cave, knowing my routine well enough.
“We’ll stay here tonight,” I told her as I untied the bundle of hides stacked on Wolf’s haunches.
I heard her slide down off Wolf’s back as I unrolled the bundle inside the rounded mouth of the cave.
“You don’t think a barga lives in there, do you?” she asked, her voice quivering as she peered wide-eyed into the semi-darkness of the mouth.
Grinning, I pulled the gray fur out and spread it next to the other unrolled hides before straightening.
“Aye. A barga lived here once.” I pointed at the gray fur. “But I took care of him. He won’t be back.”
Wide-eyed, she stepped closer and stared down at the fur she’d worn for warmth last night. “That was from a barga?”
“You don’t have to whisper. He can’t hear you.” I smirked.
She gulped hard and pressed a delicate, webbed hand to her chest. “I didn’t realize you hunted…giant bears.”
Arching a brow, I asked, “Do you not think me capable of killing such a monster?”
Her gaze roamed up and down my frame, her throat working again to swallow. I stiffened beneath her perusal, tilting my chin higher, blood heating at the quiet admiration in her gaze.
“I do not doubt you are capable,” she said sincerely, blinking and blushing as she looked away.
Grunting, I marched past her, disliking how much it pleased me to hear her admit that. “I’ll gather kindling. We’ll need a fire. I’m out of blue coal.”
I’d packed plenty enough of the heat source for a regular solo hunt, but I’d stayed away longer than normal this time. I hadn’t known why I’d stayed. That restlessness again, or perhaps something more.
“I can help.” Her light footfalls followed me outside.
“Stay close to me,” I ordered. “It may seem quiet and peaceful, but there are always dangers in these woods. Some you can’t easily see or hear until it’s too late.”
“I understand,” she said, trailing close behind me as we ventured into the woods, trying to find anything dry to burn.
