The Untold Forest by Elisa Menz (ebook offline reader TXT) 📕

self. Laughter broke the painful moment, and Maeve breathed easily again. Still smiling, she turned to find Hakken had left the cabin. Kniv sipped on his tea, but he pointed towards the door, winking at her.

She excused herself. Finn and Ystävä were too busy with their squabble, anyway. Only Regn’s longing eyes followed.

It was a warm summer evening, and the scent of the flowers filled her nostrils. The green and silver leaves above her glimmered, reflecting the last rays of light. The imposing Tree dominated the surrounding view. She wiped the remaining tears, noticing Hakken nearby, standing under the shade of the trees enclosing the glade.

Clearly tense, his hands rested on his hips while he hunched over. As she approached with measured steps, Maeve studied him. When they first met, she thought him to be wild and dangerous. A terrifying man who might torture and kill her. Who would have thought she would come to trust him with her life?

A soft breeze swayed the trees, ruffling his ebony hair. He looked up at the setting sun, and the golden light reached his amber eyes. Maeve hesitated, awestruck.

She let her eyes roam over him, taking in every little detail. Then she realized, for the first time, how beautiful he was. Stubborn. Undeniably manly. A little rough around the edges, but definitely... beautiful.

“What?” A beautiful Hakken stirring her emotions was the last thing she expected, and out of nowhere, shyness took over. This was the perfect moment to turn back and hide in the cabin, but Hakken was most likely aware of her presence. And she couldn’t ignore his feelings. The reaction he had after Finn suggested living together troubled her, and Maeve wanted to reassure him.

Being reunited with Finn was unexpected and wonderful. She couldn’t wait to spend time with her brother and hear about his life. But leaving the village, and specially Hakken didn’t sit right with her.

“Maeve.” His gruff voice interrupted her thoughts.

“Yes! Ah... you left,” she said.

He looked dejected. Even though she was fidgety, his sadness was enough for her to forget her shyness and reach to hold his hand. “What is wrong, Hakken?”

Hakken

Why did she have to be so beautiful? The woman standing in front of him was nothing short of perfect. Perfect and kind-hearted. Too pure for someone like him. As soon as he sensed her coming close, her flowery scent had him screaming in his head, and right now, he needed a rational mind. He would lose her, and he had to calm down to make the right choice.

She was so close, holding his hand while her golden hair fluttered around her delicate face. Her dazzling blue eyes—still red after the tears—were fixed on him, and he could feel himself losing control.

“Are you happy?” he asked. And the smile she gave him filled and broke his heart—a smile of pure joy. Of course, she was happy; she had found her family. Maeve was no longer on her own, and she didn’t need him.

“My brother is here, Hakken! I thought for so long that I’d lost him.” And now you’ll leave me. He smiled at her, but a crippling void crept back to fill his chest. And to think he was planning a future with her, a home, maybe a family. He didn’t deserve her. He had lost that chance long ago, to live his life next to the one he loved. No one would love him again.

Maeve’s voice brought him back from his dark thoughts. “Once the danger has passed, do you think we can visit him?”

Hakken blinked. Slowly. Twice. His brain turned to muck, barely registering her words.

Maeve was oblivious to his mental breakdown. “I mean... I know it’s far, but I don’t think he is allowed to leave his cabin for too long.”

“What do you mean?” He wasn’t sure he should trust his ears.

“I don’t think Finn can visit our home, so we should come back here again. That is... if you want to.”

She stared at him through her eyelashes. Her hands moved restlessly, and she blushed as soon as she mentioned ‘their home’. When Hakken realized how hard she was trying to conceal her nervousness, the little control he had left disappeared.

He took her by the waist—lifting her from the ground—and he pressed her delicate body against him while his free hand entangled in the soft strands of her hair.

Surprised, Maeve gasped as her body grew stiff, but when Hakken searched her face, he only saw wonder and the ghost of a smile. This intimacy was so different from their usual closeness, and Hakken could no longer deny how much he desired her. His muscles relaxed, enveloped in her warmth. Dreaming about touching her like this didn’t come close to how heavenly it felt.

All his meticulous plans to court her went out of the window. He didn’t want to rush her, but it was too late to worry about his absolute lack of subtlety. Despite the clear struggle to overcome her coyness, Maeve took his face in her hands. The sensation of her slender fingers trailing his beard was delicious.

“Hakken,” she whispered, and her warm breath tickling his lips almost caused his knees to buckle. Was it too soon for him to—?

“Maeve,” he didn’t mind anymore, “I want you.”

His rushed words made them both freeze in amazement. He was as subtle as an oliphant in heat. I want to kiss you. He was supposed to say that instead! The words were out, and he was done running from his feelings. He was ready to be honest with her and himself. He was dying to hold her and kiss her senseless.

But his luck.

Inches away from her luscious lips, a loud, annoying cough broke through their haze. Startled, they turned to find Finn standing a few feet away, hands crossed over his chest and a knowing smirk on his face. “I just wanted to ask you guys what you would like for lunch.”

Maeve writhed away from his arms and rushed to the cabin, sending a glance at him. She was beyond flustered.

Yes. He was not