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

When Leende pointed to the back of the hall, she ran away, leaving him behind.

While the great hall bustled with activity, smaller caves remained empty in the walls; dark, damp, and silent.

There was no one in sight, and she ducked under sharp rocks to go deeper into the gloom. The yelling became a distant murmur and Flyg strained her ears, hearing someone whispering in the dark.

In a small cavern engulfed in darkness, Dröm sat on the ground, his face buried in his hands while slight tremors made him quiver. Dirt and scars covered his broad back.

Flyg froze.

She couldn’t tell if Dröm had sensed her, but she dared not move. Why was his leader looking so pained? The wonderful man Dröm once was, had been reduced to a quivering mess. What was happening to him?

He let out an agonizing whimper, and the painful sound was more than she could withstand. She placed down the basket and kneeled in front of him, reaching hesitantly for his hands. “Chief...? What is wrong? Are you hurt?” Dröm didn’t acknowledge her presence, buried deep in his pain.

“D-Dröm...?” Her fingertips brushed lightly on his arm, and this seemed to shake him. His eyes were red and tearful, and his terrified gaze caused Flyg to gasp.

“Flyg...” His hoarse voice stuttered as he frantically searched for her face. “So dark... why...? Where am I?”

She was certain now something dangerous happened to her people. She had never seen Dröm so distraught, and Flyg rubbed his arms, trying to soothe his dread.

“Please tell me what is wrong, Dröm. I want to help you.”

“Hurt... it hurts everywhere.” He sank his fingers on his tangled hair. “My head feels about to burst.”

The tremors intensified, and Flyg feared for his sanity. Tears rolled down his face and broke her heart.

“Please... wait here! I’ll bring the healer, and she will make you feel better.” She tried to stand, but Dröm’s strong arms surrounded her in a tight hug. He pleaded in panic. “Don’t leave me, Flyg, don’t leave me! I can’t stand the darkness anymore!”

He buried his face in her neck, taking deep, calming breaths. Despite her fears, Flyg relished this moment. She had dreamt about his arms around her, and there, sitting on his lap, she snuggled closer to him and gently stroked his back with soft hands.

Dröm let out a shaky breath. “Thank you, kid. It’s nice to have you around.”

Kid. Damn it! Did he think of her as a child? She pulled away from him, enough to glare at his face. The tears still reddened his eyes, but he no longer appeared as tormented as before.

She frowned. “You don’t realize, do you?”

“What...? What do you mean ki—”

“Oh, don’t you dare!” She cut him short and slammed her lips into his, tangling her arms around his neck. A clumsy and rushed kiss, but it was all she managed with such short notice. If she was going to make a fool out of herself, she would at least make an amazing memory out of it.

His lips were warm and rough, and not even the taste of blood would convince her this was not exactly as wonderful as she had imagined it. Her original fierceness was slowly turning into a deep, loving kiss, and when Dröm’s hands caressed her back, Flyg melted in his arms.

The sudden heat on her cheeks made her panic and Flyg resisted breaking the kiss to avoid his gaze. But breathing was becoming necessary. They broke apart, both gasping for air. He gazed at her with wonder and smiled with mischief. “Well, Flyg—”

“Oh shut up, shut up, shut up!” The whole situation was now extremely embarrassing, and she hid her blushing cheeks behind her hands, bowing her head. Dröm chuckled before lifting her chin and resting his forehead on hers. “Don’t hide from me. Not after you let me taste you.”

Her heart fluttered when he once again wrapped his arms around her, leaving soft kisses on her lips. She would look after him. Now that he finally listened, she would be able to make him understand this war was pointless; they didn’t need to fight and die. She would work hard by his side to ensure their tribe flourished.

His embrace was tight and warm, but then Flyg sensed a slight tremor shaking his arms. Her eyes snapped open, and in the dim light of the cave, she watched the delicate strands of red dust creeping over Dröm’s body into her own.

She tried to shake him, but Dröm was petrified. His hug turned into a painful grip. “Dröm! Please stop. You are hurting me!” His face remained hidden, and she struggled when the red dust crawled past her neck. “Dröm! Help me, please!”

She thrashed and screamed, but Dröm only clutched her tighter. She could see his face now, an emotionless mask, crushing the life out of her. Before the tears clouded her eyes, darkness and silence came.

CHAPTER XXVI

TO FRIENDS, OLD AND NEW

Regn

“This is remarkable!” The solemn Ystävä vanished; he now twiddled with the hem of his cape, as excited as Finn. Both the snarky human and the grumpy elf had been buzzing around Maeve for a while, studying her newfound magical powers and trying to comprehend why the Tree had reacted the way it did.

Regn barely understood a word, and the elf wouldn’t stop talking. “Your magic seems to be as intuitive as your brother’s, but it’s much more emotional.”

“What do you mean, what kind of magic does Finn have?” Maeve looked beautiful. She had always been beautiful, but after whatever exchange she had with the Tree, she was glowing.

Hakken noticed it too. Kniv joined the Warlocks, but Hakken kept his distance while staring at her like a lovesick fool.

Regn frowned. So what if you brought her to the Forest? That doesn’t mean Maeve is yours. His angry thoughts took him by surprise, but he didn’t shy from them.

Perhaps Hakken took care of Maeve, but he had saved her life at least twice!  Way more impressive. Right? And they