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

him, but still, carrying her now was a delicious torment. The day before, she was able to practice her newfound abilities with Finn and apparently got the hang of it, so she could now block her perceptivity almost entirely.

Those were splendid news, because if she knew what he was feeling right then while holding her in his arms...

He wanted nothing more than to run to the village, hiding in their cave, and spend every second of every day entangled with her. He craved to cuddle and nuzzle in her fragrant locks while roaming every inch of her velvety skin.

And he would finally kiss her. The thought had been constantly on his mind ever since Finn ruined their moment.

She fled that day—he remembered—and his excitement dropped considerably. Does she even want me? He realized Maeve never gave a straightforward answer to his confession. She hadn’t rejected him, though.

They needed to have a conversation about this, but not now, not while running next to Kniv and that annoying pup. The fact that Regn now seemed to hover around Maeve more often didn’t pass unnoticed. And he didn’t like it.

Hakken’s troubled thoughts were abruptly interrupted when he felt delightfully aroused. Heat rose from his stomach to his chest, and the craving was so strong and unexpected, he almost lost his footing.

What...? Stunned, he gaped at Maeve. She stared at his lips, her own slightly parted, lush and tantalizing. Her beautiful eyes snapped to his, and she gasped as soon as she realized what she was doing.

Maybe she still needed some practice. Those were her feelings! Hakken almost succumbed to the need to run away from prying eyes. He was dying to share a toe-curling kiss with her, and the burning desire was too much to bear.

“Don’t dally, boy! We will never get there in time!” Kniv shook him from his lustful intentions, and he settled for a chaste kiss on her forehead. Maeve whimpered, mortified, hiding her face from his eager gaze. He chuckled at her sweetness, causing her to bury deep on the skins of his vest while the point of her ears reddened to a worrying extent.

“Don’t worry about it, beautiful. It will be our secret.”

He couldn’t discern her mumbling, but the word ‘idiot’ was part of it.

They traveled for four entire days before reaching their destination. Somehow, either Kniv or Regn lingered close by all the time, and his patience was drawing thin. There were no signs of Hurtig and her companions, and Hakken was becoming increasingly restless as they waited for them. “How hard can it be to convince those assholes? I just want to end this stupid war and go home!” They all sat in a circle, peering through the trees and waiting.

Kniv shook his head. “If we don’t have any news tomorrow at dawn, we will head to the Red Moon Valley village. Hurtig is not one to dawdle.” Hakken knew Kniv well, and he could tell the matter worried him. This was no time to grumble.

He turned to Maeve and found her sitting on a trunk, eyes lost in the distance. She suddenly shivered, and a frown creased her face.

“Are you cold?” Hakken knelt beside her, rubbing her arms.

“No, I sensed something. It was unpleasant.” Her face grew somber. “I can’t be sure, but... it felt like fear, dreadful fear.”

He watched her with worry, sensing Kniv and Regn coming closer. “Can you tell where it came from?” Kniv asked.

Maeve shook her head. “Not the exact location... but it’s close.” She frowned again, wincing. “Hakken! There’s so much pain!”

He picked her up and held her shaking body in his arms.

“Do you think something happened to Hurtig?” Regn was worried as well. At that point, they all knew what Maeve was experiencing was not her imagination. Kniv gathered his things. “We need to go to her.”

“We cannot take Maeve to their village!” Vorka’s attack remained fresh on Hakken’s memory, and he didn’t want to risk Maeve again. There was no telling what the rest of his tribe might think of her.

“We have no choice, she can’t stay behind, and we can’t leave Hurtig and the others if there is danger. We will protect her.”

Stomping on the last embers of their bonfire, his old friend glared at him. Kniv was the most caring and responsible person in his life. Even after losing his only daughter, he didn’t allow his grief to stand in his way if he could help another.  Hakken sighed, knowing that if he didn’t come along, they would leave behind him, and Kniv might have to face danger on his own.

“It’s all right, Hakken.” Maeve squeezed his arm reassuringly. She looked determined, much more than him. “This is important. They need your help.” He let out a long, exasperated growl before holding her tight and running along with the others. He kept his mouth shut, planning how he could better protect Maeve if it came to it. They were close to the village, so there was still some sunlight when they reached the outskirts.

But then they could all feel it. The unnerving stillness of the Forest. The acrid smell of smoke and blood.

And not a sound from the village.

CHAPTER XXVII

PAIN AND SORROW

Maeve

Hakken lowered her to the ground and took her hand, quite alert as he shielded her from the lingering menace in the air. Maeve’s eyes darted around, trying to find the source of the foreboding feelings gripping her heart. Someone needed help. She clung to Hakken, trying to control her trembling with deep breaths.

The three hunters spread, surrounding Maeve and advancing into the village, weapons ready.

Both Regn and Kniv had their blades out, but Hakken kept his free hand firm on the hilt of his own. Maeve was surprised to sense all three of them sternly detached from what they witnessed. There was no fear coming from them. She had to remind herself they were warriors, tough but far from heartless.

Catching her off guard, the sudden wave of rage coming from