Soft light streamed in through the open window and a breeze filtered in, stirring the white curtains. She didn’t even remember falling asleep, let alone anyone coming in to open the window. Her ability to sleep through things was a little frightening at times. She sat up in bed and stretched her arms above her. She felt better already, but how long had she been out this time?
A note sat on the small bedside table. The writing was elegant and flowing, but a little hard to read. She glanced at the signature at the end to see who it was from before she read it. It took her a moment to remember who Master Lyran was. She smiled. According to the note, he’d gone into town for the day. Maybe Maria finally put him to work. He had to be useful for something, right?
She stood and walked to the window to finally admire the view. A slight feeling of disappointment struck her when she was greeted by another sea of trees. Was it so hard to ask for something a little bit different?
A flash of pink caught the edge of her vision and she glanced down to the chair next to her.
A dagger sat on the cushion with a pink ribbon wrapped around its brown leather sheath. She picked it up. It was strikingly similar to the one Mother had given her, but was smaller and more elegant. Tan leather wrapped around a dull silver handle and pommel. The blade glimmered as she drew it from the sheath and a tiny flower was stamped into the metal near the base. Had the elf gotten this for her?
“Good afternoon, Miss Claire.”
Claire spun around to face the soft female voice. She slid the blade back into its sheath and gripped it tightly in her hands. A young woman stood in the doorway. Long auburn hair fell past her right shoulder and the dark green dress she wore made her emerald eyes stand out even more. A light sprinkle of freckles decorated her cheeks and Claire realized she shared a striking resemblance with Maria.
“Good afternoon,” she replied. At least she knew the time of day now.
“It looks like you’re feeling better.” There was a hint of bitterness to her voice. “Mother told me to bring you to the spring today.” She set the clothes she’d been holding on the bed and turned to leave. “So when you’re ready.” Without saying another word, she left.
Claire remained by the window for a moment. What was the girl so upset about? After deciding she didn’t really care, she set the dagger back on the chair and inspected the clothes that were left for her on the bed. Small bits of brown fabric were attached together by strings accompanied by a tiny pair of shorts. She held the pieces up in front of her. Was she supposed to wear this? She might as well just wear her undergarments, but seeing as how they were mysteriously missing, she guessed she had no choice.
It took her a few minutes to figure out how exactly the miniscule outfit was supposed to be worn and which strings went where. Bandages still wrapped around her stomach and her right hand, making the task just that much more difficult. A dull throbbing set in as she moved the bandaged parts in question. She didn’t like the idea of swimming, especially in something so revealing, and wondered why she was just going along with the idea. Perhaps it was the tone in the girl’s voice. She clearly wasn’t happy with her chore and if her mother thought it was a good idea, then who was she to argue? In any case, it would be nice just to get out for a little bit.
The girl knocked on the door again and entered before Claire could answer. She was having trouble tying the strings around her neck with her bandaged hand. The girl sighed impatiently and took over. Claire slipped her robe back on and tied it closed, feeling a little embarrassed at her new attire.
She followed the girl silently through the quiet halls, out double doors and down a set of stairs to a dirt path that wound its way through the trees. They followed the path along a stream to the top of an outcropping, where it plunged down into a lagoon with water as clear as glass. A set of stairs carved into the rock led to a grass clearing that edged along the water. A large granite slab jutted out into the lagoon.
“I think you know what to do from here.” The girl turned to her with a frown on her face. “I’ll be back in a little while.” She shoved past Claire and went back up the steps.
Claire stood motionless. What could she have done to the girl to make her so mad? She turned and looked around her. Only the sound of the waterfall echoing off the trees filled the area. She felt isolated and awkward. Was she supposed to strip now? She took one last glance around before she undid the sash around her waist. The white robe fell to a pile around her feet and she stepped out of it toward the lagoon and out onto the stone slab to peer into the water.
It looked deep. Too deep for her at least. So, she sat down on the edge, stuck her feet into the cool waters, and leaned back on her hands. It was a little thrilling to wear so little in the great outdoors. The warm sun and pleasant air teased her skin with the occasional spray from the waterfall to keep her cool. She closed her eyes and tilted her head back slightly. It may not have been exactly what the doctor ordered, but it was relaxing none the least.
A loud splash interrupted her moment of peace, making her jump. She really hoped there wasn’t some sort of creature the girl forgot to tell her about. She drew her legs out of the water as she spotted movement under the water, her eyes going wide. Then, whatever it was burst up out of the water.
“Farron!” Relief and annoyance swirled inside her. What was he doing here?
The elf treaded out in the middle of the lagoon as he grinned up at her, satisfied that he’d startled her once again.
Claire crossed her arms over herself, feeling vulnerable and all too exposed. “What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be in town or something?”
He swam a little closer. “That was yesterday, my lady.”
Her cheeks flushed red when she realized he was conveniently shirtless. She really hoped he was wearing something under the water. His platinum blond hair stuck close to his head, his eyes and ears stood out more than usual, making him seem even less human. Claire turned her face away to hide her growing embarrassment.
“Oh.” She admired how green the grass seemed to be along the edges of the water.
“And I came to make sure you didn’t drown yourself.” There was a hint of amusement in his voice. He was enjoying every moment of this.
“How very noble of you, but I’m just fine up here.” She drew her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them.
“The water is very pleasant, my lady. It comes from the same spring that fills the pond you admired so much the other night. It’s quite soothing, really.”
“I was soothed before you came.” She glanced down at the elf who’d swam even closer. Too close. He was planning something. She could feel it.
In a sudden move, Farron reached up, grabbed her arm and yanked her down into the water. Claire screeched loudly. Her arms and legs flailed around her as she struggled to get her bearings. She gripped onto the elf, winding her arms around his neck to latch tightly onto his back. Laughter shook his shoulders.
“Did anyone ever tell you how stubborn you are?” He glanced back at her.
“Did anyone ever tell you how evil you are?” Her heart still hammered wildly in her chest.
“Yes, I believe someone told me that once.”
Claire was quiet as she eyed the banks of the small lagoon. How was she going to get out of this predicament? Somehow, they ended up almost in the middle and she didn’t trust herself to make it to any of the ledges on her own. She was stuck at his mercy once again.
“See, this isn’t so bad,” he said after a few moments.
She relaxed a little. It wasn’t really. And at least she found out he was wearing pants, much to her relief.
“You really do enjoy torturing me, don’t you?” She relaxed her grip around his neck.
“Claire, swimming is an important skill to have.”
“And this is how you treat your students?”
“So, you’re my student now?” He glanced back at her again.
Claire sighed. “Might as well be
since you decided to drag me all the way out here.”
He pried her arms from around his neck, turned to her, and slid an arm around her waist. “Fine, but you have to listen to what I say.”
“Yes Master Lyran.” She beamed up at him; her hand still gripped his shoulder tightly, her nails digging into his skin.
“First, you need to relax.”
“Easier said than done. Next.”
“I’ll try not to let you drown, Claire.”
She glared up at him. He wasn’t as funny as he thought he was. She took a deep breath and tried to calm down. “Fine, I’m relaxed now.” As much as she was going to get, anyway.
“Alright, now lean back.” He loosened his grip on her waist and she tightened her grip on his shoulder. “You have to let go, Claire.”
She did, reluctantly. His hand remained on her back as she started to float.
“Relax,” he repeated and she did a little more. “Kick lightly with your legs and move your arms a little.”
She followed his directions and to her surprise, it actually worked.
“There you go.” His hand left her back. “I told you it wasn’t so bad, didn’t I?”
She tensed and started to sink again. His hand returned to her back to assist her. “I suppose you did,” she admitted, much to her dismay. “Say, do you know Maria’s daughter?”
“Sarah?” His eyebrows rose in surprise and he smiled. “Why yes I do.”
“You wouldn’t know, by chance, why she might not like me, do you? I don’t think I did anything wrong, did I?”
Farron chuckled. “No need to worry, my lady. I’m afraid she is just stricken by the green eyed monster. She has been infatuated with me for quite some time now.”
That explained it. She’d have to clear things up with the girl later on. “Aren’t you sure of yourself.”
“I told you, my lady. I’m much more charming than you think.”
“It seems I’ve underestimated you, my friend,” she admitted, trying to concentrate on swimming.
“And it seems like you are the only one that is immune to it. We’ll have to change that.”
Claire lost her concentration and started to sink. She flailed her arms wildly as she tried to keep her head above the water, swallowing some in all the commotion. Farron grabbed a hold of her and led her over toward the waterfall. She gripped onto a large boulder as she coughed and struggled to get her breath back. What did he just say?
She glanced over her shoulder. The elf had wandered to the waterfall to stand under it. A scar ran diagonally across his back and the edges of a black tattoo crept around his left side. She could feel her cheeks flush, so she turned back to the rock and collapsed against it. This was already too much for her to handle.
Though, she’d be lying if she said she didn’t enjoy the show. The elf was slim, but had a build any woman could appreciate. She brushed a hand across her forehead, waiting for some of the heat to leave her face. What was she thinking?
“And you were doing so well, my lady,” Farron said close behind her.
Claire decided to ignore his statement. “What’s with the tattoo?” She glanced back at him.
“What, this?” He lifted his arm and looked down at the scrawling black lines that formed geometric designs down his side to trail down and disappear beneath top of his black pants. “Just a spell to bring good luck and help protect me from evil.”
“Does it work?”
He shrugged his shoulders and dropped his arm limply at his side. “Who knows? I’m not really sure I believe in luck.”
“How can you not believe in luck?”
“And you do?”
“Of course I do. I wouldn’t be here without it. The only reason I escaped the centaur that night was luck. I was lucky you found me that night and didn’t kill me, and I was lucky that this thing saved me from being devoured.” She held her bandaged hand up in the air.
Farron smiled. “No offense, Claire, but I think that you are the unluckiest person I’ve ever met.”
“And you wonder why I’m immune to your charm.” She splashed him with water, leaned back against the rock, and started to run her fingers through her wet hair before it knotted up. She was feeling tired already.
Farron chuckled lightly, and put a hand on the stone behind her, leaning in close. “Maybe you’re just too stubborn, Claire.” He tilted her chin up to face him before his mouth found hers in an urgent press of the lips.
Claire froze, her heart leaping up to her throat. It happened so suddenly she wasn’t sure how to react. What was going on?
After a moment, he drew back slightly, his hand rested on her neck, while his thumb caressed her cheek lightly. Her breath ceased, preventing any words from escaping her lips. Not that she knew what to say at the moment anyway.
Slowly, he started to lean in again, but stopped, his lips just above hers, breath heavy.
She waited, unmoving, from shock, fear… and curiosity. Her stomach clenched tight instead of the usual butterflies at a time like this. His lips met hers again, unexpectedly soft and tender and… nice. She tilted her head to the side slightly, letting her body relax little by little.
Then, in a preposterous, unthinking move, she raised her bandaged hand and brushed her exposed fingers across his cheek, losing herself in the moment. Even though she thought he was the last person she’d wanted to kiss, she inexplicably found herself wanting more.
There was so much longing, so much passion in such a light kiss, she wondered what it would be like if she were to completely give in. But just as the thought struggled through her head, he pulled back again, bringing her back to her senses. Or at least half of them. How did he do that? Was there something in the water?
There was a growing haze fogging up her mind. Half of her wanted to scream out, to tell herself she was crazy, while the other half just wanted to pounce on him. And even though she wanted to listen to the former, she was desperately losing to the latter.
“It seems you’re not so immune after all, Claire.”
Her eyes watched as his lips formed into his famous grin. Who knew the elf was such a good kisser? Who knew that she would ever think that? Much less admit to it… Although, he had saved her life multiple times, and if anything, the hero at least deserved a kiss. Or two… or three.
“Shut up,” she breathed as she wound her arms around his neck and drew him down to her. Her lips hovered hesitantly in front of his, not really sure what she was doing, or why she wanted to. But she did want to, overwhelmingly so. It felt good when he kissed her, but she wasn’t really sure why. Perhaps it was because it freed her mind, providing a much needed distraction, or she liked the feeling of being wanted after Bren had crushed her heart, or maybe— and this was the most frightening of them all— maybe she just liked it. She kissed him lightly, closing her eyes to explore the sensation to the fullest, giving into the latter. To see just how far down his kisses could pull her.
His hands wandered lightly over her waist, the sensation dulled through the cloth wrapped around her midriff. For all his arrogance, he was surprisingly hesitant, careful, as if he were holding himself back. Or maybe he was finally nervous.
But, that thought was shattered when he wrapped his arms tight around her waist and pulled her close, picking her up slightly.
A sharp pain stabbed through her side and she pulled back, gasping. She put her hands on his shoulders to push back from him.
“Sorry, I forgot about that.” A slight smile mixed with worry on his face. He set her down, his grip loosening.
The pain helped to clear the haze a little. A slow burn started to spread through her body, all the way up to her cheeks. Just what in the world was she doing anyway?
His hands started to tug on the bandage at her waist. He leaned down and pressed a soft, almost tender, kiss on her shoulder.
“Fare,” she whispered, her resolve faltering already. “This is strange.”
“I rather like it.” His lips brushed ag
ainst her skin as he talked.
She squeezed her eyes closed, trying to concentrate.
“Why did you save me?”
He turned his head, nuzzling just under her ear. “I think I’ve made it quite clear.” His breath was hot on her neck, sending chills throughout her body.
Unsuccessful, his hands left her waist. A moment later she felt the press of cool metal against her skin as he slipped a blade underneath the bandage. Claire froze, afraid to move as he slowly cut at the fabric. Did he always carry a weapon? More importantly, where in the world had he hidden the thing?
“But when did…?”
“Does it really matter?” He knelt down to unwrap the bandage, the blade disappearing again.
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Would you have listened?” He peered up at her and she looked away. “You were always looking somewhere else, Claire.”
Her hands gripped the rock behind her, the sharp edges digging into her palms. The air felt cool against her skin as it was revealed for the first time in days. She’d been too afraid to take it off before, afraid to see the damage. Her breath escaped her in a rush as his hands slid up her sides to rest just below her ribs. He leaned his forehead lightly against her stomach.
“When I saw you that night, on the floor in that cave, just lying there,” he let out a long sigh, “I thought you were dead, Claire.” His grip tightened. “Please don’t do that again.”
“I’ll try not to,” she squeezed out. Claire gasped when she felt his fingers lightly graze over the scar on her side, followed by his lips. Quickly, she buried her face in her hands to hide her rapidly increasing embarrassment. It was all just too much.
She could feel his looming presence once again as he stood up. Taking her wrists in his hands, he gently pulled them away from her face.
“If I could free your mind of him, I would. I cringed every time he touched you. I wanted to scream every time he kissed you. I could kill him for what he’s done to you.” He leaned down, his forehead against hers, hands framing her face. “I know you haven’t thought much of me—”
“Wait, Fare.” She covered his mouth with a hand. All this time… all this time he’d hidden his feelings for her. Or had she really been too blind? No, not blind, unwilling to see. Deep down, she knew they were there. Hints, glimpses, thinly veiled confessions. True feelings, not fake ones. And she had a hunch she was about to be terribly unlucky. Unknowingly, she had captured the elf’s heart and was terrified that he’d try to do the same with her, terrified that, without her realizing it, he had already started to. “This… it’s too... I don’t know.”
His face started to fall, his grip loosening. Her eyes concentrated on his mouth as she removed her fingers.
“But, I don’t hate it either.” Oh gosh, why didn’t she? She should have been running for the hills, but she found herself increasingly drawn to him, wanting to be pulled down, to forget about her problems and the world around her.
Before he could say anything, Sarah’s voice rang out in the distance, calling her name and coming dangerously close to stumbling across a startling scene.
Claire froze, her eyes going wide. She covered Farron’s mouth with her hand again and gave him a pleading look. She really didn’t want Sarah to discover the elf there with her. Then the girl would really hate her.
She wriggled out of his grip and made her way along the edge of the lagoon, across the boulders, taking extra care not to fall into the water. She rushed over to her robe, picked it up and slipped it on.
Farron’s touch still burned on her skin; her lips still tingled. She blushed once again and looked back at the elf in question. He leaned back against the rocky wall with his eyes closed. Sarah called out to her again and she hurried up the stone steps to meet the girl. It would have been embarrassing enough to try to explain his presence, let alone what happened. She was still trying to figure that last one out herself.