Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
W ithin a few hours of our trek past the Fortestule Mountains, we journeyed through The Realms of Dwarven , which Ronan called High Gate. We were now in the heart of Faerie, sheltered by low-hanging clouds, casting intermittent shadows on the expansive green landscape. We continued onward, crossing the rolling foothills scattered with open rangers and giant stones. Herds of elk and deer congregated in the tall grass, peacefully grazing. They raised their heads and perked their ears at the occasional sound of our passing horses, accompanied by the symphony of squawking birds and eagles gliding through the sky in pursuit of their next meal.
This part of Faerie felt untouched by the world’s troubles. It was peaceful here and full of natural activity. I took a deep breath and felt the air fill my lungs. I glanced over my shoulder at the man behind me, who was also taking in the beautiful landscape. He was quiet today, his thoughts elsewhere. Now and then, I felt his body tighten, only to relax moments later. It seemed I wasn’t the only one feeling anxious about our journey. I debated saying something to him, but I didn’t know what to say; maybe it was the fear of saying something wrong that was troubling me—I couldn’t be sure.
“I want to show you something.” Ronan slowed, gently pulling on his horse’s reins, allowing Silas and Henry to forge ahead.
“Over there.” He lifted his chin and inclined his head, pointing south, east, and west. “Summer, Autumn, and Spring.” A pause followed, and he shifted in the saddle before his eyes found the north.
“The Winter Court.” He glanced at the mountains. It hit me, then, just how far we had travelled. Please, Arnica, stay safe. I turned to study him, his face full of an emotion I couldn’t quite work out. I wondered if it possibly harboured memories of a place he once called home. It was the second time Ronan had mentioned the prince, his jaw clenching every time the name left his mouth.
My gaze shifted northward, and thoughts of Ambrose surfaced for the first time since our parting. Regret tugged at my heartstrings. I hadn’t had the chance to thank him for everything he had done for me—for us. I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye.
“I’m sorry,” said Ronan. My gaze shot to him, and our eyes locked. “You were safe in the Winter Court with him. Geoffrey never should have found you. It was never supposed to happen this way.” His voice carried a weight of responsibility, and I halted his words by resting my hand on his leg. The intimate touch felt oddly natural, as it always did. It was as if his closeness had been part of our shared history, something we had been doing for a lifetime. His eyes lingered on my hand, and my thoughts drifted back to last night—the way he so effortlessly eased my tension and calmed my racing mind.
“Ronan,” I whispered, pausing to trace every contour of his face. He looked different today; a subtle shadow accentuated his jawline, adding a rugged touch to his otherwise angelic features. The mental image of him without his shirt on flashed in my mind, accompanied by the vivid memory of waking in his arms and the warmth of his body so intimately close to mine. A shiver ran down my spine, and I swallowed, determined to push that thought aside.
“I am learning quickly that the fates are difficult to deter. Sometimes, we can’t prevent these things from occurring. Arnica was unwell, and our trip saved her. I wouldn’t have traded that outcome for anything.” I let go of his leg, hoping he didn’t detect the uncertainty in my tone. I shrugged before adding, “I don’t know! What if it was all meant to happen this way? Maybe it’s time to let go?” Throat bobbing, he tightened his arms around me before looking at the sky. The sunlight glowed upon his features, enhancing his already beautiful and unearthly appearance.
According to Ronan, we were close to the borders of Wynona Forest, the one Pippa referred to as the enchanted forest, a vast expanse separating the Autumn and Winter Courts. I nodded in understanding as he forged ahead. The maps at the manor had clearly outlined the wall beyond the Winter Court. Our destination.
The weather was becoming unpredictable, and a chill settled in, accompanied by the unmistakable scent of pine needles and damp earth. During a brief break to tend to the horses, I layered on extra clothing to ward off the cold, grateful to Pippa for thoughtfully packing such essentials as shielding me from the crisp air.
Silas rode ahead, scanning for poachers, as well as the creatures lurking in these parts of the forest. Meanwhile, Henry rode beside us, talking of trolls and hastari. If he intended to frighten me, he was doing a good job.
He shot me a mischievous smirk, which prompted a warning from Ronan.
“Henry.”
“What?” he taunted.
“She’s fine! You can handle it, can’t you, Jayne?” Edging his horse a bit closer, he leaned toward me, cupping his hand over his mouth as if ready to share a secret. “I think he’s become a little overprotective of you,” he sang, wiggling his eyebrows. He glanced back at Ronan and added with a sly grin. “Some might even call it territorial.”
I didn’t have to turn around to feel Ronan’s glare boring into Henry. I felt the subtle rumble of his chest behind me, warning Henry to back off. If I hadn’t been positioned directly in front of him, I think Ronan might have lunged.
“Anywho,” Henry continued, seemingly unfazed. “No need to worry, my dear Jayne. We’re travelling during the day, so we’ll be fine. Trolls find it hard to see in daylight, so they usually sleep during the day.” I felt a sense of relief and allowed myself to relax a little. “The hastari, on the other hand.”
I straightened. “What about the Hastari?”
“Enough, Henry!” Ronan cut him off. Ignoring Ronan’s warning, Henry threw his head back with a huge grin of satisfaction before galloping off towards Silas.
“That critter!” I yelled after him.
“Henry likes to antagonise people if you haven’t figured that out already.” Ronan shared with a wry smile, as if Henry were renowned for his mischief.
“Mmm, yes. I’m sensing that,” I replied, smirking. I wondered how they had they all found each other.
A golden glow lit the trees as the sun descended, setting the scene for the approaching twilight. The gentle breeze carried the sound of a distant river and a delightful aroma of food with it, prompting me to straighten and survey my surroundings. Continuing onward, the savoury scent deepened—a harmonious blend of herbs, spices, and meat. My stomach groaned in response, and then another scent hit me. Bread! I thought of breaking a loaf in half and witnessing the steam rise from the surface as I lathered it with butter, savouring the satisfying crunch as I took my first bite. My mouth watered.
“Look there.” Henry gestured toward the distance.
Nestled deep within the forest was a charming little tavern surrounded by towering trees and a thick canopy of leaves. If he hadn’t pointed it out, I might have overlooked it; it was so small that it resembled an old barn more than a tavern. The worn wooden walls blended seamlessly with nature, a part of the forest itself.
We approached on horseback. The rustling leaves and twigs snapping underfoot added to the place’s rustic charm. The tavern, initially quiet, came alive with laughter and the hum of conversations as we drew nearer.
“Where exactly are we?” I asked. We slowed our pace and then stopped. Ronan gracefully dismounted from his horse before enveloping me in his strong arms to help me down, our bodies so close, so intimate. I couldn’t help but take in every detail of his face. I traced the contours of his features, from his lips to his impeccably sculpted cheekbones. It was then that I noticed a faint scar on his left cheekbone, adding a rugged edge to his otherwise flawless complexion. I lingered on it, an intense curiosity welling within me, urging me to uncover the story behind that mark. I yearned to explore every intricate detail about the man standing before me.
He caught my stare and met my eyes with a playful grin, knowing full well that I studied him so intently. Heat rushed to my cheeks when our eyes met.
“What is going on that head of yours?” he asked. Despite my resistance, a faint smile curved my lips. I could have told him the truth; I am realising that in every moment I share with you, my desire to discover more about you grows. But I didn’t. I tucked away the thought and scowled.
“Are you attempting to get inside my head again, Ronan?”
“No,” he taunted. “But I would be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted to try.”
“I’m curious. Do you have a habit of placing your hands on women’s bodies without their consent?” I glanced at the point where our bodies connected.
“Only when it comes to you, it seems. It is like I can’t help myself.”
I scoffed, breaking free from his hold and turning away. He reached for my wrist and spun me until I faced him again. His warmth enveloped me as he reached for my chin and brushed his thumb across it like a tender caress.
My breath caught, and I whispered, “What is it?” Our proximity had me speaking in hushed tones, his face inches from mine. “Is there something on my face?” I raised my hand to his and a rush of heat flooded through me as our hands connected. Warmth radiated from deep within his touch, a subtle yet powerful sensation enveloping me entirely. Everything around me faded until I forgot my surroundings, identity, and existence. All that remained was our connection and how it felt to be in his arms.
“It was just some dust,” he muttered, his eyes softening. Someone cleared their throat behind us. I snatched my hand away from Ronan and spun to face the brothers; Henry stood with his mouth agape while Silas appeared somewhat intrigued, cocking his head in wonder. Both looked as if they had stumbled upon something they were not supposed to see.
Henry shot his hands up in the air. “I hope we’re not interrupting anything.” He glanced at Ronan and then at me.
“It’s just Silas and I are starving over here, so whatever this is…” He waved his finger back and forth between the two of us. “Do you mind if you continue that another time when we are not all, well, ravenous!”
Without allowing him to proceed, I jumped forward to join them.
“Of course, yes! A great idea. I’m starving,” I declared with enthusiasm. They paused, watching me for a moment as the heat flushed my cheeks. “Well, come on then! What are you waiting for?”
I stole a quick glance at Ronan before turning away, leaving him to tend to his horse. Following Silas and Henry up the stairs, I felt the warmth of Ronan’s gaze linger on my back. The faint ache in my chest returned every time I parted from his side, and each time, the feeling was becoming harder and harder to push aside.