Chapter 21
Sorcia hesitated, her body sagging slightly against Marcus.
The relentless search had drained her in every possible way—mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Her legs ached from the endless walking and flying, her eyes were gritty from lack of sleep, and her head throbbed from overuse of magic.
Yet, the thought of stopping, even for a moment, filled her with guilt.
Bethany was out there, possibly suffering, possibly. .. She couldn’t finish the thought.
“We need to take a break,” Marcus repeated, his tone softer now, but still firm as he caught her arm to keep her from moving deeper into the forest.
“No, we need to find–” she started, but he interrupted her sharply.
“Sorcia!” His voice cut through her stubborn resolve, and she stopped, blinking at him in surprise.
“You’ve been searching for forty-eight hours straight without sleep.
” He pulled her closer, his hands settling firmly on her shoulders.
“We’re going to miss something because of our exhaustion.
How would you feel if we flew right over the spot where Bethany is being held and didn’t notice anything strange because we were too tired to see it? ”
She opened her mouth to argue, but the words faltered. He waited, his piercing blue eyes steady on hers, his concern etched into every line of his face.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Marcus said gently, lowering his voice as he cupped her face in his hands.
“You think this is your fault. That if you’d done something differently, Bethany wouldn’t have been taken.
But that’s not true.” His thumb brushed softly against her cheek, and she leaned into the warmth, her eyes closing briefly as if to block out the weight of her own guilt.
Her eyes opened again, glistening with unshed tears, and Marcus’s chest tightened.
“Hey,” he murmured, leaning closer. “We’re going to find her.
Your coven is out there, working tirelessly, retracing every step.
They’ve found evidence of Hazelton in the warehouses, but not the elf.
While they keep searching in the city and suburbs, we’ll stay here in the forest and do our part. ”
He kissed her lightly, a brief, reassuring press of his lips to hers, full of promise rather than passion. “But first,” he continued, his voice soft but insistent, “you need to rest. Just four hours. We’ll eat, I’ll make us a shelter, and then we’ll start again, sharper and stronger.”
Sorcia sighed deeply, the weight of her exhaustion finally winning out over her stubbornness.
She glanced around at the dense forest, the towering trees, and the tangled undergrowth.
The sounds of the forest were all around them—rustling leaves, the occasional bird call, the faint scurrying of unseen creatures.
Even the earthy scent of damp soil and moss seemed to emphasize her need to pause and reset.
“You’re right,” she admitted quietly, her voice laced with reluctant defeat.
Relief swept across Marcus’s face, and he immediately swung an arm around her, pulling her against his side.
With a wave of his hand, a sturdy platform appeared beside them, hovering a few feet above the ground.
Another wave, accompanied by a snap of his fingers, conjured a table and chairs, complete with a linen tablecloth and softly flickering candles.
“What are you in the mood for?” he asked, his tone lighter now, clearly trying to ease her tension.
“Pizza,” she muttered, then shook her head. “But that’s too heavy. Something light, so we’re not weighed down.”
“How about braised chicken and a barley salad with nuts and dried fruit?” he suggested with a small, knowing smile.
Sorcia sighed, leaning her head against his shoulder. “That sounds perfect.”
With a final snap of his fingers, the meal appeared on the table, complete with plates, silverware, and a chilled pitcher of water. “Dinner is served,” Marcus announced, gesturing gallantly to the spread. “No more protein bars for a few hours.”
For the first time in what felt like forever, Sorcia smiled—a small, weary smile, but genuine nonetheless.
As she stared at the conjured table, she allowed herself a moment to simply breathe.
The aroma of the food mingled with the fresh forest air, and for a fleeting second, the weight of her world seemed just a little lighter.
Marcus floated in the air, holding Sorcia against him. The two of them floated up to the platform, which was really just a wooden deck. But it was a thoughtful touch.
“This smells delicious,” she said as she sat down and draped the linen napkin over her lap, then picked up the silver cutlery.
“I know that humans do things like this all the time.” She smiled around at the trees overhead.
“I’ve never done it before but there is a certain appeal to al fresco dining. ”
Marcus snapped his fingers again and a chilled bottle of white wine appeared in his hand. He pointed his finger at the cork and it popped off. A moment later, he poured shimmering wine into two crystal glasses.
“What do you mean? Humans never dine like this in the woods.”
She took an appreciative sip of her wine, closing her eyes to better savor the fruity, oaky flavors. When she opened her eyes again, she smiled at him. “Of course they do. It’s called…” She snapped her fingers, trying to remember the human word.
“Are you talking about camping?” he asked, amused at the idea of comparing what they were doing with what humans did.
“Yeah. Camping!” she said, brightening. She sliced into the juicy chicken and took a bite. “Oh, you’re good! What spices did you use?”
“Garlic, pepper, and a bay leaf in the simmering broth. Simple recipe,” he replied. “The barley was cooked in broth too, adding more flavor.”
She took a bite of the side dish, then sighed with pleasure. “Oh, I like the dried cranberries with the almond slivers. Nice touch!”
He nodded. “I saw the recipe online and thought it would be pretty good.”
“Wait until I make my sweet potato fries for you. I’ve perfected the recipe. I discovered a new spice that contrasts perfectly with the sweetness.”
“Tomorrow night, you’ll cook. I’d love a burger with those fries.” He winked at her. “Just throwing an idea out there.”
She laughed, and nodded. “Deal. Tomorrow, I’ll cook.”
They chatted and relaxed over the meal, but both resisted a second glass of wine. When they were finished, satisfied after the wholesome, flavorful meal, Sorcia stood up. “I’ll clean up,” she announced playfully and snapped her fingers. The whole setup disappeared.
“Thank you,” he replied and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Now we sleep.” He waved his hand around them, and a cozy canvas tent appeared. A moment later, a large bed with a thick, fluffy mattress, white sheets, and soft blankets with matching pillows appeared.
“Perfect,” she sighed and waved her hand, changing into a non-sexy sleep shirt. Even still, she heard Marcus groan. “Later,” she promised, then padded barefoot over to the bed and slipped between the clean sheets. “Oh, this is perfect,” she sighed contentedly as she got comfortable.
Marcus watched as Sorcia closed her eyes, then fell into a deep sleep almost at once. He should have called a halt sooner, he thought. She was more exhausted than he’d realized.
Still, he set a timer for four hours. He wished he could convince her to sleep a while longer, but he’d urged four hours of sleep and he would keep to that promise.