12. Chapter 12
Leo had shadowstepped them to the Lhuth Mountains, located in the Fire Court, and although its elevation was only half that of the neighboring Air Court’s mountain range, the change was harsh. The air was colder, thinner, and Yareli’s breath unfurled in a white cloud.
Rocks, grasses, and shrubs spanned across the ground. It was a far cry from the Water Court’s beaches. She wasn’t sure where they were going; everywhere she looked was devoid of any settlement.
“Where are we headed?” she asked, stopping for a quick breather.
Leo, who marched in front of her with the confidence of someone who had traversed the area many times before, turned around. “It’s a secret.”
“But if we’re heading there now, why not tell me?”
His eyes burned with amusement, turning them silver. “Well, because it would ruin the surprise.”
“I don’t really like surprises,” she grumbled. She jutted her chin out and refused to move. “Tell me.”
A smirk grew on his face, and he sauntered toward her, reminding her of a predator prowling toward their prey—and Yareli was undoubtedly his prey—until his chest almost brushed against her. Her heart quickened, and she found herself breathless.
“That’s too bad.” His voice had turned husky, its low vibrations trailing goose bumps down her arms. His eyes roved down, lingering on her lips, and she shivered, his unexpected flirtation taking her by surprise.
He drew closer, leaning down, and she stilled. She was acutely aware of his heat. His body was like a furnace, buffeting her with waves of heat until she felt feverish.
His lips brushed against her neck as he whispered, “I love surprises.”
A gasp of air escaped her lips.
He pulled away from her then, and he ran his thumb across his lips. Mesmerized, she followed his tongue as he licked his thumb.
“Delicious.” His gaze flicked down, leaving little doubt about what he meant.
Yareli swallowed, her attention lingering on his plump, brown lips.
He didn’t move, as if waiting for her signal, and she cursed her hesitation, throwing it out the window.
Foolish or not, she wanted it. She met Leo’s dark, hungry eyes, and he snaked his arm around her hips, pulling her close.
His body was delicious against hers, and she grasped his shirt. If he didn’t kiss her soon…
A long-lasting, high-pitched whistle, followed by three low-pitched ones, broke the moment’s spell, and Yareli groaned.
“Next time.” He placed his finger on her lips, shushing her. The fervor in his molten, grey eyes promised she wouldn’t have to wait long. She shivered. He whistled in response—two short sounds.
“Put this on.” He pulled a hat from his satchel, handing it to her. “Make sure you cover your ears.”
Yareli nodded and tucked her ears under the soft hat, the heat of the moment fading quickly amidst the situation’s uncertainty.
“Stick close to me, and stay quiet,” he said.
He turned toward the rocks to their right, and she scurried to hide behind him as a group of Fae warriors appeared behind the pile.
She observed the group. They were as beautiful as she had come to expect Fae to be, wearing furs in the frigid climate of the mountains and carrying silver spears that glistened with unnatural red light.
The hair on her arms prickled; they were magical spears, then.
Her own daggers were unmagicked blades, and although Bri owned a magical sword, she had never permitted Yareli to wield it because of something called magic drain.
One of the warriors caught her staring, and she shuffled closer to Leo’s back.
“General Leo.” The dark-haired Fae at the front bowed his head. “We received word of your arrival and have come to escort you to the village.”
“Luwan, it’s great to see you,” Leo exclaimed, walking up to the group and greeting them with handshakes that spoke of camaraderie.
Yareli hung back and avoided eye contact.
The weight of their stares itched her skin, and she shifted.
She braced herself for the inevitable question about her, but no inquiries were made to her surprise.
Leo continued to chat with them as if there was nothing strange about the silent woman next to him, and a mixture of relief and dissatisfaction swirled in Yareli.
Leo gestured for the men to move forward, and they led the way while she trailed behind.
With every passing moment, her discomfort doubled, but she kept her expression stoic.
Leo had told her to stay quiet, and so she did.
They walked until her feet screamed, and as she was about to flop on the ground in defeat, a village appeared in the near distance.
It bustled with life in the late hour. She watched in amazement as Fae darted between the wooden buildings.
Some carried wicker baskets full of furs, others carried dried meat hung on strings.
And some, the ones that made her the wariest, walked the edge of the perimeter with spears and bows in hand.
Leo winked at her before he dismissed the soldiers who had escorted them. “I remember the rest of the way from here. You may go.”
The soldiers saluted him before rejoining the patrols on the perimeter.
Yareli’s boots squashed the light layer of snow on top of the cobblestone roads.
Although it would melt in the morning sun, she disliked seeing it before the official start of fall.
What she would give to be at the Water Court’s beaches right now…
Voices buzzed around them as the villagers noticed them.
“Leo!”
“Hey, it’s Leo!”
Many stopped to greet him, giving Yareli a curious, cursory glance.
She nodded in forced acknowledgment, and her feet tapped as Leo addressed each one by name, taking the time to converse while she stood off to the side.
He was popular, she’d give him that, but his nonchalant approach was off-putting.
While she had lamented being barred from exploring Izmari a few days ago, the crowding was agonizing.
Every wind gust frightened her, forcing her to keep adjusting her hat. Leo seemed oblivious to her distress.
By the time they arrived at a large cabin in the middle of the village, her nerves were shot. Leo opened the door for her, and she dashed inside. Everyone’s silent curiosity had chipped away at her self-confidence. For the first time since she had decided to trust Leo, she was scared.
“Don’t worry, you’re safe here,” he said, closing the door.
Yareli looked at the living room to her right, noting its leather sofas, plush rug, and fireplace, but there were no discernible signs of who it belonged to.
She asked, “And where is ‘here’?”
He grinned, but it did nothing to assuage her anxiety. It made it worse. He obviously had been here before and knew many, if not all, of the residents. Yareli’s life had been upended, and she was somewhere she shouldn’t be. Again.
“Welcome to the Keepers’ Village,” he said.