Chapter 183: Under the Moon and Trees
Evanna’s eyes wandered to the rest of the campsite with sleeping bodies scattered between the tents, the fires still flickering, bottles spilt on the ground, and more than a few men were in very uncomfortable positions. She could still smell the lavender in the air though it was becoming faint, and she could only guess that her sixth sense was the only reason she awoke at all. But even among all of this, the Princess soon found herself gazing down where her fingers slipped comfortably between Arawn’s.
Out of everything to worry about right now, in this instant, Evanna was staring at the growing warmth spreading between their hands. Earlier, she accepted his outstretched hand automatically following decorum, although that ship had long sailed between them. But once their hands touched, a bolt of awareness shot through her, and interlacing her fingers into his seemed both exhilarating and just right.
Neither of them spoke, yet there was not a single discomfort or awkward silence between them. That was more terrifying than the act itself. Swallowing down her trepidation Evanna focused on the situation at hand. She looked at the back of Arawn’s head as he led her through the thickening trees where she conversed with Conrad mere hours before.
Unlike before, it was easier to get through. It seems Conrad’s temper snapped on his return journey to the camp, the trees were bent out of shape with handprints on, and others had even been snapped, leaving in its place a path. While Evanna assessed Conrad’s ’fine’ work, she quietly used some of her gift to heal the trees as they walked through before stopping at the edge of the cliff. Arawn released her hand, bringing her attention back to the Prince and away from the deadly drop and dark woodland.
Arawn looked at her and slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her to his side, Evanna instantly began to wiggle out of his hold with complaints ready on her tongue, but Arawn spoke before her. "Pardon me." His grip tightened on her as the rock beneath their feet started to shake and then levitate with them standing on it.
Evanna yelped and clung onto Arawn, her arms wrapping around his back as she stared below their feet, where the rock floated them across the cliffside and started to lower down to the trees below. "*You are really intent on kidnapping me,*" She gasped, but there was a hint of exhilaration in her voice as she watched the trees swallow them into their darkened land, and the ground gradually grew closer to them. Her damp hair blew away from her face causing her to shiver.
Arawn’s arms tightened around her almost protectively, and the rock turned them slightly, using his body to shield her more from the wind. "*You do not sound so aggravated by the idea, Princess," He murmured over the top of her head. "I do not wish for us to be disturbed.*"
A shiver ran through her body from the tone of his voice. The slight vibration of his chest clearly revealed his quiet amusement at her body’s response. Being this close to each other, they were so acutely aware of the other. But Evanna focused on their surroundings. Evanna was quite certain they wouldn’t be disturbed at the cliffside, but she would not argue about taking extra precautions.
They landed gracefully to the ground, and Arawn again took her hand in his. It felt so natural, and so Evanna followed without questioning him, although her heart thudded rapidly in her chest. Her gaze swept across the tall coverage of trees and the small streams rushing past them.