Page 23 of The Oracle's Journey

The branch wobbled a tiny bit as he leapt into the hammock. My stomach lurched though I managed my balance effortlessly.

“Ok, I’m just in front of you,” he said, “If you reach out, I can take your hand. Let me do the rest.”

I was trembling by the time I laid down beside him. I’d trusted him to keep me from falling, but it didn’t mean standing forty feet up in a tree blinded by the dark wasn’t frightening.

“Hey, it’s okay,” Lhoris crooned and stroked my hair. “When you’re ready, touch the hammock. Get a feel for how secure it is. Then we can get settled.”

“You wouldn’t happen to have more of that brandy?” I asked, hoping he could see or at least hear the little smirk I felt tugging at my lips.

“Alas, that flask didn’t survive the … kerfuffle last night.” Lhoris sighed dramatically, playing into my humor.

I giggled. “Kerfluffle,” I repeated and giggled again. “I guess we are on our own for sleep then, huh.”

“Yes, I’m afraid so,” Lhoris said with a nod.

He took a deep breath, and it occurred to me that I’d automatically rested my head on his chest. The hammock more or less pressed us together, so I supposed I hadn’t much choice.

“Let’s put your fear of the hammock to rest. Hm?” He found my hand and affectionately brushed his thumb across its knuckles. “Reach out,” he whispered. So, I did, brushing my fingertips over the fabric wrapped around us. It was remarkably soft to the touch, like fine cotton, but somehow thick and sturdy like canvas. “What do you wish you had right now?” he asked.

“Light,” I answered without thinking, “I wish I had light so I could see.” And no sooner did the words leave my lips, than the fabric around us began to glow.

I blinked. “I wish I had a solid gold nugget.” But no such thing materialized. I scrunched my nose and pouted in mock disappointment.

Lhoris laughed from his belly. “I suppose it was worth a try.”

I laughed with him but was still in awe of the soft yellow-green light. “Why didn’t you do that before I got in?”

“It wouldn’t work for me. Though an elf from the woodlands would be able to trigger it easily enough.”

I turned to look up at him in shock. “I’m a woodland elf?”

“I’d say so. Or at least close enough that the enchantment responds to you.”

“This is amazing,” I whispered and continued running my fingers over the fabric, searching for any other secrets it might hold. There were pockets where one could store things, like Lhoris’ boots, already tucked away. And I found that he’d used the bow across the middle of the hammock, seated in metal grommets in the hem.

I kicked off my boots and placed them, along with my sword and belt, in another pocket. Lhoris watched me, a genuine smile on his face. Nothing wicked or calculating. I supposed he was just pleased by my reaction.

“There’s also a flap we could toss over the support rope that would act as a tent,” he said, arms folded under the back of his head while I made myself comfortable. “But I prefer sleeping under the stars when the weather permits.”

I unbuttoned my vest, worried I might accidentally cut a hole in the hammock with the knives stored within, and carefully pulled it off my shoulders. “Aren’t your people cave dwellers? You really are an odd one-off.”

“I’m a terrible dark elf,” he said, appearing quite pleased with himself. “But they’re mostly awful, so I don’t lose any sleep over it.”

I untied the leather cord that had been keeping my hair up and let the dark length of it trail down my back.

“I much prefer the beings that thrive in the daylight,” he explained. “Their joy is contagious.”

I suspected he was trying to fill the silence so I wouldn’t catch him staring. The pressure of his attention steadily increased. My face heated and that stupid, childish flutter in my stomach returned.

Lhoris’ breath hitched ever so slightly when I slid out of my pants. I turned and sat cross-legged beside him, in my undershorts, knees pressing against his thigh and looked down at him. He swallowed and took a deep breath. Perhaps he had some flutters of his own to deal with.

“Off with the jacket,” I said archly, tugging at the sleeve of the heavy garment. “You’re a ferocious cuddler, but that isn’t cuddly. It’s also a little ripe.” I scrunched my nose. “Honestly, you couldn’t find a set that didn’t smell bad?” To be fair, it wasn’t that it smelled bad, it just didn’t smell like him.

Why did he have to smell so fucking good?

“Ah,” he said and started undoing the buckles with a slight frown. “Nobody’s complimented me on cuddling and told me I smell bad in nearly the same breath. Should I be offended?”

I looked down at his captivating features and long, powerful body and decided I was done fighting the attraction. Everything about Lhoris tempted me. His scent. That confidence. The playful sincerity. Even the way he fucking moved. I just wanted him. And I’d never one to shy away from desire … why start now?

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