Page 9 of Between Realms

I squirm under his scrutinizing amber gaze. “Um… I’m rationing.”

Oakes straightens his back, becoming more alert. His eyes flash with concern as he leans forward. “Why?”

“Because I’m unsure what will happen in the next few days.” I wrap my food back up, losing my appetite under his questioning. “I only have what’s in this sack. Everything I own is in here. I have a clean dress for my court appearance and a couple of coins to buy more food and lodging if I’m lucky enough to return to Betonie. But I will need every crumb if I’m banished to the mortal realms.” I shove my food back in my pack, feeling as though I’ve already been banished. “I doubt humans will want to help an outsider, especially one who knows nothing about their ways. And I don’t know if I can trust any of them to even ask for help.”

Oakes nods without comment and tosses me an extra apple from his pack.

“I can’t,” I protest and lean forward to hand it back to him.

“Eat it,” he orders, his tone firm but kind. “I will not have you go hungry on my watch.”

“Thank you.” I turn the large fruit in my small hands. “I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t helped me today. I do not take your generosity lightly, since I know I won’t have it easy after we part ways.”

Why does the thought of saying goodbye feel like a hot slice of a blade?

He doesn’t respond except for a slight nod, silently accepting my gratitude.

I also take his silence as an agreement that I’m likely to need all the resources I can get when I am sent away to the mortal realm.

I quickly force myself to eat the apple despite my churning gut.

Curling up on the mat, I wrap my cloak around me, shivering from the cold and my nerves. “Sleep well,” I wish him and close my eyes, trusting a stranger to do me no harm. Not that I expect him to. He seems to be an exceptionally caring elf.

“Until the morrow.” Oakes says, then he must see my slight shaking. He crosses the room and places his cloak over me to keep me warm.

I sit up and try to hand it back to him. “My lord, I can’t accept your generosity. You’ve already given me too much.”

“Call me Oakes, and I insist you accept.” He gently presses his offering back toward me. “Besides, it’s only a simple apple and some warmth.”

It has also been his company, his protection, and this safe place to rest, but I let him win this argument. “Thank you,” I whisper and relax into the warmth of his cloak, taking in his scent—pine trees and maple syrup.

He returns to his mat, but I feel his eyes on me, studying me until the evening light fades entirely.

4

LONELINESS

WYNSTELLE

“Wake up, little mortal.” Oakes nudges my sleeping mat, then my back.

“Wyn,” I correct and rub my eyes, but don’t move. I refuse to open my eyes all the way. There’s barely enough light to see his imposing figure in the dark cabin. I squint at him while he squats down to wake me.

“Wynstelle, wake up.” He bumps my hip now with the back of his hand, almost like a swat.

“What? I’m getting up.” I unfurl my cloak, pout, and stretch.

As he slides his cloak back onto his shoulders, he stands up and studies my every move. Becoming self-conscious, I pull my cloak over my body, but then quickly realize how ridiculous that is.

He isn’t interested in me—a mortal human.

“I called to you several times. Finally, I had to resort to physically prodding you.” His voice doesn’t sound irritated, rather it’s playful. “Do all mortals sleep so soundly?”

“I don’t know about other humans’ sleeping habits, but it’s even earlier than I usually get up,” I huff out an explanation. I still haven’t moved off the mat. “Which is saying a lot.”

Done waiting on me, Oakes’ large hands pick me up by the waist and deposit me on my feet with as much effort as picking up a loaf of bread.

Our bodies are close, barely touching. I shoot my gaze all the way up his towering body to meet his glowing golden eyes. Why do they glow now? Is it a trick of the light?

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