Page 31 of Oaths & Vengeance
I nodded. “Yes. They’re usually among the friendliest of the forest fae, but that isn’t always the case in the spring. If one has recently given birth, they can become very territorial and protective.”
She clutched her reins tightly. “I’m guessing you brought this up because there’s one nearby.”
“I sensed her several minutes ago and have been tracking her movements as she’s crept closer to us. Even with your powers being new, you should be able to feel her now that she’s nearby,” I said, purposely avoiding looking toward the napaea. “Close your eyes and focus on what feels different…magical.”
She did as I requested, brows scrunching. All the while, I kept track of the nymph. Like all her kind, she was very thin and wore just enough cloth to cover her private parts. This one’s hair was a rich blue that fell halfway down her back. I hadn’t caught her eye color, but it likely matched her hair. As for her skin, it was smooth, ebony, and flawless.
The closer she came, the slower she moved. I only tracked her from the corner of my eye while I waited for Rynn. So far, my cousin didn’t appear to be picking up anything. I carefully dismounted Astra and moved to place myself nearest the impending danger.
“Got it!” Rynn shouted. “The napaea is that way.”
She pointed in the correct direction, but her loud voice triggered the fae into leaping toward us sooner than she would have otherwise. I didn’t have time to push the napaea back with my wind magic, and instead, I had to grab her lithe body as she attempted to skirt past me to my cousin.
All breeds of nymphs were strong but not as much as elves. She struggled in my arms, and I called upon my druid half to help calm her. I sang a sweet song in the old language, using my melodic voice. It was so rare I had a reason to use it these days. It spoke of life, beautiful meadows, and sunrises.
Rynn watched me with wide eyes but, thankfully, had the sense not to speak.
I continued my song until the powerful conclusion. By then, the napaea had calmed and rested her head against my shoulder. “You are okay. We wouldn’t dream of hurting you, but it is time for you to get back to your baby now.”
As further confirmation of my suspicion, the cloth covering her breasts was damp, and the scent of milk wafted from her. Her kind were great hunters who could understand language well enough but did not speak themselves. They preferred to hum, which is why I had chosen to sing. She looked up at me with her beautiful green eyes, and no malice was in them anymore.
I pressed my lips to hers in a brief kiss intended to show respect and friendship. The napaea smiled and drew away. Then, she turned and began gliding back through the forest in the same way she came, humming a sweet melody that copied the one I’d sung.
“Why did you kiss her?” Rynn asked.
“Growing up, I spent time with my mother’s parents in Alavaar. Druids seek to be one with nature and animals as much as possible. They prefer peace. It’s why they eventually withdrew to that land when the fae arrived long ago. They understood that we—the Seelie—had nowhere else to go after being expelled from our home world, so they sacrificed for us. Not all the inhabitants of Paxia were so gracious, but my mother’s people didn’t resist for very long.”
“Oh, they sound nice,” she said, curiosity in her gaze.
I nodded. “Yes, most of the druids are. My grandparents taught me how to interact with the forest races because our kind often resorts to violence when it’s not necessary. Kissing the napaea sealed a friendship between us, so as long as I respect her, she will always trust me when I travel through this forest.”
My cousin’s expression showed awe. “Will you teach me things like that?”
“What do you think we’re doing out here?” I asked, amusement in my voice.
“I thought we were going for a ride.”
I gave her a patient look. “Haven’t you ever wondered why you aren’t allowed to go out alone and are only allowed to travel in groups?”
She shrugged. “I assumed people were just being overprotective.”
“There are many dangers when you leave the safety of the castles and villages.” I mounted my horse. “Some, you can handle like I did today. Others, you need to be prepared to fight for your life.”
Rynn straightened her shoulders. “Then I will look forward to learning everything and training to fight.”
Nearly dying had changed her perspective, for sure.
“Good. Because now that you have magic, that is going to be part of your daily lessons from now on, in addition to your regular studies with your tutor,” I said.
Distant hoofbeats drew my attention. Someone was riding this way and quickly.
Rynn heard it as well, and we fell silent. Finally, far up the path, I glimpsed a large black warhorse and a menacing rider with short, red hair. I sighed. “That’s Ulmar.”
“I wish I had magic that could hurt him,” Rynn said in a low voice.
Technically, a healer could cause harm using their powers in reverse, but she was nowhere near ready to learn that skill. I wouldn’t be the one to tell her about it, either. Briauna would manage it when she was ready years from now.
“I could hurt him, but the price would be too high,” I replied, guiding Astra to face my malicious older cousin.
