Page 57 of Aofie's Quest
“Do you believe she’s here? In the Crystal Forest?” I glanced around. Although trees towered around me, I could see no hints of the promised wood. Beyond me was a distant waterfall, and with a pang I remembered my friends. What would I tell them?
“The trail I follow is cold. I cannot be sure where she is.”
I pressed my lips together, considering. “I’ve been with the elven for seven moons. If she is here, she did not go far.”
“Or she did and was cast out again. The gods do not forget the wrong done against them and they do not forgive each other.”
I squeezed his hand. “Adomos, I’m glad you’ve come.” I lifted his hand, palm first, to my lips and kissed it. “If you think there is anything to forgive, it is forgiven. All I recall is that you helped me, you saved me when no one else could, which places me eternally in your debt. I admit, I’ve left the haven of the elven to seek my father, but if you’ll have me, I’ll join your quest to hunt down Jezebel. I remember your words regarding revenge. I want to strike her down and bring her malicious ways to a stop. She destroyed an entire village for no reason. She killed my mother, because she could, and she stole my blood.”
Adomos cocked his head and studied me, his gaze lingering on my lips.
Heat rushed to my face, and I dropped his hand, suddenly aware of what I’d done and what I’d said. Had I just bonded myself to him unintentionally?
“She is still dangerous. We could fail,” he warned me.
It was true, and although I’d learned magic, I did not have much practice yet. I reached for the sword on my back. “Adomos, I have something to show you.”
He grabbed me and pressed my back against his body. My eyes widened.
“Aofie! Don’t move,” came Romulus’s shout.
He stood a few feet from me, an arrow pointed at Adomos’s head.
I threw up my hands. “Don’t! Please don’t!”
Romulus released the arrow. It sang as it flew toward Adomos. A scream tore from my lips but Adomos wrapped his arm around my waist, lifting me off my feet as he spun. His wings stretched out, and a crack echoed as he knocked the arrow away. It sank harmlessly into the ground and he returned me to my feet.
I landed shaking and whirled to face Romulus. “Why did you do that?” I shouted. “I told you no!”
“You don’t know who he is, what he is,” Romulus shouted back, pulling another arrow from his quiver.
“Stop. He’s a friend!”
Romulus paused, and the arrow sagged in his bow. Out of the shadows walked Takari, a ball of blue magic in her hands. Her face was a mask of confusion as she stared past me to Adomos, yet she placed a hand on Romulus’s arm, further lowering the bow. “Aofie? Who is this?”
I hadn’t told her, only Romulus, and now I wished I hadn’t.
“I should go,” Adomos murmured.
“No, stay,” I said through gritted teeth, grabbing his arm to ensure he did not fly away. I pivoted back to Takari and Romulus. “This is Adomos,” I explained. “He saved my life.”
Romulus snorted, and half turned away. “Aofie, you can’t be serious. He’s a demon.”
I lifted my chin. “You’re wrong about him, but it doesn’t matter. I’ve already made my choice. I am going with Adomos to hunt down the goddess Jezebel and slay her. You are free to continue on to meet with the defenders…”
“Aofie.” Takari moved forward, throwing a furtive glance at Adomos. “Don’t be hasty. And Romulus, it might help if you don’t speak at all. I propose we return to the pond and discuss this over a meal.”
Romulus’ jaw clenched, and I did not miss the hardening of his eyes to ice—pure, unemotional ice. Without another word, he spun and stomped back through the woods.
Takari held out her hands to me, imploring me to come with them.
“Is this what you want?” Adomos asked.
I bit my lip, fighting the urge to simply run. Fleeing was not the answer when we might be able to work together. “She’s right.” My shoulders sagged. “We should discuss this.”
He bowed his head, and I sensed he wasn’t ready to have a conversation with anyone other than myself.
“Then we can leave.” I released his arm. “But don’t forget, I’m coming with you.”
