Page 32 of One Last Promise
“We’ll rest up here tonight,” Darce commented, pointing to an opening in the volcanic wall.“I’ll ward the cave.I hope these pups aren’t howlers.”His pup was still following him, jumping at his feet each time he stepped.“Stop getting in the fucking way!”he yelled towards the little hell dryad.Loki and Enyo were close to my feet, but kept just the right amount of distance.
Once Darce and I set up camp inside the cave, the three little pups kept us entertained for the evening.The third pup gave up on Darce for a little while, which gave me a chance to check it over and see that it was a female.She was smaller than the other two, but pretty feisty.
“He’ll warm up to you, don’t worry,” I whispered, giving her some of my rations.“Darce doesn’t like me either.He’ll tolerate us both.”
After feeding and watering them, the three pups play fought with each other before curling up against me.It had been a long day for them, losing their mother and then us finding them.It wasn’t surprising that they were tired.
“I don’t think we’ll hear anything from them tonight.Look how sleepy they are.”
“It’s probably all the cornbread you’ve been feeding them.Do you have enough rations to get home?”
“It doesn’t matter if I don’t eat for a day or so.”He shook his head.“Life is sacred to my kind, Darce.These pups are a blessing from Nantu or Holy Ether.Think of the protection we’ll have when they are fully grown.”
“I can look after myself.I don’t need some food-driven beast distracting me.”
“She’schosenyou.”
“Well, she’s a fuckingmoronfor doing that.”There was something dark and tortured in his expression that made me think Darce wasn’t talking about the pup anymore.
The darkness was deep in his eyes, taking away the small amount of star speckled light that had been in them.I knew better than to press the matter.If he didn’t take the pup, I would keep her.I would never abandon her.
After watching the three pups cuddled together for a few minutes, I wrapped my body around them, cocooning them with my warmth.Suddenly, I was exhausted, too.
****
THE LITTLE PUP WASworking her magic on Darce.Over the last few days, I’d witnessed a few exchanges between them.He’d even shared some of his smoked meat with her.
We were currently making our way through a tunnel of caves so he could show us where to meet up for me to pay him his gold.
“It’s just a little farther,” he called as light trickled into the cave when the opening appeared.
All I noticed at first was the beautiful valley in the distance.There were lush green mountains with waterfalls that flowed down into a stunning, glistening lake.Our two suns were high in the sky, filling the landscape with their warmth.
“What is this place and how did you find it?”
“It’s called Shielding Valley.This place once harnessed great power and magic.It’s why neither of us can be tracked here.We are protected by the mountains.They encompass the valley, trapping the magic inside.”Looking at the inviting lake, I began to drop my belongings.The water was crystal clear.How long had it been since I’d bathed?The pups were jumping and rolling around in the fresh green grass.
“Can we camp here for the night?”I asked, beginning to walk over to the lake.“The lake looks extremely inviting.”
“It will add another day to your return home.”
“One more day won’t hurt,” I muttered, slipping out of my armour.“Look after the pups.I’m going for a swim.”
The water was the perfect temperature.After washing the dirt off my exposed skin, I looked back towards Darce.He was setting up camp.I could make out the long, green grass moving next to him, and smiled, knowing that the pups were taking an interest in what he was doing.
I was in my undergarments.I’d worn a lot less in Dallethas and never batted an eyelid, but with Darce, it was different.If he saw more of my skin, it would probably repulse him and give him something else to insult me with.
After dunking my head into the water, I undid the braid in my hair and allowed the full length to fall down my back.The sun would replenish and dry it.
As I walked back to the camp a little while later, Darce’s gaze was on me.His mouth was slightly open.His eyes were wide and wild.
“If you’re going to insult me, please refrain.Washing in the lake might be a good idea for you, too.”
“It’s been a few days since you’ve insulted my stench,” he teased, his eyes lowering towards my body.
“Youdosmell worse than a pig.When did you last bathe?”Picking my cloak up, I wrapped it around myself.
“Last month.”A month!Why did I find this male attractive?It had to be because of our closeness.Once I got back to Dallethas and put some distance between us, these feelings would fade.It made no sense for my sexual awakening to happen around a Noxlin.His close proximity and my powers surfacing must have been confusing me.“I will take a dip, but not because you told me to.”
