A Clash Of Light And Thunder (War Of The Forgotten Lovers Book 1)

Where The Present Is Balanced

'Fool,' chanted his father's voice in Elvin's mind as he gazed at caramel eyes.

Those dazzling pools of burning fire and bravery had the power to pull him from the maddening hold of the Mahart tattoos. Dangerous they were.

"I'm sorry," Aria whispered earnestly under her breath. The moonlight danced around the dried trails of her tears.

Elvin closed his eyes and stood, turning from her in fear that he might be tempted to forgive her. That he might justify himself for failing to protect his kingdom. Years of training to withstand torture, hunger, and wild instincts, and his focus was broken with just one look. One plead. One tear. When had he become so weak?

He clicked his tongue in the direction of the forest. The distant, faint cry of his avealis traveled through the tall trees and reached his pointed ears in response.

"Elvin."

He ignored her calls and focused his nature magic at his fingertips. Three singing butterflies flapped their wings in the night as they followed the sweet scent of magic. They fluttered to his hands, sucking the fabric of the spell. Their wings lit up in bright green light as they ate to their heart's content. He whispered to them, engraving his words into their songs. With the wave of his hand, he released them from his hold and sent them to reach the scouts. To let them know he had recovered Aria and that one of the infiltrators had gotten away.

His avealis cawed from the treelines, waiting for its next command like it was trained. "I will leave you with the avealis. It will protect you. I must try to track the intruder down before he crosses the territory lines." He instructed, armored back still turned to Aria.

Leather boots ruffled in broken steps as she edged closer. Whatever the previous spell that had hid her was wearing off, and at least now, he could hear her. The wind howled against the trees as soft fingers gently brushed his arm. "Will you.. not even look at me?" Aria asked.

That was the first mistake he had made. The second was allowing those eyes to make him falter in his responsibility. Elvin turned, stomach ripe with anger at himself. Aria jumped back, startled by the sudden motion.

"Why should I look upon you? So that you can endanger my kingdom again." He grumbled as he stepped forward, using his size to tower over her. She was just a human girl. He shouldn't have allowed her to have affected him as such.

"I.. I.." the words died in those rosy lips.

"Where will the knife come from this time? From your own hands?" Her magic had healed the worst of it, but he could still feel the phantom edge of the blade cutting his insides.

Aria's lower lips trembled as shame flickered across her eyes. It eased Elvin's guilt and wounded honor to see it. For he felt a thousand times worse. He had failed at his one duty.

"I didn't mean for you to get hurt. I just..."

"Just what?" Elvin bared his teeth as if his canine were still elongated. But he knew the action held no bite. "For him to escape? Our secrecy gave us protection. Now he leaves with knowledge of our territory, of how to evade our defenses. Did you perhaps mean to endanger my people?"

Aria's feet caught on a rock, and she tumbled backward. A scream of pain broke into his eardrum as she held her right leg. She flinched as she lifted her hand. It was painted in crimson red.

"You are hurt?" With those words, his anger deflated. Elvin was at her feet in a second. His hand took her feet and gently pulled at her leather boots.

She grunted in pain as the fabric graced a gaping wound. Guilt. He felt it again when he saw the gently fibrous marks of lightning on her feet. A large slash bled from her ankle to her shin. Another thing he had failed at.