A LAND OF FIRE AND DARKNESS

Chapter 37

We strode through the forest in quiet after Delcallon explained that I had been gone longer than I had recalled. He explained that as soon as he realized I was gone he came after me, but it appeared as if I vanished from thin air.

I told him Diego could teleport like Brallon, so he had probably taken me like that, and the wagon was just to throw us off their tracks. I told him about Diego, as much as I could remember. How he appeared cruel and brutal but oddly did not want to hurt me. I told him they tricked us into believing that had my blood.

He silently listened to me most of the way, allowing me to either talk to him out loud or telepathically.

Creatures of the early night chirped in the trees above us as Delcallon led us through the wooded area. My eyes felt heavy as I slouched further against Delcallon's body.

"I have a lodge close here." He stated as he leaned his chin on my head gently, "We will need to rest."

I was not going to complain. A bed sounded perfect compared to the horse and hard torso of support that was Delcallon.

"I am slightly offended." He huffed out as he continued to read my mind.

"No, you aren't." I taunted back. Having a hard stone-like torso was not something to be offended by.

We stepped into a clearing and I was greeted by a beautiful cabin constructed out of wood and cobblestones. The garden around the structure was overgrown, with Ivy climbing up towards the chimney of the quant forest home.

Delcallon bought the horse to a stop before climbing off. He pulled the horse with myself still on, towards a drinking pen and secured the horse down.

His hands gripped onto my waist and easily lifted me off the horse before placing me down gently. He held me for several seconds, ensuring I was balanced and well adjusted.

"Thank you," I whispered as I kept my eyes down on my bare feet.

He slowly released me, "This place has hot water, so we can take a bath, eat something, and get some well-needed rest." He stated with a positive tone.

He turned towards the cabin and began making his way while I followed after him. The cabin appeared simple, but it held a beauty that I doubted a palace could even compare to.

"My mother lived here." Delcallon stated as he pressed the door open, "Before she became Intwined."

He pushed the doors open revealing the black space. I looked up at him, "Did she miss this place?" I asked as I stepped into the darkened cabin.

He walked in behind me and closed the door before walking around the black space. I could not see anything, but from how his footsteps sounded, he knew exactly where he was going.

He lit a match and the room brightened, "She did. So, she would take us here once a while." He began as he lit candles and lanterns. The cabin was simply furnished with what was needed. A suit to relax and read in front of the fireplace, where a spit and pot could be used to make food. There was a dining room table that could seat four, and up the stairs, I could see it led to one room, probably the bedroom.

"She sometimes said she preferred this to our Estate." He stated as he lit the last lantern.

I nodded in agreement. Something about a cabin like this felt far homier than the palace chambers.

"My mother would have loved you." He said smiling at me.

I tightened my lips restraining myself from smiling at his comment. I shifted nervously as his eyes began tracing my body.