Curse of the Oak

Chapter Twelve

The first time riding through the forest, Desiree was a prisoner terrified for her life. She didn't get the chance to admire the beauty. But now, riding through the forest with her father, it was much different. Her worry and fear drifted away as her eyes opened to the splendor of the forest, seeing the life thriving inside of it.

Plants.

Trees.

Everything was so foreign, yet not out of place.

There were so many different things to admire. The colors of the flowers and herbs seemed to remind Des of a magical meadow her mother would tell her about just before bed. The meadow where everything was full of joy and laughter. Where animals lived in harmony, and a little girl would wait for her mother to call her back home for supper.

Des began to think that the little girl from the story must have been her mother. Her mother who would have done anything to save the innocent and befriend something as small as a lady bug.

She felt her father pull the horse's reins back, slowing the gallop into a trot. Des looked and saw others waiting by. She didn't know who the figures were, but she did know they weren't near the location where she and Griffin were chased into the forest.

Even thinking about the dark creatures sent shivers down her spine. It made her feel like she was back there, trapped in a cage of shadows where she would be chained forever. Never moving on with her life. Being forced to watch others live, not merely surviving.

"You okay?" her father asked, giving her a skeptical look. Des nodded, and let him help her down. She gazed up at him as if she was staring at him for the first time in years. There was a stranger in front of her wearing the face of her father. She took a step back, not able to stop herself from wanting space from this stranger. A wall formed between the two of them before their eyes. A wall built of abandonment and lies. The stench of their tension was too much to bear. So her father broke away and went to his four remaining friends, speaking quietly to them.

Griffin limped up behind her, grabbing Desiree's shoulder to steady himself. Des whipped around pulling him into a hug. Her hands going to the shirt on his back. Clutching him tightly to her.

Griffin wrapped his arms around her neck and put his face in her hair. "I thought you were dead," her voice broke in sob.

"I know."

"What did they do to you down there?" Des began to question, her eyes filling up with small tears.

"Oh please," Griffin said softly. "It's going to take a lot more than an asthma attack to kill me. Although, I will say that the elves do have a unique way of helping others escape death." Desiree pulled herself back, looking up at his face.

"And what ways would that be?" Des asked.

"I'm not sure exactly," Griffin said taking a step back, scratching his head. "I just remember I was on the ground, and the next thing I knew, I was flying in the air. It was like I was soaring and everything was flying past me at the speed of light. The way I was dancing in the air was sensational, and then I woke up in a bed with Rhaegr by my side."

Des eyes widened dramatically, making Griffin's face turn beat red. "And what was the mighty Rhaegr doing at your bedside?"

Griffin bit his bottom lip, as his stomach rolling with nerves. "He had a worried look on his face. Something that only I have seen from you. He was holding my hand, and muttering something in another language. It sounded like a prayer of some type, but when I got his attention, his face lit up with..." Griffin trailed off with a confused look on his face.

"With joy?" Des supplied.

"I wouldn't specifically say joy, but along the same lines."

Des raised her brow, bringing Griffin back from his fantasy. "Griff, you only met him for a day, and you were his prisoner."