The Elven Curse

Chapter 13

Rowan

Rowan heard soft even breaths on his chest.

He looked down and saw the small creature whose name he'd forgotten to ask laying in his arms, they laid there fully relaxed as if Rowan couldn't be any potential danger.

Rowan's eyes ran over the creature's soft face, the small freckles displayed on their face, and the sharp edges of their ears.

His eyes narrowed as he saw something odd behind an ear, a small green sprout rested there and he couldn't help but raise a hand while still holding them carefully with his other arm.

He ran his finger hesitantly over the small plant, and he found himself surprised to discover that the plant didn't move from its place, rather it coiled around his finger lively.

He looked ahead of him and sensed the smell of lunch near. He stopped and stared at the scene in front of him. Omar was on top of Vienna, throwing punches at her arms surrounding her head protectively. The rest of the group around them were staring at the fight with interested eyes while they held their lunch in their hands, meat.

"I told" punch, "you", punch, "I don't care what" punch, "you do". Omar slammed his hands beside Vienna's head while he breathed heavily, his face was red and covered with frustrated tears.

Everyone was silent. If they had been interested and about to laugh at Omar, they now stared at Vienna and Omar with their mouths closed and slowly retreated to their designated tasks.

Rowan sighed. Why can't I have one peaceful day?

Rowan heard a gasp below him, he looked down and saw amber eyes looking at the dramatic scene that'd just happened.

"Hey", Rowan said softly.

The creature turned his head to look at him and hummed. Rowan took the chance to finally introduce himself.

"Hi," he said, suddenly feeling shy, " I'm Rowan... uh...", He felt as if the words that he wanted to say were suddenly in a language he didn't know, and his tongue clicked and twisted trying to pronounce the lost words.

The creature smiled, noticing the feeling that overwhelmed Rowan and that made it impossible for him to continue speaking.

"Hi, I'm Aerin".

Rowan stared at the elf whose name now he knew.

"Hi, Aerin". Rowan liked the sound of Aerin's name.

Aerin laughed.

"Hi, Rowan".

Rowan's ears flickered, enjoying the sound of his laugh.

He was about to say something when someone interrupted him.

"You go missing for hours and you come back flirting with someone?".

Rowan's head instantly turned to the direction of the voice he was very used to hearing. Omar was in from of them, his face still flushed but his cheeks were now clean from tears.

"What?" Rowan asked, already forgetting what Omar had said.

But Omar didn't say anything. He was too entranced staring at Aerin, Omar's eyes ran all over Aerin and Rowan suddenly felt something nudging at his chest, his arms tightened impossibly around Aerin.

Don't look.

Omar smelled the protective and threatening scent coming from Rowan and smiled.

"Well, who is this beautiful creature in your arms?", Omar asked, trying to know the reason behind the scent Rowan was emitting and curious about how Rowan would react to this.

Rowan growled, voice deep and inhuman. He would have lost control right there if Aerin hadn't taken over the conversation.

"Hello, I'm Aerin, who are you?", he asked, voice small but somehow confident.

"I'm Omar, Rowan's best friend", he answered, his chest puffing proudly while his cat ears flickered. It confused him how he was more interested in Rowan's reaction towards Aerin rather than the presence of an elf in front of him.

Aerin stared at the cat-like ears that looked as if they moved independently. His eyes soon moved down to the tail that was swaying playfully.

Rowan huffed, not liking the attention Omar was receiving from the small elf.

"Well Aerin, what are you doing here, do you not have a place to be right now?", Omar asked, trying to figure out the reason why Aerin was here.

"I'm going with Rowan to Evior", he said confidently and looked up expectantly at Rowan.

Omar's eyebrows shot up and gazed at Rowan in astonishment.

"What did you do Rowan?"

"He's coming with us back to Evior," Rowan said tiredly.

He's taking all of Aerin's attention.

Aerin looked at Omar, eyes calculating and searching for something in the man.

Don't look at him. Look at me. Deep involuntary thoughts covered his mind and filled him with stress.

"But we have to go to the palace, Rowan", Omar prodded insistently at the man searching for a realistic response.

"We ca-", Rowan was then interrupted by Aerin's voice.

"You're going to see Prince Garret?", there was something in the elf's voice that carried fear.

Omar must have not sensed it because his eyes suddenly brightened.

"Prince Garret, is he also of your kind?", he asked hopefully.

"Umm... yes, but... I don't think it's a go-",

"You can take us to him!", Omar concluded, voice loud.

"But-"

"Are there more elves living there?"

"Uh yes..." Aerin said, his voice trembling.

"Perfect!", Omar turned to Rowan, "Rowan, great job! We have to tell everyone!", Omar rushed towards the camp where everyone had been too distracted listening to Viennas ranting.

Omar must have said something to them because their eyes soon turned towards Aerin and Rowan, who slowly let him down on the floor, letting Aerin's feet touch the soft ground once more.

The group stared at Aerin with hopeful eyes, but they suddenly turned towards the sound of a sword being unsheathed.

All eyes turned to Vienna who was taking quick steps towards Aerin with a sword in her hand. Shivers traveled through Aerin's body as she approached them with determination written in her eyes.