The Elven King's Consort

Chapter 23: Anticipation

The forest began to thin out around our surroundings, giving way to the sun's sharp rays heating us to the core regardless of the dipping temperatures that threatened to numb the tips of our fingers and seep through the leather boots to our toes. The sounds of crunching from the gravel stone-ridden road under the horse's hooves echoed all around, and for many hours, that was all the sound that cut through the silence.

Many of us were stiff from taking shelter under the stars atop the hardened cool ground, and the friction movement from these muscular beasts only escalated our discomfort. But we couldn't stop and rest yet. This morning, we had left far too late and lost too much time. We would be on the road past sunset, and only then would we finally be able to take rest. For now, we bared the torture and pressed on.

I rode lost in thought of what the Elven Kingdom would be like once we arrived, but the nearing sounds of a horse approaching caught my attention, and instantly, I prayed it was not Keyair approaching to make small conversation again. My role was to have him trust me enough to open up or hopefully have his mask slip enough that I could figure out what his plans were, but I just needed a bit more time to myself. I wasn't ready yet to face him and pretend to smile and be interested in him. The dread pooled at the pit of my stomach when the horse came next to mine, keeping pace. Gathering the courage, I turned and faced the man, but it was not Keyair this time; instead, Draven was holding a soft, warm smile while handing me a sandwich my personal maid Evadne must have prepared.

Sighing softly, relieved, I took it gently and thanked him, then turned to see Evadne listening to one of the guards riding on her left while another guard on her opposite side nudged her gently, pausing their talks and glancing my way. Her face warmed, and a smile formed; she waved to me, and I to her. Turning, I bit down more hungrily than I had wanted. I could feel my face heat up, embarrassed. When was the last time I consumed anything?

Ah, yes, the alcohol from last night was the last thing I had put in my stomach. That morning before departure, I ate less than a rabbit in the middle of the desert because I was so stressed and nervous.

"How are you fairing my lady?"

I looked up to Draven, who held a container pointed to me on one thigh; the lid hung by a thick stand around the opening. I licked my lips subconsciously, the aroma filling my nostrils, animal blood. My salivary glands erupted and flooded between my gums and tongue; I felt carnivorous and so thirsty my heart escalated tenfold within my chest, rendering me breathless and forcing my fangs to protrude slightly through their sockets. Seeing my reaction, his eyes widened for a moment before handing me the wine-colored, thick, molasses-like liquid, which quickly ran down my throat, blanketing it with a warmth and blissful taste; goosebumps aroused and spread like wildfire across my arms under the heavy fur cloaks, flushing my cheeks and sending a shiver down my spine. How long had I forced my body to remain parched?

Draven reached and took the container, now empty, and placed it safely among the other items resting on the horse's rump. With a quick tie and knot, the container sat still in one place, no longer needed.

"I apologize if I had taken your meal. I had no idea I was so starved for it."

He shook his head and said," No need for that, Highness; once we make camp, I will go hunt with one of the guards and fill the empty containers. If you need more, I can fetch some."

"No, thank you. That was enough to sustain me for some time."

"Good, we need to maintain our health and strength up; the journey is long, especially if any danger would arise."

I nodded while glancing around slowly, taking in our group. They had fallen a tad behind but were still in my line of sight. Becoming serious, I looked back at Draven, who already anticipated that I wanted to speak to him. Good, he's smart to catch on.