The Kingdom of Elvendor: Curse of the Forgotten

Captured by the Storm

My gaze traveled between the trees. Even in the darkness, my elven sight was sharp. I could already see the gates leading to Stormheim, home of the Vikings. My legs trembled as fear filled my body, poisoning my mind and clouding my judgment.

He suddenly stopped and spun me around so we could face each other directly.

"I know you're scared," he said, trying to soothe me, "but under no circumstances should they see fear in your eyes. You want them to see you as their equal. I do not mean equal by rank or title, as I do not know who you are. But in your stance. If they see you as a victim, they will not consider you their equal. And they will show you no mercy."

I glanced at my trembling hands. "But... how? I can't..."

His fingers brushed softly against my chin, tilting my face so I was but a leaf's distance away from him. The warmth of his touch drew me into his gaze, unwilling to look away. "With confidence."

Redness rose in my pale cheeks. His thumb traced the delicate curve of my face, sending a flutter through my chest as my heart quickened.

I almost let out a moan.

"Why are you helping me? After all, I am your prisoner."

The edge of his lips curled into a smile. "There is something about you. You're so..."

"So... what?" I urged him to speak his mind.

Strong? Empowering? Beautiful?

"Innocent."

The audacity.

"I am far from innocent," I objected, but his expression suggested he thought otherwise.

"Sure you are. Look at you. Skin clear as the sky, strange golden hair, and your lips..." He stopped for a moment, studying their softness. "So untouched."

What's happening to me? Where is this heat coming from?

"You don't know me," I replied coldly, only amusing him.

"That's true. I don't even know your name."

I was so lost in his eyes, I didn't realize he was waiting for my response.

"Elowen," my name finally escaped my lips.

"Elowen," he repeated. "What a lovely name."

"Thank you."

We stared into each other's eyes. It felt as though time itself had frozen, waiting for what would come next. My breath deepened as I felt his palm slide closer to my lower back. His strong fingers brushed against the thin fabric, while my own hands were slick with nervous sweat. A soft moan escaped my lips.

Suddenly, he stopped.

"I can feel your nerves settling now. Was it my voice, or the way I'm holding you?"

I blushed so hard that I felt fire in the tops of my ears.

Was this just some subtle game of power?

"It wasn't fear," I said, trying to deflect. "I was just... a bit overwhelmed."

He smirked. "Darling, you were shaking like a badger in heat."

The anger within me began to boil. Is he mocking me?

I kept my posture rigid, a mask of defiance, though my eyes betrayed the fire burning inside. "Are you going to take me in or what?"

"Let's go," he replied with a smile, nudging me forward gently. "You know, I think you're going to fit in just fine among our people, little badger."