Des'Tai: Book One

139: Tyron

Tyron cupped Faye's cheek in his hand; if anyone was going to need patience, it would definitely be him. "We've got all the time in the world."

It was nice to see Faye so optimistic about their pairing and despite how Ty was starting to feel about the situation, there was still a niggle at the back of his mind, telling him that none of it was real, that it wouldn't last – it didn't matter what Luna and Artemis said, Faye would go home sooner or later. She wouldn't want to stay in Siofra, to give up her life on Earth completely. The King wouldn't let her.

"Come on," He bent down to scoop his clothes up once more. "Let's get changed and go find Moira – hopefully she's found something to eat."

It was the smell of cooking meat that led them back up to the conservatory, where they found Moira perched over a small fire pit, slowly roasting her kill. Whatever it was, it smelt delicious even if it didn't look it.

As they neared her, the young elf looked up, a large smile brightening up her face. "You're back! And just in time, too. Dinner is ready!"

Ty sniffed the air, triggering a growl from his stomach. He was suddenly all too aware of his hunger, now dinner was staring him in the face. Faye moved to sit by Moira, her gaze fixated onto the headless animal. "Where did you find this?"

Moira's smile grew wider. "I caught it. My malanai taught me to make the best traps, quick and precise; they've never failed me."

*****

Luna looked into the cold, calculating eyes of Eva and smiled. Eva Greenhorn, head of the Kings Guard and one of his elite soldiers, she wasn't exactly the friendliest of elves – and here she was, standing in Luna's cottage.

"And what do I owe the pleasure, Eva?" She peered over the rim of her teacup, regarding the stern faced elf with mild amusement. There were few beings in this world, or any other, that scared her and the leather clad thug in front of her was not one of them. "What could be so important that the king would send one of his best? Colour me curious."

Eva narrowed her leaf green eyes. "I think you know why I am here, Luna. Where is your nutcracker husband?"

"Cracking nuts somewhere, I imagine." Luna set her cup down. "Is that why you're here?"

"Are you aware of...disturbances as of late?" Eva enquired, her boots heavy on the floorboards. "There are stars falling and essences are being cut off. The King is blind...and that has only ever happened once before."

Luna smiled. "A blind King, however will he be able to see his own glorious reflection now?"

"Do you think I am laughing, Luna?" Eva stopped her pacing. "The last time our King lost his Sight, it was just before the humans invaded. Only this time it's worse, it's affecting his magic and the heavens. Something is happening and I'm here to find out what it is."

"And what makes you think the problem is here?"

"Erin helpfully informed us of unnatural goings on before her untimely death – and she pointed us in this direction. Artemis hasn't reported anything and you look perfectly relaxed..."

Luna waved a dismissive hand in Eva's direction. "Which should tell you that there's nothing to worry about."

"No, Luna," Eva stopped beside the table, the tip of her knife graving along the carved surface. "It tells me that you're hiding something and I will find out what it is."