Secrets of the Great Oak

Chapter 40

"Whatever you two did last night or today, it's working," Saleh said as soon as they stepped foot into Traverra. "His scent is strong on you today. A couple more days of whatever that is and you two will be golden."

"What a shame," Anna whispered to Jake.

"Truly," Jake shook his head in mock disappointment.

Their day had consisted of mostly movies and cuddling, with a few forehead kisses thrown in, a lot of laughter, and snacks too. Anna wasn't quite ready to fully trust him yet, but last night and today had been steps in the right direction.

It was refreshing to not feel that tension with Jake. Today felt like things did right before they officially started dating. He'd been there when she needed him last night and had supplied exactly what she'd asked for to make her feel better that morning.

If she was being honest, she missed the warmth of his touch and spending today wrapped in it felt... right.

Something shifted in her mind after the nightmare. She couldn't bear the thought of losing Jake like that. The pain felt too real when she woke up. Jake telling her he loved her was the only thing that made it ease. He'd whispered it in her ear all throughout the day, knowing she needed it.

"What exactly did you two do?" Noah asked with an eyebrow raised suggestively.

"Not that!" Anna smacked Noah's shoulder. He exaggerated the impact and cradled his arm. "We just had a nice day together." Her cheeks heated as Jake winked at her.

"Well, hopefully, your next two nights are just as... nice, because you'll need to hold that scent to get in and out of Garen safely." Saleh took a whiff of the air in Anna's direction. "I can still catch a bit of human, but I'm also looking for it. Most people in Garen haven't smelled a human in so long, it's possible they won't be able to recognize the undertone of the scent."

Over these last few days, Anna could feel the bond strengthening between her and Jake. Every evening when they stepped into Traverra the bond beckoned. This time it was almost irresistible. It's as if the bond could sense her opening up to him again. What was she thinking? That's probably the exact type of thing the bond could actually sense.

She couldn't focus on the plan they were going over or on the magic drills she was supposed to be calling out to Jake while Saleh worked with Noah. She tried to bring her mind back to Maggie and remembering what she looked like, imagining how she would've aged, recalling the picture of her face from the dreams she's had. She tried to recall Elas's face as well.

But, whenever Jake spoke, whenever he touched her, whenever he simply looked her way, she lost her train of thought and the bond took over. She felt like a love-crazed school-girl. All she wanted was him.

Shaking her head she tried to regain control of her mind. She needed to listen and prepare.

A wall of water encircled her and Jake again as he practiced his shield.

"I'm feeling it too." He stepped towards her and drew her up from her sitting position on the blanket. "The bond is strong today." He didn't release her hand when she finished rising. "It feels like my magic is demanding you. It wants to reach for you." He smiled. "I can't focus. I can't center myself." He closed the last bit of distance between them and rested his forehead on hers. "All I can think about is you."

She closed her eyes to avoid the longing in his gaze, but she made no move to remove herself from his grasp.

Breathlessly, she said, "We have to finish your exercises and go over the map of the city again before we're done for the night."