Page 60 of Journey to the Elderoak
“Their father died many years ago,” Jorrar explained. “And their mother…Our daughter was with a party of healers, traveling to one of the outer cities when a group of Deidamia’s soldiers attacked.” Silence permeated the air as Jorrar told his tale. A tale she was sure the rest of them were all too familiar with. “Most of them were killed, but a few went missing. We never found her body.”
“I’m sorry,” Ava whispered.
“Thank you,” Kai said.
Jorrar raised his glass. “Let’s have a toast. Though the immediate future may be fraught with peril, may we never forget the importance of each other. And what we’re fighting for. Our friends.” He looked around the table. “Our family.” Thorne looked at Ava and squeezed her hand. “Our beloved.” Jorrar paused and smiled fondly at Kai. Casimir’s eyes were bright as he watched her. An unwavering gaze that spoke volumes without saying a word.
“And for peace,” Jorrar finished.
Everyone raised their glasses and repeated, “for peace,” as they clinked them together. Ava couldn’t help it as a tear ran down her face. The kindness and love she had been shown in such a short time by these fae who were little more than strangers months ago.
Mosshaven had filled the emptiness in her heart and soul, and she knew right then and there she belonged.
She belonged with them.
20
Casimir’s arm vibrated as his sword met Raine’s, the blade glinting in the morning sun. Strike after strike, jab after jab, he let his anger and worry out in the ring. And Raine let him. It had been two weeks since the dinner at Jorrar and Kai’s house—since the incident on the horse—and though the dinner seemed to help that night, it hadn’t lasted.
Ava was getting worse.
He had pulled back with the flirting, knowing she needed space as she figured out how to cope with and work through her traumas. They’d all been through the emotional aftermath of brutal battles. Of injuries and death. Of seeing their friends and loved ones killed in front of their very eyes.
But Ava was new to it. And she didn’t seem to be handling it well, refusing to talk about anything whenever he asked. She hadn’t said one word about Zeph’s death even though she looked like she would burst into tears every time she met eyes with Pax as they walked into their suite. Her anger and irritation were rising. She was barely sleeping, and he had left a note for her this morning to sleep in and try to get some rest.
“It’s time to take a break.”
“No,” Casimir said and continued swiping at his friend and dodging his blows.
“Enough,” Raine said as he pulled a move, knocking Casimir’s sword to the ground.
Casimir stood still, breathing heavily as his rage receded.
“You can’t fix it for her. What she’s dealing with. She must figure out how to do that for herself.”
“I know that,” Casimir spat.
“Stop taking it on.”
“I’m not.” He glared at his friend.
“We’ve all gone through it too. She’ll be alright eventually.”
They stood there for a moment, when Raine’s eyes caught on something behind Casimir. “Shit.”
Casimir turned around. Ava had just emerged from the castle, dressed in her training gear with her hair pulled back. She didn’t even acknowledge them as she marched past the rings toward the obstacle course, a look of determination on her face.
He rushed to catch up with her. “Did you not receive my note? I said to take the morning off and rest.”
She didn’t look at him as she kept walking. “Andras doesn’t take days off. Neither will I.”
“You’ve barely slept. One day off won’t hurt,” he insisted.
She stopped and whirled toward him, her tired eyes full of steel. “One day makes all the difference.” She turned and kept walking.
Accepting defeat, he followed her to the obstacle course and took his place at the sidelines. After a brief stretch, she took off to jog a lap around the field before taking her place at the beginning.
“Remember to focus,” he tried to encourage.
