Page 82 of Journey to the Elderoak
Casimir turned his head and snarled as if he was some territorial beast, “Get. The. Fuck. Out.”
Raine smirked. “Nice tits, Ava. See you in five.”
The door closed and he was gone.
Casimir was still holding onto her legs wrapped around him and looked at her with equal parts frustration and hunger, breathing heavily as if trying to calm himself. “I’m going to break his nose.”
She ran her hand along his face, tracing his scar before she laid a light kiss on his lips. “Maybe we could be quick,” she whispered.
Casimir shook his head and gripped her chin, eyes boring into hers with heat. “It will never be quick with us. I’ll take my time learning all the ways to make you whimper.”
He set her down, retrieved her shirt and bandeau, and handed them to her before putting his own back on.
After she finished dressing, he yanked her against him and kissed her one last time.
“Later,” he said into her lips as he pulled away.
She straightened her clothing and smoothed her hair before Casimir grabbed her hand and led her out of the suite.
They made their way down the hallway in silence, fingers interlaced. Ava didn’t know what to say, heart racing from what had been about to occur and the anticipation of what Jorrar found. The guards opened the doors, and they entered the dining room.
“What’s this about?” Casimir fumed.
Raine suppressed a smirk as he sat at the table, but the rest of them pretended not to notice their disheveled clothing and hair. They were the last two to arrive and sat next to each other. Casimir scooted his chair close, and placed his hand under herhair on the back of her neck, his thumb shifting back and forth.
Ava looked at Jorrar. “You found something about the Elderoak?”
Thorne and Jorrar looked grave, and her gut twisted as he answered. “Yes.”
“Well?” said Casimir, concern in his voice.
Jorrar spoke, “We learned you must go alone past a certain point.”
“What happens if someone comes with me anyway?” she asked.
“They die,” said Thorne.
They all tensed as Jorrar continued, “The journey appears to be a combination of physical and emotional strength, which we had already assumed.”
Ava remained quiet, biting her lip as she tried to keep calm. Casimir’s hand clenched on her neck in silent comfort.
“The path to the tree will try to confuse you. There will be tricks and illusions. Some you must battle with your weapons, and others with your mind,” said Jorrar.
“What tricks and illusions?” asked Quinn.
“It’s different for each individual.”
“I can’t do that,” Ava whispered.
“You can,” Casimir said and turned to Jorrar. “What else?”
“We knew the journey was an annual occurrence. We learned when.”
“And?” Casimir urged.
Thorne shook his head. “It’s the day before the Summer Solstice.”
“That’s the day after tomorrow!” Raine exclaimed.
