Page 86 of Journey to the Elderoak
“So, what does this mean?” she asked.
“We have complete choice in our relationships,” Jorrar explained. “You don’t have to accept the bond.” He paused. “But if you do, that bond is powerful. More than you can even imagine.”
“I have feelings for him,” Ava said. “Strong feelings. But I haven’t felt any unique sensations. At least I don’t think I have.”
“It will likely happen after the Elderoak blesses you,” said Raine. “And be prepared because it will be intense. Did younotice how angry he got when I walked in your room earlier?” She blushed at the reminder and nodded. “I’m lucky we’re friends. If it had been a stranger, he probably would have attacked them.”
“Why?” she whispered.
“There’s a sense of possessiveness. A need to protect. During times of vulnerability, or if the other is hurt…or hearing about people hurting them…” he trailed off.
“Like me describing my torture.”
“Exactly.”
“How long has he known?” she asked.
“I’m not telling you. You need to talk to him about it,” he said.
“Do you know anyone else who is soul-bonded?”
“It’s very rare,” said Jorrar. “Kai and I are not. Astrid and Soren are the only ones we’re close to who are.”
“Okay,” Ava said, mind still reeling with the news.
“Sorry to change topics,” interrupted Thorne. “But we need to finish our planning for the journey.”
Footsteps echoed in the dining hall as Casimir returned. He reclaimed his seat and grabbed Ava’s hand, pulling it into his lap.
“Are you alright?” she whispered.
He nodded. “I’d never heard the details before. It was…difficult.” Ava squeezed his hand, and he turned to the group. “What did I miss?”
“We were about to finish discussing the journey,” said Thorne.
“Wait,” said Quinn. “Sorry to go back to this, but how did you escape the camp, Ava? You never told us.”
She smiled, remembering the kindness of Remy, the hobgoblin she had befriended while there. Her fellow prisoner who she’d parted ways with on her journey to Mosshaven. She hoped he was alright.
“A healer,” she said. “She helped me and another prisoner. I think she created a distraction.” She turned toward Casimir. “That’s when I saw Aro.”
“Aro?” said Jorrar. “He was at the camp?”
“Yes,” she answered. “The healer said something about hurrying because the distraction wouldn’t last long.” She paused. Something was nagging at her. “I still don’t understand how Aro found out.”
“Luna,” Casimir whispered.
“What? I—yes. She said she was looking for help. Did she get Aro?”
Casimir nodded.
Something was still bothering her, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. “The healer wasn’t one of the daemons,” she went on. “She said she wasn’t there willingly, and she wouldn’t leave with me. I tried to make her, but she refused. She said she had her own plans.”
“Ava,” Jorrar whispered, suddenly tense. “Did you learn her name?”
She looked at him and the healer’s face flashed in her memory. Silver eyes like Jorrar’s.Exactlylike Jorrars. When she’d asked about his grandchildren, he’d told her their mother was a healer. And they never found her body.
Oh no.
