It was all so very strange.
She was still in awe of the massive forest around her. The scent of the fir trees and the earth under her feet was intoxicating. The man led the way to wherever he was taking her, carefully holding back brush until she’d passed it by, helping her clamber over trees that had fallen, but never speaking a word. Since he was keeping silent, Lana did the same but she couldn’t help feeling a rush of excitement every time he touched her. Because of her captivity, this was a new sensation.
As they walked through the forest, the elf kept his gaze straight ahead, so she was free to watch him undetected. He moved with such grace, almost feline. His eyes were tilted like hers, but more so, and his features appeared almost too delicate to be masculine. He was taller than her, not a common thing among the men she’d seen in her life, though that didn’t account for very many men at all.
Eventually, they broke into a clearing with a fire pit in the middle and the remains of a camp scattered around. Lana looked at her surroundings and stopped walking. What did he expect her to do? She decided she would just wait and see what would happen next.
The elf went around the nearby trees, always keeping her in sight, and collected branches and twigs from the ground. He piled them neatly in the fire pit and started a fire with some implements he’d pulled from his pack. Sitting on a nearby log, he stared into the flames for a time. Then, he looked up at her.
“Come and sit. Warm up. The night will only get colder,” he said, patting the space on the log next to him. Lana approached the fire, but stood on the opposite side, silently refusing the seat. He had some explaining to do and she wasn’t going to speak to him until he gave her answers.
Sighing, the man stood up and stretched, then approached her slowly. When she shifted to keep the flames between them, he smiled and stopped.
“Okay, fine, have it your way,” he said, crossing his arms. “So, tell me princess, what were you so afraid of back there? It wasn’t me, that’s for sure. I never thought I’d come to kidnap someone who actually wanted to be kidnapped.”
Lana frowned at him and narrowed her eyes. “Tell me who you are and what you want with me.”
The elf tilted his head, a dangerous glint in his eyes. “No,” he responded simply.
She wanted to strike him, this cocky man who thought he could speak so to a princess. She deserved respect, she commanded respect. Lana had never felt so outraged in her life. But there was a small part of her that was thrilled with this exchange. She’d never met such resistance before and it was like stretching a muscle that was desperate to be used.
“I command you-” she began.
“You do not command me,” he said evenly.
Lana fell silent, watching him for a long time. He stared back calmly. Finally, she sat down on the ground, folded her hands in her lap and watched the flames, ignoring him completely. He chuckled softly and settled himself down on the log.
“Better get some sleep, princess. We have a long road to travel. There are some people out there who want you very badly.” He shot her a devilish grin. “Don’t worry too much, though. I was told that you were not to come to any harm and I mean to see that you don’t. I will keep watch, you should rest.” And with that, the man wrapped his cloak around him and turned to face the direction of the castle, pulling out the dagger from the sheath on his belt and placing it in his lap.
Why isn’t he worried that I’ll run away? She could, of course. There was nothing keeping her here. He hadn’t bound her hands or feet. Lana looked around at the forest, this place she’d always seen from afar but never imagined she would get to see up close. It was extraordinary. She was free, finally. But there was something menacing about a dark forest. She shivered, peering out into the darkness. No, she wouldn’t run. She had nowhere to go, no destination in mind and he would be able to catch her anyway. Lana remembered the way he had moved earlier, so at home in this wilderness. She would stay with this strange man for a while. She knew nothing about the world beyond her castle but he did. For now, she needed him.
Lana stretched out on the forest floor, no blanket to keep her warm or even a cloak. The ground was softer than she would have thought but it was nothing compared to her bed in the castle. Her last thought was to wonder why she never heard an alarm raised. There were no signs of pursuit. Why weren’t they coming for her? She could ask her captor, but he seemed mostly unconcerned so she decided she must be safe for now.
She watched the trees above her, marveling at their size and before long, she was fast asleep.
* * *
Clay watched the forest and listened to the trees. If anyone was coming for them, they would let him know. He could feel their watchfulness. An animal of some sort was walking nearby, likely a deer from the sound of it. Nothing to worry about. He was trying not to listen to the princess’s soft breathing, slow and deep in her sleep. He couldn’t stop himself from looking at her, though. It was his job to
