After that, the swaying of the carriage lulled me to sleep fairly quickly.
Chapter
Twelve
The Emalne
My eyes fluttered open with the feel of a warm breeze blowing wisps of my hair over my cheeks. I was cradled in a strong set of arms with the quilt from the carriage covering me. For a moment, I wondered if something had gone wrong – if something was wrong with me. But a quick assessment, and I realized I felt fine, just exhausted still.
I whispered sleepily, “Kane?”
“You were sleeping soundly. I did not want to wake you.” We crossed over the threshold of what appeared to be an eatery.
Looking around, I wiped the sleep from my eyes, wondering if I was still dreaming. Pillars were made of thick vines entwined with each other. Chairs and tables were made up of dried branches. A variety of furniture, structural, and décor pieces were decorated in ornate floral blooms. More or less, everything was nature originated in some fashion.
“The Emalne.” A sense of awe escaped with my observation. “This is beautiful. They are beautiful.”
The beings themselves were mostly human in shape. Their skin was shades of color that one would expect to see on a human. However, they were all adorned with their own patter of type of natural element. Some had patterns of branches that fanned out over them. Some had patches of bark across various spots of them. Others had what appeared to be an herb or something of the like snaking across their flesh. And still others had flowers adorning their hair or flattened on their skin across their faces and bodies. Vines, branches, flowers, herbs, bark, leaves, even the occasional edible fruit or vegetable could be seen marking someone in some way.
As strange as it should have been. I found them absolutely captivating.
“Yes.” Kane set me down, holding me by my waist as I steadied myself. “Yes. These people are the Emalne. And this is a place we can get food and a room to rest that is in the center of their common village, Thillatheas. The one place they can go and mingle since their home villages are for those of their individual tribes.”
“Wow.” My response was weak, sure. But I was awestruck.
He chuckled. “Yes. Wow.”
I smiled as he looked down to me. I could see that while humored, he was enjoying my reaction. “You find me amusing.”
“I do.” He kissed the top of my head. “I love how things affect you. How you let such a simple thing as the beauty of the Emalne bring you such joy.”
“And you do not?” I reached up and touched his cheek.
I could feel the smile drop from his face. His hand came to rest on mine as he shook his head. “It had been a very long time before you came into my life since I had anything that affected me other than war.”
“That isn’t true.” When he looked puzzled, I smiled. “You saw the beauty in this world, and you chose to save it. I am sure a part of you has been in awe of it.”
“I adore how much you see beyond the surface of every situation and every being.” He pulled my hand to his lips, kissing my palm.
A woman’s voice sounded from behind me, “I presume you are the outsiders in need of a room? The boy from the outskirts came rushing in to have me set up your room. Your men are being given rooms in the other building as requested. Your payment is most generous. Please. Follow me.”
“Yes. Thank you.” Kane pulled our hands down and wrapped my arm around his as we did as instructed.
He assisted me up the flight of stairs and down the loft walkway that overlooked the central area below to one side but bordered the doors to the rooms on the other. The woman, whose flesh was decorated with wisps of what looked like different shades of field grass, didn’t look back at us until she stopped at a door.
She pulled out a key, unlocked and opened the door and stepped aside, holding it out to us. “Your things should be all set in there. You’re welcome to come down for food and drink. Should you need anything else, just let the bartender know.”
Kane took the key and bowed his head. “You are gracious. Thank you for accommodating us.”
She replied with a quick nod before leaving back the way we came without another word. Waving his hand out, Kane motioned for me to go in before him. He took my hand and pulled me to stop just inside the door, pulling it shut and locking it.
“One moment.” He held his hand up for me to stay there as he went through the small suite, checking behind floral laden draped, inside closets with woven doors and under the log framed furniture. Once satisfied that we were alone, he returned to my side and pulled the quilt from around my shoulders. “It is safe.”
“Thank you, my dear protector.” I touched his arm as I walked past him into the elegant room. “How come the guys are all staying elsewhere?”
He crossed over to the windows and pulled the draped closed. “These rooms are for a certain kind of clientele. Those with a certain kind of budget. The men do not have that kind of money nor that kind of status. However, Wulfgar will be coming in after he sleeps to stand guard outside the door. I will be on watch until then.”
“Are we in danger here?” I set down the ornate,
