He whips his head around, scanning the forest just past the illumination of the torch. “Where?”
“I can’t see them, but I know they’re there.”
Lachlan sighs heavily, his shoulders moving with his breathing. “I’m beginning to think your near-death experience made ye hallucinate and ye accidentally ingested an expired healing tonic when ye found that apple.”
I glare at him and he cracks a smile before turning back around. But before he can take another step, an apple rolls from the shadows in front of him. He stands completely still, not even daring to move his shoulders this time as he takes a steadying breath.
My smile stretches ear to ear and I call into the forest, “Thank you!”
Lachlan stoops to pick up the apple, wipes the dirt off onto his pants, and takes a bite.
“Gods,” he murmurs. “That is incredible.”
“Say thank you,” I order.
He swallows forcibly. “Thank ye!” He calls into the night, and we continue on.
The forest seems alive as we meander through it. A flap of wings, chirping crickets, and rustling leaves as small nocturnal animals scurry by. I inhale deeply. It smells of cedar and earth here, and there’s a slight nip to the air. I wrap my arms around myself, sinking into the pelts Lachlan threw over me.
“Have you ever been here before?”
“Once. We dinna get to do a lot of exploring in the guard. And our wilderness training was on the other side of the island.”
“How about when Odessa traveled here?”
“We had to stick right beside her and she never went anywhere. Besides Ishtar.”
“Then how do you know where to go?” I peer around the darkness outside of his torchlight.
Lachlan lifts his hand up, showing me a small bit of parchment.
“Boudicca left me a map. But it’s a straight shot. There aren’t too many trails in this area.”
Silence stretches between us for a moment.
“What do you think the little eyes are?” I ask, no longer feeling their presence.
“Probably the little folk,” Lachlan whispers.
“The fairies?” I ask, surprised.
“Aye, like the ones your mum told us to leave offerings for at the old fairy tree.”
I smile fondly, remembering my mom’s stories and how not too long ago I left them an offering before appearing here. I guess my wish came true after all. I found my way, and the little folk found me.
“Before I came here, I went to the fairy tree—” The vibrant nighttime noise of the forest ceases and Lachlan eases us to a stop. His head moves side to side as he scans our surroundings.
“What is it?” I ask, not bothering to finish telling him about my offering.
“Shhhh.” He waves his torch back and forth, trying to see something.
“Lach…” Anxiety churns in my gut. The hair on the back of my neck stands on end.
“Lena, quiet. There’s something?—”
A howl rents the air behind us, and I stiffen. My horse jitters,clomping its hooves in preparation to flee. There could be more than just mythical creatures wandering these woods at night, like wolves. When the howl tapers to an end, I shiver, wrapping my arms even tighter around myself.
“It dinna sound too close, but I’m beginning to think Boudicca was right after all. We’ll make camp at the cave. We should nae be out here too late.”
