“One returned.” Erik’s voice is full of satisfaction. He can sense how much this matters to me. “I do not know how much time had passed, but many years after my death, one of the lost elves entered this land. He spoke of a different world, one in which the sun never shone. A people known as the jötnar lived there. Massive beings, who held great hate for elves. This elf searched for a path home for many years. He believed that emotion and an iron will opened the door between the worlds.”
“Emotion? That seems … impossible.”
“Magic is not so simple. I suspect many things must coalesce for such travel to be possible. But I do know—because I have seen it—that it can be done.” Erik is silent for a moment, letting me digest all he’s told me. “Now I must answer your comrade’s questions. He may not speak to you of what he learns, just as you may not share my answers with him.”
“Thank you, Konungr. You’ve helped me more than you know.”
I watch in silence as Erik shares more secrets with Fhord, my head spinning the entire time. It’s possible to get home. I don’t understand what he’s told me, but he mentioned old myths. I need to keep searching.
Perhaps ten minutes after Erik turned his attention to Fhord, I hear his voice again.
“I wish you well, little elf.”
And then he spins and lumbers back into the forest. The rest of the draugrs do the same as I follow Fhord out of this odd, enchanted place.
Chapter thirteen
Sifa
Do You Like What You See?
Thesunisstartingto peek over the horizon when I wake up, bringing a dim light to one side of the tent. Fhord’s still here, his breaths slow and steady. I’ve come to love the scent that always hovers around him, a mix of coriander and cloves. I think I liked his smell before I liked him.
But I do like him now. Most of the time. I roll over to see him facing me in his sleep. Not back-to-back like the first night. He’s not so resolved to push me away. And I’m not as eager to get away. The repulsion I felt when we first met is gone. Now, our connection is more positive. It feels right.
Not that I can let myself get close to him. I know better than that. We can’t be lovers, but we could be friends. We don’t have to have sex. Even if I can’t think of anything I want more.
Almost as much as he seems to want me. I almost laugh out loud as I remember just how much he wants me. He’s spent most of our trip either fighting an erection or giving in and taking care of it himself. He’s worse than any adolescent elf I’ve ever known. How could I not tease him? I think he enjoys it as much as I do.
Fhord shifts, his hand lifting from under the blanket to run through his hair, ink mixing with the dark strands. It’s thick and silky and full of life. I’m dying to run my hands through it—one more thing I’ll never have.
And then his eyes open. I watch as he seems to fight a smile before giving in. His face is brighter than the sun.
“Are you watching me, little rabbit?”
“You wish,” I assure him with an exaggerated yawn. “I’m looking generally in your direction. You just happen to be in the way. Nothing particularly interesting over there.”
“Do you like what you see?” The smile has reached his eyes, which crinkle with a laugh he hasn’t released yet.
“I don’t dare answer that, and risk building up your already oversized ego.”
“So, yes, you do like what you see?” Now he laughs, a chortle that makes the tent lighter, more joyful. “Drink your fill,” he adds after a moment, glancing down at his bulging blanket. “I’m not going anywhere yet.”
“Good. Because we need to talk about what happened yesterday.”
He groans. I’m guessing his mind is elsewhere. “You heard Erik,” he says at last. “We’re not to share his words with each other. Ever.”
“That’s not what I meant.” I watch him for a moment, unsure how to ask without revealing things about me he can’t know. “Why did you want him to tell me about his death?”
“Did he give you information that will help you?” Fhord’s serious now, his eyes bright and clear.
“He did. But how did you know I would want that information?”
“I feel our connection too,” he responds in a quiet tone, as if he’s afraid to give voice to his words. “I can sense your emotions, as you can sense mine. When I let you,” he adds with a wink. “We both have secrets, things we can never tell each other. But I know you search for something.” Fhord sits up, holding my gaze. “The battle I mentioned was waged on the eve of the Downfall.”
“When elves became prisoners in this land?”
“Yes. I don’t know what, but something happened in that battle, or at the same time, that changed everything. I believe, or maybe just hope, that Erik holds the key to you finding what you seek.”
