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Now, on top of his own troubles, he had to worry about my disappearance as well. The weight of it all made my urgency to complete my journey and return home even more pressing.
I’d been so lost in thought, I failed to notice the small creature following me at first. It wasn't until he hopped from one side of the path to the other, his red fur a blur as he did so, that I became aware of his presence. Despite my worries, I couldn't help but smile at the sight of him. He was stalking me, following my every move. I continued walking, and the little creature trailed behind me.
After a few paces, I ducked into the tall grass beside the path and counted to see if he would notice.
One.
Two.
Three.
I heard the rustle again as he jumped out. At the same time, I jumped from my own hiding spot. A laugh on my lips as the poor little thing halted, its mouth open in a silent scream, ears flat against its head. Its tail had gone full, its whole body going into a defensive position.
“Well, it serves you right.” I grinned as it righted itself. The laugh lodged in my throat as his fur finally relaxed, “Hendrix.”
The fox transformed back into the fae male that he was. Brushing the dirt off his lapel and trousers. His hair was even more tousled than it had been last night, but his hazel eyes shone brightly. I knew foxes were clever and devilish little things, always playing and looking for trouble. But I had not considered that Hendrix’s personality would so closely resemble one.
“That was not very nice, Serra.”
“Why were you following me again?”
“I wanted to make sure you were okay,” he said, shoving his hands into his pockets. The wind blew through his hair, causing the already messy locks to tangle some more.
“What happened to you?” I asked.
He did not answer. he just stared at me. He shrugged, hands hidden away in his pockets. As the silence stretched between us- becoming more and more uncomfortable- I was beginning to think that he was never going to. But when he finally did open his mouth, it was not an answer, at least not to my question.
“Are you okay? I mean you obviously got out and away but, are you okay?”
I wasn’t sure how to answer him.
Was I okay?
I couldn’t be sure, not after everything that has happened over the last twelve hours. Shuffling my feet in the dirt, not really sure how to answer his question. Do I avoid it? He didn’t answer mine.
“I. . . I guess so?”
“You guess so?” he huffed. “Serra, we were chased by a hive of rock trolls through the labyrinth of passageways within the Caves of Desire. And you guess you’re okay? I find that hard to believe.”
Hendrix paused for a moment, studying me closely, “I have been following you now for well over an hour and I could tell by the look on your face that something is wrong.”
“I mean, I don’t really know how to answer that, Hendrix. So much has happened in the last twenty-four hours that I don’t really know.” I said, my voice faltering slightly. My hands would not stop there fidgeting as we started walking. “I was just thinking about how everyone is going to take my disappearance. You know that girl, Imogen?”
His brows furrowed in recognition, “Yes. The ones the guards back in Rothnia were asking about?”
I nodded.
“Yes, her. Well. . .” I started, I was still unsure if he was entirely trustworthy. Unsure if I should even say anything. It would open a whole bag of cow shit I was not ready, nor prepared to deal with. But I had to tell someone.
“Well, the night she went missing, she stopped by my cottage. She had a box with her, from. . . him.”
“From whom?”
“Kaston.”
“Conwell?”
“Yes, it was the dress I was wearing, before the Goblin King whisked me away from the Conwell’s Ball. But that’s not what I am trying to say.” I was hesitant. I did not want him or anyone to think that I had anything to do with her disappearance. Only that I was concerned for her. Afraid that something bad had happened to her, by Kaston’s hands.
