AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Nettle? Are you still here?” Ravensford spoke softly for once, creaking open his door slowly as if he was afraid of what he might find.
“I didn’t know you could open a door without slamming it.” I rasped, my ravaged throat burning at premature use.
He didn’t speak before scooping me up into a hug that was much too enthusiastic for my current condition. Maybe I was a little hasty in thinking I was in any condition to travel, or even believing I knew which direction to travel come to think of it.
“Can’t. Breathe.” I gasped. He loosened his hold but refused to put me down.
“I am so sorry Nettle, Brenlyn I mean. Or Princess?” He said, tilting his head while adjusting his grip to wrap my legs around his waist. I tried and failed to hold myself up but he didn’t mind.
“Not Princess,” I state, never having enjoyed the title. “Brenlyn is fine, although Nettle was starting to grow on me.” I smiled weakly up at him.
“Good, Nettle it is. I like your name matching your prickles.” He said, carrying me to his bed once more.
“I hope you know I’m in no condition for any of the filth that’s usually in your mind.” I protest as he begins removing my boots and leathers.
“Not to worry, I’m planning on behaving like a perfect gentleman.” He said with a wink.
“Another thing I didn’t think was possible.” I snark back.
“Good thing I’m impossible then.” He says, repeating my earlier comment.
“So, Gentleman Ravensford, what are we meant to do the rest of tonight? Today?… You know, I just realized I don’t know your first name.” I said with a laugh.
“It’s been a couple of days since the challenge and when…you passed out. So we’re back to Midnight, or Midday by our standards,” he chuckled at his joke before continuing, “And to be fair I just learned yours as well. But my first name is Griffin.” He said with a wince.
“So you’re two times a bird brain. I knew it.” I smile again as he squirms.
“It was a family name, and no one is allowed to use it, not even you Nettle.” He said nudging my shoulders in jesting annoyance.
“Right, so I’ll continue with Captain Feathers for Brains then?” I confirm with my best poker face.
“That’s my middle name, actually.” He responded equally seriously.
“Sounds like your parents were a big fan of feathers there” I smirked.
“Yeah… about my parents.” He said slowly, rubbing his neck.
“What about them?” I asked, wondering where this was going.
“Well, I know you and I didn’t have the entire truth for a truth deal like the Mistress but I do still owe you a secret from the other night, and after Mara projected your memories for me and the herbalist… I think it’s only fair.”
“All of you saw?… everything?” I asked, cringing as he plopped down between me and Roya.
One of her golden eyes slid open and when she saw I was awake she popped up, throwing the book to me before gesturing angrily at the Captain and running through the door.
“What was that about?” I asked.
“Don’t worry about it,” he said, as he took the ancient book from my hands, “The herbalist requested to see what he’d done for you to have that much of his magic inside you, and be sure there wasn’t something else she might need to treat. We didn’t know how bad it would be, and I couldn’t leave Mara to bear it alone.” He looked at me with an apology in his eyes and despite my distaste for how it happened, I understood. I wouldn’t have wanted Mara to be alone either. “Mara has given me permission to share some of her story as well, since she doesn’t like talking about it. So after this we’ll be even.” He said it like a question, despite it being a statement.
I gestured for him to continue and he opened the book to the map of Catalencia again. He tapped it and this time the name Avalon appeared. I glanced at the antique book intrigued but weary. What would it show me this time?
“Roya said she told you some of our story?” He prompted.
“Only on the courts organization, the arrival of humans, and the creation of an army that was the fae’s downfall,” I said, trying to remember the particulars of the conversation that already felt so long ago.
“I may repeat some things, but I’m not sure how to tell my story another way, it’s not something I tell often.” He looked at me with strain in his eyes, recognizing the same discomfort and apprehension I felt about telling my own story.
“I’ll try not to interrupt,” I whispered, trying for the same tone Mara had used with me countless times. He clasped one of my hands in his before taking a deep breath and began.
