Heart Over Sword
Chapter 214: Explain.

Chapter 214: Explain.

Arawn glanced at the axe, characteristically calm, following along the intricate engravings, along the length of the wood and to the large hand gripping it tightly, muscular forearms going up to the man himself, Axel. He met the man’s eyes, arching a brow at the threat before him. He could get out of this situation, but he kept one arm around Evanna, the other sliding back so he could look Axel square on.

The giant allowed that much. He looked beyond angry, his eyes blazing and face growing red. But his hand did not shake; he was in control. He had enough control to understand what he was doing and to whom he was pointing his axe.

"Axe!?" Evanna whisper-shouted, aghast at the display before her. She kept her voice low, but his girl hadn’t noticed the others were already up and watching the drama of the morning from their spots on the ground.

It seemed Garrett was on watch because he would never let this slide. In fact, if Axel was not Evanna’s comrade, Arawn would have killed him by now.

"Get. Away. From. Her!" Axel spat, pushing the sharp end of his axe into his skin more. Arawn flinched slightly from the pinch of pain now trickling down his neck.

"Axel!" Evanna swiftly slid from Arawn’s arms and crouched in front of the prince protectively, trying to get in Axel’s line of sight. "Remove your axe immediately." Her voice sounded like that of a royal, full of authority.

Arawn had only seen her use it to those not close to her, which in itself seemed to pain Axel as he flinched at her tone. "Why? Tell me, truthfully." Axel kept the axe against Arawn’s throat as his eyes turned to Evanna, who slowly rose to stand and look down at the giant’s crouched position.

"Did he force himself on you, lass? Has he blackmailed you or done anything? Tell me. I am yours to serve, to protect and if he has done bad by you-"

"No," Evanna cut him off instantly. Axel blinked and frowned, waiting expectantly for her to explain further. "Prince Arawn has done nothing wrong. I was cold-"

"Then get her more blankets," Ger growled as he glared at Arawn from behind the giant. Her best friend didn’t dare look in her direction; he looked hesitant, almost afraid to see what he’d see reflected back at him from Evanna’s deep emerald eyes.

"Quiet," Arawn commanded as he slowly sat up, not caring for the axe that remained steady at his neck.

Ger glared at him, but Arawn looked passed him to Ronan, who already wore a defeated expression. The charmer already knew that everything was consensual between Arawn and Evanna. He was the first to see them together.

Arawn didn’t leave her side on purpose. Not to ruin her reputation, he knew it would never be ruined with such loyal men around her. But the prince needed to prove to them that he was on a whole other level than the others. They may pine after her, but her heart is spoken for.

They needed to clear their heads from any fantasies about a romance between them and the princess. The journey was already arduous, with only luck on their side, keeping monsters at bay. This needed to happen, though he’d prefer not to wake to an axe pointed at him.

"I asked for Arawn to hold me," Evanna admitted, though she never did. "He kept me warm. And I did not ask for an extra blanket because.. I wanted him by my side."

Her cheeks heated from the words that had left her mouth. Evanna didn’t expect to be admitting she wanted the prince to cuddle her. At some point, she knew she would be explaining to the men of her relationship with the prince, but she didn’t expect it to be so soon. She wanted the men to be closer first or at least trusting of the prince. Though that may have taken some time, Axel already thought she may have lost it to like the man who captured her and imprisoned her.

Axel stared at her, then looked to Arawn, eyes narrowing slightly. "If I hear differently.. This won’t be the least of your troubles," he snarled, pointedly looking at his axe before pulling it away. He glanced at Evanna, bowing his head respectively. "I overstepped, lass. I apologise-"

Evanna rested her hand on his that held his axe against his chest, with his head bowed over. Axel peeked at her, stumbling at his words. "You were protecting me and my virtue. Next time.. try not to injure him. He is a prince, you know," she smiled, hoping to relieve the stressful and tense situation. She didn’t like acting the royal to Axel, but she knew he wouldn’t listen to her any other way.

She slipped away from them, grabbing her swords, avoiding Ger’s intense staring and Fiza’s snickering as she readied herself for the day, her hand going to the dagger. "You also forget.. I would not be coerced into something when I sleep with my blades. Now that everyone seems to be up, maybe we should set out?"

"Aye, lass. You have a point." Axel stroked his beard and sighed, looking a little glum. "Seems you’re growing up before my eyes." He wiped away an imaginary tear.

This time Ronan clipped Axel behind his head. "Get it together, man," he grumbled and looked away when Axel observed him. He seemed glum and defeated but was putting on appearances with his usual charismatic ways.

Ronan grinned at Evanna, "If you don’t want to seduce me.. Put away your blades and your badassery. I think I’m starting to understand my type.." He winked but looked to the side with a frown, thinking momentarily about Cilv.

"I do not want to even ask." Garrett returned, flicking his gaze from Ronan, who had announced his peculiar fantasy girl. He then looked to Arawn, a scowl forming on his features as his hand curled around his seraph blade. "Who hurt you?"

Arawn tapped his neck casually. "It was nothing. Isn’t that right, Axel?" His voice chilling, eyes flashing menacingly.

Axel nodded, glaring at the prince, but he dropped his gaze when Evanna pushed him towards his bag and sleeping mat and furs. "Less talking, more walking," she ordered, wanting this morning’s embarrassing situation to be forgotten about.

The princess also didn’t want more tension between the men. Axel and Garrett seemed to bump heads a lot already, and this was not going to help. While the others started packing up, Evanna risked speaking to Arawn as he rolled up the furs to put in a bag.

"Does it hurt?" She whispered, eyes glancing at the others who were partially preoccupied. Though she could feel someone’s eyes burning into the back of her head, and she knew without looking that it was Ger. At some point, she would speak to him separately. She didn’t like this growing tension between them; it was uncomfortable and not like them.

Arawn smirked. "*Worth it to wake up beside you.*"

Fiza stopped beside them and pretended to retch, but Garrett gently pushed her away, ordering her to check the path ahead.

Evanna smiled from the night fae’s comical response and because she knew from Arawn’s expression that he was sincere. She didn’t like that he was hurt, though, and without thinking about it, she caressed his face, feeling the spark between them and shared a knowing, loving smile. She dropped her hand quickly and turned away, following Fiza.

Arawn frowned after feeling a tingling sensation in his throat. He touched it and then checked his cut in the reflection of his dagger, only to pause at the smooth skin. A small line of blood had dried down his throat, so he knew there had been a cut there before.

He then scanned the ground and up to the pine tree. Evanna’s hand brushed away from her face as she’d caressed him. There on the branch, the green needles had turned slightly brown. It was only on a few, but Arawn noticed it. Everywhere else was a luscious green.

He looked up at Evanna’s retreating form and felt his heart clench. She would need to keep such a power secret. If Evanna could heal, really heal, then others would want to claim that power for themselves, using her and, in the end, destroying the nature surrounding them because Evanna was connected to nature itself.

It just meant he would protect her even more, even if it meant protecting Evanna from herself, because her gift came naturally to her then, to heal him.