Heart Over Sword
Chapter 215: Snowdrops

Chapter 215: Snowdrops

Besides the morning drama, the group left without any further arguments. When they passed the lake, Evanna’s cheeks heated, and a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips when she met Arawn’s knowing gaze. His flashed with mirth, and he started to approach her, a seductive and teasing comment apparent on his lips, but Garrett pulled him away to talk of the upcoming journey.

The elves switched language so they could interact with Axel and, surprisingly, Ger as they walked ahead. After what happened first thing, Evanna was relieved to see the men weren’t acting childishly and ignoring the prince or something. For some reason, she thought they might act like so, but they put their differences and opinions aside to discuss their next course.

It was likely because of the treacherous journey ahead. Evanna happily followed after the others, letting her mind wander once or twice from the plains that started to gradually incline and the wind picking up with a frosty chill in the air to her night with Arawn. She tried not to think so much about the prince. They were, after all, on a dangerous trail full of monsters lurking nearby.

The princess knew them to be nearby because her sixth sense hadn’t stopped tingling icicles down her spine. But these creatures, whatever they may be, had not come forth for some reason. It made her worry that something else much more perilous may be among them. Something that might be harder to kill.

"Raven," Ronan spoke so softly it took Evanna a moment to realise he had called her name. He looked at her, waiting for her attention. Her cheeks heated slightly from getting caught by her friend. She had been watching Arawn, who had shared another glance with her before continuing with his conversation with Garrett.

Caught for what, though? Evanna looked at Ronan innocently, but he scoffed, rolling his eyes and shook his head, making it apparent he had ’caught’ her and Arawn sneaking glances at each other.

"You do not have to hide what is unmistakably between you two. The others may not see it yet, or are clouded by their own desires to see what is right before them," said Ronan in a hushed voice. His eyes were on Ger and Axel, Ronan’s expression kind yet serious.

Evanna watched him for a moment, deciding it better not to deny anything he said. "I do not want to cause a deeper divide in the group. Now more than ever, we need to be united to face whatever else is out here," Evanna replied, watching her breaths puffing out in white smoke. There was a lasting sharpness deep in her chest now, and it was from the crisp air that had started to cling to her face, almost numbing it.

They were definitely going further north. It excited Evanna that she might see snow, but the cold was not at all welcome. "Believe it or not, princess. But they aren’t utterly foolish. It might be uncomfortable for a while, but when the time comes, when it really matters, they would not let lives perish because of their broken pride or other feelings." He patted her shoulder comfortingly, a small smile revealing his dimples.

Evanna swallowed past the lump in her throat, her gaze flicking to Ger and Axel, who still spoke among themselves. Ronan dropped his hand and flicked his wrist swiftly, revealing a new flower she had only seen sparingly on this part of their journey. He held it out for her, making a dramatic sigh. "It is a shame, though. I hoped you might help this battered heart of mine. How a dashing man as myself cannot charm you, I do not know." He winked, and before Evanna could retrieve the white flower, he intertwined it with one of her locks in her hair.

Ronan’s hand remained near her ear, his eyes on the flower, as his smirk and charm slowly dissipated. "I do know and understand," he said quietly.

"How could anyone deny a prince. Even I can admit he is better looking than I. Do not worry. I know what is between you is more than his looks. There, beautiful." He pulled his hand back, eyes dropping to look at her sadly.

Evanna never took his feelings seriously. She’d known Ronan to be a lady’s man, and his small advances had seemed quite sweet at times, but she was never shaken into believing he wanted something serious. Staring at him now, though, Evanna knew he really did deserve someone to love him and he, her, but that someone was not Evanna. "Ronan.."

Before she could finish, Ronan shook his head. "I don’t need some speech about how I will find someone better or the one. I am not a child. But I do ask that you be truthful from now on. It will set you free to be yourself with him." He looked at Arawn, then Evanna. "This flower is a snowdrop, by the way. For new beginnings and overcoming challenges.. Or so my mother taught me. I think it just symbolises there will be a lot of snow."

Evanna followed Ronan’s gaze and saw more and more of these snowdrops brushing across more hilly fields. New beginnings and overcoming challenges? That sounded perfect.

With the sun high above them now, the group stopped to fill their stomachs. The supplies had been refilled from the laughing cats and their hunts, but Evanna still worried that with the oncoming snow, the harsher environment might cut them off from eating so well. Arawn approached her, sitting beside her closely on the same rock.

The princess had remained away from the group, observing the others and the open slanted field they were taking a break on. "*What worries you so, my darling?*" Arawn asked quietly, his eyes hard, scanning their surroundings like a threat might attack at any moment.

With him beside her now, she felt a thrill of emotions tighten her muscles, and her lips tugging upwards, the frown that had drawn her brows together relaxed. But even with the prince by her, Evanna still worried about their group. Though, she didn’t think her emotions were apparent on her features. If they were, her governess would scold her dearly. Her governess would probably faint if she knew what she and Arawn had been up to in the lake the night before.

"*How far are we from Lyvaria? I worry we may not have enough food for the journey,*" she voiced her thoughts before nibbling on the last of the dried meat.

"*We will arrive at the border soon. There we may get more supplies. Warmer attire is a priority as well. At first sight of frost, we will know the border is half a day away.*" Arawn caressed her face, his thumb stroking her cheek before smoothly moving a stray hair away from her face and pinning it behind the snowdrop flower. The move looked as though he had only touched her to help with her hair, but it was still too obvious now. "Do not fret so much. You have me." He winked and stood again.

The prince acted so calm and collected, like the others had not been watching them like hawks the entire time. Evanna’s features may have remained as stoic, but her heart thumped wildly after his touch caused a spark and tingling across her whole body. She watched him walk away, her eyes slightly dazed and wandering down his body before looking at her hands, ignoring the fluttering in her stomach from such a small touch.

Fiza cleared her throat from the other rock diagonally from her. The small fae was cross-legged and watching the princess in amusement. She wiggled her eyebrows at Evanna before snickering and throwing a berry at Garrett’s head. The elf glared in Fiza’s direction and approached her, a scowl etched onto his features as his hand held his sword. Fiza hopped off the rock and met him half way.

"I get the feeling you don’t like me very much, comrade. How about we get to know one another and leave the royals to lead the way?" Fiza jutted her hip to the side, one hand placed there as she fluttered her eyelashes at Garrett.

He looked her up and down slowly, assessing her and arched his eyebrow, a malicious smirk on his features. Evanna expected him to decline the night fae; he had, after all, shown his disapproval of her since the first time they saw her. But to her surprise, he grunted in agreement and closed the distance between them, lowering his face to the top of Fiza’s head and added, "You don’t need to throw a berry at me to get my attention." With that, he walked off.

Evanna’s mouth dropped open as Garrett’s eyes twinkled in amusement as he walked past her. The princess returned her attention to the night fae. She, too, looked surprised. Fiza blinked in shock for a moment, watching Garrett’s muscular back, then cleared her throat again, her sharp eyes returning to Evanna. She winked and mouthed. ’You’re welcome.’