Heart Over Sword
Chapter 218: [Bonus - ] Under the stars (1)

Chapter 218: [Bonus Chapter] Under the stars (1)

Evanna’s eyes widened, startled that Arawn had seen everything. Unlike Fiza, who she knew to be there, the prince’s presence felt absent. Arawn caressed her cheek and kissed her lips tenderly, sweetly, before drawing away and interlacing her fingers with his. "Let us go before Ger does see us together. I might not seem like it, but I am not completely heartless."

The princess’ fingers tightened on Arawn’s. "*You are not heartless,*" she commented softly as she followed his lead. Arawn led them back to the small campsite. They gave each other’s hands another squeeze and then released them before those sitting by the fire would notice.

Ronan, Fiza and Garrett sat quietly. The trio even looked a little uncomfortable. Well, Fiza didn’t; if anything, her eyes betrayed her a few times when they twinkled in amusement like she enjoyed others’ misery. Maybe she did? They didn’t know her well, and the night fae was so mischievous.

"I’ll go on the first watch," Ronan announced as Arawn spoke to Garrett in Muranthian about the outpost and town they would come across the next day.

"Actually." Evanna stepped back. Although Arawn brought her back to the warm fire and furs to wrap around her, she wasn’t ready to settle into sleep just yet. Her mind was too wired from Ger’s confession and kiss. "I’m not tired, so I’ll keep watch. If.." She cleared her throat, not wanting to sound unsure or bring forth her fear to fruition. "WHEN Axe and Ger return, they do not need to go on watch. Roach, Garrett, Arawn.. Fiza."

Evanna’s eyes flicked to the fae, making her aware of how much trust she was giving her, and this was an opportunity for her to gain the trust of the group. "Please rotate accordingly."

Fiza’s brows rose slightly, but she did not comment. Garrett’s head whipped in her direction, a scowl on his features, his lips parting, ready to argue against Evanna’s orders. "That was not a request," Evanna reaffirmed. It was about time Garrett took her commands seriously.

It was fine that the elf was so loyal to prince Arawn, but he needed to be reminded of who Evanna was as well, and when she gave Arawn her answer, Garrett would have to follow her orders regardless of whether he agreed with them or not. Sure, he could counsel her, but she, like Arawn, had the final say.

Evanna held Garrett’s gaze for a moment before he shut his mouth and bowed his head. "As you wish, princess." She nodded once back and turned back around, leaving Arawn’s burning gaze to sear into her back. A small ball of fire grew to the side of her shoulder, hovering there and providing some light for Evanna. She looked at Fiza to thank her, but the night fae appeared uninterested and acted as though she didn’t care what the princess did.

Fiza was all sharp edges, words, throwing stars, and a mischievous, dangerous air surrounding her, but small moments were beginning to add up that revealed just how kind she really was. That or she was trying to win Evanna over for some reason. She wouldn’t put that past her either, especially after dealing with someone like Cilv. She felt a little suspicious of anyone new.

Evanna slipped out, ignoring Arawn’s attention. Of course, she wanted to spend time with him, even if it was to chat or sit quietly by the fire, but this added drama was running through her mind when this whole quest was for her mother. A lot was weighing on her shoulders, and sitting idly by the fire would not help these painful thoughts. She felt restless, and although she wished this journey would never bring harm to her company, she wanted a creature, a monster, to come by. She felt the need to slice a monster or two in half right now.

It shocked her to some degree that she craved a little violence, but she shrugged it off. Time away from the palace and being in the ’wild’ let her roam freely, her thoughts and desires as well. After circling the area, she passed the time of her watch by going through moves with her swords. At one point, she pulled out the dragon blade, brimming with energy.

The blue light from the flame made the sword shimmer, the engraved symbols reflecting back. Evanna trained a little, only using one sword, finding it harder to wield. It weighed more than her blades, and it didn’t match her swift agility. The sword slowed her down, and she didn’t like it.

After slashing the sword down in one neat stroke to an invisible enemy, Evanna stared at its beauty again, looking at the dragon wrapped around the hilt of it, and sighed, swiping at the tiny trickle of sweat on the side of her face.

"*The sword chooses its owner,*" Arawn spoke from behind her. She sheathed it behind her back, between her other blades. The muscles in her back ached from carrying the extra-heavy sword, but she hadn’t complained. Now she wondered if one of the guys should have it. They were all certified monster hunters, after all.

"*I am merely training with it. I prefer my own,*" Evanna replied, turning to face him.

"*Do you feel better?*" Arawn asked, taking another step towards her. When Evanna tilted her head to the side, remaining quiet, the prince added, "*You have been on watch longer than necessary. Axel and Ger have returned. I hope it has helped clear your mind.*"

Relief flooded Evanna’s heart at the mention of Axel and Ger’s return. It meant they surprisingly didn’t come across anything dangerous, and Ger didn’t completely leave. If he didn’t want to continue with the quest, Evanna understood, but she didn’t want things to end like this between them. Besides, the journey was treacherous; Ger couldn’t go back by himself, she would order Axel and Ronan to go with him.

"*Come, Garrett has gone on watch now.*" Arawn slid his hand into hers again, and instead of returning to the campsite, he led her away, going further up the ongoing slope. When the sounds of the fire crackling were long in the distance, and the low glow was nothing more than a dot, Arawn waved his hand at the fireball following Evanna, and it flew back in the direction of the camp.

"*What are we doing here?*" Evanna enquired, now feeling in her body and mind how late it was.

"*I wanted to spend time with you away from the others. I fear we will need to act accordingly when we get to the border and Lyvaria.*" Arawn pulled her down to the ground between his legs. Her back leaned into his body, feeling his warmth immediately against the bite of the cold, trying to steal it from her bottom. The prince wrapped his cloak around Evanna and snuggled his head into the crook of her neck while she stared up at the stars.

Evanna sighed, letting her shoulders relax from where they had been tense from the physical exertion and the increasing anxiety from Ger’s disappearance earlier and her growing worry over her mother’s health. It hadn’t been long since Evanna heard from her mother and Killian, but this was going to be the longest she’d been away from home for. What if this quest ended up being a complete waste of time?

What if Evanna wasted her last moments with her mother?

Arawn tightened his hold around her after a shiver ran through her. Her time away from home had been a journey like none other, and she had learnt a great deal, met people and beings, and met Arawn, but it would be all at the cost of her mother’s life. Was that right?

Having the elven prince wrapped around her like this comforted her, shielding her from the worries forming around her. Soon, as he mentioned, they wouldn’t be able to act so freely around each other. They weren’t married, after all, and if they were to enter the Lyvarian palace, decorum would replace the time she’d been sleeping on the ground among men. Society, elven or human, asked that of them.

"This is nice. *I will miss this,*" Evanna admitted, though this was only the second night of being alone and affectionate with each other.

Arawn kissed her neck and then cheek, thrilling her senses at his tenderness. "I have never wanted to do these things before." Evanna turned her head to study him, wondering what he meant. Arawn indulged her further after reading her expression. "Hand holding, cuddling, wondering what you might like or dislike. I have laid with plenty of women, but never have I wanted to spend time with them. All these things before, it was all tedious."

His hand cupped her face, his eyes glistening as they flicked between hers. "With you, I want to know everything. I want to court you, see what makes you smile and what makes you shiver in delight," he added seductively against her skin.

Arawn’s lips met hers sweetly, but he pulled away far too quickly and rested his chin on her shoulder. "Arawn.." Evanna called him quietly as she felt herself wanting more than that kiss. Her hand hesitantly trailed down to Arawn’s crotch.

Her cheeks heated at where her thoughts went, especially after what happened with Ger earlier, but she wanted to repay Arawn back. In fact, her thighs tightened, and her core throbbed at the idea of hearing this elven prince in pleasure. "*I want to please you.*"