Foresaken Lovers

Chapter Four

I sat in the upper branches of a tree about a mile from the camp, looking off in the direction where the leader was buried. Collins and Darien were completely right, as much as it hurts my pride to admit it to myself. I haven’t been this reckless since...well...I could barely remember, either because I couldn’t remember or I chose to forget, and it was probably the latter.

I sighed heavily before wincing. A slow-burning feeling worked its way down my left arm at an excruciatingly slow rate. I let out several puffs of labored air and waited it out. It always faded after a while. Once it did, I lifted the sleeve of my shirt and scowled. Thick black markings covered the length of my arm, every line and curve fostering a slight stinging sensation on my skin. The markings resembled the ones that adorned the same side of my chest.

‘Damn’. Fortunately, they were still able to be concealed by my clothes so I didn't have to worry about Bri seeing it. I looked to the side and my eyes wandered to the hilt of my sword. I unsheathed it and held it in both of my hands. I inspected the face of the blade, many symbols were engraved into it, but I couldn’t remember what they meant. Another thing that I probably chose to forget.

I put it back in its sheath and hopped out of the tree, landing heavily on my feet. Putting my hands in my pockets I walked North. I looked at the trees around me boredly, taking note of several hollowed out oak trees that sat gnarled and silent, each standing almost like an eerie ghost of the past that have known this forest longer than those who live within it. Animals run through the brush quickly, skittering and making their own little calls. I briefly think of Bri and her love of animals and a small smile makes its way onto my lips. ‘I should bring her here if she doesn’t kill me first’.

I stopped in the middle of a clearing, scanning the area while a slight breeze blew my long red ponytail forward. The wind whistled in my ears lightly and after a while I sighed.

”Aeson, why the hell are you following me?” I hear a hushed intake of breath and flick my eyes to the side, watching the brush and pinning my gaze to the merely noticeable shadow hidden there. After a few moments of deliberation, the figure stands, revealing the person I was expecting. Long, unruly brown hair that never seemed to lay in any specific position was dumped on his head, framing the features that would never sharpen despite the years this man has on me. He looked almost disappointed in himself for being caught so easily. I turned to him fully and tilted my head.

”B-bri was asking for you.” He said simply.

”That wasn’t my question, ” I retorted. He clicked his tongue.

”It doesn't matter. Bri is asking for you and I came looking.” Aeson walked over and started pushing me in the direction of the camp and I eyed him curiously but said nothing, allowing him to maneuver me without so much as a complaint.

Aeson led me to the edge of a lake further from the camp than I had been and motions me forward with a pointed jerk of his chin. I rolled my eyes at him and he pushed my shoulder with a playful smile before walking away leaving me on my own.

I walked through the hanging willows that surrounded the lake, the comforting hum of the magic pressing against me. The trees cleared up and I took a deep breath, looking out onto the appropriately named Green Domain. The expanse of the lake was a rich jade green, sparking almost blindingly in the sun. Bri was crouched on the edge of it, her hand dipped into the warm waters. I crouched down beside her and looked out on the lake again. She sighed beside me and I looked over at her. Her beautiful features looking down at the lake and being reflected up at her.

”How's the lake?” I asked simply. She sucked in a deep breath and her power flared slightly, the bright green aura flashing for a bit before subsiding.

”Not any different than usual, ” she replied distantly, pulling her head from the jade expanse with barely a ripple. I leaned back, bracing myself on my hands and closing my eyes with a sigh. ”Tris..” I don't respond and I tip my head back. ”Tris.” she called more instantly. I opened an eye and peeked at her with a mocking look. Her serious expression faltered before setting back in place. I shut my eye and looked away from her again. Sighing again, I could hear her sigh of exasperation and held back a small chuckle. I could hear her shifting around a little bit and I tuned her out, trying to focus on the sound of the lake when a large weight barreled into my side and knocked me over. My eyes went wide in surprise and I found Bri’s smiling face above me. I let out a pained groan as she pinned me down, her green hair forming a curtain around us. I let out a breath and looked at her. The woman I had fallen in love with. Her bright green eyes shined with mirth as she looked at me with a wide smile, dimples forming in her cheeks.

A soft smile made its way to my face as I stared, my mind clearing and leaving a cool and comforting calm that settled in my body. A welcome difference. Her face softened at my expression and she lay down on my chest, her head against my beating heart. I wordlessly wrapped my arms around her and held her. Bri began to draw patterns with her finger over my shirt on my chest. I sighed contentedly and closed my eyes again keeping my grip on her. We lay like that for a while before she shifted slightly, rising on her forearms.

”You know I don't blame you right?” She said to me.

”Doesn’t mean I can't blame myself, ” I retort. She smacks me on the arm playfully.

”I'm being serious, don't try and joke about this!” I chuckled slightly.

”Yeah I understand. Bri I'm so sorry I put you through that.” The teasing note I would have used was gone and my voice dropped a bit, making sure she knew I was serious. She just smiled at me and pushed my red hair away from my face and leaning in close.

”I know that…” Bri leaned down and kissed me softly and my eyes slid shut, my arms pulling her closer to me.