The Herbalist

He's not here

-Agneska-

After the most amazing rest of my life so far, the morning at La Predrera was magical. I was surrounded by lush greenery, and the vast forest instilled a deep sense of peace within me. I felt reinvigorated after our long journey, and I could tell that Camille felt the same way. Her mate seemed on edge, and so did Tobias. But surprisingly, the brooding Thaddeus appeared serene. I was shocked when he spoke to me, almost compassionately, as if it were not the first time. Over breakfast, he talked to me as though we were old friends, but then I realized that life hadn’t been kind to Thaddeus. So much drama for this young fellow. He told me that connecting with me was difficult because his sister was supposed to be my guardian. I saw the pain in his eyes and recognized it as my own, echoing my grief over the loss of Sofka. I couldn’t even comprehend that my loss paled in comparison to his; Sofka was a friend, while Theodora was a sister he had grown up with. Losing her and his mother at the same time must have been devastating. Being separated from Tobias and stuck in bear form for so long must have felt incredibly isolating. I began to understand a bit better why he always seemed broody and reserved.

After breakfast, we commenced our journey through the great Amazonian forest. Despite the circumstances, the botanist in me perceived it as a dream come true. The vibrant hues of green enveloped me, as if the very air was infused with life. I marveled at the towering trees, their trunks a tapestry of textured bark, each telling a story of resilience against the elements. My heart raced with excitement as I spotted an orchid, its delicate petals dancing in the filtered sunlight, showcasing hues I had only encountered in textbooks.

I was captivated by the cacophony of sounds—a symphony of rustling leaves, distant calls of exotic birds, and the subtle buzzing of insects weaving through the underbrush. Each step felt like a moment of discovery; the forest floor was alive with ferns sprouting in patches, and the luminous fungi, glowing softly in the shadows, beckoned to my curious mind. This place was a living laboratory, each plant and creature part of an intricate ecosystem I had only read about.

As we ventured deeper, I felt an overwhelming sense of belonging. This was where I was meant to be—surrounded by nature’s wonders. I was more than just an observer; I felt connected to the very essence of the forest. The air was rich with the scent of damp earth and blooming flowers, igniting a fire of inspiration within me. I couldn’t help but wonder about the countless species that called this place home, each one a treasure waiting to be studied. In that moment, my scientific heart sang; the sss was not just a destination but a revelation, a glimpse into the raw beauty of life itself.

We traveled by foot, while the shifters took animal form with Camille and me riding, carrying enough trekking gear to make necessary pit stops. The journey was challenging as we relied on Camille’s powers and visions throughout the forest to locate my mate. I found it strange that she knew what he looked like, but I did not—well, not directly. She did show me her visions, and my first impression of him was that he was a big guy, slightly terrifying.

After three days of trekking, we stumbled upon a fae community. I could sense that we were being watched, but Thaddeus was the first to detect their presence. I could almost feel his aura pulsing, though I didn’t quite understand it. Tobias called out a peculiar name: “Iaraelyn! Reveal yourself!” A tall, slender, beautiful woman emerged from behind a tree. She exuded an air of importance, elegance, and grace—she was certainly a supernatural.

“Tobias… you old git, what do we owe your presence? What are you doing so far from your beloved England?” She spoke in an ethereal voice that completely mesmerized me.

“Iaraelyn, cheeky as always… We are seeking the Elf Kaelith, and our path led us here,” Tobias replied, speaking confidently but with an undercurrent of distrust.

“And what business do you have with Kael?” She assessed each of us slowly. “Two Ursars, an Alpha wolf, a witch, and a… human… you know very well he despises humans and isn't fond of witches either… Where did you find her? I thought they all perished in the Cull,” she said disdainfully. I could see why Tobias was on guard with her; she seemed patronizing and full of herself. My opinion of her began to lower, and I wasn’t sure if it was due to the disgust she felt for my kind or the intimate nickname she used for my mate. I surprised myself with this foreign feeling of jealousy, thinking I was being ridiculous for feeling envious over a man I had never met before.

“That is clearly none of your business; we just want an audience with Kaelith,” Tobias declared.

“Mmhh, one way or another, I’ll find out. Nothing goes unnoticed in my forest,” she smirked. “I will offer you shelter for the night after your long travels, as I am repaying an old debt to you, my friend,” she offered sweetly. Gah, she was already grating on my nerves.

We followed them to their little community village, which was magical—filled with quaint huts and charming wooden cabins adorned with fairy lights, flowers, and plants. An older man rushed toward Iaraelyn, gesturing with his hands and pointing at Camille. Iaraelyn turned to face her with a knowing smile.

“My dear witch, it seems Yaraqui recognizes you from a vision… it appears your fate is closely linked to that broody Elf halfling…” But before she could continue, Daniel released a powerful growl that silenced her.

“Oh, and the Alpha wolf is involved… I do love a bit of love triangle drama!” she chuckled. Thaddeus glared at Daniel and elbowed him. I heard him whisper, “She’s just goading you; faes like her cannot be trusted.” I wasn’t sure why faes couldn’t be trusted, but Iaraelyn certainly didn’t inspire my confidence.

“Worry not, Ursars, Wolf, and Witch; we’ll throw a party in your honor. We faes welcome and support any supernatural beings, you know that. Your human pet can tag along as long as she is not left unattended,” Iaraelyn announced before leading us to a hut, likely intended for guests, where we would settle for the night.

After a moment, the faes left us to freshen up. Tobias briefed us on the faes, warning us that they could be a bit of a trickster. He advised us to stick together and return to the hut as soon as dinner was over. He then pulled me aside and explained that faes were very promiscuous creatures, often indulging in s****l activities. I was a bit shocked by that but grateful for the warning.

Dinner was served in a banquet style. It was festive and jovial, complete with music and a sort of brew that resembled beer but was infused with local fruits. I politely declined, as I was already tired and mindful of Tobias’s warning. During dinner, a young fae approached me to chat. He was quite friendly, and I learned his name was Caioverde. He asked me numerous questions about the human world and shared information about faes. Tobias excused himself to have a private conversation with Iaraelyn; they seemed to know each other from long ago, which made me wonder just how old Tobias might be.

The atmosphere shifted after dinner; the music became more sensual, and the brew affected some faes, prompting them to dance and become more physical. Daniel and Camille excused themselves to “take a walk” in the forest, but if the glint in their eyes was any indication, they likely wanted some privacy to enjoy each other’s company. Two female faes suddenly appeared beside Thaddeus, who seemed very uncomfortable with their sudden attention. Caioverde asked me to dance, which I declined. I, too, began to feel uneasy with the change in vibe, so I politely excused myself to go back to the hut.

On the trail back, I noticed most of the faes becoming increasingly uninhibited in their public displays of affection, and I quickened my steps. Just before the last turn to the guest hut, I caught sight of a couple of faes having s*x right on a bench in the path. When I turned around, I saw the scene escalating into what would soon likely be a general orgy. As I was about to break into a run back to the safety of the guest hut, a hand grabbed my forearm and spun me around.

“You’re so beautiful, and I’ve never had a human before. Let me show you some fae love,” Caioverde said suggestively.

“I’m... I’m really sorry if I gave you the wrong impression…” I tried to escape.

“Playing hard to get? Let me show you the way of the faes; there is no shame in it—only love, and plenty of it,” he insisted.

“Please, no,” I pleaded.

As he was about to reply, a strong hand grasped his grip on me, accompanied by a low warning growl.

“The lady said no,” Thaddeus thundered. “Agneska, let’s go.” He turned and marched me toward the hut. Once inside, he locked the door and sat me down.

“Are you okay?” he asked with gentle eyes.

“I think so… I wasn’t expecting that.” I mumbled.

“It’s not your fault. Faes cannot be trusted because they do not respect the mate bond. They simply do not take it seriously because it doesn’t exist for them. They are very s****l creatures and for us, it can be overwhelming.” He explained.

“How about Cam and Daniel? and Tobias?” I worried.

“They are marked and mated, if the faes don’t want to get mauled by and angry Alpha wolf, they’ll keep their distance. As for my dad, he knows their way. He is trying to get information from Iaraelyn but she is a tough nut to crack.”

After a while Camille and Daniel returned with a wide smile while Tobias came back fuming.

“Iaraelyn wasted our time. He is not here!” He raged.