The Cruel Prince's Wrath

Chapter 25

Iefyr and his party were well into the human kingdom, so he decided they had a bit of time. He took Tolanda’s hand, and they went into the forest for a walk while the others set up camp for the evening and fed their Gerdai mounts. The air was still warm and Tolanda was enjoying the flowers growing in the forest they even came across a whole clearing with an opening in the forest canopy and beneath was a vast spreading of flowers growing across the whole clearing. It was beautiful and Tolanda gasped and sat beside them. She looked around to Iefyr with a smile on her face.

“You are so beautiful,” he found himself saying without a thought and then sat down beside her. He took her hand; he realised the golden aura she had was no longer there, but it did not change anything. “Tolanda… I have been thinking a lot and-“ she interrupted him by leaning in and placing her lips onto his kissing him softly.

“I do not want to speak of serious things… we have been through so much and we are on a… risky journey. We cannot predict how Ievos will react should you successfully approach him in spirit form,” she said, and he smiled.

“I just… really love you, it is all I think about, how much I love you and… I am terrified of anything happening to you. I will protect you with all my strength. You are the most important person to me, and I should never have given up the fight for you. It is my biggest regret and for many reasons,” he said lowering his head.

“I am filled with regret too, but I also have begun to feel that if we cannot forgive ourselves then how is Ievos ever going to forgive us?” she asked him, and he realised she was right.

“Tolanda… when we return from this… will you marry me?” he asked, and her eyes lit up she took his hand smiling broadly.

“Of course!” she gasped looking overjoyed.

“I want to… start a family,” he said, and she felt warmth inside of her heart.

“My life… has led up to you, Iefyr. I believe the journey we went on was fated and falling in love. Perhaps also… what happened with Ievos was… part of it,” she suggested.

“Who knows what fated path we walk, all I know is that I want to be with you through all of it,” he said and then they kissed again beside the beautiful flowers but then they were torn apart by the sound of Velkin calling them desperately. They clambered to their feet and ran towards the calls and then saw that a small elven party was approaching their camp. Velkin was taking point and meeting them on foot, and they stopped a short distance from one another. Iefyr hurried over to join his brother meeting the elves.

“What business do you dragons have in these parts?” one elf asked.

“We are allied with the humans, it is you who is out of place,” Velkin replied.

“Our people have lost much just as yours in the battle on the sands,” the elf said, “we thought you might be spies or assassins, come to kill our queen or one of her children.”

“Would spies or assassins camp so openly?” Iefyr asked and the elf looked at him with narrowed eyes.

“No, I suppose not,”

“We are just passing through,” Velkin added. The elves exchanged looks.

“Well then please hurry about it, before our queen finds out and orders an attack,” the leader of the elven group said before they left once more. Velkin looked to Iefyr.

“Does it seem like… they would not want to attack us, if ordered?” Iefyr asked.

“It was a little strange, allowing us to move on,” Velkin agreed.

“Perhaps some of the elves do not wish to fight but are… forced to?” Liv asked coming forwards.

“Cauladra is terrifying, her eyes are so cold like… she has no soul… it would make sense if they feared her,” Tolanda added, and Tolan placed a hand on her shoulder.

“I am pleased to have not met this woman,” he said lightly.

“I am also pleased you have not met her,” Tolanda replied gripping her brother’s hand that rested on her shoulder.

“Do you think we should… move on tonight just in case?” Velkin asked.

“Yes, I know we have just set up camp but perhaps… yes, perhaps it is best we keep moving and get our mission over with. Hopefully I will be able to convince Ievos to come back with us,” Iefyr replied.