I am a lone pale figure, suspended in black water; above me the dark sky is devoid of moon and stars. Skeletal fingers grasp at my ankles. Kicking frantically, I try to shake them off, but they drag me under, down into the cold, inky depths.

Through the water, I can see Nero standing on the bank, his black cloak billowing and two black wolves howling by his feet.

Lungs screaming for air, I desperately struggle to get free. There is the screech of a raptor and talons pierce my shoulders.

I awake with a gasp and sit bolt upright, my heart pounding. Aren, now a man stares at me, his blue eyes wide with alarm

I look at him shyly. "It was just a nightmare. I'm sorry that I woke you."

"Elissa, please do not concern yourself. It does not hurt to get an early start." He pulls me upright and goes to wrap an arm around me.

"I am alright now," I lie, still shaken.

"Please let me hold you. Before, I could not protect you from those monsters. I could not offer you comfort."

He pulls me against him, holding me tightly and I feel safe in his arms. I cannot bear to think what he went through and am so glad to have him with me.

That first night when I first saw him I got such a scare, but by daylight he looks far less intimidating. He admittedly has a wild air with untamed shoulder-length blond hair, an overgrown beard, and clothes which have seen better days. But underneath he is honourable young man with a heart of gold.

......

I stop for a short break to catch my breath and take a swig from my water bottle. High above, the eagle wheels in the blue sky.

The pace has been far slower today, a night and day of riding having taken a toll on both of us. We have been alternating between me riding and then walking while he flies.

The last few miles have been quite arduous, the terrain steep and rocky. Despite this and the spectre of the elves chasing us, my spirits are high.

A dull roar grows louder as I climb higher. Finally, the ground falls steeply away to reveal the stunning sight of a waterfall cascading down into a gorge. Water droplets glow in the light of the setting sun.

The eagle lands and, moments later, Aren is standing beside me, pointing across the water to the land beyond. "That is my homeland."

I can tell by the sparkle in his sky-blue eyes, how the sight has lightened his soul.

Carefully, we climb down to the river, Aren, ever the gentleman, keeps stopping on the steeper slopes to offer me a steadying hand down.

We follow the course of the river upstream, until Aren stops to peer at the rapids. As the light is starting to fade, I assume that he must be considering stopping for the night.

I am alarmed when instead, he announces, "We should cross here."

"Are you insane?" To me it looks like an invitation to death.

The thought of trying to swim in the dangerous white water causes my breath to shorten, a sign that a panic attack is readying to strike.

Aren puts an arm around my shoulder and I gratefully lean against him, for my legs have gone like jelly. He is such a decent guy and does not push the matter or tell me I'm stupid. He simply suggests that we seek a place to camp. Luckily, we find a small cave not much further on.

Sitting on a boulder, supping on cold rabbit and apples, I marvel at the night's sky. It looks like someone has carelessly scattered glitter across a black canvas.

"I can't believe how many stars there are." At Aren's bemused expression, I go on to explain how I grew up in another world and lived in a city with millions of people.

Aren shudders. "How can you possibly live with so many people crammed together? I live near Arcadia, our capital. It is a beautiful place and I cannot wait to show you."

"I would love to see it."

Aren beams his infectious smile. "You will, of course, stay with my family."

"If you are sure that it would not be an imposition."

"I will brook no argument. The matter is settled." Standing, he offers me a hand up.

It is pitch black inside the cave and, unable to see the way, I trip and stumble forward. Aren catches me and holds me steady. The moment in the darkness seems to stretch on and I experience a strange fluttering sensation in my stomach.

Confused, I defensively complain, "Some people don't have night vision."

Aren's laughter rumbles through me. He moves away and I am able to breath easier. There is the sound of movement, followed by Aren's voice saying 'luceo' and then a glow starts to form in his hands, casting an amber light upon his face.

Placing down the glowing stone, he picks up another and, holding it cupped in his hand repeats the process. I watch spellbound as this stone also starts to glow amber.

"Do you want to try?" he asks.

I bite my lip. "I can't really do magic, except maybe healing."

"Elissa, you are too modest. Breaking the seal on that cage was very powerful magic indeed."

"That was the pixie ring," I protest.

Aren smiles. "I think perhaps someone has been teasing you. That ring held no magic."

Before I can comprehend the implication of his words, he places a stone in my palm and cups his hands around mine.

"Say luceo, then blow gently as if coaxing a dying ember back to life."

Following his instructions, I am delighted when the stone starts to glow with a soft bluish light.

Glancing up through my eyelashes, I find his face bent over the stone, only a few inches away. His eyes raise from the stone to mine and the fluttering returns, like butterflies have taken up residence in my stomach. Rattled, I pull away.

Aren stretches out his arms. "I am mightily weary."

"I'm so sorry. I must be such a burden to you."

"Elissa, never think that."

"But I have slowed you down and if it wasn't for my stupid fear of water, you would already be well on your way home."

Aren takes my hands in his and insists, "We are in this together."

Releasing my hands, he rakes a hand through his unruly hair. "I do not wish to alarm you, but there is a band of riders and wolves heading our way. They are still miles off, but if we are to evade them we must cross the river at first light."

I blanch, but nod. "I didn't have a problem until I nearly drowned on my birthday, last midsummer night." I give a bitter laugh. "It was supposed to have been romantic!"

"You have a beloved?" he asks more brusquely than normal.

I shake my head. "He died that night." My throat constricts and in almost a whisper, I lament, "I have lost everyone I have every cared for."

"I will not leave you," he insists.

.......

The sound of howling echoes around the cave. Scrabbling up, I manage to go from fast asleep to heart-pounding alertness in seconds.

The bear shrinks, its thick brown fur lightening and rippling into feathers and the eagle shoots out of the cave, up into a grey sky, streaked with pink.

Rushing outside, I anxiously await his return. It is not long and by the ashen colour of his face and the threat of a storm in those sky-blue eyes, I can tell that it is not good news.

Aren rakes a hand through his grizzled locks in agitation. "They will be on us in less than an hour. We must cross here and now. It is the only way to evade them."

I feel sick and start to tremble. I hate that I am so weak.

He rests his hands on my shoulders and gently says, "I know that you are scared, but I cannot allow them to hurt you. Please have faith in me. We are in this together."

Conflicted, I place a hand against my chest covering the thin white scar. Recalling the sensation of the blade cutting into my skin, I don't want to contemplate what will happen if they recapture me. Come on Elle. Would you rather let 'them' capture you or get a bit wet?

Aren holds out his hand and gives a tight smile when I place a shaking hand into his. "Good girl. I will carry you across. Just hold on tight and do not let go."

Aren once more takes the form of a bear and I scramble on to his back. He wades out into the river where foaming water rushes around us. Unable to watch, I bury my face in his thick fur and cling on for dear life.

A frigid wave crashes over us, drenching me to the skin. I screech and then risk a peek; the bank still seems awfully far off. Undeterred, the bear's powerful body continues its battle with the ferocious currents.

It seems like an eternity, but finally he crawls out on the other side and flops down. I shakily dismount. I'm cold, sopping wet and adrenalin shot. The bear shakes, sending water flying everywhere.

"Hey! Like I need to get any more soaked," I admonish.

Aren transforms back into a man and winks. "You look rather fetching all bedraggled."

I pull an unladylike face at him.

"That should pose them a problem." He nods at the white water. "Neither elf, nor horse can cross here. They will have to ride for miles in either direction before they are able to ford the river. But now we need run."

I reach out a hand to him. "Together!"

Hand in hand we run, heading back in the direction of the waterfall. Howls fill the air, echoing across the water and off the canyon walls.

An arrow zips by. On the other side of the river, a band of eight or so elves are riding foam specked, black horses. The riders fan out, easily keeping pace and several have bows trained on us.

Across the breach, my eyes meet those of the captain and there is no mistaking his look; it promises terrible retribution if we are caught.

Several arrows fly around us and I feel the wind of one whistle past my face. My eyes flicker once more to the captain, who smiles unsettlingly and licks his lips.

We are out in the open, easy targets and several more arrows pass uncomfortably close. Aren urges us on towards the partial cover of some pine trees.

Marginally ahead, I just reach the first trees, when Aren suddenly tumbles down, dragging me with him. I scream as we crash to the ground and his hand is ripped from mine.

Momentarily winded, I lay on the ground before crawling back towards him. Aren is laying motionless, face down.

"Aren!" He does not respond to my panicked cry.

...............

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