The Untold Forest by Elisa Menz (web ebook reader txt) 📗

so lovely up close. He didn’t want to scare the little girl again, so he pulled away so as not to bother her.

Maeve

Disassembling the trap mechanism was easier, but Maeve was so nervous that her shaky fingers took longer than expected. She focused on releasing the leg while trying to ignore the wild man who was attached to it. Being in the cell for too long was also something to be mindful of. If someone came down, she had nowhere to hide, and they would thwart the escape attempt.

When the gears gave way, she let out an exhausted sigh. Weary, she realized sweat drenched her gown, despite the icy atmosphere of the underground. Maeve put away her knife and rubbed her hands, preparing to separate the jaws of the trap. The sharp edges grotesquely embedded in his leg.

Would she have the strength? The wound needed swift treatment. Maeve rubbed her freezing hands once more, mentally preparing for what she had to do. The half-breed interrupted her, raising a hand.

She saw him hold the metal and tear it away with a single pull, growling and looking irritated. Maeve couldn’t imagine the pain he must have endured, but his nonchalant reaction left her stunned. She blinked away her daze since the wound began to bleed once released from the trap.

She prepared the bandages and lifted the leather pants, revealing the depth of the injury. Her stomach churned at the sight of the damage, but the half-breed didn’t seem to give it much thought.

It was said the creatures of the Forest healed with amazing speed. Because of his carefree attitude, it was easy to imagine at least that rumor was true. It would not be possible for him to escape that night, not even with his impressive healing capacity. While cleaning the wound and applying the bandages, Maeve pondered how she could make him understand he should spend another night in the cell.  She lost nothing by trying.

“You can’t leave tonight,” she whispered, “all the soldiers are on the walls, and if you leave injured, they might catch you again.

“I can open the shackles, and if we cover the wound, we can support the trap, so it looks like it’s still working, in case someone comes to see you during the day. Tomorrow night, I will open the cell again, and you can escape. Everything will be quieter.”

Her speech turned out more rushed than she hoped for. She couldn’t tell for sure if he understood. Maeve finished tying the bandages and covered them with the pants before looking straight at him. The man lay back down on the bunk. “Do you understand?” she asked.

Hakken

Of course, he understood every word, but it was she the incomprehensible one. Why risk helping him? She hadn’t asked for anything, and although he felt more comfortable without the awful trap in his leg, he didn’t need her help to escape.

Earlier in the courtyard, the slaughter of the wolves clearly disgusted her. She insulted the brat who gave orders to the hunters, much to his pleasure. But wasn’t that her family? How fragile were the ties between humans?

It didn’t matter, anyway; he was more comfortable, and soon all men guilty of murdering the wolves would be dead. Their families could die by their side or leave these lands. It was the law of the Forest, and they had violated it. Did she hope to save her life if she helped him?

Despite his doubts, he presented his arms to the girl, who immediately took care of opening the shackles on his wrists. He removed them and rubbed his skin before putting the unlocked shackles back in place. He also dealt with the trap, resting its jaws on his leg, now protected by the layers of bandages and leather.

She smiled again, much to his delight, and rose to her feet, taking all the things she brought with her. She hesitated at the cell door, rummaging through one of her pockets, before walking back to him to offer him an apple. Too close, sweetie. I could kill you in a blink. Her sudden trust amused him. “I’ll be back tomorrow. I promise.”

Her lamp light dimmed until it left the underground in the gloom. That night’s visit had been so much fun. Interesting. He always considered humans to be cowards, and their women particularly useless. But there she was; brave, skillful, and gentle. He never imagined he would use those words to refer to a human.

Most likely, the child would ask for something in return. It was the only explanation. But despite his apprehensions, he sniffed the apple she gave him, smiling again.

“Stupid child, I only eat meat.” He saved the apple in his vest instead of throwing it away, not sure why. Hakken closed his eyes to plunge into a relaxed dream. The first good sleep in a long time.

CHAPTER IX

THE ESCAPE

Maeve

The next morning Maeve woke up full of energy, as if she hadn’t spent more than half the night facilitating an escape. She struggled not to look too cheerful since her attitude contrasted with everyone else’s in the castle.

Lady Callum prayed with renewed fervor in her room, along with her remaining ladies. Kieran paraded around the halls in a horrible mood, but at least he didn’t speak to her all day. His friends followed him around, pale and silent.

Maeve could not believe her luck since none of the Callums acknowledged her presence. Lord Callum continued to prepare crazy defense strategies with his men. Nonetheless, the concern for an imminent disaster diminished compared to the previous night.

After having spent a quiet night, those few who remained in the castle considered they were only unfounded rumors. No attack of wild men would fall on them. Most servants and peasants escaped, just in case.

Free of lady Callum’s attentive gaze, Maeve prepared the second part of her plan. Throughout the day, she toured the courtyard and the walls with a distracted air. She identified the most prudent route to help the half-breed escape.

Lucky for