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

take her in his arms and console her pushed his limits. Maeve sniffled and turned away. “I still don’t understand why you saved me.”

Hakken took her face in his hands, smiling while rubbing her cheeks. “You saved me first. Remember? You healed me and set me free.”

“Right! You could have left the dungeon with no help. I was dumb enough to think you needed me to escape.”

Seeing her pouting turned out to be more than he could resist. He ignored her protests and cradled her. “Well, I am weak! Did you expect me to ignore the tiny human who risked her life to save my wretched soul?”

“I’m not tiny...”

It took a few minutes to calm down his laughter. What a delightful frown! How could he ever consider hurting Maeve? How could anyone? “I can’t explain, sweetie. I had the chance to jump over that wall and leave you to die. I couldn’t do it.”

Her blue eyes bore into his, weighing his answer. Hakken’s heart almost burst with joy when she snuggled in his arms, settling her head on his chest. “I don’t understand,” she said, “but thank you.”

CHAPTER XIV

FORGING FRIENDSHIPS

Maeve

Another beautiful day in the Forest; the morning dew sat untouched, glistening under the shy sun. The peaceful aura of dawn shattered after a whining flock of blackbirds escaped the shouting.

“You will not bathe me!”

Maeve was a reserved person. Not one to endure mistreatment, but society taught her to be cordial and avoid confrontation. Now Hakken tested her limits on a daily basis. What was he thinking?

After almost a week living among the half-breeds, Hakken proved to be a most dubious guardian. His last idea was by far the most far-fetched. “Stop arguing! You are filthy.”

“Well, of course, I am. I keep asking you to show me a private, safe place where I can clean myself, but you refuse!”

“That is what I’m about to do!”

“And I keep telling you this will not happen!” Maeve let out an exasperated growl before throwing her arms in the air and stomp out of their cave. She walked as far away as possible, keeping close to the entrance. Hakken often freaked out when she strayed too far. He had been adamant about fulfilling his role as his guardian. Considering her current situation, Maeve understood she would be hopeless without him. How could she repay his kindness and all the efforts he made to make sure she was safe?

To her dismay, his way of ‘protecting her’ often meant he would stick by her side the entire day.

At first, she thought he was sweet. Only after encountering some awkward difficulties, he became annoying.

Her foul mood dissipated when she took a deep breath. The chill morning filled her nostrils, and the sun shone through the trees. The sounds of birds and critters waking up amid the fragrant flowers enveloped her. Summer made a glorious entrance.

The Forest was still intimidating, but it was difficult not to marvel at the sights.  Her wildest dreams couldn’t have conjured such beauty. Every tree grew as majestic as it could be. Every flower held the most intense color, the most delightful aroma. In the morning, the Forest came alive with voices and movement. During the night, even a human such as she sensed the gusts of magic rippling in the air.

The musical roar of the river resonated over the cliff. Maeve stretched her arms, taking in as much sunlight as possible. “I’m the worst smelling creature in the Forest!”

Her heartfelt announcement received some snicker coming from the trail behind the bushes. Maeve composed herself when she spotted a woman approaching. She walked with a limp, and she didn’t look as fit as other women she knew back in the village. The newcomer gave her a friendly smile.

Maeve sensed Hakken walking to stand behind her. “Mynte, what brings you here?”

“Lose the frown, would you Hakky, it’s too early.”

Maeve gasped. “You speak my language! How come I haven’t met you so far?”

“Well, ask your guardian over there. He has let no one get close to you for the past days.”

Hakken crossed his arms and frowned. “I have been busy.”

“Yeah, yeah... I can see what you mean.” Her eyes jumped between the two of them before landing with mischievous glee on Maeve. “What do you say if I show you the perfect place for you to wash and lose the title of ‘Worst Smelling Creature’?”

“Yes!”

“No!” Hakken growled.

Women in the village had claimed a freshwater pool as their exclusive bathing area. Maeve often saw them walking in the distance, coming and going to clean themselves. To her dismay, half-breeds did not give much importance to public nudity, so she had been reluctant about joining them. This also meant Hakken would not tag along, and his protective instincts kicked in.

The situation was getting out of hand, and Maeve desperately needed a bath.  One glance at Maeve’s glare was all it took for Hakken to yield. She should remember this. He enjoyed angering her, and she could use his weirdness to her favor.

Gathering as much ferocity as she could, she said. “Try to stop me. I dare you.” Maeve beamed with belligerence. This new freedom turned out to be so much fun. In the past, rebelling would always end in scolding. As a noble lady, she should not speak against the will of a man, least of all her guardian.

But under Hakken’s scowl, she detected a smile fighting to take over. What a strange fellow.

Sitting amongst the half-breed women, Maeve couldn’t help to feel a little self-aware. The place was lovely. Surrounded by a cliff near the river, the current overflowed to form natural springs. The pools spread in an extensive, protected area, hidden by the rocky slopes. Here, the carefree ladies fluttered among the aquatic plants.

Each spring displayed a unique color, and Mynte explained it was because of the minerals under the water.

Mynte was an apprentice healer. Since she was born with a crooked leg, she didn’t hunt or patrol like the others. Her calling lay in