Elara’s hand went instinctively to her stomach.
Empty.
“You know, don’t you?” Dea said softly.
“Aye,” Elara said. “Nothing has taken root.”
“Then let me get you what you need to make sure it remains that way until you decide otherwise.”
The next hour passed with talk of herbs, their properties, and how they could help the ill. It was a pleasant time, a time of normalcy, a time where tea and knowledge were shared and no worries loomed large.
When Elara slipped on her cloak to leave, Dea took hold of her arm. “That shimmer I saw around the last time you were here has grown stronger. There is more to you than you know. Be careful. Be very careful, Elara.”
Dea hugged her tight, and Elara felt as if the woman did so because she feared she would never see her again.
The thought sent a shiver through her, and she pulled her cloak tight around her as she went to make her way along the path to the inn, when she stopped and turned. The forest sat not far from Dea’s cottage and for some reason she had the strangest urge to go there. Seek solace. Or seek what?
She walked slowly around the cottage, approaching the edge of the dense forest. She stared at the heavy line of trees, grown so close together that they looked like sentinels guarding the entrance, forbidding anyone to enter and yet, she got a feeling of welcome from the majestic guardians.
A soft wind whispered faintly across her cheek as if touched by a gentle, loving hand and the strong, familiar scent of ripe earth reached her, called to her.
Home.
This was home.
Elara narrowed her eyes, thinking she saw someone standing among the trees. Was she imagining it or was that a dark figure she saw? A man possibly? She strained trying to see clearly and then a motion caught her attention. A wave of a hand signaling for her to join him.
She had the overwhelming urge to do just that. The ache was so strong that she found herself taking a step forward when suddenly—she was yanked back.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Wedderlie
&
A Vision
* * *
Elara was spun around to land in her husband’s arms.
“What did I tell you about going near the forest here? The border of the forbidden land lies just beyond those trees.”
She turned her head toward the woods. “I thought I saw someone there.”
“Where?” he asked anxiously, keeping a hold on her, and turned her around.
“Among the trees,” she said, straining her eyes to see if she could spot the dark figure again.
Dar looked, narrowing his eyes to see if he could make out anyone standing there, but the heavy clouds overhead and dusk not far off made it difficult.
“He could be the man we seek.”
“I doubt it,” Elara said. “This isn’t the first time I saw him.”
“What do you mean?” he asked, turning her to face him.
“I saw him the last time I was here at Dea’s cottage, at least I thought I did but it was a fleeting glance.”