Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

I wake with a start, breathing in the morning air.

It is morning, right.

In a flourish the events of the previous day all come back to me...

Yes, there is much to accomplish today.

I roll over, wanting to feel my Zoe again.

I am surprised when my arm falls on bare mattress. She is not there.

"Zoe?" I call out, my voice still rough with sleep. No answer.

She must be in the washroom, I tell myself. I try to ignore the knot already forming in my gut.

Quickly, I check the bath, calling to her as I go. "Zoe? Where are you?"

Nothing. The knot tightens.

Now I check every room, growing more frantic with each empty space. The kitchen, the study, even the damn pantry. No Zoe.

Perhaps she is outside in the garden?

Walking out the door, I spot the ogre guards from yesterday. They eye me warily as I approach.

"Where is she?" I demand. "What have you done with her?"

The larger of the two, I know him as Grok, holds up his hands. "Easy there, Thokk. We haven't touched your human."

"Then where is she?" I growl.

Grok shrugs. "Dunno. We've been here all night."

I turn away, mind racing. No doubt they fell asleep as well.

Ogres are notorious for it.

Allowing her to slip away. But she wouldn't have... would she?

But I already know the answer. Of course she would.

Brave, foolish human.

"Dammit, Zoe," I mutter.

I storm back into the house, grabbing my cloak. As I head out, Grok calls after me, "Hey! Where are you going?"

"To find her," I snarl over my shoulder. "Try and stop me."

They don't. They don't even follow.

I had suspected their hearts weren't in the mission.

This bodes well for Zoe and I. If I can find her.

I make my way into town, checking all the spots Zoe had been oohing and ahhing over, on the off chance that she had decided to go have a closer look at them on her own. I check the bakery, the fountain, even the ugly pile of rocks in the town center she found so fascinating. Nothing.

And with each empty location, the ache in my chest grows. It's like all the color has been leeched from the world without her. All that remains is gray and lifeless.

Gods, how is it that she affects me so?

Because she is your mate. Thokk.

Truth. Of course, I had heard of what having a mate was supposed to be like. But I never could have imagined. My very heart hurts without her. It is like a war hammer has struck me. I need her. Not just want her - need her. Like air or water or...

I shake my head, trying to clear it.

Focus, Thokk.

Where would she go?

Then it dawns on me. Has she tried to flee? Not just my home but the town?

With a sinking stomach I realize this must be the case.

The elders.

They threatened to kill her.

And I have not protected her. I should have killed them all on the spot.

I know this is ridiculous. It would have only invited attack from every grown male creature in Fablewood. No, I had no choice but to hold back and bide my time. But what does it matter if I have lost her?

My heart sinks, but I cannot afford to wallow.

Now I must act. There will be plenty of time for wallowing if it comes to that.

Perhaps there is still time to catch her.

I take off at a run, ignoring the startled looks from villagers. Let them stare. Nothing matters except finding Zoe.

As I near the edge of town, doubt starts to creep in. What if I'm wrong? What if the elders found her first? Or worse? Is there a worse?

Control your mind warrior. As you have been trained.

I will find her. I have to.

I push deeper into the forest, following the most likely path I imagine she might have taken. My heart pounds in my ears, drowning out everything else.

"Zoe!" I call out, not caring who might hear. "Zoe, where are you?"

Nothing. I continue my search, tearing through brambles and saplings alike, heedless to the cuts and scratching opening on my legs and arms as I crash through the brush.

Dammit.

An hour passes and still nothing.

I continue on, stopping to search in the hollow of each fallen tree, and under every overhang. Where could she be?

I have circled half the town before ever so faintly, I hear it - a quiet sob.

My heart leaps into my throat. "Zoe?" I call again, quickening my pace.

There - huddled at the base of a massive ancient oak - is my Zoe. She looks up, eyes wide and red-rimmed from crying.

"Thokk?" she whispers. "How did you find me?"

"I searched practically the whole forest, that's how." I drop to my knees beside her, my heart aching at the tears streaking her cheeks. "But I knew eventually my heart would guide me to you. You are my mate remember? I will always be able to find you."

Before I can say more the words are tumbling out of her mouth. "I'm so sorry, Thokk. But don't you see, I have to leave Fablewood. I am putting you in danger. I can't bear that. I couldn't bear the thought that I could be the cause ...

"Zoe," I growl, pulling her into my arms. "Don't you ever scare me like that again." I savor the relief that floods over me.

I run my hands over her, checking for injuries. "You are scratched! Let me tend to you!"

"I am fine, it's nothing."

I crush her to my chest again, inhaling her scent. Gods, I thought I'd lost her.

"I'm sorry," she hiccups against me. "I just didn't want you to get in trouble because of me."

I pull back, cupping her face in my hands. "Listen to me, you stubborn Zoe. You are not a burden. I would willingly walk into a nest of brazzle bees naked for you. You are not putting me in danger. You are..." I falter, the words sticking in my throat.

"Brazzle bees? Those sound scary."

"They are," I say as I search for what I really want to say. But I already know it.

Come on, you big oaf. Say it.

"You are everything to me," I finally manage. "My mate, I said, but I don't think you understand. You are my very heart. I will fight the entire village if I have to, but I am not letting you go."

Zoe's eyes widen. "Thokk, I-"

"No," I cut her off. "No more running. We face this together. I swear to you, I will never fail you again."

She shakes her head, a small smile breaking through her tears. "Oh Thokky, you didn't fail me. You found me. But hey, no walking naked with those brazzle bees. I don't want you getting my ice cream damaged."

"Your ice cream?"

She gives me a look. "It's Mint flavored."

"Oh, you mean..."' I say, as I feel my face heat. "I think the Elders have a point. You are indeed dangerous," I say as I take her soft hand in mine and we begin our way back out of the forest.