11. Bobble

eleven

Bobble

As Sunder and I cross into the Sacred Grove, a sense of tranquility washes over me. The air is thick with magic and life, intoxicating my senses. The trees surrounding us have a soft, ethereal glow that casts dancing shadows on the ground, their vibrant leaves creating a kaleidoscope of color as they rustle gently in the breeze.

Sunder leans in so close his breath tickles my neck as he whispers, laced with awe, "Have you ever seen anything like this?"

I shake my head, unable to tear my gaze away from the mesmerizing beauty before me. "Never. It's… otherworldly."

I'd heard of the Sacred Grove and the magic concentrated here, but I never imagined it would look like this. Through the colorful beauty, hundreds of ironclad Keepers of the Portals patrol, their hooves marking deep divots in the mud behind them. Their armor glistens in the sunlight, weapons at the ready, and their stern expressions speak volumes about their diligence.

We take refuge behind the countless boulders and bushes scattered across the landscape, staying out of the creatures' sight and smell.

"Damn," I mutter under my breath, feeling a prickle of unease. "Those centaurs look serious."

"Keep your wits about you," he cautions, though I can tell he's just as entranced as I am.

"Right," I nod, forcing myself back into focus. "Let's keep moving."

We tread carefully through the grove, our every step deliberate and silent, taking care to detect any signs of Tairyn or Mira. I sniff the air and search for small pockets of his purple snail trail.

The air near a pair of guards shimmers with purple light, and I hear myself gasp as the world splits open. Gaping, I wait for Tairyn to step out. I slowly rise to my feet as a tunnel appears empty and void of life.

Sunder hisses, grabbing my arm and pulling me deep into the brush. "They'll see you."

"Sorry," I whisper, peering around an ancient tree trunk to watch a pair of guards march past us. My heart thunders in my chest. "What do we do now?"

"Stay close to me, and stay quiet," he replies, his chestnut eyes fixed on the patrol. "We'll sneak past them when they're far away."

"Got it," I say, trying to ignore the tension coiling within me. My heart thuds wildly in my chest as we wait for the right moment to move, and I silently pray to the Gods that we'll make it through this.

"Let's go," Sunder murmurs, and we slip from one tree to the next, our movements fluid and silent. As we press on, I can't help but crack a nervous joke. The way Sunder's shoulders are slowly rising to meet his ears makes me want to lighten the mood. "You know, if we survive this, we could open a private detective business. We'd make excellent spies."

"Focus," he grumbles, though I detect a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Fine," I sigh, returning my attention to the task at hand. "But when this is all over, you're going to owe me a laugh or two."

He grunts a soft reply that I know means good luck with that. We pause behind another moss-covered boulder, and I watch as the portal closes as quickly as it opens. Before I can react, Sunder's fingers wrap around mine. The motion is so tender and slow, I almost read too much into it.

Then he's pulling me behind him, crouching low behind a path of trees. He leads me to a small alcove hidden behind thick foliage and sandwiched between colliding boulders. It's not ideal, but it should provide enough cover for us to discuss our options without being overheard.

When we pause again, he drops my hand when I spot something that makes my heart drop. Nailed to a tree is a wanted poster featuring Sunder and Mira's faces. The reward offered for their capture is enough to tempt even the most loyal of soldiers.

"First, look," I whisper, pointing at the poster. Sunder glances at it, his jaw tightening as he takes in the details.

"Damn it," he mutters, frustration clear in his voice. "This complicates things."

"Ya think?" I quip, trying to hide the fear creeping up on me. We both know that with their faces plastered around even in this rural grove, our chances of staying undetected anywhere in civilization are slim. "We really need to find Mira fast."

Sunder nods, determination etched into his features. "Let's keep moving before those guards circle back around."

As we continue stealthily making our way through the ancient orchard, I can't help but let my thoughts drift to Mira. She's somewhere in this world, frightened and alone, and it's tearing me apart inside. And it's only made worse seeing Sunder like this–so tense and worried. I know he'd do anything to protect Mira, and I can only imagine how much this situation is weighing on him.

Through the bond, I reach for him. It's not as clear as my connection with Mira, where I can feel her feelings. It's vague and shadowed. But he's there, tight like a knot. My mind flashes to the day he told Mira about his sister. Our sister, I suppose, although I don't really remember any of that. How powerless he felt. The guilt and shame of carrying his sister's death on his shoulders.

"We'll find her, okay? Together. Remember?"

Sunder doesn't respond right away, but his eyes bore into mine. His throat bobs as he swallows, and I can hear his heart pounding in his chest like mine. "Yeah," he says, his voice strained. "I know. And when we do, Tairyn will suffer a fate worse than death, his very soul consumed by the flames of our vengeance."

I blink at the intensity before giving his shoulder a firm squeeze. I can't help the flicker of hope, and I send it down the bond to him, hoping he feels it swell in himself too.

"Damn straight."

As another legion of soldiers comes from a different direction, I yank Sunder out of their line of sight behind the lip of the rocks we're sheltering in. He falls into me as I pull him down, the heat of him pressing against me. I swallow a lump in my throat and regain focus. But our eyes meet, and for a moment, I want nothing more than to put my lips to his. To take his worries away and focus only on the places where our bodies meet.

He quickly gets off the ground and straightens out his tunic, avoiding making eye contact with me. I carefully peek through the dense foliage, keeping a close watch on the guards while trying not to think about the man next to me pulling at my thoughts.

"I don't smell them here, First. Tairyn, Mira, or Yurghen. I don't think they came this way."

Sunder lets out a frustrated sigh, his muscles tense and his jaw clenched. He feels the weight of responsibility for Mira's safety and the urgency of our mission. "We need to find a safe place to regroup and think this through. No towns. Anywhere with people will be too dangerous with those posters around."

"Agreed," I say, my gaze darting around, looking for any suitable spots.

"Not here. Further. We'll find somewhere to spend the daylight and travel only at night."

We continue to skirt the area of the Sacred Grove looking for hints of our prey until the last rays of daylight disappear behind the thick canopy.

Sunder nods his head back towards the way we came, defeat written on his face. We failed. We didn't find her. And now we have to go tuck our tails somewhere while we figure out what's next.

As we turn to leave, a noise grabs my attention. I glance over my shoulder at a Keeper walking alone. Odd, since every other patrol had been in pairs or entire companies. I tap Sunder on the shoulder, silently motioning him to look at the new Centaur in the center of the grove. All the other patrols are strangely missing, and this guard keeps looking through the forest with heavy suspicion.

Anticipation?

Then I see it. Something pushing through the brush into the other side of the clearing. It's a group of six common fae males moving in on the centaur like they are the ones to be feared in this situation.

Sunder and I exchange a confused glance. What is happening? I silently mouth to him.

Then a portal opens between them, lined with glowing verdant hues and wisps of honey. Within seconds, a transaction takes place. A human man with gray hair, in his fifties I'd guess, starts handing cardboard boxes to the males waiting. One after the other, like an assembly line of others are behind him. Until all the fae are carrying two or more boxes.

And just like that, the portal snaps shut. The fae don't hurry their step as they move back to the break in the trees from where they came. The Keeper watches the clearing, a lookout, I realize.

As the men disappear into the night, the Keeper of the Portal, a protector of the Sacred Grove, saunters off as if nothing happened.

I stare after him, completely bewildered by what I just saw, when Sunder grabs my hand, leading me away from the clearing.

We make our way silently through the dense foliage. My mind spins with confusion. If Tairyn didn't take Mira to the Sacred Grove. If he didn't move her between realms, she's still nearby. Near enough, at least.

I sense Sunder's rising emotions through the bond. I don't know if it's anger or worry, but whatever it is, he needs to release it. Safely.

When we are far enough away from the Grove, I let out a heavy sigh of relief.

"There's a cave nearby, tucked away behind a waterfall. It should be well-hidden from the guards and the Keepers," I say.

Sunder replies, his voice tight, but determination reignited. "Take me there."

As we make our way deeper into the forest, we finally hear the distant sound of rushing water. We exchange a knowing glance before quickening our pace, eager to find sanctuary within the hidden cave.

The waterfall comes into view, its shimmering curtain of water cascading down the moss-covered rocks. We scramble up the slippery stones, using the moss and vines to help us maintain our grip, until we finally reach the entrance of the cave.

"Here," I whisper, gesturing for Sunder to follow me inside. The air is cool and damp, a welcome reprieve from the suffocating tension that has followed us throughout our journey. Careful to keep my light dim, I create a small orb of yellow light so we can see our surroundings.

The sound of the waterfall fills my ears as we slip behind its watery curtain, the droplets of water glistening like diamonds. A fine mist coats my skin, providing a refreshing respite from the tension that has been building within me. Sunder follows close behind, his eyes scanning our surroundings with a mix of caution and awe.

"Wow, Bobble, this place is incredible," Sunder whispers, his voice barely audible over the roar of the falls. I beam at his praise, letting it wash over me. I love it when he uses my name instead of calling me a number. The cave is filled with a sweet coolness, the damp stone walls offering solace from the world outside.

"Yeah, I've always had a knack for finding cozy hideouts," I reply with a grin, remembering my favorite hamper in Mira's old apartment. We settle down on a dry patch of ground, our hearts still pounding from the adrenaline and fear of discovery. Our shoulders are so close they almost touch.

Sunder's head drops into his hands, his broad shoulders slumping in defeat. My heart clenches at the sight as I wrap my arms around him. "We'll find her," I assure him.

But Sunder shakes me off, jumping to his feet to pace the length of the small cave. Hands behind his back, he prowls back and forth like a caged beast ready to unleash his rage. Maybe I should pick a fight with him, let him work out his frustrations that way. He's not very receptive to physical comfort, but I know he needs something from me. But what?

"Alright," Sunder says, running a hand through his wet hair. "We need a plan."

"Agreed," I nod, scratching my scruffy beard thoughtfully. He growls, the noise reverberating from the stone walls.

Ok silence is what he needs. I can be silent.

As the sound of thumping boots fills the cave, again I try to reach down the bond to Mira. I can only faintly sense an existence there. But it's comforting to know she's alive. Then I reach for the faint thread in my mind that belongs to Sunder, bracing myself for his ire.

I don't want to upset him, but he'll feel better after he explodes. He always does. So, I push and push worry and anger against our bond, whispering my silent apologies. I watch as his jaw tightens and teeth clench, frustration clear in the lines creasing his brow.

Successful, then. He felt it.

Sunder's pacing picks up, the sound of his boots echoing through the cave. I can practically feel the heat radiating off him as his frustration boils over.

I wait for him to lash out, but it doesn't come. Interesting. He's holding back. Good for you, I beam at him.

"What are you smiling about?" The question is almost a snarl.

Time to pick a fight.

I jump to my feet and lift my hands like a boxer. "We need a plan. So, let's plan."

I swing at him, letting him narrowly dodge my fist. His eyes widen in rage, but he still doesn't strike back. "What are you doing?"

"Right now? Letting you win. You need to fuck or fight right now, so pick one and let's get started."

His eyes flash as he dances in unison with me. He throws a quick punch towards my left side, but I swiftly maneuver out of its path. "Is that all you have? Maybe we should train every day again. You've gotten soft, Sundy."

With a roar, he launches an all-out attack, and I still myself, bracing for impact. Blows fall in quick succession. I double over as two strikes connect with my stomach and a third upper cuts my jaw. I stumble back, spitting out a trickle of blood. Sunder's chest heaves before me.

"Is that all you've got?" I ask before barreling my shoulder into his midsection. Without hesitation, he takes out my leg, throwing me to the ground. I grunt in pain as my back hits the rocky floor. Before I can blink, he's straddling me with fire in his eyes.

"What is wrong with you?" He growls into my face, using both fists to pound against my barrel chest. "We're wasting time. Mira's gone. Who knows what he's doing to her? We have to find her, not sit here and fight for no reason."

As he continues to pound my chest with increasing intensity, the words pour out of him. His despair pulses through our bond as tears well in the corners of his eyes. Using all my strength, I grab his wrist and stop his attacks. His body freezes as I pull him into a hug, blood dripping from my nose. A soft sob escapes him as I soothe him, running my fingers through his dark hair.

"We have to find her," he whispers.

A surge of warmth spreads through my chest, fighting against the throbbing pain that courses through my body. Despite the agony, a rush of safety swells inside me as Sunder exposes his vulnerable side to me. I shut my eyes tightly, inhaling deeply as he buries his face deeper into my chest, seeking solace in my embrace.

"We will. I promise."