After two hours of traveling in the thick forest, Eric began to feel uncomfortable. The heavy air and atmosphere sent a tingling sensation down his spine. Aware of the dangers that lurk behind those shadows. As an elf one would know that these woods were not to be trusted. Spirits and Old Souls lurk within the smoky forest bed. Their eyes old and haunting, of years trapped in their own past. Eric could only pretend not to see them, if they would come across one.
It was bad enough that they had to travel through here, now she wanted to leave the main path. And to visit a friend? Eric frowned. Who would live here? Only ogres and trolls.
They were peaceful creatures, but they were not fond of any contact with others. They preferred to keep it to themselves. It was rare that they would befriend outsiders.
"Clary, Clary.. wake up," He gently shook her awake. His face close to hers.
She had been leaning on him the whole journey, sleeping soundly. "Clary, we are almost at the T-junction. I don't know how far it's going to be…" He said to her. This close, he could smell her hair. Lavender. It was always her favorite.
"Eric…" Clary lifted her face, their lips nearly touching. He tensed, careful not to move, his body helplessly reacting to the brief touch. If only he could kiss her, feel her lips against his. Slowly exploring the secret parts of her body. Push her against… he swallowed. Eric knew he was just making it hard for himself. Knowing they were going to move somewhere isolated, alone. If he wanted to keep it the way it should, he will have to show a large amount of restrain.
"Sorry," Clary said faintly.
"No, don't. It happens." He answered casually. Looking straight ahead, the T-junction appearing in the distance. Two tall torches marked the road where the protection spell separate the two streets.
"Who is your friend?" He asked curiously.
"Corton and Vixxen." She answered, rubbing her eyes lazily. He remembered she had that habit since she was a child. Back then she looked adorable, he reminisced.
"Who are they? Why do they live here?"
"Well, Vixxen was my classmate in school. He always helped me with my homework, and now he's living there with a grass ogre. It's for research." She explained.
"Ah, that explains it. So you've been through this path?"
"No, but he just explained the way to me," She shrugged. They had just left the safe path, slowly moving through the silent one. The shadows seemed darker, the mist thicker. Eric's eyes swept through the area. "Alright, I trust you. Just lead the way."
"A-alright, I will." She said. Her body unconsciously moving closer to him. He fought the urge to put an arm around her. It was inappropriate. But screw inappropriate! There was no one there to see, it was dark, and it was dangerous.
"Come closer to me," Eric told to her ears. She quickly moved even closer, their bodies touching. He placed one arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. There were fairies in these forest, he was told, who would snatch women from their caravans then drag them to their lair. Wherever that might be. Not like Elfs who lived in this world, fairies tend to slip through realities. He would not let anyone take her so far away.
"It's… darker in here…" Clary commented, observing their surroundings.
"It's because it is. The path we were on was protected." He explained, "I thought you knew that." Clary tilted her head up in annoyance, "I did know that but I didn't think it would make this much difference."
"Well it does. What kind of research is he doing here?"
"The type where he walks around looking for plants," She replied, seemingly unsure of herself.
Just as he thought they should turn back, a spot of light appeared in the distance. Through the heavy mist that covered their sight. He could slowly make out the shape of a small cottage, two large patches of crops placed in front of it, a short wood fence surrounded the small house.
"There it is! Oh I'm so glad," Clary exclaimed, jumping excitedly in her seat. Eric smiled in relief, "I am too. I was starting to worry,"
"Yes it is far isn't it." She agreed. He could feel her relax next to him.
They approached the cottage in silence, wondering if anyone was home. After traveling so far, it would be a pity if they were not there. Eric stopped the caravan, parking it close enough to the cottage to have an easy exit. He glanced leerily at it, the way wooden planks were nailed up to close the windows.
"Eric, listen carefully. You may come with me, but whatever happens, don't intervene. Do you understand?"
"Yes. I understand." Eric answered simply. Following after her as she went to the door. Her gloved hand lightly knocked at the rickety door. It didn't take long, someone, or rather something shouted from inside. A heavy croaky 'I'm coming' that sounded not so fond.
The door swung open, "Who is it?" He barked, frowning at the two strangers standing at his doorstep. "We don't welcome strangers here. Leave!"
"Please! My name is Clary, I'm here to see Vixxen."
"Vixxen?" The short ogre repeated. "Vix! You have a guest!" He shouted over his shoulder, staring back at her again when a faint answer came from the cottage. The ogre, like any other, had large light blue eyes with large black pupils. His skin was like the skin of a tree, only that he was dark blue. Three horns protruded from his forehead, short, in her opinion; just as decoration to his profile.
"Stop looking at me," He growled under his breath.
Clary smiled, "I like the dark blue on your skin," She said, enjoying the confused look she caused on his face. Corton was not so friendly, but he has the most adorable face once he is confused. His large eyes staring cluelessly.
He looked up at Eric, blinking a few times before stepping back to let a person pass. Eric watched as a man, not older than twenty five, stepped out of the cottage. He was not well taken care of but still good to look at. His chin was slightly unshaven, his hair in a mess, two heavy shadows hung under his eyes, and his shirt was crumpled as if he had not changed in days.
"Clary," Vixxen said, pulling her into an embrace that would make Clary's mother blush. He landed a kiss on her lips, carefully tracing the lines of her soft pink curves. She pulled away from him, not unwillingly. As if she was used to this.
A sting of jealousy slipped through his chest, an ugly crack forming. Eric stood by as their small interaction continued on with them whispering to each others ears. He wondered if Vixxen was obviously not a friend, why did she say that he was? Why did she say she wanted to be with him when she was already with someone else? He could not help but feel betrayed, played with. Anger rising in his chest, Eric did his best not to show.
Clary always remembered Vixxen the way he stepped out of the cottage. His messy hair, heavy sleeping bag, and unshaven chin was a familiar sight since their school days. Vix was always a studious scholar, but he tends to forget his own needs. Sometimes forgetting to eat. He was obsessed with finding cures for diseases that plagued their lands over the years.
It was that determination to find a breakthrough that made her feel some spark of love for him back then. Since Eric was not there, without realizing she had made him a substitute. He was her partner for a few years before she realized it was not meant to be. He was not the type for her. Although he was a kind and caring person.
"Vix…" She said in a low voice. He put his arms around her, their bodies so close. The smell of medication and crushed leaves lingered around his body. At least he was still taking showers, she thought, stepping away from him. She looked up to see him, a wash of familiarity took her to a state of pause as he landed a kiss on her lips. The softness that he had maintained over the years.
"Vix!" She exclaimed when he pulled away, a large grin on his face. Her hand flat against his chest. Halfly pushing him away. She could feel a hard lump against her stomach, in which made her cheeks turn red even more. Clary fought the urge to push him away. He had something she needed, and she feared if she offend him he might not want to follow through with the transaction.
"Clary, I haven't seen you in years! You look so much more beautiful than the last time I saw you." He whispered to her ears. She looked up at his face, the sharp lines of his eyes intimidating. She smiled sweetly, "And I see you still don't take good care of yourself,"
He looked down at himself, then shrugged, "I take showers, I brush my teeth, and I don't skip meals."
"If you can call crackers and a cup of tea a meal." Corton commented from the door. She just realized he had been standing beside them all this time, watching in silence. While Eric stood just a few steps behind them. Her heart raced as a sudden realization struck her. How will he think of her now? For a single woman to be kissed and lightly touched by a man.
She dared to look back and meet his eyes. The cold and hard look in them urged her to step away from Vix. She casually laughed, "So crackers are still in the menu I see. Don't worry too much about it Corton, God knows I tried to change his diet." Clary said to Corton. The grass ogre smiled, it revealed his two large teeth. The only two teeth that he had.
"Well then, where are they?" She went straight to business. Clary had hoped they would arrive early at Napolis Mountains. She didn't have a lot of time to spare.
"I will get them. Do you want anything to drink?"
"No, no thank you. Will be leaving soon." Clary declined.
"So soon?" Vix seemed disappointed but quickly went to retrieve the seeds. She hoped he was considerate enough to pack them this time. She didn't want Eric to see the seeds she bought from Vixxen. It was illegal.
"It was hard to get them, but I managed." Vix appeared a minute later with a small pouch in his hand. There were at least two hundred seeds in there. She opened it, checking for the luminous blue glow. She nodded with satisfaction.
"Thank you Vix. I owe you one,"
"Consider it a debt to be paid. I'll call you on it." He blinked an eye.
"I'll be expecting it," She landed a kiss on his left cheek. "Take care of yourself,"
"I will. I'll visit you sometimes," Vixxen grinned, stuffing his hands in his pocket. Eric nodded politely to him when their eyes met.
"Take care,"
"Thank you, you too," Eric answered casually. He smiled, leaving as Clary stood beside him. "Make sure you do visit," She said, waving to him from the front seat. Corton waved back lazily. They turned around the small opening around the cottage, then went back the same way they came. The whole time they did not talk. Eric's expression unreadable. She wondered if he was upset. But then again, why would he be? She was not his.
Still she did not know how to break the silence. Clary sat silently as Eric took them back to the main road, and back on track.