Chereads / A Crown of Silver Stars / Chapter 12 - Chapter 8: The man in the woods

Chapter 12 - Chapter 8: The man in the woods

Morwen

When Morwen opened her eyes again, she was no longer in the room with her brother. Instead, she stood alone in the heart of the dark woods, surrounded by towering trees. Her heart quickened in her chest as she glanced around, half expecting the wolves to jump out from behind a tree, ready to finish her off this time. But the attack did not come; she was alone, surrounded by an eerie silence.

A thick fog rolled over the forest floor, its tendrils brushing against Morwen's bare toes. She shivered slightly, but the cold didn't reach her skin.

Deciding that staying in this unfamiliar place was not in her best interest, Morwen picked a direction and started walking. Her instinct guiding her through the darkness. Step by step, she navigated, her senses alert for any signs of danger.

Her path led her to an open clearing, where the darkness was suddenly replaced by an explosion of vibrant colours. It was a sight that stirred a faint sense of familiarity within her, yet she couldn't quite place it. In the centre of the clearing, stood a man dressed in armour, a grey cloak with silver thread hung down his back.

 A whispered invitation floated through the air, beckoning Morwen to him. She hesitantly closed the distance between them. As she got closer, the man turned toward her, his face obscured by the hood of his cloak. His hands extended towards her, in invitation. A cold breeze stirred the leaves around them. Morwen's pulse quickened as the man stepped forward, the sound of his footsteps muffled by the soft grass.

Morwen's hazel eyes met his mesmerising blue gaze, and she felt a strange mix of apprehension and curiosity. There was something about him that was both foreboding and comforting at the same time. He held her gaze, his outstretched hands a silent reassurance that he meant her no harm. Slowly, Morwen reached out, placing her hand in his. His fingers curled around hers, his grip strong and steady.

A soft smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he pulled her close, his other arm circling around her waist. Morwen felt a jolt of energy as their bodies made contact, the heat of his touch warming her. His head lowered, his lips brushing against the sensitive skin of her neck. A shudder ran through her body, her eyes closing of their own accord.

His hood slipped back revealing his face to her. He was strikingly handsome, with high cheekbones and a strong jawline. His hair was a rich brown, a striking contrast to the colour of his eyes. The scent of him was intoxicating, a mixture of leather and the fresh scent of pine.

 Feeling a sudden self-consciousness about her appearance, Morwen tugged nervously on the hem of her shirt, aware of her vulnerability in the presence of this enigmatic stranger. Laughter danced across the clearing, a sound that startled Morwen, causing her heart to race uncontrollably. His laughter tapered off as he watched her reaction, and Morwen found herself struggling to regain some semblance of composure. Though he was conventionally handsome, there was something captivating about him that went beyond mere physical appearance. His armour accentuated his commanding presence, and she couldn't deny that he possessed a certain magnetism that drew her in. Morwen was pretty sure her brain was not working at full capacity. She felt a flush creep up her neck, her cheeks turning a rosy hue.

"W-who are you?" she stammered, trying to hide her flustered state.

His lips curved into a grin as he tilted his head, studying her.

"A friend," he answered simply, his voice low and soft.

Morwen found herself leaning into his chest, the warmth of his embrace providing her with a sense of security and comfort that she hadn't felt in a long time.

She recognized his face, he was the man from the festival, the man who had stared at her from the shadows of the tavern. Her mind struggled to comprehend what was happening, and she knew that she should be afraid, but she wasn't.

"And how are you a friend?" she pressed, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"Because I can be here with you, when no one else can," he replied, his gaze meeting hers. Morwen swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry.

"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

He smiled, a smile that seemed to light up his entire face.

"It's your dream, and I'm part of it," he said, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Within a blink of an eye the scene had shifted, the world around Morwen transformed once again. Thick white snowflakes fell from the darkened sky. Morwen stood in a field of pure white, the icy wind biting at her exposed skin. The man and the forest were long gone, as if they were mere illusions.

a familiar voice carried on the wind. It was a sweet melody, the words belonged to a lullaby her mother used to sing to her when she was little. Closing her eyes, she breathed in the music.

The tune drifted over her, wrapping around her like a protective shield. A feeling of peace washed over her. Morwen felt the cold air against her cheeks, the soft texture of the snow beneath her bare feet. And yet, the biting chill didn't affect her.

When she opened her eyes, she was standing in the middle of the snow-covered field, a lone figure watching her from a distance. Morwen squinted her eyes, trying to get a better look at the stranger, but they were just out of her field of vision.

The snow began to melt around her, the warmth of the sun seeping through the clouds.

The ground turned into grass, the lush green landscape stretched out before her, inviting her to explore. She took a step forward, the sound of her footsteps muffled by the grass. Her feet sank into the soft earth, the cool air tickling her nose.

She inhaled deeply, taking in the sweet scent of wildflowers.

Her gaze landed on the figure, her breath catching in her throat. It was her mother, a beautiful woman with dark hair and bright blue eyes.

A smile played across her face, a hint of sadness hidden beneath the warmth of her gaze. Morwen rushed towards her, tears welling in her eyes.

"Mom!" Morwen called out, the sound of her voice breaking through the stillness of the air.

"Go back," her mothers voice whispered softly in the wind. "You can't follow me here."

Morwen felt a stabbing pain in her heart. She wanted to stay, she wanted to hold on to the memory of her mother forever. But her mother's voice echoed in her ears, reminding her that she couldn't follow.

She felt a strong, reassuring presence by her side. Glancing up, she was met by a pair of stunning blue eyes. They were a perfect shade of sapphire, and held a wisdom that was beyond his years.

Morwen reached out and cupped his face, her hands brushing over his sharp cheekbones. His eyes held a sadness and sorrow, yet they also held an indescribable amount of compassion. Morwen felt her heart ache, the loss of her mother still a fresh wound in her heart.

The stranger wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly against his chest. His touch was warm and soothing, and Morwen found herself melting into his embrace.