Frey by Melissa Wright Page A

seen hundreds of miles straight ahead of
nothingness, just flat plains. I was moving every moment of light
and sleeping every moment of darkness. I concentrated on each step,
breathing in the new scents, doing anything I could to keep my mind
on task instead of the dark thoughts gnawing at me.
    I was counting my steps when I came over the
top of another hill and saw a bridge in the valley. I hesitated and
then slowly made my way down the hill, trying to decide if a bridge
meant a village and a village meant elves. I was fully prepared to
run by the time I reached the bridge. It was rather large, stacked
gray stone like those that had been appearing more frequently on my
path. Water flowed quietly beneath and smoothed the stones at the
base. It looked like it had been in place for centuries.
    I crossed and saw there was a light path on
the other side so I swung wide and through the trees instead. And
then the scent of roasting meat caught my attention. I found myself
following it, despite my concerns about other elves. The trees
broke to a small clearing and I spotted a cloaked figure leaning
over a spit. I tried to get a better view, I was sure it was an
elf, male from his size. The smell of real food was consuming, I
was watching the meat as I moved again and crushed a dry leaf
beneath my shoe.
    “ Come then, there’s plenty
for both of us.”
    Damn . I walked cautiously out of the trees as he turned to me. He
tossed the cloak aside and stood proud, his right leg propped up on
a rock as if posing. He gestured to a large log beside the fire and
I sat obediently. Too late to hide; might as well enjoy the
feast.
    He reached down and tore a
hunk of meat from the spit and tossed it to me, winking as I caught
it. I flushed and he smiled a wicked smile. He was tall and broad
with dark hair and eyes. Like
Chevelle . Handsome too, I supposed, though
I could tell from the first few moments he was a little cocky. He
reminded me of Evelyn, always so proud of herself for finding me
out.
    He watched me as I ate. I realized I had
devoured the large piece in no time, I hoped I looked appropriately
abashed as he laughed and threw me another chunk. As I finished the
second serving, he stepped closer and sat on a rock beside me. He
held his hand out to the side and a canteen flew up from a pile of
things on the other side of the fire. He passed it to me, still
smiling, and I tilted it back, expecting cool water. I almost
choked when warm wine hit my throat. He laughed again, leaning
forward as I lowered the container.
    He was uncomfortably close
and was eyeing me with what I was certain was the same look I'd
just given my meal. I figured he'd sensed my discomfort when he
started to move, but he just stood, which brought him even
closer. Well, parts of
him . I turned toward the fire.
    I jumped a little when the first tree
uprooted across the clearing. He laughed as the second and third
followed.
    “ You look like you’ll need
shelter, Sunshine.”
    I stared at him in disbelief
as the trees split and began forming a hut. He was laughing again
as he shot me another wink, I couldn’t be sure he was kidding. As
the tearing and slamming noises ceased, I examined the hut. Quite
impressive really. He didn’t even seem to be watching, let alone
concentrating. And no blessings on it, no thanks to Mother Earth.
It seemed he was just enjoying himself, not being responsible to
the magic. Magic. Yes, he was very good
with magic . I started to open my mouth and
then stopped. I had no idea who this was and I probably shouldn’t
let him know who I was.
    He’d noticed my open mouth, blank expression,
and sat again, eyeing me questioningly, all humor gone.
    “ You seem to be really good
at magic.” I was almost mumbling.
    He laughed. “Is that so?”
    “ Yes, well, I… I need to
learn,” I said timidly.
    “ Learn?” The humor was gone
again. “What do you mean learn?”
    “ I’ve never learned, well,
except for fire, and I need to learn…