UnSeelie Nights Chapter One Page 2

They rode quietly to the camp Thomas had set up before he had set off on his mission. He gently placed her next to the small fire pit. Lighting the twigs and dried grasses, he use the soft glow as he inspected the wound. The laceration around the ankle was deep but, thankfully, the jaws had not cut the tendon and the bone was not broken. He soaked a cloth in wine and cleaned the blood off her smooth calf and delicately arched foot without a care of her modesty. His attention to the sight was swift and efficient. There was nothing for it but to wrap the wound and hope infection did not set in. Still she did not make a noise, only watched him closely as he bound her leg, her intense eyes studied his every move.

“What, in the name of all that is Holy, are you doing out here alone, woman?” He growled in her direction. Her lips curved seemingly amused by his tirade. The horse neighed nervously, stepping as far away from her as possible. She curled her knees to her chin and wrapped her arms around her legs, her eyes never leaving him. A chill washed through him but he soon shook it off. At first he thought she was a peasant girl setting traps but by her fur lined cloak and kid gloves he knew better. Was she Lancaster’s ‘man’?

He stood up to settle the horse then turned back to his strange companion. Thomas watched her closely. Either she was the spy he was to meet or she would be his prisoner. He could only hope her ransom would be worth the price. “I have little in food and drink to offer you but you are welcome to it.” He handed her the small flask of wine and bread.

“Thank you.”

Her melodic voice stirred some memory deep within him, filling him with honeyed warmth as he drowned in her luminous eyes. He felt as though he knew her. Startled he pulled himself back to the present with a shake of his head and moved away from her, pretending to see to the fire, afraid that he had been too long from court for his own good.

“Forgive me. I am Sir Thomas Purefoy.” His eyes bore into her as he sought for any sign of recognition. “And you are, my lady?”

“You may call me Lily.”

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Lily ate quietly as she watched the man who had saved her life. There was a dark beauty beyond the battle scars which drew her to him. His blood smelled sweet and of home. An ancient familiar magic flowed within him. She stored this knowledge away as she listened to the night.

Placing her hand over the bandage, she felt the laceration in her shin knitting back together, healing quickly since the iron was washed from it.

“Good rest, Lady Lily.”

This thought brought her back to the knight who lay on the other side of the fire. She could sense his duplicity. Although her instincts warned her away she felt drawn.

“Good rest.” Lily stretched out on the ground and closed her eyes even though sleep was far from coming. She would remain as long as possible; soon she would have to use the night to open a portal home.

Time was of no consequence and slipped by fast. She could feel the shift in the night as the dawn approached. It was still dark and she had enough time. Lily got to her feet and moved toward the sleeping knight. She studied the way an errant black curl rested along the strong column of his throat, the bristle of the dark stubble framing his full lips. His lean cheek bones, straight nose, brow, the laugh lines about his eyes, he had been happy once, she thought; all these she cataloged into memory as she carefully traced his face with her fingers

Her cool lips brushed his as he grabbed her wrist. Eye to eye, their souls met and she knew him. Lily pulled back at the first cry of the dove. Dawn would move fast now and she had to hurry or be caught by the sun.

She could hear the approaching of horses from afar as she tugged at her captured wrist.

“What did you do to me?”

She could smell the fear in him.

“Tell me, woman.” He demanded hoarsely.

She had no time to explain. Her teeth sank into the edge of his hand and he let go. Lily ran into the woods, her body melting into the shadows as she pulled it around her. She knew he was following, heard his shout as the portal burst open and she disappeared from sight.

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Thomas took off after his fleeing prisoner. "Stop, Lily." He shouted. "I won't hurt you." He was amazed by her speed but kept her in his sights. Gaining on her, he reached out to grab her when she disappeared from sight.

Suddenly the earth gave away under Thomas and he tumbled down. Ancient roots grabbed at him as he dropped, landing hard enough to knock the wind out of him. Time passed as he lay there. The musty smell of decay filled his senses as he attempted to remain calm. He listened to his own ragged gasps as he struggled through the panic.

Slowly he tried to move; he reached up to touch the side of his face. His hand came away moist but he couldn’t see anything. Maybe if he sat up he would be able to locate the hole he fell through. Thomas clawed at the dirt brushing against root veins above but grew dizzy when he lifted his head off the ground. Fear ate at him as thoughts of being buried alive seeped into his mind. His stomach knotted up with nausea as terror coiled around him. A primal scream resounded in his head but his voice would not work he could only hear faint animalistic keening coming from his throat. His lungs squeezed shut and a cold paralysis crept over him as he lay locked in the earth’s belly. He shook with tremors of shock as time stood still and he blacked out.

Where am I? Thomas woke slowly from a peaceful dream state. At first confusion overwhelmed him until he began to remember chasing Lily into the woods. I should have left the witch in the trap, he thought as rage filled him.

At first it seemed his rage had made him see red. The red of her blood spilt at his feet. Something deep inside Thomas refused the thought of harming her. Then he realized the embers were floating around him; beckoning to him to follow.

Pulling himself up Thomas inched toward them. Thank the Lord, light. The tiny crimson flames hovered over him. Their movement was clear but the light cast by them did not illuminate the cavern. Sluggishly he pushed to his hands and knees as it started down the tunnel. A chill ran through him when Thomas heard the low crunching sounds and knew he was not alone. Shuddering as he felt their slimy bodies and the tickling of thousands of legs crawling over him. He slapped at them, cursing her. Thomas arranged his short sword more comfortably across his back and took off after the embers.

The reddish glow danced just ahead and out of reach coaxing him down the winding path. Thomas slipped around in the mud as he attempted to find a way to keep his balance. The tunnel seemed to go deeper underground. Sweat rolled down his neck as he continued along the steeper warren. Time passed slowly with each movement. His only hope was probably a trick of his imagination. What if he was moving in the wrong direction? Doubt filled him as he traveled deeper into the earth.

“God, help me.”

His voice came out as barely a hoarse whisper in the dark sounding foreign and distant. It surprised him that he still had the ability to speak. Thomas sat down and laid his head on his folded arms. He felt numb with fear; trapped, his pounding heart threatened to explode from his chest.

Taking in a deep breath to steady his nerves, he thought about Lily and wished he had never set eyes on the creature.

How long have I been here?

The reddish glow faded in the distance but he paid it no mind.