The Blood Forest (Tree of Ages #3)(9)

“We should probably find them before that happens,” Anna sighed, lowering her hands to her sides.

Kai groaned. “Why do I have a feeling this is going to be like the Blood Forest all over again?”

Anna smirked. “Because you’re not an idiot.”

Iseult didn’t speak, but it was clear he was not pleased. He offered Finn a hand up from where she crouched near the fire with Naoki. Still holding her hand, he said, “Please, stay by my side at all times.”

Kai snorted. “Yes, please do. We all remember what happened last time we traveled into a forest filled with Faie.”

Anna smirked as Finn’s complexion deepened with a blush. Anna had been held prisoner whilst her companions traveled through the Blood Forest to find her, but Kai had filled her in on what she’d missed. Finn had become even more Faie struck than anyone else, taking off on horseback in search of her family. She and Kai had ended up lost all night, not finding their other companions until the next morning.

At the time, hearing the tale had been amusing. Now that Anna knew just who Finn’s family was, she was leaning more toward terrifying. Had the Cavari truly been in the Blood Forest that night, or was it simply an illusion? Hopefully Finn would not see them this night as well, because Anna feared she would have to abandon them all to run the other way.



Finn’s breath fogged the air in front of her face. Naoki had chosen to prowl around near her feet, leaving her without the extra warmth around her shoulders. Iseult stuck close to her side, his hand on the pommel of his sheathed sword as his eyes scanned the dark trees around them. Behind them walked Kai and Anna. Finn grudgingly admitted to herself that she was glad the pair was currently safe, but only to herself. She’d never say so out loud.

“I believe we’ve found our first missing party member,” Iseult grumbled, drawing Finn out of her thoughts.

She peered past Iseult’s pointing finger to see a glint of golden curls in the moonlight. “Sativola!” she gasped, prepared to run off toward the man, but Iseult caught her by the arm.

“We don’t know if he’s under a Faie spell,” he explained. “He may be dangerous.”

She nodded, then glanced back at Kai and Anna.

Kai sighed. “I suppose I’ll be going first then.” He walked around Finn, dodging a playful swat of Naoki’s talons to approach Sativola, who was happily dancing in the moonlight.

Finn, Iseult, and Anna followed after Kai silently, though Finn doubted Sativola would notice their presence even if they shouted at him. He seemed entirely enthralled with his twirling dance.

“Why is he shirtless?” Anna hissed near Finn’s shoulder.

Finn tried not to laugh. They were all in horrible danger, and she should not find the situation humorous, but she couldn’t help a small smile. Sativola had given Kai a constant ribbing over becoming charmed by the Sirens when they were out to sea. If they all survived, she imagined Kai would have his revenge teasing the large, masculine man about his half-naked twirling in the moonlight.

“Sativola?” Kai questioned, nearing his friend.

Sativola didn’t seem to hear him, and instead continued to twirl.

“Perhaps you should kiss him,” Finn whispered, stepping up behind Kai with Iseult at her side. She had been the one to kiss Kai to break the Siren’s spell, a memory she still blushed at whenever she thought of it. She would not mind if Kai had something to blush at too.

Kai glared back at her. “I imagine one of you ladies should have that pleasure.”

“I think he’d prefer you,” Finn teased.

Iseult sighed and left Finn at Kai’s side to approach Sativola. He cocked his fist back, then hit poor Sativola square in the jaw.

Sativola staggered backward, then looked up at Iseult in shock. His nose let out a small trickle of blood, but at least he’d stopped dancing. The shock and anger on his face slowly faded as he took in his surroundings, including Finn, Anna, and Kai standing off to one side. Next he looked down at the curly blond hair on his bare chest.

“What in Tirn Ail happened?” he asked, returning his gaze to them.

“Faie,” Iseult answered simply. He lifted Sativola’s tunic and cloak from the forest floor and handed them to him. With a glance at Kai and Anna, he returned to Finn’s side and urged her onward. Naoki chirped and began trotting at her other side.

Sativola joined Kai and Anna, and they continued their search.

They hadn’t gone far when Finn heard Anna sigh.

“What is it?” Kai whispered. “Do you see . . . something?”

Finn turned to see Anna gesture off into the trees. “Something over there,” she muttered, sounding defeated.

Iseult looked to Finn, and she nodded. Anna must have been seeing into the gray. To their right was something . . . magical.

Veering off their chosen course, the party all made their way toward where Anna had pointed. Before long, they heard soft giggles and masculine laughter. Finn resisted the urge to run forward, already knowing who was ahead of them. Ealasaid was the only missing female member of their party, and so, was likely responsible for the giggles.

“Well this should be interesting,” she heard Kai whisper.

They continued in the direction of the giggling until Ealasaid and Maarav came into view. They were seated near a small pond, surrounded by scraggly young trees. Finn watched in horror as Maarav leaned forward and stole a kiss. Rather than being offended, Ealasaid giggled again.