Book Two: Chapter 53

Emily sighed. She had come so far for nothing. “I see. I guess this is a wasted trip after all.”

“Nonsense.” His dark features spread into a wide grin. “It has been many years since I had a guest. Especially one so pretty. Was one of your parents a nymph?”

She fought a smile. “That’s a long story.”

“We’ve got plenty of time. The nearest human is over ten miles away. Pair of hunters, a man and his son. He is teaching him how to use a rifle.”

“How can you tell all that?”

“The forest speaks to me. It tells me they have been camping for two days. The father is teaching his son to be a steward for the forest, to carry out his trash and to always put out the fire. The love of the woods is ingrained deep in his heart, and he shares it with his son.”

“Wow. The forest knows all that?”

“In a sense. It tells me what it sees, and I interpret. The forest is not one to judge, only to observe. In my grumpier moments, I may intervene.”

“And that’s whe