Chris Evans - Ashes of a Black Frost

Yimt looked down at the ground for a moment before looking up into Konowa’s eyes. “I had to make sure you were okay. I. . we lost a lot of good lads. I couldn’t stand to lose anymore.”

Konowa reached out and rested a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Yimt, look at me. For the first time in my life, I can honestly say I’m happy.”

A rustling in the trees cut off his next words. Both elf and dwarf turned. Konowa’s hand slid to the pommel of his saber while Yimt drew out his drukar. The sound grew louder as it moved closer. Konowa crouched, tensing his muscles. A moment later, Jir bounded out of the low brush covered in burrs. A moment after that the smell hit them. He looked at both of them, wagging his stubby tail.

“ Yirka umno, Jir! I told you, stay away from skunks!” Konowa turned to Yimt. “Whose turn is it to wash him?”

Yimt was already several yards down the path. “Sorry, can’t hear you. See you at dinner!”

Konowa shouted a curse and reluctantly started walking toward the river, motioning for Jir to follow. “Do you think you’ll ever learn?”

“Do you?” Visyna asked.

Konowa looked up to see her coming up the path to meet them. “Yimt tells me you let Jir get in trouble again.”

Konowa smiled. Visyna looked. . perfect. Her long brown hair gleamed in the sun and her almond-shaped eyes flashed with joy.

“Me? You give me too much credit. I was just going for a walk.” He closed the distance between them and took her in his arms. He shooed Jir away with his boot and the bengar loped off after the dwarf. “Yimt asked me about the offer to rejoin the army again.”

Visyna tensed in his arms. “What did you say?”

He squeezed her tight. She felt perfect, too. “I told him I was happy, and that I was back where I belong.”

Visyna frowned. “But you hate the forest.”

Konowa leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Forest, what forest? All I see is you.”

She reached up and wrapped an arm around his neck, pulling his face to hers. The touch of her lips on his was warm and soft. They pulled away slowly, and then started walking back down the path hand in hand.

“No sparks,” Konowa said, licking his lips.

Visyna playfully jabbed him in the ribs and as he bent over she wrapped an arm around his neck and pulled him to the ground. “I’ll show you sparks,” she said.

Konowa held her tight and did indeed feel sparks. Twice.

If the forest had anything to say, Konowa couldn’t hear it.

He finally realized, he didn’t have to.