Sophia loved the way Ezekiel’s arms felt around her and the way that her head was cradled in the bend of his shoulder as he held her close to him. His breathing was slow and even. The color had returned to his skin, and it was as if the magic hadn’t poisoned him to begin with.

Sex with her had done the same for Edric. She wondered what it was about her and her magic that sustained the men. Part of her believed it went beyond just sharing a piece of her soul.

Andreas and Edric kept their distance, allowing for her and Ezekiel to have some time together. She loved that they respected her alone time with each of her men. But she couldn’t sleep. And she wanted to do something productive with her time like helping some of the people that hosted her and her team.

Pulling herself from the bed, she stifled a giggle as Ezekiel grumbled and tried to keep her close. She succeeded at slipping away from him, pulling the covers tighter around him so he could get more rest. She made her way to the wash basin to clean up before slipping into some clean clothes that had been brought to her from the enclave. Another gift.

Once she was dressed and had pulled on her boots, Ezekiel stirred and sat up on the bed. The blanket fell to his waistline, exposing his muscles. He smiled impishly at her and she blushed with the rush of naughty thoughts that ran through her mind.

“How are you feeling?” she asked, even though she could tell how he much he had improved.

“Better,” he said and stretched his arms over his head. He curled a finger at her, beckoning for her to join him. “How about another round of that healing of yours?” His voice was thick with desire.

She smiled and shook her head. “You’re incorrigible.”

He shrugged and stood from the bed, unabashed, and made his way toward her, pulling her in close, pressing his mouth to hers and making her head spin with heated passion.

A knock rapped at the door. Ezekiel pulled away and went to grab his pants while Sophia answered the door. Edric stood on the other side, flashing a knowing grin.

“Having fun in here?” he asked.

Sophia took in a shuddering sigh and tried not to let her cheeks burn as much as she thought they did. “Fun enough.”

“The elder arbors have requested our presence.”

Sophia nodded. “We’ll be out in just a moment.”

She waited until Edric turned and left, then stood before she closed the door and ran her fingers through her hair to comb out the tangles. While Ezekiel dressed, she pulled her hair back into a braid and tied it off with a leather hair lace.

Ezekiel joined her and asked, “Ready?”

She nodded and turned for the door.

They met the elder arbors near an embankment with crisp, clean, blue water not too far from the enclave. The older male stopped them as they approached and said, “Our… friend has arrived, bringing some of the information you seek.”

“Excellent,” Sophia said with a smile. She went to step past him and was stopped as he held out a branchy arm.

“I highly advise that you check your pockets before and after you speak with him.”

She stiffened and looked to her men who appeared just as uncomfortable with that statement. Ezekiel fumbled with his bag and Andreas shoved his hands into his pockets. Sophia wasn’t sure what to expect now that the elders seemed inclined to warn them before meeting this friend, and she wasn’t so sure the information given would be of use. Still, she ensured everything was in its rightful place before nodding to the elder arbor.

He nodded once in return before turning and walking down a narrow path to where the other two elder arbors were. A strange creature that was hunched over and covered by a hood and cloak stood with them. His back faced them, so she wasn’t entirely sure what he looked like beyond that.

Upon their approach, the friend seemed to be discussing something at length with the female elder arbor, while the younger male elder arbor stood by seemingly waiting for the conversation to end. He shifted his gaze to them and he stood straighter, eyes brightening with joy.

“Ah, friends, you have arrived well, I hope?” he asked.

Sophia assumed he referred to Edric and Ezekiel and gestured for them to answer.

Edric said, “Thanks to you, we are well.”

The younger male elder arbor nodded and clasped his twiggy fingers together. “Wonderful news.”

The friend of the elder arbors turned toward them, and Sophia’s mouth parted. Things in Ripthorn continued to mystify and amaze her. This creature possessed the features of a weasel but stood on two legs. He looked at the group as they stood in front of him, and he seemed awfully curious about Ezekiel as he approached him and walked around him as though he was a prized trophy.

“Mmm, yes, yes,” he said, his voice was tenor but really guttural as well. He then stopped and stuck his nose in the air and sniffed. He turned his head toward Sophia and he smiled, all toothy. “Oh, dear. Even better! I’ll take her!” He let out an excited ooh-hoo-hoo!

Sophia stood back and gripped the hilt of her sword.

“This,” the female elder arbor said, quickly moving toward the creature and putting a hand on his shoulder, “is Rox.”

“Rox is the name, making a deal is my thing. Need an enchanted weapon, a rare item? Perhaps a potion that grants you luck and money? Name your price, I’ll find it for you.” He wiggled free of the elder arbor’s grasp and approached Sophia. He sniffed at her and stared into her eyes before shifting his attention to the men and asking, “How much for her?”

Sophia backhanded him. “I’m not for sale.”

He rubbed his cheek as his eyes watered. “Fair enough. Fair enough. But if you change your mind, seek me first.”

Sophia made a move to slap him again, but he scurried out of range before she could do so. “Listen here, you scurry little rodent, we were told you have information on the heirs of Nighthelm. What do you know?”

“Yes, yes. Information. But such information comes at a price.” He stepped a little closer and held his finger and thumb together, rubbing them to insinuate a hefty fee.

“First, I want to know that your information is useful,” Sophia said, crossing her arms over her chest. “I’m not paying for useless clues.”

“Yes, yes. Young heirs, hid in the mountain, some years back. I know of this.” He sniffed the air and added, “Now my fee.”

Sophia looked to her men. She wasn’t convinced that she should pay for such little help, but her men seemed to give the go-ahead. Edric and Ezekiel nodded, and Andreas gave the sort of shrug that meant “why not?”

“All right,” she said, facing Rox. “What is your fee?”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a crystal vial. “Just a little power.” His eyes grew wide and greedy when she took the vial and focused some of her magic into the container. Once completed, she handed him back the vial.

“Satisfied?” she asked.

Rox nodded excitedly. “Yes, yes.” He dragged out the last part of the yes.

Creepy little beasty.

“Where are the heirs?” Sophia asked.

He stared at her through one half-closed eye and said, “More answers. More magic.” He fumbled through his robes for more empty vials.

“Rox, you have what you need,” the older male elder arbor said.

“Yes,” the female elder arbor said. “Now is not the time for greed.”

Rox eyed the elder arbors from over his shoulder and muttered under his breath. He replaced the remaining empty vials and reached into a pocket and pulled out a key. “This will unlock a hidden door within a mountain cave.”

She took the key and settled her gaze on the unusual creature. “Keep talking.”

“Stole it off a scary surface dweller that came here a decade ago,” he said. “All I know.”

“And where is this cave, exactly?” she asked.

Rox’s ears perked up and a strange glint entered his eyes. “I’ll take you. For a price, of course.” He winked at her.

Sophia scoffed.

Edric stepped forward. “You little cretin. You’d better not be suggesting what I think you are.”

“You might as well ask to make my sword your bedfellow instead,” Andreas added.

Ezekiel said, “Or a curse.”

Rox darted his eyes between the three men and then settled them back on Sophia. “All I ask for is a kiss.” A few breaths passed and he added, “For good luck and good will.”

Sophia narrowed her eyes on him, her eyebrows knitting together. “Why?”

“Because,” he said, “even the bravest and strongest of people don’t go there. Something dark and nasty fills the place. Curse, methinks. A kiss will protect me.”

Sophia wasn’t buying it. “Either you live up to your end of the bargain, and take us to the cave, or I’m going to take back that pretty little vial of magic back.”

His face contorted over his pointed teeth and he snarled, clutching his robes tighter to him. “No take backs!”

“Then you will take us,” she said.

He looked between the four of them again and started to turn around and walk through the elder arbors. But they stepped closer together and blocked his way.

He groaned. “Very well. Fine. I’ll take you.”

She smiled. I knew he would see it my way.

“Let’s go. I have other business to attend to.” Rox shoved passed them and took the path heading back to the enclave.