(This is a shorter chapter then the other two. I am hoping to get some good feedback on it though. So please, take the few seconds to vote and another moment to leave me a comment! thank you)
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Sinafay looked around nervously, and led her farther into the trees. He had no idea where they were, but he didn't want to take any chances on Akoral finding them again. He knew that she had probably crawled home with her tail between her legs to gather reinforcements, but he wanted to make sure Lina was safe for now. "We should find somewhere to hide out for a bit. I don't think she will follow us, but just to be sure for now," he said, holding tightly to her tiny hand.
Lina pondered his words for a moment, keeping an eye on their surroundings. They were getting awfully close to Karlin. But she wasn't ready to go home. Not with her new lover in such danger. She grinned as they passed a familiar tree, the twisted shape looking much like a centaur. "Come, I know a place we can rest safely for the night," she said, spreading her wings and springing into the air. She started to head off, and then looked back as he called her name. The look on his face, one of disappointment and surprise made her stop. Laughing hard, she slowly descended, wrapping her wings around her again as her feet touched the forest floor. "I'm sorry love. I am not used to traveling with a land bound creature. Forgive me?"
Sinafay nodded, chuckling with her as he joined her farther up on the path. "It's alright little Lina. But tell me, can this place be reached on foot?" he asked. At her nod, he sighed with relief and followed her swishing backside eagerly. She had managed to rescue her clothes before they left and now ducked off the path to slip them on. He followed her example, donning his breaches and loose shirt. He settled his cloak around her bare shoulders, guarding her from the twilight chill. She smiled gratefully up at him, causing his heart to beat a little faster as she clutched at the edges of the cloak. "It's not much farther I hope?" he asked, concerned for her.
"No, in fact, we will be there in just moments," she answered, starting down the path again. He followed her, nervously concealing their path. While he was not the best at that, every little bit helped. Soon enough, she turned off the deer path and hiked up a steep incline. He followed, turning to look behind them, almost missing the place she ducked into. At her soft chuckle, he looked down and saw her holding some thick bushes aside, her head and shoulders sticking out of the tiny cave entrance. "In here lover," she said, beckoning him in. As he ducked down to follow her, she edged back into the cave.
The tiny entrance hid a large cave set into the hill, the walls and ceiling widening until even Sinafay could stand comfortable. A small stream of clear, clean water ran through the back of the cave, giving them fresh water to drink. He stood, amazed at the beauty of the walls, glittering with veins of precious metals and rare rocks.
Lina curled up on the small bed she had made years ago. When she had found this place when she had been a child, it had seemed so magical and untouched. And through the years, nothing seemed to have change. Animals never seemed to bother the cave, or her things, allowing her to store some food there safely for the days and nights she wanted to stay here and away from the constricting court. In fact, with the supplies she had brought here over the years, they could stay in the cave for weeks before having to leave for more provisions.
Sinafay stared down at her, pleasantly surprised. When she had mentioned knowing a place to stay safe, he had envisioned something tiny, cramped, and uncomfortable. Here, they had food, lanterns for lights, bedding, and even blankets to stay warm with. Not to mention fresh water. It was better then many of the human peasant homes he had seen. "I must admit, this is not what I expected Lina," he said, sitting next to her on the nest she had made of bedrolls and blankets. She curled into him and grinned.
"This is one of my hideaways. I've been coming here for about twelve years, since I was ten. I saw no harm when animals didn't seem to care for the cave to make it more comfortable. I think the bushes at the entrance smell too offensive for any creature or insect to push through. But as long as you hold your breath, you can get through them and then, you can't even smell it in here." She was pleased and relieved he was impressed with her little cave. Despite everything, a part of her had been scared he would find it a horrible place to stay, despite all the improvements she had done. Luckily, he seemed as in love with the beauty of the cave as she was. But despite her desire to just curl into him and relax, she needed to know more information about what she had just witnessed.
"Who was that? And what did she want with you Sinafay?" Lina asked, her violet eyes large with fear. She realized that she barely knew this man. She had no idea if he was an outlaw or a murderer. That woman had wanted him for some reason. Maybe it had been best to let her take him. Lina would have survived without him somehow. As would their child have. But as soon as she thought that, she knew she couldn't let him go. He already meant to much to her.
Sinafay sighed and cradled her close, noting her tense posture. "It's alright love. That was just, well, my old mistress. The men in my society are not much more then slaves. Women control everything and everyone. Men aren't much more then chattel, almost like women in the human world. Lady Akoral is a very powerful lady in the drow home. She trains most of the men in my world to be the pleasure slaves so many women desire. I was one of her personal house and one of her favorites. Mainly because, despite my hatred of her, my body desires hers immensely. And she enjoyed the contradiction my mind and heart made with my body, giving me a will that she always enjoyed breaking with the pleasure," he said. He hoped Lina would understand and not hate him for his hated desire.
