Hidden Deep (21 page)

“Can I come right back?” I whispered.

With a tender smile, Lad slid a large hand around to cradle my head and pulled my face back to his until our foreheads touched and our breath mingled. “You’d better.”

Two men entered the room. They were the same tall, warrior-types who’d come to Lad’s rescue in the woods.

“Ryann, I’d like to introduce you to Voldur and Langnon. You’ll recognize them, though you have not officially met. I’ll ask Langnon to escort you to the surface and then bring you right back to me.”

Shifting from foot to foot, I eyed the two mute men. “Yes, thank you. That would be great.”

Lad spent a few moments silently giving them instructions. They turned toward me and nodded politely.

“It’s… uh… nice to meet you, too,” I stuttered, feeling supremely silly.

Lad squeezed my hand tighter. “Langnon will take you now, Ryann. You have nothing to fear from him. He’ll help you in whatever you need. Before you go…” He pulled me back down to him, slowly and deliberately kissed me, then glanced back at the guards as if he wanted to make sure they were watching. “Come back quickly,” he whispered.

I moved away from the bed, looking back until the last possible moment before following Langnon from the room. My stomach was a bowl of raw nerves as we walked through the labyrinth of hallways in Lad’s home.

Langnon’s long strides forced me to speed walk along behind him as we passed through the great hall. I surveyed the room from a new perspective, one of informed awe rather than bewildered ignorance. It was large and elegant. The stucco-style mudded walls were hung liberally with beautiful tapestry weavings of fancy parties and hunt scenes and images of tall graceful women with cascading curls.

Mosaics made of the otherworldly glowing stones decorated the walls, floors, and even the ceiling where a huge elaborate central design illuminated the room below in colored light. Men and women moved busily about the room, carrying linens and platters, and vases that emitted a subtle glow. I assumed they were also filled with the phosphorescent mineral rocks.

Then we were back in the relative darkness, moving through yet another hallway, which I now knew would lead us to the cavernous open area in the center of this secret subterranean world.

When we emerged into the public area, I was once again the subject of intense study by everyone we passed. There was no apparent shock this time. Word of the alien visitor must have spread, and my appearance was now a remarkable curiosity instead of a surprise. I returned their gazes, offering a smile. No one smiled back. Lad had smiled at me many times, but I couldn’t recall having seen any of the others here smile. Perhaps somber expressions were their way, or maybe there hadn’t been much cause for joy since my arrival.

Just before we entered the tunnel to the surface, squealing and laughter grabbed my attention. I turned to see a group of small children looking and pointing in our direction. That answered my question—plenty of happy faces there. The sound of childish laughter was always pleasant, but these voices were something more. They reminded me of my childhood encounter with Lad. I couldn’t stop myself from giggling along with the delicious music of it.

The sweet young voices faded as we climbed the dim incline, spiraling toward the surface. I smelled the fresh air even before the sunlight began to filter into the tunnel from above. Outside, the green brightness of the morning nearly blinded me, and I’d never truly appreciated how spectacular the woods smelled before.

As marvelous as the sights and scents above ground were, I was anxious to complete my call and return to Lad. Fishing in my pocket for my phone, I looked back over my shoulder to make sure Langnon was still there. He nodded tersely at me. Poor guy. Stuck with human-sitting duty.

Checking for a signal, my heart fell again. I was right. I had one bar, and it was wavering. Holding the phone up, I turned to one side then the other. No good.

And then Langnon lifted one of my arms and slung it over his shoulder, wrapping one of his hands around my waist.

“Wha—” For the second time in my life, I was on a quick, involuntary ride up a tree. Instantly nauseated, I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth, waiting for it to be over. So, this was what Lad had meant when he’d assured me I’d be able to get a signal. From the top of the enormous magnolia, I’d have a straight shot at a cell tower for sure.

When Langnon stopped moving, I opened my eyes.
Don’t look down.
This time I took my own advice and kept my eyes up, taking in the thick trunk and the branches around me. My footing was solid enough, but Langnon kept one hand wrapped around my arm, and I didn’t complain. I was, however, motivated to keep the conversation short and sweet.

When I looked at my phone again, there were three bars—good enough. I hesitated a second before dialing. What was I going to tell Mom? Usually, I could talk to her about anything. This was not one of those things. I wasn’t in the habit of lying to her, but I had no choice. I’d have to make an exception here, for her sake and for Lad’s.

Before the first ring even finished, my mother picked up and launched into a worried rant. She sounded like a woman at the end of her rope—a fusion of bad temper and extreme relief.

“My God, Ryann—where have you been? I was about to get in the car and come home. And I was exactly five minutes from calling the sheriff’s office. Why haven’t you answered my calls or texts?”

I kept my voice even and light, though my belly clenched at the dishonesty of what I was about to say. “I’m sorry you were worried. My phone must have died last night, and I slept in today. I didn’t even realize you’d called and texted until I got it charged this morning.”

“Well, you about gave me a heart attack. This makes me wonder if you really are responsible enough to be there alone. I should’ve insisted on you coming with us.”

“No, I’m fine here. I’m sorry. I won’t let it happen again, Mom, I promise. How’s your visit with Shelly going?” I tried changing the subject, but she wasn’t ready to let it go.

“Fine,” she replied tersely. Suspicion now colored her voice. “What’ve you been doing?”

“Oh, you know, hanging out, spending some time outdoors.”

“Are you being careful? Are you having fun with your friends?”

“I really am.”

“What are your plans today?” Her tone was brightening, the crisis over. This one, anyway.

“Oh, just getting together with some people.”
Or some Elves, no big deal.

“Well, make sure you keep your phone charged from now on. No more giving your mother nightmares, okay?”

“Okay, Mom. I’m sorry again.”

“Okay, babe. I miss you. Shelly says, ‘Hi.’ We’re going to the World of Coke and the Georgia Aquarium today. It’s the biggest in the world. I wish you were here to see it.”

“I’ll see it next time. Have fun. Take some pictures for me.”

“I will. Love you.”

“Love you, too.” I didn’t know how much longer I’d be staying with Lad, but if it turned out to be more than a day, I’d have to make regular trips to the surface for phone calls. My mother’s trust in me wouldn’t withstand another long period of time incommunicado.

Next I called Emmy to make an excuse for my absence, but it went straight to voicemail, which was a relief. I left a message saying I was fine, staying with a friend, and promising to explain all later. Hopefully it would satisfy her.

“Okay, I’m done.” I turned back to Langnon, knowing he didn’t understand my words, but he seemed to get the idea.

I clung to him as he carried me back down the tree, and slipping back into the hole, I followed him down the sloping entryway. My surroundings were losing their frightening strangeness, and I was starting to appreciate how beautiful Lad’s home was. Nothing was gilded or delicate, but there was artistry and a sense of history in the décor and the furnishings.

As I once had noticed about Lad himself, there was similarly nothing artificial in this place. All the colors and materials were appealingly natural. The people here had probably never ingested a chemical, worn a man-made fiber or even touched something made of plastic. Their healer Wickthorne must have had a very light work schedule.

Langnon led me to Lad’s door then turned and stopped with his back to the wall of the hallway, like a guard at his post, which I supposed was exactly the case. When I touched him lightly on the arm, he looked down at me.

“Thank you,” I said.

Of course he didn’t answer, but the corners of his mouth edged upward almost imperceptibly.

Lad was sitting up when I entered the room. The bed coverings were folded down around his waist—the smooth exposed skin of his chest and arms looked warm and tan and touchable. Only the cloth bandage on his side betrayed his injured state. He looked better recovering from a gunshot wound than most guys did on the best day of their lives. Inwardly, I chastised myself for lusting after an injured man.

The look on his face when he glanced up at me sent warm tingles down my spine. “You came back.”

“Well, I couldn’t leave you down here at the mercy of all these mythical creatures.” I went to Lad and wrapped my arms around his neck in a cautious hug. He surprised me by gripping my hips with his hands and pulling me onto the bed with him.

“Oh—be careful—your side. You’ll hurt yourself.”

“I’m feeling much better.” Lad grinned wickedly.

“Yes, I can see you are.” I giggled and pulled back to look at him. “How is that possible by the way? You were shot yesterday.”

Lad raised his hands in a
What can I say?
gesture. “Elf,” he offered as a one word explanation.

“So you’re telepathic and have accelerated healing powers, too? Not fair.”

“Yep. Stinks to be a mere human, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah, it kind of does, especially when suffering from a human weakness like hunger.” I rubbed my empty stomach. “Don’t tell me Elves don’t need food either.”

“On the contrary, I’m starving.” Lad smiled at me and clapped loudly, and the door opened. Langnon poked his head into the room, watched Lad for a few seconds and ducked out again.

“Let me guess, you placed your breakfast order? I’ve
got
to learn to do that!”

“
Our
breakfast order. And I think you
will
learn to do it. All you really have to do is concentrate on the meaning of what you want to convey to the other person. Try it.”

I was doubtful but made an attempt to please him. After a moment he stroked his chin in an exaggerated gesture of contemplation.

“Hmmm. You said… you find me unbearably attractive and have sworn off all other guys forever.” He laughed.

Pretty darn close.
“Actually, I was wondering what you eat for breakfast around here. No Froot Loops, I guess.”

“No Froot Loops, whatever that is, but we’ll see if we can tempt you with some of our foods.” He grinned widely.

I was amazed to see him acting playful and energetic after all that had happened. Amazed and grateful.

A girl came in carrying two trays laden with more food than two people could possibly eat. Or so I’d thought. Apparently recovering from a near death experience creates a monster appetite because Lad ate quickly and enthusiastically, only pausing between bites to educate me about what was on my plate.

“That’s called
koek.
” He gestured toward a pancake-like food. “It’s made from acorn flour, and of course, you recognize the eggs.”

There were wild blueberries and an unfamiliar hot cereal that reminded me of oatmeal. I took a few tentative bites then my stomach unleashed a full force protest against its emptiness. I couldn’t get the food into my mouth fast enough. Lad and I looked like we were in a competitive eating contest. We glanced over at each other and burst out laughing.

“You’re adorable,” Lad informed me, his green eyes brimming with warmth.

“Oh, yes—nothing more appealing than a girl stuffing her face like a hamster.”

“Like a yellow-pine chipmunk actually. But they’re quite cute.” He shook his head, grinning. “I’ve never in all my life seen a girl eat like you do.”

“I suppose Elven girls have impeccable table manners, too.”

Seeing my obvious embarrassment, Lad laughed and reassured me. “No, I
like
it. The girls here are all so sedate and reserved. You make me laugh. I have fun with you.”

How different and bizarre I must have seemed to everyone there—everyone from
his
world. “Lad?”

“Hmmm?”

“Exactly how much trouble are you in?”

“You mean, about you being here, or about mixing with humans in general, or about getting myself shot?”

“All of the above.”

He handed me the platters to put on the bedside table. Giving the mattress a pat, he invited me to sit beside him. “I’m not the most popular person around here at the moment, but that’s not your concern. You’ve done nothing wrong. I need you here. And they all might as well get used to the idea.”

“Really?” I was amazed by Lad’s willingness to buck his family’s opinion and risk his society’s disapproval for my sake. And that he believed he’d be able to get away with it. And that he
needed
me.

“Absolutely. In a couple days, I should be ready to move about again, and I’ll show you more of my home. ”

Privately, I doubted that would ever happen. I felt like I was here on a minute-by-minute pass. His father would probably eject me from the premises as soon as he was sure Lad’s health was out of danger. I’d be banished back to the real world, and Lad might be forbidden from ever venturing to the surface again.

Lad seemed oblivious to the future and overjoyed that I was with him in his sickroom confinement. I snooped around his room, and he agreed to play his aelflute for me, though he refused to let me hear him sing.

“Why not? Do you suck that much?” I teased him.

“No.” He laughed. “I don’t want to unfairly influence you.”

“Afraid I’ll fall madly in love with you and stalk you forever?”

He laughed. “You’re joking, but if you’ve ever read any lore about Elves and Fae, you’ve probably seen it mentioned that our singing
can
have a strange effect on humans. Sometimes simply talking to them will do it. Or even a look. That’s what glamour really is—it’s similar to the way we communicate without speaking aloud—but with a little added persuasion.”