Dawn of Fire

Chapter 6

Clover

They were gathered around the table feasting on Talon's latest catch. The Elk was a tender meat and the skin, furs and antlers would be used. Usually, when Fae hunt they use the entirety of the animal. Wastefulness is frowned upon and thanks to the gods are given with every kill they make in the name of nourishment.

The dagger was wrapped in a leather cloth in Clover's lap under the table. She was so excited to give it to him and was practically vibrating with happiness and excitement.

Her thoughts went back to the stranger she ran into at the blacksmith's tent and she smiled to herself. She couldn't get him out of her thoughts. It was strange out of all the males and females she's come across in her time in this country, this one was the male who caught her attention and won't leave it.

She remembered his scent, the rough skin on his hands as he brushed against hers. She remembered the way Talon scented him on her when she returned to the cottage. It was an immediate reaction that landed her over half an hour of questioning from both Talon and Aisling. She told them about the male in the tent when she was perusing the markets. She told them about how it was like everyone disappeared and only he existed. She told them about how she felt connected to him without even knowing his name or anything about him.

With each word she spoke to them aisling face grew paler and more taught with nerves. She had been silent since the conversation, choosing to seclude herself in her chambers until dinner was ready.

Talon had assured her she did nothing wrong and would try to figure out what was going on but that was hours ago. Clover didn't want to let it bother her. She was too excited to give Talon his gift and think about possibly running into her handsome stranger again soon, Aisling was silent while she ate, still seeming thrown off and Talon was making jokes by stealing food off of Clover's plate.

“Hey! That's mine!” she said as he took a rather large chunk of meat.

Talon only chuckled and smiled around the meat in his mouth. His fangs were so sharp they almost pierced his lower lip. His dark wings draped behind him and his brown hair was pulled back in a bun on his head. His pointed ears flicked as he took in the sounds around them. That was Talon though. Even when having fun, he was always on guard. Always protecting Clover. Always aware of his surroundings.

Clover reached over and tried to take a piece of his elk in return and he huffed out a breath of smoke towards her acting as if he was calling to his own fire.

Along with being ridiculously skilled in battle and combat, Talon had the gift of fire as well. Nothing as strong as Clover or as many elemental gifts as her either, but he was strong nonetheless.

Clover withdrew her hand quickly to avoid being burned, though Talon would never harm her and everyone knew that.

The weight of the dagger in her lap was too much to bear any longer so Clover spoke up and cleared her throat. “I have something for you” she whispered with a shy smile on her face.

Talon was never given many gifts because he never allowed them. He was always taking care of Clover and Aisling and he did it with a willing smile. Every time they tried to gift him anything he turned it away on the account of him having all he needed or donating it to someone who needed it more.

Clover hoped he wouldn't turn this one away. This one was meant for him, she just knew it!

Talon looked at her with a raised brow and a gleam in his eyes. She sighed and brought the soft leather-wrapped package out from under the table and handed it to him. His brows scrunched and he looked puzzled.

“What is this?” he asked curiously and Clover laughed.

“Well generally the way to find out what a gift is, is to open it, yes?” she challenged and he snarled playfully at her.

Aisling had a smile on her face for the first time all night and it eased Clover's nerves.

Talon gently opened the wrapping and gasped as he took in the blade. The sleek shine of the black blade and the inscriptions that had been carved into the metal. He ran his fingers over the bone carved handle and picked it up. He tested its weight and caressed the weapon as if it was a treasure. It felt like it was to him.

He looked at Clover, and she gasped at the expression on his face. “Where did you find this?” he asked.

“The blacksmith's tent. It was strange, and it was like it was calling to me. I saw it and I knew immediately it was a weapon that should belong to you. Do…do you like it?” she asked nervously, wringing her hands together.

He nodded fiercely and pulled her up from her chair and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed the crown of her head and whispered that he loved it. “It's a fine weapon. I shall take great care of it. Does it have a name?” he asked and she shook her head.

“No. I wanted to leave that up to you and the Blacksmith didn't mention anything. The carvings though, do you know what they mean?”

“They are protection spells. It's written in old fae but they are protection and health spells. I recognize some of them. Whoever crafted it must be very skilled.” Aisling said.

“About earlier, I'm sorry for the way I behaved. I needed to gather my thoughts, gather some advice from the gods.” Aisling sighed and put down her utensils. Both Talon and Clover stayed silent, waiting on her explanation.

“Do you remember anything from when you were little about mates?” she asked and Clover shook her head. Aisling nodded while biting her lip.

“I know your education had just started when we were forced to leave but I wasn't aware you had not been taught about mates yet. Perhaps my sister wanted to wait until you were older.” she muttered to herself.

“What do mates have to do with anything?” Clover asked, and Aisling looked her in the eyes with a serious expression.

“I believe the male you met in the market may have been your Mate, Clover. Gods given mates know who they are instantly but if you aren't taught the signs they could be mistaken for other things. Usually, mate bonds snap into place the moment two souls meant for each other look into their soul bonded eyes. It's like a tether tying them together. The attraction is instant, the scents are intoxication, and they take over the whole body in a sense. Not in a bad way but every fiber of their being wants to be with the other. Everything you described is a description of a mate bond. Did you get his name?”

Clover's shoulders slumped. “No.” she whispered. “I...I was so excited to bring Talon his gift that I didn't ask. I know I'm not supposed to talk to strangers so I didn't think anything of it. I didn't know what was going on. I figured it was just a weird day.”

“We don't know who he is. He could be an enemy of the throne. He could be dangerous” Talon chimed in but Aisling held her hand up.

“Dangerous, yes. A threat? No. Mates don't harm one another. Not true mates. It causes Physical pain to do so. If he is truly her mate, he won't harm her. But it is best to keep this to ourselves. Our predicament is fragile. Danger lurks everywhere, Clover. I know it's not ideal, but it's best if you wait and we don't seek him out.”

Clover worried her lip and Talon sighed. She only acted like this when she did something she wasn't supposed to. “What is it Clover?”

“I uh. I don't think we'll be able to forget about it…I kind of told him my name” she said, not meeting either eye. Clover knew the spell that erased her information from the minds of all Fae. She knew the consequences of letting her name get out and yet she wasn't even thinking when she told a stranger who she was.

Talon's fist hit the table and Clover jumped. Aisling pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed.

“What were you thinking?” Talon yelled and tears filled Clover's eyes.

“I don't know. I didn't even think about it. It just slipped out. I don't know.”

“It's the mate bond. You sensed no danger from him and so that allowed the spell to slip from your mind. Magic isn't foolproof. There are ways around everything. But even still, we will have to be careful. Just because you told him your name doesn't mean he automatically knows who you are.” she said and grabbed her hand.

Clover's wings drooped in shame and sadness. She apparently had met her mate and was too foolish to recognize who he was. She had also unknowingly put herself and her family in danger by simply telling someone her name. Talon grabbed her shoulder bringing her attention to him.

“It's okay. Well be okay.” he whispered and she nodded but she didn't feel it. She still felt like there was something coming. Something big. Something that was going to change everything.