Fire and Ice

Chapter 6: Night Falls

Day 10

Damp feather dawn drifted all over Aelius’s forehead. Chills went down his spine. The cloth felt really cold. He opened his deep blue eyes to see Maevy. Her smile was sickeningly wide as usual. “What are you doing here, Maev?” He asked confused. His head was pounding from the impact of the battle with Jonah.

“You blacked out.” She said in a matter-of-fact tone. She flashed him her toothy smile, but he could see the fake light in her eyes this time.

“JONAH!” He jolted upright. He remembered the uncomfortable feeling of the wind coming out of him and the feeling that his world turned upside down. He remembered those legs coming in on him and cutting off his air supply. But more than anything, he remembered the surge of hatred and the feeling of defeat. He knew that he would have to dispose of Jonah after he disposes of Sherwood.

“It’s ok, my strong, brave lieutenant. You’ll get him, but you must rest now. You need to get your strength back up. Even you can’t take on everything in your condition.” Maevy said smiling playfully. Aelius wasn’t in the mood. He wasn’t going to fall for that anymore; he decided that when she left him.

“I’m fine. I feel fine.” He said. His words were coming out a bit harsher than he intended.

“That’s no way to treat an old friend.” She said with a softened, buttery tone.

“Old friend, is that what you call what was between us?!?” Aelius said with brows furrowing angrily.

“That was a long time ago.” She said softly.

“Not really. Maybe it was to you, but to me it seemed like it was a sunrise ago.” Aelius said with reflection in his voice.

“Aw, you’re too cute and sweet for your own good.” Maevy said winking. Aelius's patience for this woman just expired.

“Get out. I don’t want to talk to you anymore.” He said snapping his fingers towards the tent flap.

“Tsk, tsk. The rose has thorns.” Maevy said shaking her head.

“I could say the same thing about you, Maev. What are you doing here anyway? Where’s Augusto?” Aelius asked darkly. Augusto was the broad shouldered man that Maevy left him for.

“Augusto is old news. I’m over him. He was obnoxious and he demanded way too much attention. I like you.” She said smiling and pointing flirtatiously at him. She then put her hand on his chest. He felt her warm sweet breath which caused him to feel more lightheaded and nauseous.

“Well I don’t anymore.” He said bluntly.

She took her hand off. “Ah yes. You’re still not over Willow even though she really told you no. So you’d rather wait for someone that is hopeless and hates you than get back with an old friend. I should’ve known that you’d still have feelings for that frizzy shrew.” She said shaking her head violently. “That won’t do.”

“Sorry to burst your bubble if I don’t fall for your tricks anymore. You better get used to disappointment.” He said sharply.

“Have you looked in the mirror, handsome? Last time I checked you weren’t used to disappointment. C’mon, get over it. She’s old news and have you seen her around anymore? I heard that she ran off to get away from you. She doesn’t respect you like I do.” He was surprised that she could keep up that poisonous smile even when she knew that she was losing.

“I would check your sources next time. More evidence points to the fact that she was taken by a Sun Elf.” Aelius said feeling more anger by the second. She was clouding lies with the truth to elicit a response from him. He could already tell.