Read Online Avalyne Series 02: The Easterling by Linda Thackeray - Free Book Online

refusing to yield anything to her on this point. ‘That is a dark, dismal place with evil that comes from the Primordial Wars. It is a blight upon the land that should be avoided. You court great peril by going there alone.’
    ‘ That is my choice,’ Melia replied with just as much determination. ‘Not yours.’
    ‘ I am the Prince of Eden Halas, the woods of Iolan is recognised as part of my father’s kingdom,’ Aeron stared at her with seldom used imperiousness. ‘You will not step one foot into those woods without encountering my father's men and he does not appreciate trespassers.’
    ‘ I will take my chances,’ she whispered, refusing to show that his words had unsettled her when Melia attempted to brush past.
    However Aeron was not about to let her escape so easily. What in the Creator’s name was so important that she was so stubbornly refusing to yield to good advice on this matter? He did not know her to be adamant in refusing good advice. What was so important that she had to risk life and limb to reach Tor Iolan? He could see his warning had sunk in and yet she was still determined to go. Why? As she attempted to slip past him, Aeron grabbed her arm and stayed her beside him in order to find out.
    ‘ I will go with you,’ he replied gently, hoping that would appease her slightly.
    Her eyes flashed and she pulled away from him fiercely. ‘Absolutely not!’
    ‘ Melia,’ Aeron stiffened, coming to the conclusion that there would be no compromise with her on this point. ‘You need me.’
    ‘ I need nothing from you!’ She burst out angrily ‘This is not your concern. Arianne had no right to bring you into this!’
    Travelling with him, alone. It was folly. Did he not see it? She liked him. She liked a great deal but anything between would only be a mistake. Even worse, he was distracting and now more than ever, she needed to be focussed.
    ‘She brought me into this because she cares about you,’ Aeron retaliated, rising to Arianne's defence. ‘The Queen fears for your life although quite honestly, I cannot imagine why since you are so determine to squander it by not listening to sense!’
    He had no wish to be so harsh with her but she needed to understand what awaited her once she entered the woods of Iolan. Aeron had no difficulty in being cruel to be kind because Arianne was right, he cared too much about her to spare her feelings by not speaking the truth. Melia stared back at him. Her face revealed the battle she was having with indecision. He guessed that she might be seeing the sense of his words but the person she was made it difficult to admit that she might need his assistance.
    ‘ Melia you are no fool and I will not treat you as one,’ he spoke with firm tenderness. ‘Despite how I jest that you are unable to fend for yourself, you know that I do not believe that for an instant. However, you must trust me in this, the woods of Iolan are dangerous. I have lived there all my life and I still know caution when I must walk those paths. You need a guide or you will never reach Tor Iolan alive.’
    Melia closed her eyes, wanting to refute everything he said but she could not. However, her reasons for objecting so strenuously to him had little to do with her quest and had everything to do with him . For reasons she dared not accept, this elf had touched her heart in more ways than she cared to admit. It was dangerous and she knew it. Even if he was too stubborn to see the tragedy of it, she was not.
    Yet despite her protestations, she also knew he was right The woods of Iolan were dangerous. Even with Halion establishing a presence in its confines, the elves still regarded the place with caution and if Aeron was warning her so stridently about going there, she could not ignore it.
    As much as she loathed admitting it, she needed him.
    ‘ Alright!’ She hissed angrily. ‘We will travel together but you will not get in my way! I mean to go to Tor Iolan one way or another! I would