CHAPTER 30: THE FOREST THAT WAITS

[Alvar’s POV – Haze Mountains]

The steady rhythm of the horse’s hooves echoed in the snow-veiled silence. The moonlight glazed the path in pale silver, and the mountains loomed faintly ahead, their peaks swallowed in mist.

Leif shifted against me, soft breath brushing my throat, utterly unguarded. His head rested against my chest, his body loose with sleep, as though the bitter cold and the endless road didn’t exist for him.

I glanced around, gauging the shadows of the pines before murmuring to myself, "...It’s quiet here. A good place to stop for the night."

Then my eyes drifted back down. "Leif."

He only made a soft sound in his sleep, a small hum, before nestling closer as if the snow itself was pushing him into me. His hair tickled my chin.

I should have looked away. I should have ignored it. But instead, my hand betrayed me—my thumb brushed lightly across his cheek. Warm, flushed, impossibly soft. The word slipped out before I could stop it.

"...Cute."

At first, I told myself it was a curiosity—a test to see whether this odd tug at my chest was real or merely the aftershock of spending too many hours near him. But the more time I gave it—and the more time he gave me—the clearer it became that the problem was not Leif’s.

It was mine.

Because I wanted more. No other man, no other woman, had ever done this to me. My pulse never stuttered like this for anyone. Why only him? Why only Leif?

Then the ugly truth arrived like a cold wind: I hated the idea of Leif with another man. When he babbled about Sir Roland—about how handsome he was, the sort of man he dreamt of—I felt something dark and small twist inside me. It wasn’t jealousy in a neat box; it was something larger and worse and fiercer.

I realized, with a clarity that left no room for doubt, that I liked him. Not a passing fascination, not an experiment. I liked Leif.

Gay? Straight? I don’t know what those words are. All I knew was this: I could not tear my eyes from him. Every word, every ridiculous flourish, every careless laugh—and even that soft belly he blamed on beer—looked impossibly endearing to me.

And every time our lips met, the hunger only deepened. The need to touch him more. To claim him, devour him. It was a fire I could never name, only feel—burning hotter each time he got closer to me.

He murmured again, his brow furrowing. His hand crept up in his sleep, pressing against my chest. His lips curved faintly, a drowsy smile, as he mumbled, "So... muscl-y..."

My breath caught—then escaped in a low chuckle that I quickly stifled.

"...Fool." My arms tightened around him, shielding him from the wind. With one arm I slid us both down from the horse, careful not to wake him.

I laid him gently between the two crimson wolves. They stirred, watchful, their glowing eyes flicking toward me. Pulling my cloak free, I draped it over Leif’s body, tucking it securely around him.

I crouched, meeting the gaze of the two beasts. My voice dropped, low and steady, but softer than I intended.

"Watch him. Guard him well. He... is your master. And..." My words stuck, but I let them out anyway. "...he is mine to protect."

The wolves gave no sound, only shifted closer, curling their bodies against Leif’s sides. Their tails swept over him, laying thick and fluffy like a blanket.

***

[Haze Mountains—Later—Midnight]

The fire outside the tent flickered low, shadows dancing on the mountains. After laying out a soft blanket, I stepped back outside, the night air sharp in my lungs. I held Leif gently in my arms.

He stirred, eyelids fluttering open. Half-dreaming, his voice came in a warm mumble against my chest. "Did we... reach the forest?"

I shifted him higher in my hold and stepped into the tent. "...Yes. Just behind those mountains," I said softly. "But we’ll go at first light. The forest isn’t safe at night."

I lowered him onto the blanket, tucking the edges snug around him. His lashes drooped, heavy with sleep, and he blinked up at me as if fighting to stay awake. I lay down beside him, shoulders stiff out of habit—until his head found my shoulder without hesitation.

"Now," I murmured, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead, "go back to sleep."

"...Mhm." His arm slipped around my waist, his leg sliding over mine, and without hesitation, he whispered, "Alright."

And then—like only Leif could—he was gone in seconds, soft breaths steady against my chest.

I stayed still, though my arm instinctively came around him, holding him closer. My heart drummed, traitorous, while the storm outside roared against the mountain.

But in here, in this small space of warmth and tangled limbs, even the frost in me began to thaw. Slowly, I bent my head, lips brushing his hair—just once, a fleeting press, softer than a sigh.

"Sleep well, Leif."

He snuggled closer, grip tightening. I let out the breath I’d been holding and closed my eyes, surrendering—for tonight—to the rare peace of having him in my arms.

***

[Leif’s POV]

CRUNCH. CRUNCH. CRUNCH.

I sat cross-legged on the ground, happily feeding cookies to my crimson babies and even to the horse—because apparently, bribery works on all species.

"Alright, you greedy monsters," I wagged a finger at them like a stern father. "That’s already half the bag gone. No more after this, understand?"

The two wolves and the horse turned their heads toward me in unison, eyes wide, ears tilted just so, faces radiating pure, weaponized innocence.

I gasped, clutching my chest. "Oh no. Don’t you dare. Don’t you dare look at me like that. That’s cheating!"

They blinked. Sweet. Gentle. Murderously manipulative.

I pointed at them dramatically. "Are you... are you trying to lure me in with your fake purity? Do you think I’ll just melt because you’re pretending to be adorable fluffballs instead of wild, terrifying beasts of the north?!"

The wolves whined softly, tilting their heads, tails wagging slowly. The horse snorted, lowering its muzzle like a begging puppy.

I crumbled. "...Dammit."

In slow motion, I reached into my bag, pulled out the rest of the cookie stash, and held it aloft like some holy offering. "Fine! You win, you conniving little demons! Take it! Take all of it!"

The wolves pounced with wagging tails, the horse nudging into the pile as if it was part of the gang. Snow scattered, crumbs flew, and the sound of enthusiastic munching filled the clearing.

I sat back with a dramatic sigh, arms crossed. "Congratulations. I am officially broke. When we all starve later, I’ll write in my will that it’s your fault."

Behind me, Alvar’s voice cut through the chaos, calm as ever. "Are you done being extorted by animals?"

I turned my head, glaring at him. "Excuse you. This was not extortion. This was a strategic negotiation... which I lost."

Alvar was folding the tent neatly, as if my entire tragedy wasn’t worth acknowledgment. He slung it over his shoulder, pulled the map free, and glanced at the mountains ahead.

"This way." His tone was brisk and no-nonsense. He tapped the parchment once. "Behind these peaks lies the densest part of the forest. That’s where we start."

I clapped my hands, springing to my feet with renewed determination. "Alright, team! Adventure awaits! Cookies may be gone, but hope is eternal!"

The wolves howled. The horse neighed. And Alvar... just gave me that long, silent look.

"What?" I huffed. "They agree with me."

His sigh steamed in the cold air. "Let’s just go before you teach them more bad habits."

And with that, we resumed our march toward the forests—and hopefully, the elves who refused to come out of hiding.

***

[Dense Forest—Later]

The forest loomed in front of us, dark and endless, its trees stretching so high they practically swallowed the sky. Mist curled low around the roots, and the air smelled of damp moss and secrets.

I tilted my head, squinting. "Sooo... you think the elves hid themselves in here?"

Alvar’s gaze swept over the treeline, sharp and calculating. "Yes. This forest produces rare medicinal herbs. With vanish spells, they could conceal themselves indefinitely. It’s the perfect place."

I hummed, pretending to consider his very logical explanation. Then I spread my arms and legs dramatically, planting myself right at the entrance like some divine summoner.

"Alright! Stand back, everyone! I’ve seen this in legends."

Alvar blinked once. "...Leif."

I inhaled deeply and bellowed to the heavens:

"ABRACADABRAAAA! GILI GILI SIMMM! FOREST OF ELVES—OPEN SESAME!!!"

The wolves tilted their heads. The horse snorted. The forest... remained exactly the same. I froze in place, arms still outstretched, waiting.

Nothing.

"...Maybe it’s a delayed reaction," I muttered hopefully.

Alvar sighed, holding my hand. "Let’s get inside... before you try casting any more ridiculous spells."

"But sometimes it helps..." I protested.

"It doesn’t," he said flatly as we entered the dense forest.