Hey, I'm pretty sure nobody is even reading this story anymore, but I was reading it and decided to make another chapter. I don't want to bore you or me with my chatter, so here it goes

DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything. Aprilynne Pike does 3

Laurels POV:

We were walking for hours. Forever it seemed. I felt like my feet were turning into trees themselves, burrowing into the ground with each torturous step. I just knew I was turning into a wilted flower, dead and dry. Tam was about 20 steps in front of me and only had a thin sheen of sweat on his gorgeously annoying perfect face. I groaned.

"Come on princess, do you need me to carry you? A fairy like yourself should be able to walk a measly two hours without giving me the death glare of despair that I'm getting now", he smirked.

"Shut up Tam. We can't all be perfectly chiseled with straining muscle that pulls you through the forest as if you were walking on clouds", I said, "Oh my god. Did I just say that out loud? We really need to stop before I express my undying love for trolls".

Tam laughed and grabbed water from his pack and downed about half. He handed me the rest, which I graciously gulped down. I tried not to notice the slight tingling sensation my lips had when met with the water bottles spout. It reminded me of the other day in my room. I still felt extreme guilt over that kiss. It wasn't fair to both of them and I knew I needed to gain better control over my feelings for Tam. He wasn't the one for me. I had to keep telling myself that.

"Don't worry we are only a little a ways from our next stop", he chided, breaking me from my inner monologue.

"Thank God. Honestly, I'm not sure I can handle much more. We haven't stopped once", I knowingly complained to Tam.

"Hah. We'll stop soon enough, little one", he said, earning a glare from me, "You're going to like this next place."

"If you like it, I doubt I will", I threw back, stepping around a bed of golden flowers.

After a few more minutes we came upon a wall of trees. Their long leaves swayed in the wind and seemed to make a sort of doorway between two especially tall trees. I looked up at Tam and he grinned, moving his arm towards the trees as if inviting me to go first. I walked up to them and opened the curtain of trees.

I could hear myself gasp from the sheer beauty of what I saw before me. It was like a small cottage in the trees. Every piece of it was intertwined in leaves and trees with gorgeous flowers blooming everywhere. There was a wall of weapons on the right and a full kitchen of sorts on the left. I looked over at the weapons, seeing bows and arrows, swords, and so many things I wasn't even sure what they were. As I walked through the little piece of paradise I saw a small room with the most gorgeous bed. It was covered in flowers and leaves that made me want to cuddle right in. The kitchen was fully stocked and there was even a small bathroom that was etched right into a tree trunk.

"What is this place?" I asked, still in awe.

"It's a hideout of sorts. It's for any fairy in the area who needs to be housed on a mission or needs a place to stay for the night. It's completely concealed from trolls which is why it's usually for those in trouble. I figured we could use it for tonight and stock up on some of the weapons because we are close to the troll den", Tam answered.

"Wow" was all I could say. I honestly was the prettiest place I'd seen and was a place I never wanted to leave. My awe was interrupted by my belly roaring to life.

Tam chuckled and said, "I guess that's my cue" , as he walked over to the kitchen, "Let me make you something".

He started bustling around with some pots and pans while I went over to a bookshelf that was tucked neatly next to the room with the gorgeous bed. I found one that read "Tales of Rioux and Clore". I began flipping through the book, seeing pictures of trolls, faries, and flowers. As I was reading, I found a chapter titled The Final Battle. It was a story depicting the couple's love for the battle. It gave instructions on fighting and how they used their skills in the battle that would end all battles. Like most stories it ended in victory, but the perfectness of it had me wondering if it was what really happened to them.

I was suddenly interrupted by Tam asking, "Good read?", as he set down a bowl of something sugary in front of me. He grabbed his own bowl and sat down next to me on the moss covered tree acting like a couch. I was so lost in that book I didn't noticed the darkness around us that signaled the later hours of the night. There were small lamps around the house that Tamani must have lit, making the leaves sparkle.

"Yeah, you should read it, you might learn a thing or two" I smiled.

"Psh. I've already read that book", he stated with a flick of his hand, "I was thinking we could practice some self-defense moves tonight just in case. I'm worried we might run into some trolls soon since we are almost in their area."

"Okay, but I gotta warn you: I give a mean right-hook. At least that's what David said. After I…um… left, I went to some self-defense classes", I stated.

"Laur, I'm not sure you could ever beat someone up in a fight. Have you seen your little arms", he laughed and grabbed my arm.

I quickly jerked away from him, stood up, and scoffed, "Okay then Mr. I'm the strongest man alive. Let's see what you got".

He grinned and quickly got up. He took off his shirt and tightened his drawstring pants he was wearing. I was better now about seeing his abs. All I want to do was beat him in the fight now.

He most towards me on the offensive and took a jab towards my stomach. I quickly blocked it and his face showed his surprise. He tried for a couple of more blows, but I blocked them as well. We went on like this for a while. Me blocking his blows and getting a few of my own in as well. I seemed to be out of breath while Tam's only hint that he was working hard was the thin layer of sweat on his stomach. He did many kicks and knocked me down a couple of times.

"Wow. Honestly, I am very impressed. Those classes really –" , he stopped mid sentence as I swung my foot across his, knocking him down. I quickly got on top of him and pinned him down. My legs straddling his waist and my hands around his neck

He laughed a bit and looked up into my eyes. It was as if he was looking for something in them. I got caught off guard by his look and released a bit. He took the opportunity and pinned me down fast so I was in the dirt. His strong arms wrapped me up and the positioning of his legs left little to the imagination. I felt myself blush and our breathing intensified. I tried to squirm away because I knew if we stayed in this position any longer it would be bad for both of us. I felt him shift slightly and move some of the hair out of my eyes.

"Nice try, little one. I was going easy on you, but you are impressive", he smiled.

"You should let go of me", I whispered, trying to hold in my desire to see what his lips tasted like.

"Or what?", he laughed.

Honestly, I just love Tam and Laurel too much….

Sorry it's been years since I posted haha.