Gently, she extended her hand, and cautiously, Suvene held up his hand to receive them. Their fingertips brushed against each other. Electricity shot through his arm at her touch, and he had never known any feeling like it. He lowered his eyes and mumbled thanks.“You’ve not slowed down much to find food,” she said.“Why have you been tracking me?” he asked before tossing several nuts into his mouth. They tasted more rich and hearty than the finest piece of meat he had ever eaten.“You’re on my mountain,” she said, giggling as if his question were absurd.“I’m sorry,” he said between bites.She shrugged and returned, “I just wanted to make sure you were safe.”Suvene stared at her, puzzled.“We don’t get many orcs in these mountains,” she continued. “And there are dangerous creatures you don’t want to meet alone.”“What sort of creatures?”“Too terrible to talk about,” she whispered, leaning closer. “But I’ve been watching. There aren’t any close.”Suvene glanced around the forest.
