A Tale of Two Kingdoms by Victoria Danann Read Free Book Online Page B

the mists, so that she could spot the entrance to the fabled Ogram’s cave where the hermit was purported to live. If she could find it, she would return for Glen and they would go together.
    It was a plan custom designed to deflate a young man’s ego, but it was also the most practical so Glen had to agree that sense trumped pride.
    “Back in a flash.”
    She gave him a big kiss on the cheek and was gone. It only took Rosie a second to locate two shadows that could be possible targets. The first was only a shadow. The second was a cave, but only three feet deep. However, once at the entrance to that cave, it was possible to see another that was entirely obscured by a limestone lip that curved downward from a shelf above. It matched the description Glen gave her. She switched on the light, did a quick sweep, and went back for Glen knowing he’d be anxious.
    He jumped when she materialized next to him, but at least didn’t yelp. Thankfully.
    She looked serious and started to shake her head.
    His shoulders slumped a little. “Okay, well, it’s just…”
    She grinned. “It’s there. Come on.”
    “What?”
    He didn’t have time to switch gears before he was standing inside the head of the cave.
    “This is it, right?”
    He couldn’t see Rosie’s face because the light was to her back.
    “I think so.”
    He fumbled in his pack, retrieved a contraption with duct tape sticking out everywhere, and secured it to his head. Rosie was fascinated and hadn’t yet decided whether she was going to laugh or worry.
    “What is that?”
    Glen made an adjustment on his forehead and then switched the thing on. The cave was flooded with light. “Oh. I didn’t like any of the ‘head lights’,” he used air quotes, “on the market. This gives us a good six hours. It’s a bike light. Nice, huh? A NiteRider 350, and a… um, jock strap. Look at that.”
    She smiled to herself, thinking it was hard to argue with results. “So what now?”
    “Well, I guess we go further in? See if we can find the…”
    “Hermit.”
    “Yeah. The hermit.”
    “You think there really is a hermit?”
    “Well, the thing was right about the cave.”
    “The thing?”
    He waved the paper in his hand. As they moved deeper into the cave the light from the entrance faded away as did the sounds of both wind and North Atlantic waves crashing into the cliff sides below. “Got a copy right here from Puddephatt. Claims the foremost authority on the subject of elf/fae history is this cave-dwelling hermit. Oral tradition.”
    “Oral tradition,” she said drily. “Yes, but Glen. How would this hermit get in and out? What does he do for supplies? It would take hours to scale the cliffs and be almost impossible to do alone. Unless you think he has a part Elemental delivery service?”
    Glen stopped and, when he turned to face her, she squinted when the light shone straight in her eyes.
    “Oops. Sorry.” He pushed the light to the side so that he could face her without blinding her. “Why did you assume he’s human? Maybe he’s like you.”
    She looked around and raised her eyebrows. “Then why would he live here? It’s bloody cold. You know? Did you bring hand warmers?”
    “No. Here.” He blew on her fingers while he was considering why anyone would live there. “I don’t know why anybody would want to be a hermit much less why one would want to live in a cold cave.” He stopped and held up a hand. “Shhhh.”
    They heard something like a pebble falling followed by a deep, but pleasant voice that sounded unmistakably amused. “Cause I like it here.” Glen’s head jerked in the direction of the sound and the light found the figure of an attractive elf who appeared fortyish, wearing jeans, a black tee, and biker boots. He was showing a couple days growth of blonde beard and his light curls were pulled back behind his ears. “You wantin’ to see me?”
    Glen felt Rosie crowd close against his back. “Ah. We did. Um. Do. If that’s okay.