“Well met, Druidecht,” she said. “Do not look at me, or you will forget.”
Annon recognized her voice. It caused a tight pain deep in the center of his heart. “You speak my language?”
“Of course. It would be difficult talking to you if I spoke in another tongue. Perhaps you would prefer it?” Her voice sounded teasing. “What is your name?”
“Annon.”
“How quick you are to give it up. I am Neodesha. You saved my tree. I owe you a boon.”
“I am sorry I did not come sooner. Will your tree survive the damage?”
He could hear her moving behind him, coming to the edge of his vision. He turned his head the other way.
“You are determined not to look at me.”
“You told me not to.”
“I warned you what would happen if you did. It is only fair, after all. You are young for a Druidecht. They keep the younger ones away from us.” He felt fingers graze his hair.
Annon closed his eyes. It would be easier that way.
“Closing your eyes! What an idea. Now I can move anywhere I want.” He heard the twigs snap again as she passed in front of him. He could feel her presence, the warmth emanating from her. It was maddening hearing her voice but not knowing what she looked like. A craving filled his insides. The curiosity was extreme and intense.
Annon kept one hand on Nizeera’s fur, digging his fingers into it. He tried to concentrate on the feel of the fur.
“Do you want to look at me?” she whispered in his ear. He startled, but kept his head down, his eyes squeezed shut. Sweat had gathered on his brow and beneath his arms. The feelings were maddening.
“What kind of creature is a Dryad?” Annon asked, his voice suddenly, embarrassingly hoarse.
“I’m a creature, am I? No, foolish boy, you know nothing at all. I am Aeduan, like you.”
Annon was confused. “How can that be?”
“I was born of a mother. I was raised in these woods long before the Vaettir came here. I am bound to this tree. But I am very little different than you, other than the magic that my binding allows me. We are very weak, Annon.” Her fingers grazed his chin, but he swerved his head the other way, refusing to open his eyes. “But our magic is powerful.”
“I know,” he muttered, beginning to tremble at the influence she was having on him.
“No, you have not even begun to feel it yet. It will get worse before it gets better. But you are doing well, Druidecht. Very few have made it this long.”
The compulsion to look at her was nearly overpowering. It was a monster inside of him. He could feel it roaring and snarling. A drop of sweat began to sting his eyes. He brushed it away and found his entire face wet.
“You see,” she went on, moving around him again, her voice tantalizing in the twilight. “Only those who try to resist know how strong we are. A Druidecht who gives in right away simply does not know what it would have been like later. You will be stronger as a result. Even if you do not make it. I am impressed already.”
“Why do you torture me?” Annon asked. He dug his fingers into Nizeera and felt her twitch with pain.
“I am not torturing you. You are torturing yourself. Why do you do it?”
“Because I seek a boon.”
“What boon do you seek?”
He hesitated.
“What do you seek?”
“What can you give?” Annon asked, turning the question on her.
“Very good. Ask questions instead of giving answers. Do you know why most seek me?”
“No. Tell me, Neodesha.” Saying her name made his tongue burn.
“You spoke my name.”
Annon was startled. There was something in the way she said it. He felt the strength of the magic begin to release him. He almost looked at her at that moment. There was something in her voice that demanded he look.
“Tell me!” he pleaded.
“I must, for you spoke my name. That is the boon. I gave you my name. You can bind me with it. You can free me from this tree with it. That is the boon.”
“Do you want to be freed from the tree?” Annon asked, his mind racing. He was confused. Terribly confused.
“No! But you have the power to if you choose. Men are selfish by nature. They want to possess things. To possess people. You could force me to go with you, even if I did not wish to go. That is the boon. That is the power you have over me. But if you look at me, you will forget my name. You will forget this even happened. Do you see it now, Annon? As long as you do not look at me, you hold power over me. As soon as you look at me, I hold power over you. I want you to look at me, Annon.”