Trinity Awakening by K.L. Morton

portal to find herself in the middle of a dense forest. It was warm here, there was sunlight streaming through the massive trees that towered above and Trinny could feel a soft breeze against her skin. It felt strange to have come from a dark cold night to a warm summers day. It must be late afternoon , she thought to herself. She could hear the twitter of birds in the branches around them and a distant sound of flowing water, maybe a stream, or waterfall. It was so lush here, the trees were so green they didn't quite seem real, there was just no way to describe the colors, they were so varied and vibrant. The ground even had such richness to the earthy browns, darker soil than Trinny had ever seen. There were beautiful purple and yellow flowers budding on the bushes that grew at the foot of the trees and leafy vines twisted around the trunks. 
                  "It's beautiful." She whispered not knowing that Aarion was right behind her. 
                  "Home." He smiled at her as she turned to see who spoke, it made her miss a breath and she found herself trying to catch it again.
                  "It feels so calm here." Trinny said trying to cover for her breathlessness. 
                  "You'll feel peaceful here, it is Elven Wood, the Bolsua flowers here release a pollen that has a calming effect on all who breathe it in, it's safe, but it just means we need to be more alert as it can make you feel a little too relaxed. We are still two days walk from Taeith, this is the closest portal to the city." Aarion moved ahead towards where Morthos was checking the area, and Emma came up along side Trinny. 
                  "This place is unbelievable, and this is only the forest, I can't wait to see the rest of it, but I'm feeling a little drained, do you think he'll let us take a rest? It's not like we come up against creepy banshees and ugly, hairy werewolves everyday. I bet he'll let us rest if you ask." 
                  "Em, I don't know where in your head you come up with the idea that guys like me, the Ben Mathers thing didn't go so well." Trinny didn't notice Nina come up behind them. 
                  "I have to agree with Emma, if you ask, he'll do." 
                  "Alright, alright, I'll do the asking." 
    Trinny broke away from the girls and joined Aarion and Morthos. "Aarion, do you think we could have a break, as we're feeling a little tired?" 
                  “Break? Coffee? Great idea, I'll pour!" Garus had been leaning against a tree nearby and at the word 'break' could not contain his excitement over the fact he could finally have more of this new drink he had fallen in love with. Before anyone else could speak, he sat himself down on a large tree root and proceeded to pour several cups of coffee from the flask that Lucille had packed in the bag he had been carrying. 
                  "I guess we are having a break. We need to move on soon though, so don't get to comfortable." Aarion directed his reply to everyone. Morthos had come around the back of Garus and gave him a light hit on the back of the head, which caused Garus to spit out his mouthful of coffee. 
                  "Hey, hey, that's good coffee, make me waste anymore Morthos and you will pay in pain." Morthos grunted and positioned himself as a lookout about twenty feet away from everyone. 
                  "So what's his story, he's so serious all the time?" Emma asked Garus as she took a hot cup of coffee from him and sat on the ground. 
                  "He is an elite Guard of the Ora, no one has ever matched his strength, and he’s Aarion’s protector as well. He's alright, but if it's a real man you're looking for, you don't have to look any further." Garus lifted his eyebrows a couple of times at Emma and gave her a wink. 
                  "Does that actually work for