160 A Compatible Body

Valerie barely stepped out of the portal when a hand reached for him and he swiped it away faster than lightning, slipping out of the attacker's striking range with ease and grace as he recognized Derek. Not that he hasn't known it was him from the start. 

"Just as I thought you would, you finally came here. What then took you so long to arrive, my prince?" Derek said politely, even though Valerie could sense him struggling to suppress his anger. 

"I knew you would look for me, so I thought to return to a place you would likely find me," Valerie answered, looking around the babbling brook. 

The small, shallow stream of water flowing gently over the rocks and pebbles, creating a peaceful and soothing sound as it traverses the landscape was the reason he had chosen this place as one of his hideouts. Not many Fae visited the charming natural feature because he owned it.