Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
It should have felt safer. Instead, Bria had learned that danger cared little where it lived.
A spy from Drogath had walked Scotara’s roads. A witch had plotted against Driochmor. And somewhere ahead, a king waited who trusted few and suspected many.
Nay, safety was not determined by where one stood, only by who stood beside them.
She sat comfortably in front of her husband while he held the horse’s reins. Not by her choice, by his insistence.
“You are perfectly capable of riding your own horse,” she reminded him for perhaps the tenth time since they had departed Driochmor.
“Where is the fun in that?” he asked as he gave her side a playful pinch.
“Truly?” she asked. “Do you really think anyone will believe that?”
He shook his head. “I do not care if they do or don’t. Here is where I want you and here is where you will stay.” He kissed her quickly at first, then more slowly, more deliberately.
Naturally, she responded, she had to. She wanted to, though there was danger in that, for his kisses always tempted and more often than not stirred her desire for him.
“Not fair,” she bemoaned after ending the kiss.
His arm tightened around her waist. “This journey cannot end fast enough for me and the king better be welcoming and offer us safe haven and a comfortable bed.”
Bria smiled and settled more comfortably against him. “I wholeheartedly agree.”
Silence settled comfortably between them for a while.
Wynn traveled ahead with several of the Hunters while Fiora darted through the trees, disappearing and reappearing whenever it suited her.
It did not take Bria long to feel a change in her husband and realize something troubled him.
The tension had come and gone ever since they left Driochmor. Today, it seemed determined to stay.
She turned her head slightly. “What troubles you?”
Kaelan remained silent long enough that she wondered if he intended to answer.
Finally, he said, “Something does not feel right.”
Bria had expected as much. “Tell me.”
His gaze swept over the Hunters leading the way on the road ahead. “I still cannot understand why the king sent this troop.”
“He wanted the Wise woman brought to him.”
“Aye, the Wise woman but how did he know that was Wynn? The Hunters we met did not know of Wynn only that they searched for a Wise woman. How did the king suddenly find out about Wynn and get a message to Dar to escort them to the council so fast?”
“When you say it that way, it does sound suspicious,” Bria agreed. “You think something else is at play.”
Before Kaelan could answer, Fiora appeared suddenly in front of them.
The tiny fairy flew backward while facing them. “I am so excited.”
Kaelan groaned.
Bria smiled. “About what?”
“The king.” Fiora clapped her tiny hands. “The castle. The people. Everything.”
“You may wish to reconsider your excitement,” Kaelan warned.
Fiora frowned. “Why?”
“The king is not known for kindness toward magical beings.”
Fiora waved a dismissive hand. “That will change once he meets me.”
Kaelan snorted.
Bria pressed her lips together, already knowing what was coming.
“I am irresistible,” Fiora announced.
“You are delusional,” Kaelan corrected.
Fiora shook a tiny finger at him. “Just you wait—”
Suddenly, her head snapped to one side, and she flitted in place.
Bria immediately noticed the change.
So did Kaelan and the amusement vanished from his face. “What is it?”
Fiora tilted her head, listening and for a moment said nothing. Then she pointed toward the trees. “Did you hear that?”
Kaelan’s gaze sharpened and he listened. At first, there was only the sound of hooves and the wind moving through the trees.
Then… faint at first and distant, not at all a natural part of the forest.
Fiora backed away slowly. “I am going to find out.”
Before either of them could stop her, she shot into the forest.
Kaelan watched the trees for several moments after she vanished. The uneasy feeling in his gut only grew stronger.
Something was wrong, very wrong.
A shrill cry erupted from the forest. “Kaelan!”
Fiora burst from the trees so fast her wings were little more than a blur.
Every Hunter immediately reached for a weapon.
“They are here!” she shouted. “Lots of them.”
Kaelan was already moving. He swung down from the horse and reached for Bria, his hands grabbing at her waist and swinging her off the horse, planting her on her feet beside him.
“Stay close,” Kaelan ordered.
She nodded, planning to do just that.
Nearby, one of the Hunters hurried to help Wynn from her mount.
“What did you see?” Kaelan demanded.
Fiora pointed frantically toward the trees. “Men. More than twenty. Maybe more. They are spreading out.”
A curse erupted from one of the Hunters.
Another immediately barked orders.
The Hunters moved with practiced efficiency, steel flashing free of their scabbards.
The forest suddenly seemed far too quiet, and Kaelan felt the familiar warning ripple through him.
Danger and it was close.
The forest exploded with movement.
Men poured from the trees.
“Protect the old woman!” a Hunter shouted just before the road erupted into chaos.