Lost Heir (Blood Weaver Trilogy #2)

Chapter 22

22

W e returned to our room quietly, taking care to ensure no one followed us and we hadn’t raised any suspicions.

“We should get some rest,” I suggested, though the last thing on my mind was sleep.

“Agreed.” Ronan removed his shirt, then turned to me and extended his hand. I took it and let him lead me to the bed, where we kicked off our shoes and climbed in.

As we settled under the covers, the room's simplicity faded away, leaving just a man and a woman finding solace in each other's company. Ronan wrapped an arm around me and pulled me closer until there was no space left between us. My head found a comfortable spot on his chest where I listened to the steady rhythm of his heart. The soft glow of moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a silver sheen over Ronan's chiseled features. His crimson eyes held a glint of something wild and untamed. I traced the lines of his tattoos, delighting in the warmth of his skin beneath my touch.

Our breaths mingled in the intimate space between us, creating a symphony of desire that pulsed in the air. Ronan's lips grazed my forehead gently before capturing my lips in a searing kiss. The world around us faded into oblivion as we surrendered to the connection sparking between us.

Clothes became mere obstacles as we shed them in a frenzy, our bodies fitting together like two halves of a whole. Every touch and caress sent shivers down my spine, setting my senses ablaze with a fierce longing that consumed us both.

Part of me knew it was wrong to find joy amidst all the chaos and danger surrounding us. But when Ronan looked at me with those intense eyes filled with longing and tenderness, I couldn't resist.

“You know,” he whispered, his voice sending shivers down my spine, “although it’s been a day from hell, I've been looking forward to this moment all day.”

I chuckled and traced the tattoos on his bare chest. “Me too,” I admitted, feeling a rush of heat between us.

Ronan leaned in, his lips brushing against mine in a tantalizing tease before claiming them in a passionate kiss. The world around us melted away as we lost ourselves in each other, our passion igniting like wildfire. Our bodies moved together in perfect harmony, every touch and caress fueling the flames of our desire. The room was filled with soft sighs and whispered words of longing as we gave in to the undeniable pull drawing us closer.

In that fleeting moment, it was as if time stood still and there was only us, our hearts beating in perfect synchronicity. The weight of his warm body against mine brought a sense of comfort I desperately needed. But just as quickly as the moment came, it disappeared as my mind flooded with memories from earlier in the day. The sight of Tessa's lifeless body in my arms replayed on repeat in my mind and anguished guilt settled in my chest.

“Wait,” I murmured, pulling away from Ronan's embrace.

His brows furrowed in concern. “Are you alright?” he asked, his voice laced with worry.

I shook my head, unable to fully articulate my jumbled thoughts and emotions. “I don't know, I just …”

“You feel guilty,” Ronan finished for me, his grip on me loosening as he laid back on the bed.

I nodded slowly as tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. “Yes. I do.”

Ronan's understanding nod and quiet acceptance offered some solace in the midst of my turmoil. “But you know it’s not your fault. It’s Caelan’s. He killed Tessa. Not you.”

“Yes … you’re right, but you’re also wrong. He might have killed her, but he used me as his tool.” I blew out a shaky breath. “I never even asked about her family.”

Ronan wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to his chest. “Let go of the guilt. It won’t do you any good. All we can do now is pray that the gods have guided Tessa into the afterlife safely, where she’ll be watching over you.” He grabbed the blanket and pulled it up to our shoulders. “Come on, let’s get some sleep,” he whispered.

“But—”

“Shh,” he quieted me. “Now’s not the time. You need rest. Your mind needs to rest. I’ll be right here if you need anything.”

His soothing voice and touch lulled me into a state of drowsiness, and before I realized it, sleep had claimed me. The darkness enveloped me, offering respite from the weight of my swirling thoughts and emotions.

The following morning, we were awakened by a light knock on our door. Drowsily, I sat up and nudged Ronan awake. When the knocking grew louder, Ronan and I became fully alert.

Ronan grabbed his clothes from the floor and put them on haphazardly, then went to the door. He turned the knob slowly and pulled the door slightly ajar to see who it was. There was a flurry of hushed whispers and after a few moments, Ronan shut the door.

Dressing quickly, I went over to him as he ran a hand through his long hair. “Who was it?” I asked.

“The messenger,” he said. “Mykal received our message, but he didn’t send one in return.”

I bit my lip. It was too large of a risk to attempt to cross the border without knowing Mykal’s stance, but if we didn’t leave now, we would be sitting ducks until the Valorian army arrived en masse and discovered us.

Ronan eyed me. “What do you think?”

“I say we risk it,” I said. “Unless you want to turn back?”

Ronan shook his head. “No, I don’t. We’ve come this far.”

“Then let’s head to the border.”

We gathered our few belongings and wrapped our cloaks once more before stepping out into the early morning. The village was just beginning to stir, with a few early risers in the streets. The air held a crisp chill, a reminder that we were still in dawn’s early grasp.

The innkeeper, Mira, caught my eye as we stepped toward the door. She gave us a knowing nod, her expression solemn. I felt a wave of gratitude towards her for her help, however small it might have been in the grand scheme of things .

The journey to the border was tense. Each step took us closer to an uncertain confrontation, and while I shouldered the responsibility of our decision, part of me was relieved. We were taking action, no longer hiding in the shadows and waiting for the threat to find us.

The landscape gradually shifted as we walked, the village's quaint homes and bustling streets giving way to the wild, untamed beauty of Valoria's borderlands. The forest grew denser, the path less defined, and I constantly scanned our surroundings for any signs of danger.

Hand in hand, Ronan and I walked in relative silence until I couldn’t keep quiet any longer. I knew what I was about to say would piss him off, but I needed to get it off my chest. “I can only go with you until we reach the Central Plains border,” I said. There was a small patch of land of the Central Plains between Keldara and the Grasslands that could be crossed in just a few hours. “Although Marcellus is back at the palace to plead our case, I wouldn’t put it past Caelan to suggest to my father that you kidnapped me. To avoid any further conflict and clear your name, I need to return. I just want to see you safely home.”

Ronan stopped walking and turned to me. “Do you really think I would leave you in Keldara … alone?”

“Ronan …”

He shook his head and continued walking. “No, Leila. You can’t ask that of me. I’ll cross through Keldara alone; you don’t need to come with me. Return to the palace. No one in Valoria will hurt you.”

I tugged on his hand and forced him to turn to me. “No! I won’t be at peace if I don’t know what has happened to you. I’ll accompany you until we reach the Central Plains. Once we get there, we’ll figure things out. Maybe I can send word to my brother to come get me. But we’re not parting ways yet.”

He huffed and grumbled, “You’re so damn stubborn.”

I snorted. “As if you aren’t.” I tugged on his hand to start walking again. “Come on. Let’s get a move on.”

Time crawled at a slow pace as we walked to the Valorian – Keldaran border. The fear of what to expect when we arrived gnawed at my insides. I could only hope that what Mykal said to me at the banquet was true and I could come to him if I needed help.

“We're almost there,” Ronan said, his hand gripping mine a little tighter.

The forest provided a sense of security with its dense foliage, but soon we would have to cross a clearing that served as the distinct border between the two nations. Just as the clearing came into view, we heard yelling.

“ There ! There they are!”

Ronan and I whirled around to see a cadre of mage warriors come out of hiding, ready to ambush us.

My eyes went wide and I tightened my hold on Ronan’s hand. “I think it’s time to run!” I muttered as I watched in horror.

“I think you’re right!”

We spun on our heels and ran at top speed toward the border, hopeful we could secure sanctuary on the other side.

“Catch them! But don’t hurt the princess!”

The mage warriors’ shouts echoed through the dense forest as Ronan and I pushed our legs to their limits, dodging trees and leaping over underbrush. My heart pounded, not just from exertion, but from the fear of what being caught could mean. Their voices grew louder, closer, and our chances of escaping without confrontation dwindled with every step.

As we broke through the last line of trees and into the clearing that marked the border, a sense of desperation washed over me. The expanse before us was open and provided no cover, a stark contrast to the sheltered forest we’d just left behind.

Ronan glanced back, his expression grim. “We need a distraction,” he said, his voice steady despite our dire situation.

Before he could attempt a foolish maneuver to save me, I released his hand and pulled one of my own. I stopped and turned to face our pursuers. Ronan gaped at me in disbelief, and when his steps faltered, I shouted, “Go! I'll hold them off!”

“No!” he protested, his voice cracking. “I'm not leaving you!”

I pressed a searing kiss to his lips. “Ronan, you need to go . I can handle them. I'll catch up, I promise. You know they won’t hurt me.”

The mage warriors were nearly upon us. With their hands lifted, their spells crackled in the air, ready to be unleashed. Tears blurred my vision as I worried for Ronan’s safety. “Go!” I shouted and pushed him away. With a heavy heart, I turned my back on him, hoping he’d run to safety.

“Don't hurt the princess!” a mage warrior yelled, his words fueling my desperate fight to protect the man I loved.

I didn't dare look back at Ronan, afraid that if I did, I couldn’t do what was needed. Instead, I focused on the mages as they neared the tree line. Tapping into my own mage powers, I reached for the roots of the trees, screaming from the exertion as I pushed myself to the limit.

Once the mages neared, I uprooted several nearby trees and dropped them onto their path, blocking their way to us. Heaving, I placed my hands on my knees as sweat trickled down the sides of my face. I’d expended more power and energy than I had. With their path blocked, I spun on my heels ready to run when I ran right into Ronan’s chest. The stubborn fool had never left.

His gaze was searing. “I can’t leave you, Leila. Either we live together, or we die together. Don’t ever ask me to leave you again.” He took my hand and gripped it tightly.

As our feet pounded against the ground, each step taking us closer to safety, I couldn't shake the fear that clung to me like a second skin. Adrenaline coursed through our veins, propelling us forward.

The gap between us and the border narrowed, and we were almost there. Just mere steps away from safety, Caelan’s voice cut through the brewing storm.

“Lyanna!”

Ronan and I whirled around and watched in horror as Caelan slowly approached. Although there was still a great distance between us, I was nervous by his chilling demeanor. Standing by the tree line, he’d obviously been lying in wait and watching from afar.

“You have nowhere to run!” Caelan said. “Do you think Keldara will welcome you with open arms? It’s a death sentence, Lyanna. Come with me. We can fix this.”

I reached for Ronan’s hand and gripped it tightly. “I know what you did!” I shouted angrily. “You killed Tessa!” I cried. “I can’t forgive you for that!”

Caelan scoffed. “You hardly knew her. And I didn’t kill her … he did!” he yelled, pointing in Ronan’s direction. “If he hadn’t gotten in our way, no one would have gotten hurt!”

I felt as if he’d slapped me. It wasn’t only because of his words, which were unhinged, but because I finally realized something was seriously wrong with Caelan. He was delusional. Morally deficient. A menace.

“Leila!” a male voice called out from behind us. Ronan and I looked over to see Mykal standing on the other side of Keldara’s border … with an army at his back. “Cross the border, Leila,” he said calmly as he narrowed his gaze on Caelan.

“Will Ronan be safe if we do?” I called out.

Mykal slowly nodded. “You have my word; I won’t let anything happen to either of you. Now cross the border.”

With Mykal's assurance echoing in my ears, I took a deep breath and felt the weight of the moment settle upon my shoulders.

“You can’t believe him!” Caelan shouted, dumbstruck. “It’s a trick! You’ll be his hostage the instant your feet touch their soil! Lyanna, please, come to me,” Caelan pleaded, reaching a leather-gloved hand to me from across the clearing.

This was it – the point of no return. I glanced at Ronan and saw the same resolve reflected in his eyes that had settled in my heart.

“There’s no turning back after this,” he said. “I’m ready to dive into the depths of the ocean with you. Are you?”

I nodded and we stepped forward together, crossing the invisible line that separated Valoria from Keldara.

The moment our feet touched Keldaran soil, the atmosphere shifted. It felt as if we had entered a different world, one where the possibilities were both terrifying and exhilarating. Behind us, Caelan stood frozen, his expression a mix of anger and disbelief.

Ronan's grip on my hand tightened as we approached Mykal and his army. Their presence was intimidating, yet there was a sense of order and discipline that reassured me. Mykal stepped forward, his gaze softening slightly as he regarded me.

“Welcome to Keldara, Princess Lyanna,” Mykal said, his voice carrying a hint of respect. “And you, Ronan of the Crimson Clan, are under my protection as well.”

I nodded, unable to find the words to express my gratitude. The tension that had built within me started to ease, replaced by cautious hope. Here in Keldara, with Mykal's word as our shield, Ronan might be able to get home safely, after all.

Caelan's voice, now distant and powerless, drifted to us on the wind. “You'll regret this, Lyanna!”

But his threats seemed empty now, overshadowed by the safety Keldara promised, or so we thought. Until the moment my childhood best friend reached over a fallen tree and dragged a small body across it roughly, throwing it out into the clearing. The frail boy was gagged, his wrists and ankles bound.

“Henry!” I shouted and started to run across the border, but Ronan stopped me.

Caelan smirked. “You see? I have something you both treasure. Now, unless you want to see this young boy killed, come to me, Lyanna.’’ He stalked over to Henry and removed the gag from his mouth. “Now tell her, Henry,” he goaded. “Tell her to come save you.”

My body trembled with unrestrained hatred. Never in my life had I ever wanted to kill someone until this moment.

Henry spit in Caelan’s face. “Never!” he shouted hoarsely, then turned to me and Ronan. “She’s safe, Miss Leila! I made sure no harm came to Miss Tessa’s body!”

I couldn’t stop the tears that streamed down my face. Even in the midst of his personal anguish, Henry didn’t care about his wellbeing; he was only concerned with making sure I knew he’d done what I asked. I hated myself for putting that on him and not taking him with us. Now, my biggest fear had come to life. He was in danger … because of me .

Caelan reared back and kicked him in his stomach, which shut him up quickly.

“Caelan!” I roared across the clearing. “I swear if you or anybody hurts that little boy, I will rain hellfire upon all of Eldwain! To every single person here, I will bleed you dry until there’s nothing left but a dry carcass!” I memorized each mage’s face, trembling in fury with impotent rage at the knowledge that I’d already exhausted my powers to reach the border.

Caelan’s grin dimmed just a bit as he watched me stand rigidly, my hands fisted at my sides waiting, just waiting for one of them to move a single inch.

Ronan pulled me back against his chest. “Leila,” he whispered in my ear. “He won’t hurt him. Caelan is many things, but he wouldn’t hurt an innocent boy.”

“I don’t believe that,” I said raggedly. “Not anymore.”

Caelan grabbed the collar of Henry’s shirt and dragged him back to the tree line, tossing him to the mages who cowered in the forest.

“You think I fear you?” he called out, his voice full of derision. “Lyanna, I fear no one ! Mark my words: If you do not return to Valoria, I will kill him.”

“If you kill him,” I looked straight into his evil hazel eyes, “you’re dead to me. And if any of you—” I addressed the Valorian army and cadre of mages, pointing my clawed hands at them, “touch this little boy, I will kill three generations of your family …” My voice dropped to a guttural roar. “As the lost heir, you should heed my warning.”

The gasps that circulated the Valorian army reached all the way to where we stood behind the Keldaran border, and I knew I’d gotten their attention. I never wanted to name myself the lost heir, but for Henry’s sake, I would. Hopefully Marcellus could forgive me.

“No worries, Your Highness!” one of the mages called out. “We will protect the boy!”

“Leila?” Mykal spoke behind me. “It’s best if we go.”

Without another word, Ronan and I stepped deeper into Keldara’s territory, leaving Henry’s fate in the hands of the mage warriors who I hoped were more afraid of me than they were of Caelan.