Chapter 19
V illages and farms dotted the area as they headed toward the southeast border of Eldridge. By midday, rolling hills and thin wooded areas had transformed into large, draping trees and low-lying foliage. The air had thickened with unfamiliar green scents that teased his senses to distraction. Rodric breathed a sigh of relief as the small town of Stillwater came into view, a life-size version of the imagery on their map.
Hang on, Brenna, we’re coming. Pride swelled as he looked at his comrades. They were an unusual but very cohesive team. Sev and Cass had developed a strong bond since the battle, and Sev was clearly happy to be working with them, shadowing Cass as often as he rode beside Rodric.
For the first time, he was filled with a wave of confidence that they would indeed be able to accomplish the mission he’d set out on. We’re going to succeed.
Majestic mountains loomed in the distance to the south, heralding the even greater change in terrain in that direction. These were dark with green and wildlife, a hint of the wild jungles and rainforests that lay on the other side of the mountain range. The town was large enough to have a tiny inn, and they’d decided to take the opportunity to stay indoors.
“Let’s get settled at the inn, then split up and do some searching. Listen, be friendly, see if we can pick anything from the local gossip.” Cass drummed her fingers on her thigh, the only agitation she showed.
“Once we’re settled someplace quiet, I’ll seek Connor again.” Celina had been able to confirm they were continuing to head in the right direction each time she checked, her connection to her brother growing stronger the closer they got.
“No. You’re nearly falling over in your saddle.” Rodric reached over to touch her knee. “You can try after you’ve rested. Checking now or later won’t change anything. We’re staying overnight no matter what.”
“Alright. I admit, I’m looking forward to a real bed tonight.” Celina smiled, her eyes sparkling with a touch of heat despite the lines of exhaustion marring her beautiful face.
“Me too.” He was usually as comfortable out in the woods as he was in a real room with a bed, but he’d never before had a lover traveling with him.
Scattered thunderstorms in addition to the recent healing had her waking frequently during the night, startling from upsetting dreams and worries. While it hurt him to see her suffering, it had also deepened their bond, providing opportunities for them to trust and share, holding each other close through the cold nights.
She hadn’t let up on the magic either, insisting on giving him lessons each night. He was slowly adjusting to the shock of his new reality, but he was still far from comfortable with the changes to his life. To himself. Celina was unfailingly patient with him. So much so he’d seen Cass giving her reprimanding looks that insinuated her tactic should be more along the lines of knocking him upside the head.
Argumentative tones drew him out of his reverie, and he smirked, recognizing the increasingly common sound of Cass and Sev’s flirtatious banter. Celina gave him an amused look as they listened to their companions bicker upon their final approach to the town’s walls.
“Cassia, you can’t hide the fact that you’re a ferocious warrior. Let me do the talking.” Sev had been using her full name ever since he learned it and seemed to enjoy teasing the warrior until she growled at him. Cass was always smiling afterward though and seemed to be enjoying their new friendship.
“Preddari travel alone, not in groups. You stand out just as much as I do right now, Sevryn. ”
“By all means, shimira, call me by my name anytime.”
“Did you just refer to me as a mythical female leopard?” Cass asked, incredulous.
“I did indeed.” Sev grinned. “You may be a Wolflumen, but you share many qualities with the leopardess of legend. It suits you.”
Cass eyed him as if she wasn’t sure whether she wanted to claw him or kiss him. Sniffing, she kicked her horse and veered in front of Sev just before the town’s entrance. Laughing, Sev drew up next to her, still grinning like a fool.
Celina turned to Rodric as they followed at a more sedate walk. “They’re ridiculous.”
“True. But on the plus side, no one is going to so much as glance at us with those two around.”
Stillwater Village, Realm of Eldridge
R odric kept Celina close as they wandered the square, listening and searching for evidence of Connor passing through. Her arm wound around his waist, lips brushing against his neck under his ear whenever she wanted to tell him something. Each brush of her breath heated his skin. They were the perfect picture of a traveling couple to anyone watching, and it wasn’t even a ruse.
Market stalls were filled with necessities and colorful items from neighboring realms, as well as Eldridge. Vendors and families bustled about, eager to finish their business before the day’s end.
Supplies replenished and a dozen questions later, he was about ready to call it a night. After weeks traveling in the quiet of nature, the shock of noise and chaos around them grated on his nerves as it always did when he returned to civilization.
A soft sound of distress had him gripping Celina tightly. “That’s the second time you’ve stumbled. I’m calling it, we’re heading back before I have to carry you.” He kissed her temple. “Not that I’d mind, but we’re supposed to be keeping a low profile.”
Sighing, she gave in. “You’re probably right. I just wish we’d found something useful.”
“We have your connection to rely on. We’ll find him.”
“I don’t want to let you down.”
“You won’t. You’ve made me a believer.” Tipping her chin up, he kissed her, continuing until her pulse sped up and her hand gripped his jacket. With effort, he pulled back, satisfied to see her cheeks had heated with warmth. “Let’s take advantage of a night indoors, hmm? We can’t do much more for them until morning.”
Heading to the inn, they looped around the opposite side of the way they’d come. It was much quieter on the outskirts, and he breathed in the scent of horses and mud, the familiarity a relief from the overwhelming smells of the square. Dusk further mellowed the surroundings, dimming the sun to a softer hue as they walked.
A dappled gray horse in the pen up ahead reared, pawing the air and crying in outrage, breaking the stillness.
“Wow, he’s really worked up,” Rodric said as they looked over at the source of the enraged sound.
Latching on to his arm, Celina jerked to a stop, staring at the animal. “We have to go over there right now.”
“Why? What is it?”
Celina ignored his question, completely focused as she dragged him toward the pen. Dropping his arm as they approached, she dove under the fence and pushed her way through the horses.
“Celina!” Rodric roared, racing after her. “Be careful!”
“Whoa, easy. It’s okay, Rogue.”
Rodric could barely hear her voice over the loud sounds of the angry horse. The beast was so worked up, any sane person would have been afraid to venture too close. His heart exploded, pounding in fear as he pushed past the other horses to get to her side.
“Come on, boy, you know me.” Celina spoke in soothing tones. “There, that’s it.” Finally able to approach safely, she moved up next to his head and stroked his neck. She wrapped her arms around the horse’s neck in a hug.
“This is Connor’s horse! Rodric, we have to be close!”
Somewhere in the back of his mind, elation sparked. They were closing in on their target, had real physical proof. Were that much closer to saving Brenna. All that dimmed as images of Celina crushed and trampled took precedence in his mind.
“That’s great, really. But what were you thinking, Celina? He wasn’t going anywhere. You dove into a pen of agitated horses without a thought! You have got to quit scaring me like that.”
He’d been so focused on magic taking her from him, he hadn’t considered all the other ways he could lose her. Stubborn and noble, she was always trying to save someone, stepping into dangerous situations without full consideration of the consequences. His chest tightened as he realized he had no real way to stop her from jumping into harm’s way. How was he supposed to keep her safe?
“I’m sorry, you’re right. I recognized him and had to get to him. We have to take him with us!”
Her excitement didn’t deter the adrenaline rushing through his veins. Running a hand over his face, he blew out a frustrated breath. “Of course. But Celina—” He bit off his words and changed course. Not the time or place. “I’ll purchase him and interrogate the owners. They might have some of his gear still or the location where they found him. Just, stay here . Please.”
“Rogue is a trained warhorse. I’m well-protected.”
At the moment, it wasn’t other people’s actions she was in danger from, it was her own. Mumbling under his breath, Rodric left to find the hostlers holding Connor’s warhorse. The stroke of luck and Celina’s joy barely dimmed his fierce emotions.
A torrent of emotion had built up in Rodric by the time they had settled Rogue in the stable with their horses and returned to the inn. Their small room trapped him in, preventing him from pacing a trench into the floor with his heavy steps. Instead, he walked to the window and braced his arms above the opening, trying to let the quiet of the night soothe him.
Rogue had been caught at a nearby stream, injured and malnourished, appearing to have wandered on his own for quite a while. His high-quality gear had long since been sold. They’d been more than happy to get rid of the angry horse, saving them from trying to sell him in one of the larger towns.
Knowing they were on the right track and closing in on their targets should have calmed him, but he was still vibrating with pent-up fear and frustration.
Celina wrapped her arms around him from behind. “Are you still upset about earlier?”
“Yes.”
“You’re not alone anymore, Rodric. You don’t have to hide from me, even when you’re angry.”
With a last glance outside, he turned to face her. Letting his instincts blaze, he stalked toward her, enjoying the startled flash in her eyes. Placing his hands on her hips, he walked her backward toward the bed.
“You cannot do that to me, Celina.”
She licked her lips, preparing to speak, but he shook his head at her.
“Just listen.”
She pursed her lips as her legs met the edge of the bed.
“You mean the world to me. My life, my soul, was missing you. I have you now and am not letting you go.”
Wedging his leg between hers, he closed the space between them, encouraging her onto her back.
“Rodric—”
He nipped at her lip in reprimand, cutting off her reply. “Can we agree that you will stop needlessly putting yourself in danger when there is a better, safer option? Healing or otherwise?”
Pinning her with his body and his gaze, he stared at the other half of his heart, and verbalized what he’d been coming to terms with since the first time he’d touched her, dancing under a magically lit sky. “I want everything with you, and that will only happen if you’re here for it.”
Focusing on his tie to Celina, he separated out a single emotion and sent it through the channel.
Tears welled in her beautiful sea-blue eyes. “I love you too, Rodric.”
Pressing his lips to hers, he poured all of his pent-up emotion into the kiss.
Gentle hands tunneled into his hair and stroked his neck. Soothing waves of love dancing through the bond to warm his soul and chase away the earlier fear.
Flickers of blue and gold twined together to light their connection, dancing along their bond in an endless loop. Hope enveloped his heart, filling him with a sense of rightness and belonging he never thought he’d have.