Chapter 20
Liv’s words played over and over in Rise’s head.
She’d said she thought she loved him. Him? How was that even possible?
What was lovable about him? Nothing! He was scarred inside and out, and he lived only for revenge.
Yet, as they navigated the sloshy, muddy land around them as quickly as they could, he realized that he wanted to believe her.
He wanted her to love him. For far too long, he’d only wanted one thing. He’d wanted Grawl to die at his hands.
After years of pushing toward that goal alone, now Rise was questioning what would he live for once that was done. What would drive him once Grawl was dead?
Liv lifted her hand and pointed for him to turn toward their right. “We need to go that way!”
Rise didn’t question. He simply turned Nick in the direction she pointed and took off.
Fortunately, the terrain changed, became drier, and became easier to race across.
The swampy land gave way to tall stalks of grass and a few crops of trees.
In the distance, Rise saw a castle lifting into the horizon.
Still some ways away, they heard voices carrying on the wind. Rise steered Nick into the nearest copse of trees and dropped to the ground. Liv followed him. They stayed hidden as a band of people walked up what Rise now saw was a road of sorts. As they neared, he listened to their conversation.
“I don’t know why we’ve been sent out here, Fleer. Why do you keep asking me?”
The one Rise assumed was Fleer answered, “I just don’t understand. Are we looking for something or someone? Why did Lord Thrait make us leave the celebration?”
Liv’s thoughts pushed into Rise’s head. Wonder what they’re celebrating?
Rise hoped her thoughts didn’t automatically broadcast to everyone in the area, and as he watched the group of people, he was relieved to see that no one seemed to react.
“Wonder why the old man decided to marry again. I thought he killed his last three wives.” This was a statement spoken by a misshapen, short creature with teeth that jutted upward from his bottom lip.
He was a Vetork from the Fier region of Umbraland.
They were known as fierce warriors without consciences.
They often fought for whoever paid the highest. Why was one here?
As Rise watched, three more crested the road, and he realized this group of beings were an advance guard of sorts.
“Don’t really know. I just heard that she’s quite a beauty and one of Grawl’s daughters.”
Rise felt Liv tense beside him.
Another voice piped up. “Won’t matter anyway. She’ll be dead by morning. Old Lord Thrait ain’t the gentlest of lovers, I hear.”
With both his arms around her, Rise held Liv down, hoping the noise of her thrashing to get free was covered by the rumble of wagons being pulled by some of the soldiers.
Over my dead body!
Her words in his head nearly knocked him on his ass with the power she put behind them, but he held on to her as the small contingent moved past them, somehow not hearing or seeing them only some handful of yards away.
Once they were gone, Liv turned on him. “You should have let me take them out.”
She was beautiful in her anger, with her eyes giving a sense of fiery, hazel sparks as she met his gaze and her lips pursed, just begging him to soften them with a kiss.
“Why did you hold me back?”
Why had he held her back? Why had he not wanted any harm to come to her?
Because he hadn’t gotten the chance to use her to get close to Grawl? No, he had to admit the truth to himself.
He didn’t want Liv harmed because he cared about her. He still wasn’t sure how he was supposed to hand her over to Grawl. What if that were the only way to kill his greatest enemy? Could he do it?
Right now, as she stared at him, waiting for an answer and afraid of the truth, he went back to his old tactic.
“If I’m going to get my revenge on Grawl, we don’t have time for skirmishes that give a warning that we’re coming. Now, do you want to rescue Esvie and your sister? Then, let’s figure out how to get inside the castle without getting caught.”
The tension eased out of her as she said, “You’re right. Let’s go. How do you propose we sneak inside?”
Rise considered her question for a moment before he said, “That was a hodgepodge of beings acting as mercenary soldiers. They weren’t wearing uniforms, but they all had a red band around their upper right arm.
If we can get our hands on some of those bands, we could walk right inside and maybe back out without anyone questioning us. ”
“And how do you propose we get some of those armbands?”
“Leave that to me.” Rise stood up, pulling Liv up by her hand. “Stay here with Nick. I’ll be back within the hour with the armbands. Just don’t go starting any battles that would draw attention.”
“I don’t like that plan. What if something were to happen to you?”
Rise acknowledged her concern with a nod. “If I’m not back within the hour, take Nick and head back to the portal.”
“I’m not leaving here without Esvie, Val, or you.”
“Don’t be stubborn. If you head back to the portal, Decelia would likely be able to put together a small group to come back with you.”
“I don’t need a small group. You forget that I’m a warrior in my own right.”
Rise shook his head. “But you can’t take on a whole castle by yourself.”
She shrugged and said, “Watch me.” Gods, she was irresistible when she was arrogant. Again, her eyes flashed with determination, and all he wanted to do was kiss her.
Recognizing when he was defeated, Rise said, “Fine! If I’m not back within the hour, come find me.
” Giving into his urge, he took her into his arms, and their mouths melded with unchecked desire.
Rise groaned when he felt her tongue lash against his own, sending sexual energy speeding throughout his body.
He wanted to deepen the kiss and take things further, but this certainly wasn’t the time or the place, so he pulled back, working to get his breathing back under control.
He leaned his forehead against hers and said, “But I will be back. We have unfinished business.”
“And what is that?” Her voice was as breathless as his.
“You love me.”