49. Chapter 49
Chapter 49
Erik
E rik opened himself up to the sun as he climbed on top of Cinnamon and prepared to leave Auropera, positioning himself snugly behind Janelle. He allowed the sunlight to stoke the fire inside him, filling him with righteous fury. It had been a gift from the gods themselves when Janelle had gasped at the mention of Alnwick. He’d known immediately what had caused such a visceral reaction from his wife, had felt her shock and apprehension as strongly as he felt his own heartbeat, and when she’d confirmed that Alnwick was where Jakob and Stefan had been stationed, he’d known immediately that he had to be the one to scout the outpost nearby.
It was the first opportunity that had presented itself to find and kill the men who had hurt Janelle since she’d told him of her past. The first time his dreams of breaking their bones one by one and plucking out their eyes had become a concrete possibility.
It felt like a morbid version of his birthday, but Erik didn’t show it. Itcaused Janelle pain to think about what had been done to her. And who knew if they remained there? Who knew if they even still lived? Erik hoped with everything he had they did, if only so he could confront them about the horrendous decisions they’d made during their worthless lives… and end them .
He hadn't told Gray of his plan to search for the men who hurt his wife, but he knew his best friend would understand. Erik wouldn’t allow it to distract him, would make sure to dispose of the men quickly and return to his primary objective of searching for Alaric, or any information that could help them find him. And who knows? Maybe the bastards would lead them straight to the false king. Maybe men like that were drawn to one another, joining forces to amplify their evil.
Janelle had been hesitant when he’d told her what he was planning, but he assured her he would keep her safe. That there wasn’t a chance in this world or the next that he would ever allow them to touch her again. Just the fact that he had to do so made his fury almost boil over. Even after all these years, the memory of what Jakob and his brother had done to her was so vivid, she was still deeply afraid of them on a base level that haunted her subconscious.
Erik pulled Cinnamon in line with the other horses just inside the portcullis. Four different groups, ready to split away on their different missions. It felt wrong separating from their friends. Unnatural.
Not to mention that the last time they’d done it, Lea had almost died of the Lonely Death. Even then, it had been Emma who sensed something was wrong, and Emma was staying behind, unable to warn them of the things they couldn’t see or feel. For them to all be apart…
Dread swirled in Erik's gut.
"Send word if you discover anything," Gray said. "If you find Alaric, do not engage. Do not forget that Lea is the one who has to kill him. We do not approach until we have our entire army. They’re ready. Once we’re all together again, we end this."
"Gods bless and protect you all," Vincent said, placing a hand over his heart.
"Until we meet again. Be safe," Tanad said, his lips pressing into a hard, grim line.
"And for the love of the gods," Janelle added, looking at Lea pointedly, "don’t do anything stupid."