Chapter 36 Colgrave
COLGRAVE
The last thing I wanted to do was take my eyes off Audryn, but she’d asked me to help her father.
So I turned away and rushed to get to his side.
Or at least that’s what I thought I was going to do until guards got in my way.
No matter how much I relied on my voiding magic, it wasn’t enough to easily overcome those blocking my path.
Initially, I considered voiding the entire area, but that would not only decimate my sister’s abilities, but Audryn’s as well.
And I wouldn’t risk putting either of them at a disadvantage, especially when we remained outnumbered, even with the two dozen witches I’d brought with me.
So I focused on individuals rather than the group.
The darkness was consuming, but I leaned into it. My onyx eyes remained, magic a constant thrum at my fingertips. The split-second it took to conjure my ability might’ve been the difference between me living or finding myself with a blade plunged through my chest.
My eyes widened when her father was forced to his knees. A blonde man in a dark uniform held a shining blade high above. My heart and hands stuttered in time with the ground’s jerky movements.
Time stalled, and my legs were leaden as I tried to force my way past the guard putting up a good fight. A breath later, I pushed past the woman who sent her sword nicking my arm.
A dozen feet away, I watched in horror as the blonde guard readied himself to drive the sword into Audryn’s father. Before I could fend off the attack, the guards pulled the man forward, and plunged the blade into his back.
The ground’s movement ceased as the blade was removed and the man readied himself to drive it in once more.
Pivoting, I drew back my sword and sliced into the guard’s arm, severing it completely.
Blood spouted out of his empty shoulder.
He turned, confusion marking his face as his blade tumbled to the ground.
My stare trailed to the still-clenched hand wrapped around the hilt.
Audryn’s unmoving father lay face down with a gaping wound next to the severed limb.
The two other guards prepared to confront me, but a witch moved in to fend off both of them on her own.
I moved once more, stepping forward and swinging at the guard's neck, sending his open-mouthed head toppling across the lawn of blue flowers. His body fell seconds later, delayed by the shock of the injury.
When I read the name “C. Hunt” above the uniform pocket, a lump formed in my throat. I hadn’t recognized the guard’s face, despite having seen him only days prior.
I dropped to my knees next to Audryn’s father. Putting pressure on the wound, I looked for signs of life. Only his body remained, color fading by the second and devoid of breath. Audryn had given me one job. I failed not only her father, but her.
“He’s gone, Col,” Sky croaked. “But so is Audryn.”
“What?” My head snapped up to where I last saw her. She’d been there only a second ago. Or had it been a minute? Maybe even more time had passed. “Where did she go?”
“I’m not sure, I was out here with you.”
“Take him to Rynholm. We can’t leave him here—she needs him.” I crossed one of his hands over his other and placed a gentle kiss on the top. “I will keep your daughter safe, Mister Clair.”
Sky grabbed the arm of a passing guard marked with a ruby and ordered him to assist her in carrying the body. It wasn’t what her father deserved; none of it was. But Sky was a superb rider, and at least she’d get him back in one piece. It was a minor consolation for such an enormous loss.
Several guards circled Ryder, fighting off men and women in white kitchen uniforms. Interesting turn of events, I thought, but I was pleased to see his staff revolting against him.
I pushed through the crowd and poured my magic out to void the group. One man in a white chef hat stepped back the moment I made it to his side, and I struck the guard he’d been diligently fighting, making a hole for me to get to the prince.
Ryder’s eyes turned to saucers and his body went rigid.
A breath later, he slipped on a cocky mask and settled into a fighting stance.
In our youth, we had endlessly fought in the training ring while our parents dealt with political matters.
Years had passed since our last spar, but I was well aware of just how evenly matched we were.
“Move away,” he ordered the men and women around him. “He’s my kill.”
“Where’s Audryn?” I roared. “What did you do with her?”
His head tilted. “Dead.” A smile moved across his mouth.
My gut felt like it had been punched, and my heart ripped from my chest. Bile rose in the back of my throat.
“No.” My voice was a whisper, and my breath hitched. She was everything. I didn’t even know how I’d lived before I met her. Ringing in my ears overtook the shouts around me.
Ryder burst out laughing. “You should see your face right now!” He stepped back, cocking his head. “The bitch left with my guard and my lover. But—bring her back, I’ll happily kill her and you can watch.” He smirked.
My chest filled with new resolve to end him for making me think, even for a second, that I’d lost her. Pride swelled. She’d made it out alive.
Ryder lunged. He was always one to react too fast. I sidestepped, letting the blade miss me with more than ample room. He recklessly swung, technique lost to emotions. He’d wear himself out before I needed to make an offensive move.
It was the worst type of fight to engage in; he was like a cornered, wounded animal, desperate to survive. It was unpredictable and left little room to devise a plan of attack.
I countered and struck the upper part of his arm with my blade. The hit wasn’t much, but it had cut through his clothes and into his skin. Blood stained his white coat, the liquid expanding outward to fill the surrounding fibers. Ryder removed his cloak, letting it fall to the ground.
“This is what you want to do, Grave? You’re really going to fight me for some land-wielding cunt?” He panted. “I can get you five of them. Far better looking too!”
I swung for his head, but he pulled back, dodging the tip of my blade. Keeping my eyes set on my target, I tried not to take his bait.
“You know she’s a great fuck.” Ryder grinned, dodging another swing of my sword. “That swirling thing she does on the tip of my dick is really something.”
“It sure is.” I smiled back, egging him on. “But her mouth is only a close second to her pussy. I guess I owe you for sending her running into my arms.”
Ryder grimaced. “Is that what this is? A good lay? I’ve had plenty that are better.”
“She’s better than your sister.” I smiled. “What are your thoughts on the matter? I’m sure you’ve fucked her too.”
His lip curled up as if he’d smelled a sour jar of milk.
I lunged forward aiming for his stomach, but narrowly missed as he stepped back. He might’ve been shit at meeting his mark, but he was efficient at evading mine.
“I had my hands on her last night. Maris and she were divine in their endeavors to please me,” he continued. “Audryn choked when my dick went down her throat. She likes it when she can’t breathe, just like today.”
Watching his hands around her neck was more than I could take; thinking about it only fueled me further. I swung fiercely, anger raging behind my movements. Audryn could kill his father, but Ryder was mine. I missed the target and regained my footing.
“You know Audryn’s mated to me, right?” Ryder’s eyes narrowed.
“I needed to draw on help from one of your kind in order to get the bond.” Ryder swung and sliced open the upper area of my non-sword arm.
“But it doesn’t matter. She’s connected to me forever.
Her pussy will forever remain wrapped around my dick while you’ll be left with your hand. ”
“What an image,” Leanna deadpanned from the left. “Spare us the visual, Brother. Nobody wants to imagine your dick anywhere.”
I bit back a chuckle before swinging again, hitting the same arm I’d struck minutes earlier.
“Choose a different target.” Ryder winced. “And a different woman.”
“Never going to happen,” I grunted as I struck his leg.
“Now don’t be a liar, Grave,” Leanna mused.
“Are you going to help me?” Ryder hissed. “Or—”
“Nope.” Leanna popped the P in the word and placed her hands on her hips.
The man was such an asshole that his own sister refused to aid him. I wondered how many times he’d put his hands on her too.
I moved to the side, putting Leanna directly behind Ryder. The two could easily combine forces against me, and I’d be outmatched. King Sutton had trained his daughter steadily over the years. Even in the evening, when she thought nobody was looking, she’d been in the ring sparring with her husband.
“Find your own bitch!” Ryder swung, striking my forearm. “Audryn is mine.”
Face heated, I moved quickly, but he was still faster than most of my blows. If we dropped our swords, I’d win, no doubt. But I remained unsuccessful in my attempts to dislodge his weapon.
Ryder’s wide eyes met mine before they shot down at the blade that had slid through his back and protruded from his chest. It took too long for me to realize what had happened.
He dropped to his knees gasping, leaving Leanna standing behind him with her head tilted sideways as she stared down at her brother blankly.
Her eyes slowly drew up to me. “I grew tired of waiting, and the throne was always meant to be mine.” She kicked a healed boot into his back, pushing Ryder face first into the dirt.
“Well, that’s one way to get it.” I huffed and shook my head. The two were brutal, yet witches were said to be the evil ones.
She wiped the spray of blood from her arms casually. “I have no issue with you, but for reasons I’m sure you’ll understand, you’ll be named as my brother’s killer.”
“So be it.” I shrugged. “I’m only bothered that I get such an honor without having accomplished the task.”
“You can stab him for good measure.” She raised a brow.
“No need.” My lips pursed. “Though, are we to fight next?”
“Me?” She theatrically put a hand over her chest. “I’m just a defenseless woman. You killed my brother and I ran away.”
I dipped my chin and looked down at Ryder’s unmoving body.
“As always, Grave, it was a pleasure.” The corner of her mouth lifted. “Though I believe I would’ve had more pleasure if our dealings had been in my bed.”
As if she’d been waiting, she shrieked and ran toward the castle, arms flailing. She was conniving, and I couldn’t even fault her for it. Living in a home with both of the Sutton men set her up for nothing less.
Making my way back to Amalee, a female guard blocked me. The woman swung her blade hard, and I dodged.
“Audryn is missing!” I shouted toward my sister.
My sword clashed against the woman’s. She pulled back and swung again, missing me only by an inch. She shifted to water magic and sent a wave at my face, cutting off the air to my lungs while still swinging at me with her other hand.
Well, fuck me for letting her nearly drown me. I threw out my magic, leaving her with nothing but her ability to fight.
“Try it again.” I smiled with water dripping down my face. “I dare you.”
Our swords clashed once more, and my sister came to my back, fending off a guard behind me.
“If you weren’t late, we’d be flying back.” Amalee grunted. “But here we are!” She swung and took the male out with her rotting magic simultaneously. He slumped to the ground with a thud.
“I had to beg them to help.” I slashed at the female, metal connecting. “It took me days to get them to agree.” The Graystorm witches weren’t all too fond of my showing up and demanding help. At one point I was convinced they’d kill me and eat my heart.
Amalee stood at my side, twirling a sword in her hand, watching me fight the guard without assisting.
The woman struck me with her blade, slicing into my leather jacket.
“Okay, enough!” I yelled and drove my sword through her heart. It wasn’t the most dignified death, but it was quick and, from what I could imagine, painless.
Amalee rammed her sword through the guard’s eye socket.
“Angry much?” I asked.
“You have no idea.” She smiled, letting her black teeth sparkle. “I’m thinking your painting a target on us wasn’t such a bad idea. At least I can get some aggression out.”
A red-eyed wyvern bolted into the sky, legs dangling off its side. Flying fast and straight, the creature headed north. Sky’s blonde hair floated in the wind behind her.
The ground rumbled under our feet once again.
My eyes scanned the remaining people, wondering who else was using magic I hadn’t voided. But most everyone left standing was a witch or wore a ruby. Several minutes passed as we balanced ourselves before the quaking ground ceased.
“Where did you send Sky off to?” Amalee’s eyes stayed on the wyvern’s path as it shrank.
“Audryn’s dad was—” I exhaled, not able to get the words out.
“Are you Colgrave Grant?” a red-haired male interrupted, approaching cautiously. “I’m Jaspar.”
My brow lifted.
“A witch pointed you out, not like you didn’t stand out already,” the male quipped, clearly trying his best to lighten the mood.
His back stiffened, and his face turned serious.
“Audryn’s cornered in the prison and won’t leave.
She’s with an injured guard but wanted me to tell you that you’d have been great together. I think you should tell her yourself.”
“Fisher.” Amalee shook her head. Her onyx eyes landed on Jaspar. “Wait. You left her there? Just her and someone who can’t even defend themselves?”
“She forced me to—” the male started.
“Where?” was the only word I could push from my mouth.