Chapter 38
The sound of movement in the main hall roused her from sleep and soft breaths on the back of her neck were tickling her skin.
Her back was up against Kaden, one of his arms wrapped around her front side and the other under her neck. She couldn’t help but smile and felt her heart instantly beat faster as she tucked herself back against him.
She knew it was time for them to get up and go; multiple footsteps could be heard on the other side of the door and she was just waiting for someone to come wake them.
Until then, she would relish in the fact she didn’t have a single nightmare the entire night and stayed in the warmth of Kaden’s body.
His arm pulled her in tighter as she shifted into him, his breathing staggering a little bit and she knew he was waking. Her neck was still on his other arm, her finger tracing down it until she intertwined her hand into his.
“I don’t remember you waking last night,” his voice groggy behind her.
“I didn’t,” she breathed and she felt him squeeze her hand gently.
Goosebumps ran down her spine and she rolled towards him while keeping her arm stretched out along his, not wanting to let go of his hand. Once on her back, she could feel his grip around her loosen and she glanced towards him.
Maroon eyes caught her gaze when she looked at him, sleep was still evident but they were bright and unnerving. That thread in her stomach instantly vibrated through her and she found herself silently staring back at him.
His hand moved slowly asking permission and she nodded before he traced up her side and then up to her face, his finger grazing her scar before pushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear like he had done so many times before.
She held his stare the entire time, and she could feel her insides become knotted in heat and fluttering she couldn’t stop.
Neither Declan or Silas ever made her feel so comforted as Kaden could with such little gestures of affection, and she began to wonder what would happen if she did let him all the way in.
Before she could say anything, a knock on the door echoed through the room and she could hear Finnley on the other side. “We better get moving.”
“Be right out.” Kaden responded but didn’t make an effort to move for a few more seconds, his eyes still watching her carefully.
“What do you think will happen when we get to Bromel?” she asked quietly.
“I heard they are going to hold a ball at the mansion, a way to pull Mavros’s attention from Elnora and then probably nothing after that.”
“You think he will attack Bromel?”
“I don’t think so. I think the attack on Elnora was a test to see if you could fight back and if his spy has reported you have some of your power, he will try to figure out a different way to hurt you.” His hand gripped hers a little tighter and she let the corner of her lips pull up slightly.
“Training is a must when we are there, I need to get my power back if he is attacking the smaller villages.” she sighed. “He needs to be stopped.”
“We will figure it out,” he whispered. “I think we are at least close to breaking that wall of yours down.”
“I hope so.”
He moved towards her and pressed a kiss to the top of her head, his arm sliding out from under her neck gently before getting up out of the bed.
Neither of them said another word while they dressed, she herself went into the bathroom to give herself privacy to change. Kaden had yet to see her naked and she wasn’t about to strip completely down in front of him now.
It didn’t take long for them to finish and walk out the door, Kaden followed her and joined the rest of the group waiting at one of the tables.
“We should be able to fly in easily, grab the horses and supplies, and be on our way just before the sun rises.” Finnley said, his arm wrapped around Raine.
“Any travelers we need to watch for in your last patrol?” Kaden said towards Xander and watched the other male shake his head.
“Not that I could see.” Xander shrugged.
Kaden glanced towards her and gave her a warning look. “Remember, you can’t say anything about what has happened the last few days. If anyone asks, we got caught up in the storm and we broke the wagon which set us back a day.”
“Broken wagon huh?” she smirked. “Classic.”
He gave her a playful glare and heard a few of the other males chuckle.
“Let’s go.” Boone interjected and they all made their way out of the Longhouse, her heart racing a little bit faster.
She didn’t want to leave, but knew she had to if she wanted to keep her home safe, and she trusted Kaden with his plan.
Once out, Finnley scooped up Raine in his arms and she looked to see Kaden holding his arms out to her, waiting for her to initiate contact.
“You don’t need to ask anymore,” she whispered. “ I trust you.”
The light in his eye brightened and he scooped her up in his arms around her back and under her knees. Her arms wrapped around his neck, her breath catching at how close their faces were and then laid her head against his chest to hide the color rushing to her cheeks.
“Hold on,” he whispered.
“I plan to.” She breathed back and a few seconds later, all of them launched into the darkness of the night sky and she prayed to Odin she would come back home soon.
- - - - - - - -
Grey dapples could be seen a few feet ahead of her and she smiled at the site of Zuri grazing a small patch of grass in the pen nearby.
The sun would be rising fully shortly and they all moved to get the horses saddled and the wagon moving. Xander and Boone had come the night before and stocked up the supplies making it faster for them to get on the road.
Zuri’s head shot up as she approached and the mare instantly started walking towards her. She was quick to saddle her, and before she knew it they were all walking down the short path to the road nearby.
The small stable belonged to a friend of Boone’s and they used it frequently when they needed to travel on foot during the day. It was convenient, and she was impressed the males had so many connections outside of Elnora.
This time Boone and Xander took the lead while Kaden rode with her in the middle. Finnley and Raine took up the back like normal, Titus being content just steering the wagon behind her.
From what she knew of the plan, they should make it to Bromel by evening and then they had to stay for a week before they could return back to Elnora.
“You will stay with me in Bromel right?” she asked quietly towards Kaden next to her.
He didn’t look at her, his eyes watching the surroundings diligently but saw him smirk. “I have no better place to be.”
“I mean you could technically go back home like you did in Elnora.” she teased. “Which, I wouldn’t blame you.”
Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw his head turn towards her and she looked up to meet his gaze.
“I’m not leaving you, not unless you ask me to.” His voice was deep and unwavering, causing a shiver to go down her spine. “Besides, it would not feel like home without you now.”
Color rushed to her cheeks and she glanced around trying to distract the thread in her stomach that was now humming. It didn’t really work, but she saw him go back to scouting the surroundings and she tried to do the same.
Giggling could be heard from behind them and she snuck a glance over her shoulder. Raine and Finnley were having a very animated conversation, and she felt her own smile form on her lips.
She had spent so much time alone over the last century, she forgot what it was like to have people she enjoyed being around. The way someone could make your day better just by one sentence or gesture, and it made her annoyed with herself she had let herself disregard that feeling.
Victor and Elisa came to mind and wondered how they were fairing in the small town. Worry crept into her mind and hoped her small town would stay off Mavros’s radar if he really was raiding smaller villages.
War was already in full force, and she was running out of time to get her powers back before Mavros took control. Kaden was powerful, but it was her flame that could kill these creatures, not his.
“You were tortured and beaten when you were locked up, it’s going to take something just as emotional to finally break it back down.”
Kaden’s words he had said to her echoed into her mind and a sudden dread washed over her. She didn’t know what could match that emotion, but a feeling in her gut told her it wasn’t going to be good.