Chapter 4
Why was she out here alone?
Rhyel held a glowing hand over Sana's neck, healing the gashes on her skin before he cradled her in his arms and lifted her from the ground. She was so frail and light. It was a miracle the golems didn't break her neck.
He looked up from Sana's face to the tracks on the road and a snarl curled over his lips.
"Find the carriage and bring me its driver."
"Yes, sir!" the surrounding soldiers yelled as a few of them shifted into black wolves and took off running down the road.
"Find the rest of Lady Sana's belongings and bring them to the castle. Leave nothing of hers for any golems to find."
"Yes, Lord Rhyel," the rest of the soldiers shouted before they shifted and went on a hunt through the forest for Sana's things.
"Zena, conjure a—"
"I'm on it," she said, raising her arms to the sky as her brown eyes glowed in a silver hue. Tree branches bent and snapped, falling to the ground and forming a gilded black carriage. Four soldiers ran toward it, shifting into black stallions poised to steer the carriage to the gates.
Rhyel nodded. "Let's go," he said, stepping inside the carriage and holding Sana over his lap as Zena slipped inside across from him.
Tucking Sana's cloak around her, he grit his teeth at the ripped fabric. "Why would her carriage leave her out here alone?"
Zena sighed, shaking her head. "I don't know, but my gut tells me the Lightbournes never expected her to make it to the gates."
"They left her to die?" he murmured, looking down at Sana. "Why didn't she fight?"
"I think she tried," Zena said, holding up a small silver dagger. "I found this on the side of the road."
Rhyel frowned, taking the dagger. "That wouldn't do anything. It's not even infused with magic. Why didn't she shift or use the elements?"
Zena shrugged, shaking her head. "I think that's a question you need to ask her."
"I will," Rhyel said, tucking the dagger into the pocket of his leathers. "But I want to know why Sirius sent her here to die."
Zena crossed her arms over her chest, her brown eyes darkening. "So would I."
Rhyel didn't understand any of this. Sirius and Kai knew how dangerous the lands of the north could be even for someone with abilities.
He brushed a red curl from Sana's cheek, studying the light dusting of dark brown freckles across her golden brown skin. She didn't look like she'd ever had a full meal to eat, let alone to be left on the road by herself in these treacherous woods.
Whatever her relationship was with her family, Sana was under his protection now and she wouldn't find herself in such a predicament ever again.
Sana's eyes fluttered open and she frowned at the soft bedding beneath her and the black drapes tied back on thick wooden pillars.
A fire crackled in the corner of the vast room and wide windows encased the landscape of the gray sky and rolling mountains of lush black trees.
She slowly sat up against the plush pillows and slid a hand over her neck where puncture wounds should've been.
How did she get here?
Where was...here?
She eyed the picture hanging above the fireplace in a thick golden frame, and her heart clenched. It was the symbol of Darcanos. The head of a black wolf with bright arctic blue eyes surrounded by the many phases of the moon.
Those people in the forest. The hazy faces who saved her from those...those beings. They must've brought her to Darcanos. She slid her hands over her face. They must know she didn't have any abilities.
But why would they still bring her here?
She should leave. There was no place for her here amongst the gifted, and she couldn't understand why she wasn't left to die. She wasn't fit to be the betrothed or the wife of their Lord.
Pulling her hands away from her face, she scanned the room for her satchel and found it sitting on the arm of a plush burgundy couch in front of the fireplace.
She slipped out of the comfort of the bed, frowning at the long, white nightgown she was clothed in.
Where was her dress?
Where was her cloak?
She froze as the door to the room creaked open and a tall burly man with long, thick black hair and piercing deep blue eyes filled the doorway.
Her eyes grew wide as she backed against the post of the bed, fearing the armor clad man.
He was beautiful, yet menacing with the way his eyes held her in place.
"You're awake." His deep, husky voice sent a shiver down her spine. He took a step toward her and she dug her nails into the wooden post. "I'm Lord Rhyel."
A whimper left Sana's lips as she slid to her knees, bowing her head against the floor.
"I'm...I'm Sana Lightbourne and my family has deceived you.
I-I have no gifts or abilities. I'm not.
..not worthy to be your betrothed. I'm so sorry for the trouble I've caused.
I will leave now before I embarrass you and your House by my presence. "
Sana held her breath as Rhyel's booted feet crossed the room and he bent down on his knee in front of her. She flinched when he hooked his calloused fingers under her chin and raised her head.
"And where will you go?"
"Wh-what?" she whispered.
"Where will you go, Sana Lightbourne? Your family doesn't want you. You have no way to protect yourself, and you have nothing of value to barter for food and shelter. So, where will you go?"
Tears welled in Sana's eyes. He thought she was useless, too. "It doesn't matter," she whispered as a tear rolled down her cheek. "I'm no good to anyone. You deserve a wife who can aid your House. Not hinder it."
"You can learn," he said, catching her tear on his thumb. "You will stay here as my betrothed, like you were intended to. I have no desire to cast you out unless that's what you truly want."
Her heart thumped as she gazed into the softness of Rhyel's eyes. "What I want?"
"Yes. Do you want to stay and learn how to aid my House?"
"B-but I don't have any abilities."
The corners of his lips lifted into a small smile, and the sight of it sent a tingle down her spine. "That doesn't matter to me. All I want from you is your willingness to try. Can you do that?"
Sana nodded. "I-I can. Yes."
"Good." Rhyel stood and held out his hand to her. "And let this be the last time you bow on your knees to anyone. Do I make myself clear?"
"Y-yes," she said, slipping her hand in his as she stood. "I'm sorry."
"Mm." He grunted. "My General, Zena, will help you settle in tomorrow," he said, turning on his heel. "Good night, Sana."
She stared after him with her eyes wide as he slipped out of the room.
Lord Rhyel was nothing like she expected. She thought he'd be cruel and angry that he was given the only ungifted Lightbourne, but he said he didn't care.
And she didn't know what to make of him or if she should believe him.