Chapter 7 Kai #2
“What about my stuff and your bike?”
“I’ll grab it later. Not exactly in the mood to stroll through the veil with a horde waiting on the other side.” I pause, giving her a pointed look. “Come on, Princess, use that pretty brain of yours.”
“Well, they say ignorance is bliss,” she snaps, her eyes narrowing with mock sweetness. “Guess I must be in paradise.”
There she is.
Avilyna quickens her pace, but it’s awkward, and I realize she’s limping. A forgotten muscle twitches at the corner of my mouth.
“Anything else you wanna know, Princess?”
“No! Actually, yes…” Her voice shifts, just a touch hesitant.
“The Bloodmoon War… did it happen recently?” I’m aware that she doesn't know much about Elgar, but to confirm that suspicion is unsettling. I never met anyone who wasn’t familiar with how the world works. In this case, my world.
I can't even begin to picture what it would be like for anyone to wake up one day and have their reality destroyed. Actually, the Bloodmoon War did that. The thought hits harder than I’d expect, making me slow down, want to talk about it, something I don't normally do.
"It happened ten years ago, I was thirteen at the time.” My voice hardens as the memories flood in.
"Elgarians? They were living the good life, getting all cozy while the enemy was quietly building its strength, waiting.
" I swallow, the memory thick in my throat.
My voice drops, colder, rougher. “That day... everything changed.” I can feel her eyes locked on me, her unwavering focus making me uneasy.
“Netherworld tore through our homes. They hit five days before Grianstad Eve, the biggest celebration we have. But that’s why they did it; everyone was too busy celebrating to notice the signs. By the time we did, it was too late. Half of the population was wiped out in a heartbeat. A slaughter.”
The gravity of it all hangs heavy in the air.
“We only made it out because of the Queen. Camyla Eilgolor… the strongest valkyrie in centuries. Gave her life to push Nekros and his demons back into Netherworld. Burned herself out so the rest of us could keep breathing.” I don’t know what pushed me to say this version of the story, but I catch a flicker in her eyes.
Recognition, maybe. It’s gone in a blink, so fast I’m not even sure it was real.
“I can’t imagine how hard that must’ve been,” Avilyna says quietly. No sarcasm, this time there’s something real in her voice, soft. And that makes me pause.
“Come on,” I say, pulling away from the moment before it swallows me. “The lookout post isn’t far.”
We move, and the silence stretches between us, but it’s not uncomfortable, just charged. Her limp gets worse with each step, and I’ve had enough of watching her grit through it. Turning around, I drop to one knee.
“Alright, saddle up, Princess,” I mutter, jerking a thumb over my shoulder. Avilyna gives me a look like I’ve sprouted a second head.
“For real? Princess again? Did the memo get lost in the mail?” She taps the side of my head. “And I’m not getting on your back.” I glance back, my expression flat.
“If we keep moving at your pace, we’ll be out here all damn night. And trust me, I don’t have the energy or the saint-like patience to entertain your questions while we’re dodging enemies.”
“Seriously?”
“Do I ever look like I’m kidding?”
She scowls, then turns and hobbles off like a pissed-off halfling on a mission.
“Really?” I call after her. “That’s the plan? Limp your way to safety? You don’t even know where you’re going!” In two strides, I’m beside her. “Didn’t peg you for the sensitive type.” Avilyna doesn’t answer, just keeps limping with all the stubborn pride she can muster.
So I do what any reasonable man would: I scoop her up. She lets out a sharp gasp, arms flailing for half a second.
“Relax,” I smirk. “Honestly, I’m doing us both a favour. No idea why you’re so cranky, Princess.”
She glares at me.
Her eyes are bright, fierce.
Trouble written all over them.
And for a second, the world shifts like being pulled into Ashvale’s woods. The kind of danger you don’t walk into unless you’ve got nothing left to lose.
Terrifying.
A little terror.
Then her voice cuts in. “Put. Me. Down.”
And just like that, I’m back. Still carrying a pissed-off woman who looks like she’s debating whether to slap me or set me on fire.
“Or what?” I challenge, not once breaking the fiery stare she’s giving me.
The dusting of freckles across her button nose only sharpens her anger, making me feel like I’ve just taken a shot of the strongest fire whiskey.
Then, out of nowhere, a cold, biting chill prickles at the base of my neck, freezing me in place.
“I’m getting sick of guys feeling entitled to do whatever the fuck they want,” Avilyna says, her voice smooth, deadly confident. A flash of challenge flickers, daring me to push her further. I swallow, my throat bobbing against her blade.
“Looks like you’ve upgraded your technique,” I shoot back, not able to hide the hint of respect in my voice.
“Well, words aren’t enough, are they?” She whispers in my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
“Now put me down. I won’t ask again.” Once she’s back on her feet, in one swift motion, I yank the blade from her hand as I pull her close.
Her back presses into me, my palm flat against her stomach, the other hand firm around the steel at her neck, holding her immobile.
“Too bad I’ve got a few tricks of my own,” I mutter, my voice low, breath hot against her ear. She shivers, her body responding to every shift I make.
Unwilling to yield even an inch to her, my hand moves with the rhythm of her breathing. She’s not to be trusted, but in this position, her curves against me… Avilyna squirms, trying to pull away, but the movement only serves to entice me, my cock hardening. Fuck, she’s not making this easy.
Not the best time to get distracted, Brackwell.
Focus.
“Alright, Princess, I’m listening, but you have to help me and stop moving like this,” I growl, my voice rough in her ear.
Avilyna freezes, a sharp breath catching in her throat. The air between us is palpably raw, and it stirs the hunter inside me. I exhale, pulling back, forcing myself to keep my distance. Sliding my knife into my boot, I drop to one knee.
"Get on," the command in my voice is crystal clear.
I am known to be a stubborn shit head, so I’ll listen when it won’t put her in harm’s way.