Chapter 31 #2
“She lied,” Braden said as if that explained her death.
“And you are no longer beneficial to him.”
Braden laughed harshly. “You know nothing.”
That was where he was wrong. She had seen it when she touched him, Dreth forcing Ogga to tell him everything, leaving it easy for him to follow her and Kaelan. But how had word reached the Hunters so fast? How had a troop been ready to ride almost immediately?
There could be only one explanation. Someone in Caerith was helping Drogath.
Braden jerked her forward.
The boat was getting closer. Too close. And nowhere did she see any sign of Kaelan. But he was alive, she could feel it and he would come for her. She just had to make sure not to get in the boat.
“Braden, please listen, Dreth is not a man of his word. You will get nothing he promised you. He will get rid of you as easily as he did Ogga. Please, you must believe me.”
He stopped, surprising her.
“I have no reason to believe you.”
“What reason do you have to believe Dreth? Has he shown you any good faith that he would keep his promise? Has he listened to anything you say to him, or do you follow his every word?”
That hit a chord with him, she could see the sudden thought spark in his eyes.
“You have something Dreth will never have. A tribe who loves you and will protect you. If Dreth failed Tharne, he would execute him as he did Ogga. Your tribe hopes you come back, has sent someone to bring you home, not to harm but to help.”
“What are you waiting for, Braden. Bring the woman to me now,” Dreth yelled.
For a moment, Bria thought he would refuse but then he dragged her along and no matter how she fought she could not stop him.
“She is yours,” Braden said. “Now what about mine?”
“You will get what’s coming to you,” Dreth said.
Bria saw it then in his eyes, a flash of realization and he loosened his hold on her giving her just enough time to run before Dreth reached for her.
“Bloody hell,” Dreth shouted and looked to the man by the boat. “Go get her.”
The man was fast on his feet and got to Bria before she could put any significant distance between her and the shoreline.
He grabbed her arm, shaking her hard, so hard she grew dizzy. She had no choice but to stumble along beside him.
A yellow light suddenly flew around them.
“Kaelan is almost here,” Fiora said as she buzzed around the man’s head to disorient him.
“Lose her and you are dead,” Dreth called out.
Fiora bobbed, dashed, and flew circles around the guy avoiding every swat… until on one swing he whacked her. He sent her flying and she dropped to the ground, not moving.
Bria prayed to the gods she was just stunned and would be up flying about in no time, but she wasn’t. She lay there lifeless.
“Let her go,” Braden said.
“Do you want to die?” Dreth threatened.
“Do you?” Braden asked, his eyes shimmering gold.
Dreth took a cautious step back. “Think carefully before you do something foolish.”
Braden laughed, though there was no humor in it. “I finally am.”
“Get her on the boat,” Dreth shouted over his shoulder.
The command came low and dangerous from Braden. “Release her.”
The man hesitated.
“Now!” Dreth yelled and without warning yanked his dagger from his sheath and drove it into Braden’s stomach.
Braden stumbled back, blood pouring from the wound.
“Shift,” Bria screamed, recalling how Kaelan’s wounds healed so fast whenever he shifted and hoping it would save Braden.
A roar suddenly thundered across the shoreline, every head turning, including Bria’s.
It gave Braden the time he needed to let the beast loose.
The man’s arm fell off her, and he ran. Bria did not waste a moment, she ran as well. Ran toward her husband’s powerful roar.
Dreth tried to grab her, but Braden, blood staining the fur of his enormous chest stepped between them.
Dreth didn’t hesitate, he pulled his sword from its sheath and went to plunge it into Braden.
He never got the chance, Kaelan, in beast form charged at him with a roar that felt as if it split the sky, and launched himself at Dreth.
Bria turned away, trusting Kalelan to do what was necessary.
The few men there rushed into the boat, falling over each other and grabbing the oars to frantically row away.
Bria turned back to see Braden lying on the ground, his strength too weak to maintain the beast’s form. She hurried to him, taking hold of his hand and she felt it. His life was draining away.
Kaelan suddenly dropped down beside her, the beast safely tucked inside him.
“Forgive me, Kaelan. I was a fool.”
“You redeemed yourself by saving my wife’s life. I will make sure the tribe knows of your courage and selflessness and what a hero you truly are.”
Braden smiled and struggled to say, “I did well.”
Kaelan rested his hand on Braden’s shoulder. “You make the Thornek Tribe proud.”
Tears fell down Bria’s cheek, still holding Braden’s hand until he took his last breath. “He died in peace.”
“I am glad. His family will be relieved to know that, and the tribe will honor his sacrifice.” He helped her to stand and walked her to the water’s edge.
“My great-grandmother,” Bria said anxiously, “has she been harmed?”
“Nay, she is well and tending to the Hunters’ wounds.” His hand touched her cheek lightly. “And what of you? Are you all right?”
“Why wouldn’t she be? She’s a brave one.”
Kaelan shook his head as Fiora flitted down to rest on Bria’s shoulder.
“You are well,” Bria said, relieved to see her.
“It was a lucky swat,” Firoa said.
“It had to be a pretty good one if it knocked you out,” Kaelan said, taking his wife’s hand.
“A lucky one,” she repeated, flying off Bria’s shoulder.
“We best get moving. There is a lot for the king to be told.” She flew ahead, stopped and returned to flit in front of Kaelan’s face.
“Sorry for your loss, Kaelan. If you would like, I can have Henry come here when it is dark and he can take Braden’s body to Driochmor where the trees will welcome him to sleep peacefully under. ”
“That is very kind of you, Fiora. His family will be pleased to know he is at rest.”
“I will see it done, and by the way, I really liked how you handled that spy. I particularly liked when you tore his hea—”
“Enough, Fiora,” he snapped.
“What?” Fiora asked, sweetly. “Bria knows what lurks deep in her husband, but she foolishly loves him anyway.” She took off, laughter trailing after her.
“Just when I think—” Kaelan shook his head, then turned taking hold of both her hands. “We have never truly discussed—”
Bria stopped him from going any further. “And we don’t need to. You told me about the beast, its history, and how your tribe embraced it. Besides, I believe there is a bit of a beast in all of us.”
He let go of her hands to slip his arms around her waist and draw her close. “And where does your beast hide?”
She smiled wickedly, “She is there. You just need to coax her out.”
“I look forward to it,” he said, and lowered his brow to rest against hers. “I love you, Bria, more than I thought possible. And though I hate to admit that Fiora speaks truth. You are a brave one and I am so proud to call you my wife.”
“So, finally you admit I am right., You just forgot to add, always. I am always right. Now stop that smoochie, smoochie stuff and get moving. We have a king to see.”
Kaelan looked about to swat at her. “The beast is going to swallow her whole one day.”
Bria laughed. “Do you really want her flitting around in your stomach?”
Kaelan groaned. “At least, I only have to put up with her until we leave for Northland.”
“Did I hear you say, Northland?” Fiora asked, flying back toward them. “How is it there? You know, in case I want to visit.”
“One swat, just one swat,” he whispered to Bria.
She laughed again and though the day held some sorrow, it also held promise for the future, preferably without Fiora.