“Ah, but you said you would end me,” the man said with a dry chuckle, crossing his feet at the ankles and leaning against a sturdy trunk.
“Only if you do not keep your promise.”
“Been a while since a woman as pretty as you warmed my bed.”
“You will not lay a hand on her,” Er’it snarled.
“Brossom, show this fine king he’s not in charge here, would you?” Outright grinning, the man plucked his knife free of its hilt and scraped the point beneath his fingernails as if he hadn’t a care in the world.
A squat man dressed in blotched green leather came from the woods, cheeks pink as he shot a glare towards the one reposing against the tree. Given a shrug in response, Brossom turned to Er’it and muttered under his breath. Hand sweeping out in a slow arc, he flashed a smile full of rotten teeth.
Ath’asho gargled, jerking at the reins before going rigid and falling to the side. His plummet to the earth seemed to go on forever for Aida, who cried out and reached for him as if she could soften his fall. Landing with a crash, the massive male sprawled upon the soft growth. Aida’s lungs refused to work until the loud, throttle of a snore burst from Ath’asho’s wide open mouth.
“Now, little imp. Come down amongst the rabble to be stolen away of your own free will.” The man shoved off from the tree, coming to the far side of the cart from Kal. Keeping a watchful eye on the agitated Phylix the entire time, he offered his hand to Aida, so sure Er’it would do nothing.
It was foolish of course. Er’it was there, grabbing Aida’s arm despite the pain it caused him. The flare of vivid crimson around his fingers dying in guttering indigo flames as she turned to him. Lips pressed tight, she placed the tips of her fingers against Er’it’s chest and shoved him as hard as she could. All of them surprised when he stumbled back, almost toppling over the other side.
Turning to the man waiting for her, she placed that same hand in his and stepped onto the cart’s frame. Letting him lift her to the ground, Aida did not complain when he hefted her up against his chest, arm tucked under her thighs to carry her away. Looking over his shoulder at the man who had sparked life within her soul and promised to steal it all away, she managed a smile.
She would be dead before morning, the knife she’d slipped free of Er’it’s sheath and hidden away in her skirt promising that.
No one would have the awfulness that inhabited her.
To be continued in…
Oath of the Alpha
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Excerpt
From Oath of the Alpha
Their horses were not far. Lingering just beyond the thick brush growing alongside the overgrown trail. He insisted on carrying her. Whether to anger Er’it as the darkness closed in on them or because he did not trust Aida to keep her word was anyone’s guess. She didn’t argue, not as Er’it’s ragged shouts and hoarse yells filled the night. Promises of vengeance, death, and destruction.
“You sure about this, Rhyn?” The one named Brossom heaved himself up onto a sturdy pony, clutching at the reins as if he were ill used to riding.
“You heard her,” Rhyn said as he climbed onto his horse with Aida clinging to his neck. Settling her across his thighs with a slanting smile that did little to reassure. “She’s worth more than gold and jewels. I’m sure someone will pay a pretty pence for her.”
“He’s a blood mage,” another said coming up beside Rhyn.
“So I noticed. Yet he wasn’t able to break through Miyenth’s charms or Brossom’s magic.” Legs tensing under Aida, he urged his horse forward. “I’d not like to test it further, mind. Let’s be off with our prize.”
Among grunts and mutters of agreement, they headed deeper into the forest. Silent as death and twice as quick, Rhyn and his men seemed to flow between the trees. Brush holding no barrier to them, ditches and caves avoided as if they knew every inch of land hidden beneath the ever-thickening canopy.
This place was nothing like Logoria. Everything was green and fresh, not a single mote of choking dust floating in the air as Rhyn wrapped his arm around Aida and pulled her tight against his chest. Tension wound through her spine, a different fear tight on its heels when his lips brushed against her neck.
“Even for riding hard on a trail, you smell incredible, little imp.”
Aida thought he’d say more, perhaps grab at her as the other males did, but he didn’t. Sitting tall and proud behind her, he kept Aida snug against his front and guided his horse through the dense trunks. Following some path only they could see in the blackness.
Surrounded by quiet, cocooned in warmth, Aida found her lids growing heavy. Lashes fluttering as they met, she startled awake only to find Rhyn. Thumb smoothing over her cheek, his breathy hum of some reveling tune whispering through her tangled hair. She hadn’t slept a night through in what felt like decades. Gentle strides of the horse rocking her back and forth, she fought against the dragging weight of exhaustion. She’d remained awake the night before and could do so again. One slow blink became two, the forest changing as her eyes flew open once more. Her ragged inhale somehow silenced, going no further than the tight grip of Rhyn’s arm.
Gritty and raw, her very eyes ached as she concentrated on the shadows flitting by. Darker shapes swelling and fading, monsters in the dark. Somehow she hoped one would be Er’it. Come to take her back, to stop her from this path. Aida wanted to kill herself no more than she wanted him to sacrifice her. Still, if this thing contained within her would give him such
