The man was allowed to gasp for just enough air to keep himself alive as the water actually parted in the stream to show a clear and muddy path to where Coren was hiding in the brush. He was no longer dressed in formal robes but actually crouching naked near the ground, which meant he came as a wolf. He beckoned her to him and let the man get another breath, knowing it would be easier for her if there was some distance between her and her would-be torturer when he died.
She stumbled at first but then ran as fast as she could toward Coren, since she needed to be near him. She needed to feel his closeness and his touch just to know that the world wouldn’t shatter around her.
He pulled her in tightly when she got to him, the water having returned to its natural place, splashing around her ankles as she got through the stream to him. Behind her, the man’s choking sounds came to a fevered pitch and then stopped, as she could feel the faint twist in her heart of his death. It was more than counteracted by the presence of her mate, though, and the kiss he planted on her neck. “Are you alright?”
Zara nodded several times as she clung to him. Her fingers dug in so deep that she almost drew blood, but she couldn’t convince herself to be gentle. She actually kissed him as soon as she could after the guard was dead, and the feel of his lips against hers made the connection between them flare enough to help her feel a little better. “I am now that you’re here.”
He savored the moment, but she knew him well enough to be able to feel that he was distracted. He was there for the business of destroying the Ironborn and all their allies. Getting her out was an important part of that, but it was only a part. “Give me an idea of what’s happening in there. The Skyborn can’t tell me anything useful with the dust cloud the Stoneborn and the Earthborn have kicked up all over the compound.”
“When I left, the Forestborn and Ironborn had realized the misunderstanding…I don’t think that Osvald and Sedovin’s packs, as large as they are, can handle this. There’s the Fireborn and the Oceanborn…all that you can hope for out of this is that Nick’s people will be severely disheartened, afraid, and perhaps a thousand less.”
“That’s not good enough.” He growled low in his throat and looked behind him to where she could see a few other Forestborn quite literally melting out of the trees, and he nodded toward the fence in the distance. “Spread the word. I want everyone in play, now.”
Two of them nodded and headed off, but the third stayed, looking defiantly down at Coren. Zara could see Avery’s mark on his dark green jacket, marking him as one of the guards that Coren had purchased and who had beaten her months before. “And what about you, dear Speaker, sir? You going to stay out here and sip from the stream while the rest of us do the work?”
“You worry about your part in this, Captain. And when this is finished, you and I will talk again about work.”
The man bowed mockingly and stepped down past them both. “I look forward to it.”
As soon as the man walked away, she moved her hands to grip on one of Coren’s arms. “Don’t listen to him. You can’t get involved in this. They would love nothing more than to see your face in there.”
“It’s my place, Zara. You know that.” He kissed her deeply and looked her in the eye. “This is going to end today, and it has to be by my hand.”
She kissed him again, so passionately that it was almost as though she was trying to convince him to stay with her kisses and emotion. There aren’t enough loyal to the Council here, Coren. You’ll die in there. You can’t die. You just can’t…just wait, okay? Just wait until we can get more people…
This place has been surrounded for months. He said with another kiss. While the Ironborn Prince has been making himself feel better by talking and treating with his friends, the rest of the world has been waiting for all those who would join him to come out of the woodwork and meet in one place. There are seven packs here, and every one of them has pledged their enmity against the Council. Even Osvald and Sedovin are only acting against them because they think it will put them in our good graces when all is done. They have the hearts of traitors. There are enough Forestborn and Oceanborn in these woods falling on this compound as we speak to drown even the memory of everyone gathered here. Coren said as he kissed her forehead. Do not fear for me, Zara. This is not the first war I have fought. With your prayers, I know the gods will not let it be the last.
Zara let out a strangled whimper as she hugged him even tighter and kissed him yet again. I…I will pray for you. I will beg the gods to hear me and protect you. I need you too much for them to deny me.
Stay out here, and stay safe. There will be four Oceanborn guards left to watch over you. He kissed her one last time and then pulled away slightly to shift, becoming a magnificent
