The Ring Keeper by A.J. Park

Author:A.J. Park [Park, A.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC009100 FICTION / Fantasy / Action Adventure FIC009070 FICTION / Fantasy / Dark Fantasy FIC009020 FICTION / Fantasy / Epic FIC009030 FICTION / Fantasy / Historical FIC009090 FICTION / Fantasy / Romance
Publisher: Emerald Lake Books
Published: 2022-12-05T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Year of Warding 21, Hakvere, Ara

Allia

THEY RODE FOR WHAT SEEMED HOURS, but it wasn’t nearly long enough. In the light of day, she had a view of all the surrounding land. In all directions, she saw men searching on horseback. It seemed like a thousand of them. All hunting for her?

A familiar figure rode to meet them. Her captor passed her into Haldreth’s arms, and he pulled her across his lap, gripping her tightly. They turned back toward the fortress.

Allia was glad she couldn’t see his face, but she could sense him. He was painful to be near. The ring let her into his heart, and that was not somewhere she wanted to be.

He was relieved they had found her. Haldreth considered Allia a possession, and he cared nothing for her as a person, only about how she could further his ambitions. Any worry for her well-being was absent, but she remained essential, and the thought of her escaping terrified him.

Maybe there would be another chance for Allia to get away. There had to be some way to stop Haldreth. His schemes must be larger than just his desire to destroy Callonen.

Panic and despair rolled through her stomach.

“If you do anything like that again, I will make you regret it.” His voice was icy.

Allia shivered. Not only from his words, but because she could feel his determination to bend her to his will. No, he wouldn’t mind if she suffered. He would enjoy it.

They reached the back gate of the fortress and rode inside. Haldreth escorted her to the same room he had locked her in before. Nothing had changed except for the addition of a heavy iron grate bolted to the wall to cover the window opening.

Haldreth dragged her into the room and shut the door behind them. The sound echoed in the sudden silence, and Allia realized they were alone. Her eyes darted around the room, seeking some means of escape.

Observing her distress, Haldreth smiled. “It’s good to be home again.” He took off his coat and threw it over the back of a chair.

Allia stared at him; her limbs frozen.

“You don’t need to be afraid of me,” he said. “I don’t want to hurt you. All I ask is a little cooperation.” He spread his hands to indicate the room. “I’ve already made Hakvere much more than it was. I’m going to do the same for the entire land of Ara. It will become the most powerful nation of all. I have undertaken a great work. All I ask is a little help from you. Is that so bad?”

He sat down in a chair beside the empty fireplace and removed his boots. Standing up, he met her gaze, then pulled off his shirt. Allia dropped her eyes at once, heat rushing to her cheeks.

“You enjoy looking at me,” he said. “Why do you fight it so hard? You don’t have to. And it won’t change anything. You can’t get away, and now you need to make the best of the situation.

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