Warrior by Lori Brighton

Author:Lori Brighton [Brighton, Lori]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lori Brighton
Published: 2019-07-03T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Makaiden

“Shay, wake up.”

She didn’t move, merely mumbled in her sleep, too exhausted to face reality. Even in the dim light of dawn I could see the dark circles under her eyes. I’d pushed her hard yesterday, but I’d wanted to put as much distance between us and her army as possible.

Her left arm was flung above her head, as she rested upon her side, facing the fire that had gone out an hour or so ago, leaving behind only a thin trail of smoke and glowing embers. Early dawn crept through the trees, tiptoeing across the land, but not daring to reach us quite yet.

I squeezed her shoulder, leaning closer. So close my lips brushed the shell of her delicate ear. “Shay. Wake up.”

She must have noticed the tenseness in my tone, for slowly, she stirred. Shifting on the hard ground, she rolled toward me. Her lashes lifted, her hazy gaze clearing as she focused on my face. Intrigued, I watched the play of emotions cross her features. Confusion, wariness, and finally embarrassment as she remembered last night. That was a talk for another time. Or perhaps never.

“What is it?”

Her voice was still husky with sleep. I knew that drowsiness would clear soon enough. “We’re not alone.”

Startled, she almost jumped up, but I settled my palm against her belly, holding her still. “Shhh. Nothing so dangerous.” Yet. “But we don’t want to startle her. Sit up slowly.”

She watched me with wide, worried eyes, as I tucked my feet underneath me and unfolded my body. When I gave her a slight nod, she did the same, following at an even slower pace. No sudden movements, only pure thoughts in case she could read our minds. We just might make it out of this situation alive.

I slid my arm around Shay’s waist, pulling her close and surprising her even more. It wasn’t to give comfort, or even because all night I’d been desperate to touch her. I did it to make a statement. There, in this moment, she was mine. Anyone would have to go through me to get to her.

“Where?” she whispered.

I gave a subtle jerk of my chin. Shay turned. The gasp from her lips mirrored my own when I’d first spotted her. I’d gotten over my surprise more quickly, but then Shay didn’t know this realm; she was still getting used to our world.

The difference between Shay and the other woman could not be denied. Shay’s hair stood in a frizzy halo around an oval face smudged with dirt and ash. She was all too human, all too flawed. While the beautiful woman who sat on a tree trunk across the small clearing from us was otherworldly.

Queen Iduna was perfect. Pure features with large, golden eyes that sparkled with life. Full lush, berry-stained lips. A curvy body that never aged, and long hair that shimmered down her back, sparkling like gold dust in a creek. She rested on a low-hanging tree branch, all ease and regalness, as if she ruled the very world instead of just her kingdom.

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