Hammers in the Wind by Christian Warren Freed

Author:Christian Warren Freed [Freed, Christian Warren]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fantasy
ISBN: 9780615820095
Google: SCwTngEACAAJ
Barnesnoble:
Goodreads: 20347863
Publisher: Writer's Edge Publishing
Published: 2013-04-25T23:00:00+00:00

Maleela hugged Aurec tightly as she wept on his shoulder.

“I’m scared, Aurec,” she whispered between sobs.

He reluctantly admitted, “So am I. My people are on the edge of destruction and I am only one man. I am almost powerless to stop the enemy.”

“Can we leave now and head south? Averon will not turn us away. We can make a new life and put this all behind us.”

Aurec fought back his own tears. “My fate will be the same as my people.”

“What?”

He pulled away, making sure to look deeply into her eyes. “Maleela, I will not abandon my country. Would you do any less? Could you do any less?”

“What about us? Our life hasn’t even begun. Tell me the point of stealing me from my home if it was for naught.”

“Fate has not let me choose.”

He cast his gaze down from shame.

Maleela caught his hesitation. “You’re not telling me everything. There is more.”

Aurec fought through momentary confusion. How could he tell her that he intended to destroy her father’s army and sanction the killing of King Badron himself? The knowledge would be enough to break her heart and possibly turn her cold. Aurec decided not to chance it.

“Your father’s army is coming. He will burn this city to the ground unless I can stop him. Let us not forget the portent of Cuul Ol. I feel deflated.”

Maleela took a seat on the floral pattern bench at the foot of their bed. “The Wolfsreik has never been beaten. They do not know how to lose. There is no way you can stand against them in battle.”

“I don’t plan to. We have a plan in place that will buy my father time and hopefully save lives.”

She listened intently as he explained the basis of the coming campaign. To her credit she did her best to put on a good face and ignore the fact that he plotted to kill her people. She’d come to accept that the war would not be stopped, but still had trouble adjusting to the fact that Aurec aimed to kill as many of her people as possible. The thought never strayed far from the front of her mind.

“I don’t understand why it has to be you. There must be plenty of generals and competent commanders in Rogscroft who can lead the war. Why does it have to be you?”

His eyes welled. The emotion became too strong. “These are my people. I am the heir to the throne. What choice do I really have?”

She knew he was right, and suddenly felt very selfish for asking him to remain safe while others bled. That didn’t assuage the heartache. Maleela dearly wanted to escape the nightmare her life had become and find the dreams that drove her through childhood. Life had other designs. Maleela was torn. The only thing she had in this world was her love for Aurec. She wouldn’t be able to go on without him. More so, she wouldn’t be able to leave his side. Ever.

“Do you love me?” Aurec asked unexpectedly.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.