Broken Promise (The Broken Ones Book 3) (32 page)

The next few weeks went by quickly
enough. She returned to practicing. They all sat down multiple times to discuss
what would be needed when they left. Bo started collecting supplies. She spent more
time with Hale, trying to learn to fight with a pole. Apparently she needed to
know that before she could use the new weapon he'd made for her. At the rate she
was going though, likely she'd not have time. Finding patience proved harder
and harder each day.

She wanted Damon dead.

Her contact with Kei remained deep
within her, but as the days passed she felt less and less from him. At first she'd
though perhaps he slept more, but as time went by she knew something else was
wrong. She just didn't know what.

Lack of sleep wore heavily on her. The
nightmares had returned with a vengeance as soon as she returned home, but even
worse were the nights she would dream of nothing. Not dreamless sleeps, but the
dark silence of death.

The riath hadn't left her. Three times
the need for it returned and she'd hidden in her room. Each time she brought
forth the fury, fought it, regained control, and then passed out. She didn't
tell the boys. Worrying over her wouldn't do any good, and there was nothing
they could do. Yet the fury within lessened each time. If Kei didn't return
soon, she didn't know what she'd do. At least the time between continued to
lengthen. Hopefully one day she would be free of it.

Sometimes she wondered what became of Baelan.
She almost hoped he would come for her again so she could make him pay for what
he'd done to her.

Lying awake at night, the odd time she
found herself thinking of Roan. She hadn't spoken to him since the morning she'd
left. Another stilted, awkward conversation. The Were brothers certainly kept
him informed on her actions, but they didn't say much about their captain. Not
that she asked.

She didn't see too much of the Were. They
wandered outside the house and accompanied her whenever she left, but otherwise
remained as out of the way as possible.

Watching Silas from the sitting room
window, she grimaced. The weather had become milder the last week but snow
still remained on the ground in dirty patches. At least spring came much
earlier this far south.

Laughter from the kitchen drew her there.
She stopped in the doorway, leaning against the frame to watch Bo and Elaina. A
smile came to her lips and happiness warmed her heart as she watched them.
Elaina puttered about the counter while Bo tried to help, though mostly got in
the way and got his fingers slapped. Their easy laughter and quick stolen
kisses were so precious. She wished she could freeze the moment in time. It
hurt to know she'd missed seeing the growth of their relationship while with
Roan.

"What's the occasion?"

Bo turned and grinned at her. "We
need an occasion to cook?"

"No, but the inn has a much better
kitchen than we do." She walked in, stepping around Garen and then finding
an out of the way place at the end of the counter.

"Hmm, we are celebrating you
turning seventeen?"

His words caught her off guard for a
moment, and then she grinned. "I suppose it is that time of year. You
remembered."

"Of course I did, pup," he
said softly, walking over to give her a tight hug.

I might have reminded him.

Bo cast a mock glare at Garen and she
laughed.

"Oh, to be seventeen again,"
Elaina said wistfully. "Time to eat!"

After a wonderful meal, Aro helped them
clean up. Putting a few last dishes away in the cupboard, she turned to find
them both standing behind her. Bo's arm circled Elaina, holding her close.

"We've something we'd like to tell
you," he said in an unusually quiet and serious tone.

Her eyes widened in alarm. Bo quickly
raised a hand to calm her rising panic. "Nothing bad, pup." He took a
deep breath and shared a look with the woman in his arms. "I've asked
Elaina to be my wife."

Her mouth opened and closed in surprise,
and then she squealed and flung herself at them, holding them both close.
"That is…this is…oh you're going to make me cry!"

Bo relaxed and Elaina let out a soft
sigh.

Aro stepped back, a wide grin splitting
her face. "When? Soon? Can I come with you to the registry hall?"

Bo raised a hand to ward off more
questions. "We will wait until I come back."

Her smile faded. She cast a quick look
to Elaina. The woman had stilled, her eyes cast to the floor. Her heart broke,
remembering the story the barmaid had told of her last love. "That won't
do," she said finally. "Not at all."

Bo shifted uncomfortably. "It
wouldn't be fair any other way."

Now might be a good time.

She glanced over at Garen and nodded
slightly. Turning her attention back to Bo, she tried to remember the speech she
and Garen had previously discussed and planned. "Bo," she began and
hesitated. There was one other thing to be dealt with first. "Have you
told her?"

From the look on his face, and the
confusion on Elaina's, she guessed not. "Bo," she muttered, shaking
her head. She turned to the puzzled woman. "We are a rather unique
family."

"You really aren't related, are
you," she said in relief.

"That is part of it." She
looked back at Bo. "You told her our story?"

"A simple version, yes."

Taking a deep breath, she dove right in.
"So the prince, he's an Elf. Kei is one of the Fey, and Garen is actually
a Were under a glamor."

Elaina blinked at her and then looked to
Garen. He shimmered, and for a moment became once more a large beautiful wolf
before once again concealing himself. She stared, eyes extremely wide.

Aro was just happy she hadn't screamed
and continued quickly before the questions started. "The Fey have a
prophecy about them being healed, of no longer being trapped in their fury. We
are a part of that, and when we leave we are going into the forest to help
them."

The barmaid looked at Garen again, at
her, and then at Bo. "Are you human?" He chuckled and nodded.
"Aro?"

How to answer that. "I am, but with
some special gifts. Because of the Fey." She made a face at her awkward
answer. "Bo can explain everything."

You had to do this now?
Bo gave her a
pointed look.

If you're going to marry her, she needs
to know.

He shook his head slightly.

"Because I need you to stay," she
said, holding his gaze with her own. He jerked as if she'd slapped him.
"You're the only one who can. I want to keep the house. I want a safe
place to fall back to." He looked away as Elaina stared at him in
wide-eyed confusion. "Bo… We've talked about what's going to happen. Our
plans to return the Fey to Furia. Bo," she took a step closer to him,
words lodging in her throat.

He wouldn't look at her. Jaw clenched,
his lips pressed tightly together, she wasn't sure if he was angry or upset.

"Furia is in ruins," she
continued on, hoping to make him understand. "We'll need supplies. Food,
clothing, tools, everything. I need someone I can be in contact with, someone
who can arrange everything, store everything, and find a way to get it
there."

You are needed here,
Garen added,
finally coming to her aid.
And here, you may also be with the one you love.

"This is important," she
added. "Can you do this?"

He shook his head slightly and then
looked down at Elaina. She stared up at him, eyes wide and hopeful. He let out
a deep sigh. "I will."
Don't think I don't know what you're doing.

You will thank me one day.

Elaina pushed up on her toes and kissed
his cheek.

Bo smiled and pulled her close.
I
will thank you now.

Closing her eyes, she slumped her
shoulders in relief. Leaving him behind would be beyond painful, but she loved
him too much to keep him.

I think that went well,
Garen said
wryly.

I suppose it–

Arowyn.

Damon's voice boomed so loudly in her
head she jerked and stumbled a step backward, bringing a hand to her forehead
at the sudden pain.

When the moon is gone, we will come.

Where?

You will find him, and I will suggest
you not take long in doing so.

She cursed, loudly, and then sprinted
for the door to find out what phase the moon was in.

Chapter 28

Baelan's Chains

Aro pulled back, sighted, and then let
the arrow fly in one swift motion. It struck the target. Smiling in
satisfaction, she drew another. Of course, shooting inside the target wasn't
far, but she could at least work on her speed.

Two more days until the next moonless
night. How could she wait so long? Kei had become so numb she feared Damon had
broken his mind. At least he lived. She needed Kei, and couldn't believe Damon
would permanently damage him. Only that fact kept her sane.

The past two days she'd spent in training
while attempting to make Bo understand she wasn't just trying to get rid of
him. Perhaps a part of him understood, but she knew asking him to stay hurt him,
as well. She'd told him the truth. She did need him here.

Despite seeing Garen in his true form
for a moment, Elaina apparently didn't really believe what they'd told her. Bo
wasn't concerned, though it worried Aro. She didn't want the woman to be in danger
one day because of her ignorance.

A bang startled her, though she still
made her shot. Pausing, she listened and heard another rap on the front door.
Setting her bow aside, she left the practice room to see who had come. They
didn't get random visitors. Elaina and Hale never knocked.

Finding Raythe at the door rather
shocked her.

"Miss," he said quietly,
nodding his head.

"Good afternoon?" A frown
creased her forehead. "It's not your shift."

"Ah, no." He cleared his
throat. "Silas called me when Roan reported an Elf entering the city this
morning."

She crossed her arms. "Is that
so?" It rather irritated her no one had bothered to tell her this. Elves
came and went all the time. She didn't see why a double guard had been called
now. "And?"

He shifted uncomfortably. "Roan
said–"

"I don't care what Roan said.
What's going on?"

His mouth twisted into a grimace.
"Roan said it was for you to decide." Stepping away from the door, he
cocked his head for her to follow.

"Decide what?" Grabbing her
cloak, she pulled it on and stepped outside. The weather had turned milder, but
the day had brought a sputtering mix of rain and sleet. The still sun hid
behind thick clouds and she didn't want to get caught out in more bad weather
if it started again.

Raythe led her toward their gate. He
seemed twitchy and agitated.

"What are you thinking?"

Looking back, he shrugged a shoulder.
"I think the…problem should have been dealt with immediately."

"You don't think I can make the
right decision?"

"No, it's not that." He let
out an irritated huff. "We're here to protect you." They reached the
gate, and he turned left, stopping at the ladder leading up to a landing where
they could stand to look out over the extended wall. "You'll see."

Scrambling up, Silas nodded once and
stepped to the side to give her more room to look through the break in the
stone. Sharpening her vision, she looked out to the small side street.

Someone stood a few steps back from
their gate. Head bowed, he stood with hands slightly held out from his side.
Whoever it was had seen better days. Filthy and dressed in rough ragged
clothes, he didn't even have boots. She thought she saw bloodstains as well. A
gasp escaped as she noted the pointed ears sticking up through dirty, stringy
hair. For a few moments more she watched, but the Elf didn't move.

"An Elf? And in such a state…"
She almost said she'd never seen an Elf look so bad, but memories of Prince
came to mind. A few times, he'd looked almost just as dreadful.

"Do you recognize him?"

Leaning back, she turned to Silas and
shook her head.

Somehow he managed to look even more
serious than normal. "Baelan," he whispered, and raised his brows
meaningfully.

"Wither me," she muttered,
anger flaring within her. Opening her mouth to tell the Were to kill him, she
suddenly snapped it closed instead. They could have, but didn't. What was she
missing? "Has he done or said anything?"

"Just walked up and stood there.
He's not armed. Raythe demanded to know his intentions. Baelan replied he means
no harm and only wishes to speak with you."

She snorted and shook her head.

"What would you like us to
do?"

Looking down at him again, she let her
thoughts go every which way, trying to figure out what Roan had in mind. Was
this a test? Question upon question piled up. Why was Baelan here? What had
happened to him? Had he been sent by someone? If so, why?

Chewing her lower lip, she finally
cursed under her breath and headed for the ladder. "Bring him in. If he
makes one wrong move then kill him."

"Yes, miss." Silas followed
her down.

"Have him wait before the
porch." Raythe grimaced but also gave her a nod as she passed him and
headed for the house.

You awake?
Bo had been at
the inn helping Elaina the night before, when he did that, he rarely got up
before noon.

Just barely. Kitchen. Food.

A smile curved her lips at his blunt
thoughts. Hurrying up the porch steps, she included Garen in her next thought.
I
need you.

By the time she reached her practice
room Garen met her, with Bo only a few steps behind.

"What's wrong?"

Turning in to the room she said,
"Baelan's here. He wants to talk to me." Moving to a narrow side
table, she grabbed her belt of throwing knives and put them on. Her other
blades she always wore, even slept with them beside her. "Roan didn't have
the Were kill him on sight. I want to know why he's here. But I certainly don't
trust the rotting bastard." She turned. "Back me up?"

Bo nodded sharply, his face dark and
angry. "Of course."

Always,
Garen replied.

She grinned at both of them and moved to
get her sword. "You any good with that crossbow you bought?"

"Decent enough. What range?"

"Close. I want you at my back on
the porch."

"I can take him from there."

"Let's do this, then."
Carrying her sword, she led them from the room. "Garen, don't drop the
glamor if you don't have to."

It is but an illusion. I can still fight
and kill him with it on.

"Good."
Take care of Bo and
watch the other Were. I don't know what else Roan hasn't told me.

Understood.

Once out the door, Bo moved to the right
and Garen to the left as she walked down the stairs.

Baelan stood, head still bowed, a few
steps away. Raythe stood to one side, and to the other was a mid-sized dark gray
wolf.

Stopping out of arms reach, she silently
looked the traitor over up close. The ragged old clothes he wore had been soaked
by the day's earlier rain and sleet. Dark spots did indeed look like old blood,
though if it was his or not she couldn't say. His mud-covered bare feet almost
made her pity him. Even if the other races didn't feel the cold like humans did,
it did still affect them somewhat.

Her eyes rose to his face, though she
couldn't see much of it. Wet, dirty locks hung down over it as he bowed his
head. Movement caught her eye, and she saw him nervously rub his thumbs over
the clenched fingers at his side.

Despite his condition and apparent
submissiveness, she still couldn't stem the anger and hate seeing him again
caused. He'd betrayed her. Killed her. What made the fury roil within her,
though, was the pain her short death had caused those she loved.

"Give me one reason why I shouldn't
kill you."

He started at her sudden harsh words and
raised his head slightly to look up at her through his hair. "To live is
to suffer. You understand this, don't you?"

Yes, yes she did. However, she still
felt the urge to kill him for what he'd done. Forcefully relaxing her grip on
her sword, she struggled to keep calm. "How is it you are here?"

His shoulders slumped as he bowed his
head again, looking at the ground. "I had not been given the order to kill
you. By doing so, I broke our laws to not harm the humans within their cities.
The court took everything, including my honor."

She waited for him to say more, and when
he didn't, ground her teeth in frustration. She glanced at Raythe.
What am I
missing?

Honor is most important within all our
races, yet especially so for the Elves. Without it, they are outcast. They are
nothing.

She turned back to Baelan. "So are
you here for revenge, then? Come to finish what you started?"

"I will not harm you," he
replied weakly. The change in the way he spoke, no longer vibrant and cheerful,
continued to catch her off guard.

Taking a step forward, she raised her
sword slightly. "You don't seem to understand," she snarled.
"The pain you caused me, the pain you caused my family!"
Straightening, she shook her head. "Right now I don't care if living is
harder. I rather want to kill you."

His whole body tensed at the hardness in
her voice, at her words. His hands slowly rose, as if to ward her off.

"One wrong move and I won't be the
one to kill you," she warned him.

He froze and sucked in a long breath
before speaking. "My prince spoke to me, at great length. He has made me
see how very wrong I was." He raised his head slightly, once again peering
at her from behind his filthy hair. "He has given me the chance to make
amends."

She snorted. "You are insane if you
think I'd ever forgive you."

His eyes lowered again. "I…understand,"
he said very softly, his voice breaking. "Yet still…I would try. For him.
For a chance to redeem my honor."

When he suddenly dropped to his knees, she
took a quick step back, raising her sword again. Yet his head remained bowed
and his arms rose as he barred his wrists to her.

"Please accept me."

Confused, she tried to figure out what
he meant. Her gaze landed on his wrists. His sleeves now pulled back, she saw
the outlined tattoos of chain links across his skin.

"I don't understand."

"He returned my power long enough
for one more spell. I will serve you. Protect you. I will be yours." When she
didn't reply, he said again, "Please accept me."

Once more, she looked to Raythe.
I've
no idea what he's talking about.

A moment, I've asked the captain.

She glared down at the still kneeling
Elf as she waited.

He looked absolutely pathetic, and she
took great satisfaction in that.

There is a very old spell,
Raythe finally
replied.
It is used when an Elf gravely offends another. It binds them to
serve and submit to the other.

Thank you.
Stepping
forward, she placed her blade by the side of his neck. "Not interested.
You don't deserve a second chance." The anger became so strong her hand
trembled. "I don't want–"

Calm, Aro,
Garen said
quietly, distracting her. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to make
sense of the wild emotions filling her.

Turning her attention back to Baelan, she
lowered her sword. "Why shouldn't I just kill you?"

Baelan stiffened. "Your prince sent
me. I will be of use to you. I…I will do whatever you ask."

His words struck a wrong cord within
her. "I'll not have a slave. I also will not be bound to one such as
you."

"A slave has no choice. This is my
choice."

"There are chains tattooed on your
wrists," she argued.

"They are symbolic only. And,"
he continued quickly, "I will be bound to you, to know when you are in
need. It is only one way. You will not be bound to me."

She thought over his words, not missing
the fact he seemed quite persistent in his responses. "Sounds like you'd
prefer to live, no matter the cost."

He didn't answer for long moment.
"Yes," he finally said, his voice the strongest she'd yet heard it.
"I still wish to live."

Giving him what he wanted didn't sit
well with her. "But what if I'd rather you died?"

His head tipped up at that, and his gray
eyes found hers. "Then I will die. The spell has been cast. If you do not
accept, it will not be complete and it will destroy me."

Again a great satisfaction filled her. Her
sudden smile was not pleasant. The fury flared within her, overwhelming
rational thought. She hoped he would suffer when the spell took him, that he'd
feel such pain as she had.

Darkness filled her vision. Everything
around her became silent.

A hand rested on her shoulder. She
turned her head in surprise. Bo stood behind her, bow held at his side and his
face gentle.
Don't let the anger take over, pup. This isn't you.