Rise of the Phoenix (Return To Avalore #2) (11 page)

He rolled his massive shoulders, and then stretched his neck before narrowing his eyes at her.
“Why aren’t the insects coming near you?”

Groaning, she rolled her eyes.
“Because
I
haven’t been swatting at them.”

She expected some smart remark or another inane question, but when he didn’t say a word, she froze. Peering into the darkness, he didn’t move a muscle.

“What’s wrong? What are you seeing?”
The absolute stillness of his body had her heart racing.

“Don’t make a sound, and do exactly as I say.”
His body shifted so that he was squarely in front of her.
“When I say go, I want you to take that stone from around your neck and shoot as high into the sky as you can, as fast as you can.”

“Wait. What? You can’t expect me to do that without telling me what the threat is.”
She’d been in these lands long enough to know that there were things more frightening out there than the little insects around them, but her dragon would have alerted her had there been a real threat.

The same odd vibration she had heard in the cave rumbled in his throat.
“We’re surrounded by Erritrols. Now do as I say. We can argue about your lack of self-preservation later.”

Little grunts and growls sounded all around them. Had she gotten so used to being in the Dark Lands that she ignored the coppery taste in her mouth foretelling of the Erritrols being near? Another grunt, this time behind her, had her spinning on her heel. “You should know better than to sneak up on me like that, Argram.” She spoke aloud, ensuring Evan knew there was no threat.

With one quick move, Argram’s arm slipped around her waist, then without warning, he swung her behind him.

“If you know what’s good for you, you’ll return my mate to me—now.” Fury resounded in Evan’s garbled voice. Even with the gridom stone in place, energy emanated from him, casting the area in an eerie glow.

She tried to get around the beast to reassure Evan, but Argram shifted, keeping her from going to him. What were they trying to do, get him to attack so they could get rid of him? “Argram, this is ridiculous. Let me through.”

The beast snorted once. “Not until he releases his energy and we come to an understanding.”

The vibrations in the air around them intensified, the energy flowing over her so thick and dark, she wanted to gag. “Evan, please. Release the energy. These men are not the enemy. They’d never hurt me.”

Seconds ticked by before he responded.
“You trust these creatures?”
The skepticism in his voice was clear.

“With my life. No harm will come to me, I promise you.”
The pale light dimmed until it was gone, leaving her to adjust her vision to the darkness once more.

“I’ve done as you’ve asked only because Brienne trusts you. I’m asking once more for you to release her to me now.” The civility in his tone didn’t fool her for a second. He was capable of swift action when warranted.

“I’m coming around now. Argram, if you as much as move a muscle, I will have Miga on your tail for a month. Don’t test my patience in this.” She was tired and hungry. If they kept posturing at each other, it would be days before she ate or rested.

Brienne took a step to the side, only to have Khet step out of the darkness between her and Evan. Enough was enough. Before Evan could even react, a low, menacing growl rumbled from her chest. Both Argram and Khet turned their heads to look back at her, eyes rounded.

“Get out of my way.” Shoving between the two Erritrols, she came to stand beside Evan. “And don’t you think to try anything either. I’ve had more than I’m going to take from
any
of you.” Evan’s eyebrows rose, but he remained silent. A girl could get used to that. Maybe she would need to let her dragon out more often. “Now, say your peace, Argram.”

Hands curled into fists, Argram’s gaze never left Evan. “You’d have us admit him into our camp?”

Standing tall, she waited for him to look at her before she answered. “Yes. He comes with me.” She didn’t leave any room for argument. She knew the rules of the pack, and bringing an outsider into the midst of them was very much against them, but she also knew she had to stand her ground with these men.

The first few months with the pack had been hell. They had tried to undermine her at every turn. She had earned their trust and respect many times over, and even the mighty Goddess would not be able to help them if they tried to snatch it away from her now.

“Have you forgotten what brought you to us? The pain he has caused? The first chance he gets, he will break you all over again. Is this what you wish?” Argram snarled at Evan. “And now you’d have us take him into the pack? Miga is—”

“Miga is grieving; heartbroken because she has no idea her mate is alive. Let’s get out of here if for no other reason than to ease her suffering.” Ignoring his first remarks altogether, she tilted her chin and peered at the beast. Argram’s growl had Evan taking a small step forward again, but she lifted her hand and held him back. Argram was bigger, and certainly intimidating, but she had nothing to fear.

“You are welcome as always, Brienne. Your tent is ready for you. It is
this
one we do not trust.” His canines poked out from under his curled lip.

“He comes with me.” She turned to look at Khet, then back to Argram before speaking loud enough for the others surrounding them to hear. “He is mine, and to be protected as mine. Many times, I have put myself in harm’s way for you and your mates. I expect the same.” The quiet rumble grew louder. “If any of you object, say so now and we will part ways.”

She was very aware of Evan’s stillness. His calm exterior didn’t fool her. The way he took in his surroundings, she could almost see him plotting his attack to their best advantage. The only reason he hadn’t acted sooner was to give her the opportunity to deal with her pack. If the rising tension vibrating around him was any indication, he wouldn’t remain still for much longer.

“What’s your decision? Do we proceed or does our journey end here?”

The tension escalated with each rise and fall of the massive Erritrol’s chest. Even the bugs, which had been so annoying just a short while before, had dispersed and found other creatures to torment. Shaking her head, Brienne lifted her hand to her choker. “I’m sorry we couldn’t see the mission through to the end.”

The opalescent stone shone as she pulled it from her neck, flooding the darkness surrounding them all with her light within seconds. Once she took the choker off, she and Evan would have to take to the air. Erritrols and all other forms of dark creatures would be able to see them for miles. She wouldn’t lead them to her pack, even if they were being stubborn fools.

A low growl came from her left, quickly followed by Evan’s responding one to her right. She had known Wesken was close by but hadn’t guessed at how close. She turned to look at him, ready to plead her case to the second Alpha of the pack, but her breath caught in her throat.

Swallowing hard, she blinked several times to be sure she was seeing right. His fur shimmered in her light, thinned somehow. She couldn’t see through it, but the pelt was thinner. His eyes, usually black as coal, were a dark chocolate brown. Claws, long and pointed, shortened and rounded before her very eyes. “Wesken? How…”

Groaning, the hulking beast doubled over. “I don’t know.” He barely got the words out through his clenched jaw.

Argram went to his brother, helping him stand. “Leave the damned stone on. You’re making it worse.”

The moment the choker was back in place, darkness returned and Wesken’s laboured breaths eased.

“What the hell was that?”
Evan, who had remained silent throughout, stepped close but didn’t impede her when she pushed her way through the Erritrols now surrounding Wesken.

“I don’t know. It’s part of the curse. If the ancients know anything, they aren’t sharing with the younger generations. That’s why I need the scymin.”
By the time they reached the center of the group, Wesken’s claws had lengthened, his fur thickened, and the intimidating obsidian had returned to his eyes.

“Our Elders might have some knowledge. We could ask for council.”
Evan’s body was still rigid next to hers, yet wonder laced his words.

Argram turned to her. “We must leave this place. Your light will bring others.”

Tilting her chin up, she nodded. She had known the risk she was taking by lifting her gridom stone from her neck, but she had to make her stance clear. As much as she hated to admit it, having Evan helping her look for the scymin would make things a lot easier. The sooner the pack accepted him, the easier it would be for all of them.

“Let’s go then.”

Argram took the lead, flanked by Wesken and Khet. The younger beast glanced back, uneasy at having Evan at his back, but the brothers stared straight ahead.

What in the hell was that?
In all his years chasing the beasts, Evan had never seen anything like it. Unless his eyes had been playing tricks on him, the creature had been about to shift. He had heard stories when he was a kid about a species, now extinct, that had lived in the outlying areas just beyond the borders of Avalore. Could they have been telling stories of the Erritrols?

Three massive beasts walked before them, and at least four more fanned out at the rear. He didn’t delude himself in thinking they trusted him, but for Brienne’s sake, they’d tolerate his presence, for now at least. As much as he hated to admit it, their protective attitude toward her afforded them a small measure of respect. They had kept her safe when he hadn’t even known where to find her.

Shame, a bitter taste in Evan’s mouth, had him growling. He had already failed her more times than he could count, and they had yet to be mated.

“What’s wrong?”
Brienne didn’t look at him, but rather started scanning the area surrounding them.
“Is something out there?”

The largest of the beasts, the one who had been held captive with him at the Erritrol encampment, looked over its shoulder at him before glancing at Brienne again. “He’s very snarly for one of
your
people.”

He heard a soft snort, and when he looked over at Brienne, she was fighting a losing battle against a grin. “He is a little snarly, isn’t he?” The smile she tried so hard to suppress broke free just before she winked at him, making him lose his footing. “And maybe a little clumsy.”

What he wouldn’t give to see her smile more often.

The unforgiving terrain, difficult to travel, didn’t let up. It had been hours since their last break, and if his internal clock was still keeping time, he would guess it was near dawn. The group moved in slow formation, careful not to alert anything or anyone nearby or leave a back trail.

After hours of intense climbing and cutting through heavy brush, his own aching muscles protested every step, yet Brienne had not complained, not once.
“How are you holding up?”

Her weary gaze met his.
“I don’t know how much longer I can keep going.”

“Take my hand.”
Closing the gap between them, he reached for it. Stubborn as she was, he knew she would never ask for a rest, and she wouldn’t show weakness in front of her pack. If the earlier display was any indication, she had fought for their respect and wouldn’t want to give an inch.

“I’m okay. Let’s just hope we get there soon.”
Her small smile when she looked at him didn’t reach her eyes.

“Is my hand so repulsive that you can’t tolerate holding it even for a short while?”
Unless he was mistaken, she wouldn’t expect him to be affronted. He was counting on it. She would debate whether he was offended, and then capitulate, just in case. It was a calculated guess and risk. If she refused to take his hand, he could always just haul her over his shoulder and give her some energy that way. It would be infinitely more entertaining.

Dropping his hand to his side, he stared straight ahead. When she glanced in his direction, her bottom lip caught between her teeth, he had to suppress a grin. Her next steps brought her closer. Why it would make him so joyful to have her come to him for help, he didn’t know, but it did. When her cool fingers laced around his warmer ones, the phoenix flapped happily.

“You know I’ve never found any part of you repulsive.”

A pink hue crept into her cheeks as her gaze shifted away from him.
“I never knew why you left. You didn’t leave a note, no explanation. How could I do anything but assume it was me you didn’t want?”

She gasped and looked at him, brows arched as though the thought had never occurred to her.
“I’d always dreamed to be joined to someone like you. When the Elders told me you were to be my mate, I couldn’t have been more pleased.”

Sighing, he shook his head and brought her hand to his lips to kiss her knuckle before starting the slow energy infusion from his hand to hers. It would be so easy for him to provide her with the energy she needed if they weren’t wearing those damned stones and in the Dark Lands surrounded by Erritrols.

Mates shared energy all the time, and part of him was desperate for that connection. More than sexual, it was spiritual. Two souls merged into one, basking in each other’s light and coming back holding the best of the other within themselves for all time. If he and Brienne ever shared such a connection, he would never be the same.