Rise of the Phoenix (Return To Avalore #2) (12 page)

For now, he’d have to settle for what amounted to a mock sharing, a small token of friendship given to acquaintances, not mates. Anything more would put them all at risk, and until they had rested, he didn’t want to chance running into the enemy.
“We have much to talk about. Once we’ve rested, we’ll figure things out.”

She surprised him by nodding, glancing up at him with a small smile, eyes shining a little too brightly, before looking ahead again, putting one stubborn foot in front of the other.

Her warm, feminine energy wrapped itself around his hand and slid like tiny, velvet tongues over his arm to surround him. He’d bet she wasn’t even aware she was seeking to mingle their energies more intimately, but he was, and the sweet caress made the blood sizzle in his veins as it rushed low to pool in his groin. For the second time in as many minutes, he wished for a safe place free of any other person or beast.

When they reached a small but steep butte they needed to get over, the most natural thing in the world was to take her by the hips and heft her up before climbing behind her. Her eyes grew wide, but she didn’t say a word. Grunts and maybe a groan sounded behind them as though the display somehow displeased the beasts at the rear.

Argram stopped in front of them and turned to Brienne. “We’re almost at camp. The cub will soon come.”

Back straight, she looked the massive beast in the eye. “He’s to be trusted. Miga is in no danger. None of you are.” He had to give it to her, she didn’t back down and she wasn’t afraid. Her authoritative posture ensured the beasts saw her, if not as a leader per se, at least as an equal.

Even in the dark, he could see the steep incline of the terrain ahead. The ground, littered with loose stones and larger boulders, would be difficult to climb.

The boost of energy he’d given Brienne had made the last few miles tolerable, but this would do her in. He should just grab her and bring her to the top. The beasts would be angry, but it wasn’t their fury he wanted to avoid. Hers would make them seem like docile felines in comparison. Glancing in her direction, he caught her weary sigh as she braced herself for the climb. Anger be damned. He wasn’t going to let her suffer just to avoid—

Furious roars erupted from the other side of the rise. Tremors shook the ground, sending small boulders rolling down the hill toward them.
What the fuck?

The beasts surrounding them took off at a run, grunting and roaring, no longer caring to keep them surrounded. He was amazed at the speed and agility of the creatures running to the aid of the rest of the pack.

Reaching up, he grabbed the locket from his neck. “Hold this.” He didn’t give her the chance to argue or to protest. Taking to the air was the quickest way to get them there. He didn’t relish the idea of her being in the thick of battle, but he wouldn’t leave her alone without protection either.

From high up, the camp all but disappeared. They had done such a good job at camouflaging he had to wonder how close he’d come to one of these camps before without even knowing.

“There. Go down to the far end, the tall tent.”
No tension tightened her muscles, and the voice sliding into his mind remained calm.

“What’s over there?”

“Miga. She’s pregnant and due to deliver. We have nothing worth stealing. They have to be after her. They want the cub.”
Small flames danced in her eyes.

He didn’t question. She knew the pack and Erritrol life better than any Avalorian. Bringing them down quickly, he saw the woman hunkered in a foxhole. Large creatures fought all around her. Her arms wrapped protectively around her rounded belly.

“Take your stone off and cloak yourself. We’re landing in there with her.”

The flash of her energy only lasted a split second before they were both ensconced in a heavy cloak. The beasts looked up and around, but it was too late. They had disappeared that quickly.

Cloaked as they were, Brienne knew they would frighten Miga by dropping down behind her, but they had no choice. Fear skittered across the female’s features and lingered in her eyes as they darted from one place to the other. The moment their feet touched the ground, Miga spun toward them, eyes wide, teeth bared. Dark energy swam to her in thick waves, making Brienne’s skin crawl as it slid by.

“I won’t tolerate anyone hurting you, not even one of your pack. Warn her to stand down now.”
His garbled voice had her heart racing.

“Miga, it’s me, Brienne. We’re here to help.” The sounds of battle raging all around them made it impossible to hear.

“She can’t hear me. I have to drop my cloak.”
She didn’t bother waiting for his approval. He would disagree, and they didn’t have the time to argue over it. Stepping around Evan so that she stood in front of her packmate, Brienne dropped her cloak. It was only long enough for the woman to recognize her friend in the glow of the energy she emitted.

A low rumble sounded directly behind her.
“Insisting on foolishness will result in one thing, and I can guarantee you will not like it. Don’t pull a stunt like that again.”
Pale blue flames licked at his hands before he snuffed them out.

They hadn’t been attacked like this in over a year. Not since the last time one of the females was about to have her cub. Only then, both the expectant mother and infant had perished.

Tilting her chin, she turned to return the glare she knew she would find.
“She was frightened. It was the only thing I could do to keep her from attacking.”
As much as she wanted to reassure him, she had to be true to her pack. Miga wasn’t just a pregnant Erritrol. She was the daughter of a very powerful Ancient who would stop at nothing to get his hands on her cub.

How had they found out? Someone within their ranks had to be informing the Ancients. No one outside of the pack should have known about her condition, much less how far along she was.

“They’re after Miga. We have to keep her safe at all costs.”
He had to help her; he was a man of honor. He would not let a pregnant female die for no reason.
“Please, I’ll explain later, but for now, nothing can happen to her.”

She could see his need to protect her warring against wanting to please her. Had the situation not been so dire, she might have found it endearing. Evan might look and act tough, but she would bet he wasn’t nearly as tough as he’d want her to believe.

Miga’s expression hardened. “Brienne, it’s me they want. If I go, they will leave the rest of you.”

“No. I will not budge in this. Argram will come to you. For now, we must get you to safety.” She spoke loud enough for the woman to hear her with the battle escalating only feet away.

“Argram.” Miga’s growly voice broke. “He lives?”

Brienne smiled, and simply nodded, as she couldn’t speak past the lump in her throat.

Before either could speak, a massive figure leapt close, snarling and growling. It half sneered, half smiled, as it peered into their hiding place. Behind it, another beast roared, the sound familiar and comforting for all its savagery. The ground shook as heavy feet pounded closer. The smell of burnt flesh and fur burned her nostrils, making her stomach roll.

She hadn’t even been aware of Evan preparing for battle, yet in a flash, a massive ball of red and indigo energy sailed past both her and Miga to strike the beast square in the chest. The beast stumbled, smoke rising from its fur before it fell to the ground.

Behind the fallen creature, Argram stood, his features set in granite. He looked at Evan, made an upward gesture with his head, then nodded before facing the enemy once more.

“Can you cloak her the way we can cloak another Avalorian?”
Evan’s gaze never stopped roaming, keeping an eye on the enemy.

Of course, that was it.
“Yes, as long as we’re touching, my cloak can encompass her as well.”

“Good, now cloak her. I’m going to create a diversion so they won’t notice the energy influx.”
Without warning, he grabbed her and planted a short, firm kiss on her lips.
“Be safe.”

His warm lips lingered only long enough to make her dragon take notice.
“Why don’t you come with us?”
She trusted her pack, but she knew Ancients would be close and wouldn’t think twice about killing him along with the rest of the pack in their anger over losing their chance at getting the cub.

“Go toward the mountain. If I don’t come for you in a few hours, go to the cave and call Drake for assistance. He’ll know how to find you.”
He spun, gathering energy and sent it careening through the air to their left before she was even aware of the threat he had spotted.

“Your Second?”
If he thought for one moment that she would need to call upon Drake for help, he was more worried than he let on.

“Yes, and mate to our queen. If he can’t come, then one of my brothers will.”

“I’ll go, but be warned,
mate
, that I expect you back in one piece.”
His eyebrows rose at her unexpected verbal claim, and she’d swear one corner of his mouth rose a fraction before he turned away from her once more.

“Very well. Now go.”

“Miga, you’ve seen my method of travel. It is safe, do not be afraid.” She wrapped an arm around the creature’s waist. “They won’t be able to see us, so don’t make a sound. The men will come for us when it is done.”

Miga swallowed but then gave an almost imperceptible nod.

“Count to ten, then straight up.”
Energy rushed to the foxhole, swamping her, and making her gag.

Before she knew his intention, Evan released the white energy shielding him from view. A loud, piercing screech cut through the violent roars of the beasts. Shooting twenty feet into the air, he moved away from them, not looking back, not once.

Brienne didn’t hesitate. Being careful not to jostle or frighten Miga any more than she already was, she counted to ten and then shot high into the sky. From her vantage point, she saw the Ancients half a mile away, heading for the chaotic camp. Of course, they wouldn’t have gone in first. No, they would sacrifice the younger, less experienced Erritrols to weaken the pack before swooping in.
Cowards.

“The Ancients are half a mile west of the camp. I will stop at a clearing five miles away. Argram knows where it is.”
The clearing was in the right direction, more or less.
“It’s northwest of here.”

“Understood.”

If anyone could defeat the brutes attacking her camp, Evan could. He was a formidable opponent. He wore his confidence like steel armor. When all was done, the Ancients wouldn’t know what hit them.

True to her word, Miga didn’t utter a sound, though the hand clasped at Brienne’s waist held more tightly than necessary. “I’m taking us to the clearing northwest of here. Evan knows where we’re going, and he’ll let Argram know.”

Miga’s only response was a small whimper.

“What’s the matter?” Her gaze shifted to her friend.

“The baby is coming.” The deep shuddering breath she took vibrated against Brienne’s side. “The pains started a few hours ago.”

Fighting her groan, she forced herself to remain calm and relaxed at Miga’s side. “We’re almost at the clearing. We’ll set down soon.” Unease prickled at her skin as she searched the area beneath them. The small clearing was up ahead, but something wasn’t right. “Do you see anything down below? Any threats?”

Blood rushed through her veins, pounding in her ears. The coppery taste of the beast flooded her senses. She couldn’t see the enemy, but it was there. They couldn’t land, not where they had planned. She should have known the beasts would have watched them and planned for every contingency.

“Nothing, but…” Miga’s body tensed as she squeezed her eyes shut, breathing deeply. “…we have to hurry.”

“We can’t go to the clearing. The energy is all wrong. Something is waiting for us down there.” Brienne took them higher again, veering north toward the mountain. “Just be sure to keep that cub from coming out until we land.”

Miga panted then moaned as she suffered through another contraction.

“The clearing was compromised. I’m heading to the mountain with Miga. She’s in labor. I can’t leave her without protection.”
Holding her breath, she awaited his response. She needed some place safe where Miga could deliver without fear of discovery. The cave was perfect.

“Of course you can’t. I’ll come for you when I can.”
His distracted words left no doubt of the battle still raging at the camp.

“Stay safe.”
She wasn’t about to carry conversations with the man while he was battling the enemy.

The mountain loomed several miles in the distance, but travelling as they were, it wouldn’t take too long to get there. “Are you okay? Just a few more minutes and we’ll have a safe place to land.”

Miga nodded and blew a breath through puffed cheeks. “No one told me it would hurt so much.” Even in the dark, Brienne could see the sweat-damp fur clinging to her forehead.

By the time they arrived at the mountain, Miga was panting. Brienne set her on her feet, only to reach out again to steady her as she stumbled and doubled over with a deep, growling moan.