“The Three Sisters,” Eude replied. Rhobart growled. “I am not taking Ayla to that place!” “Why? Afraid she would see people fucking?” Eude asked. “Nah, he is afraid she will see other cocks,” Hudde said. Tizgar smacked the back of their heads. “What did we say this time?” Eude complained. “Are you sure you want to take these two with you to the Fire Monastery?” Tizgar asked Rhobart, ignoring Eude. Rhobart groaned. “I am starting to think I should take other Paladins with me.” “You already said we could come. We want to see female novices,” Hudde complained. Tizgar rolled his eyes, and Ayla giggled. Rhobart shook his head in disapproval. “Sometimes you two don’t act like adults at all.” Tizgar snorted. “You mean they never act like adults? Well, if you are not coming with us, we will leave.” “I want to spend some time alone with Ayla.” Kerra growled. Rhobart sighed. “I haven’t forgotten about you.” The Paladins left, and Rhobart interlaced his fingers with those of Ayla, and
Rhobart and Ayla woke just before dawn to prepare everything they needed for the journey to the Fire Monastery. Once everything was packed, they went to the dining hall. Milton and the Paladins were already seated at the table, talking to Chief Ulfr. “King Rhobart! I was hoping you would remain a few more days,” Chief Ulfr said once Rhobart helped Ayla with her chair and sat next to her. “While I would love nothing more than to stay a few more days, I feel we have abused your hospitality for too long, Chief Ulfr.” Rhobart took out a sealed parchment from his pocket and gave it to Chief Ulfr. “Could you hand this over to the Myrthanians who decided to stay and help with the magic ore? I would have liked to visit them, but from what Droyn told me, they are moving into their new accommodations. I am trying to see if I can have their families brought here in safety.” Chief Ulf put the parchment inside his tunic. “So the rumors about the Orcs are true.” Rhobart nodded. “Myrthana has bee
Minutes later, Rhobart guided Runner to the road to his left. Ayla, Milton, and the twins did the same. Kerra walked next to Spirit. It would take them five days to reach the Fire Clan, where the Fire Monastery was built. Or at least, that’s what Rhobart told her. “About what you said to Godefray...” Ayla began saying. Rhobart frowned. “What did I say?” “That I am your woman. Is that true? I am your woman now?” Ayla asked Rhobart in a serious tone. Rhobart arched an eyebrow. “Are you not?” “I don’t see any bracelet around my left wrist,” she teased him. In Nordmar and in many other kingdoms, it was custom for a man to give a bracelet to the woman he wanted to marry. She puckered her lips for a moment. “I thought you were courting me.” Before Rhobart could reply, Eude joined the conversation. “If this fool doesn’t put a bracelet on your wrist, I will.” “Who are you calling a fool? And didn’t I warn you to stay away from my woman?” Rhobart snarled. “I will put one as well. Fro
“I might not know much about bedding women, but I am aware that I have to be gentle with her. At least for the first time. But each time I see her sprawled on the bed, all I can think about is to ram into her and fuck her until we both forget our names. I want to do things to her that should be forbidden.” If Rhobart and her hadn’t fucked, then what have they been doing in bed? Milton was silent for a few moments before speaking again. “I don’t think you are only afraid of harming her. There is something else.” Rhobart sighed. “I can never lie to you, can I?” “We have been best friends since I was five and you were six. I always know when something is bothering you. So, what is really holding you back from completing that bond?” Rhobart sighed. “I am afraid that if the bond still exists, and I fuck her, she will remember everything and leave me. Again.” Remember what? Leave him again? Milton clicked his tongue. “I told you a lot of times that the alxa-lotx is still there, but
He was talking about their alxa-lotx ceremony. Things he had done or had said now suddenly made sense to her. But why did she break the bond? She needed to be alone for a while so she could think. Even to try to remember the past. But Milton had said a spell had been used to erase her memories of Rhobart. What if there was no way of undoing it? She wanted to know, needed to know what she had been hiding from her father all those years. Ayla tried to wiggle away from Rhobart, but he snaked an arm around her waist, caging her, her back glued to his chest. He buried his face in her hair. She tried to free herself but stopped when he growled in annoyance. If what he told Milton was true, she now knew his deepest fear. She waited patiently for him to fall asleep before she could find a quiet place in the forest to think for a moment or two. When the twins switched guards with Milton, Ayla was still awake, thinking. Rhobart softly snored into her ear. An owl sounded in the forest, catchi
She did not remember ever being taken to a Dark Mage by her father. “You knew what my father, what Galian did to me, the beatings and torture I was subjected to, and you never lifted a finger to help me. Rhobart thinks I betrayed him, that I have broken our bond. You need to tell Rhobart the truth! But not about my childhood. I don’t want him to know about that.” Not because she was ashamed of what her father did to her, but because she didn’t want Rhobart to know how much she had hated him. “You should not hide what your father did to you. Let Rhobart know. As for telling Rhobart the truth...” the Seer studied her nails for a moment. “He might have a grudge against me. That man can be very stubborn.” Ayla rubbed her temples. “I don’t think I can blame him. Not after what you have told me. What did you do to him?” The Seer chuckled. “Long story. I don’t have time to tell you all about it right now.” Ayla wanted to pull her hair out in frustration. “You got me into this mess with
Ayla watched the owl fly away before replying to Rhobart’s call. “Rhobart! I am here!” “Ayla, I hear you!” She turned on her heels and rushed to find Rhobart. They met somewhere in the middle, Rhobart walking fast, a magic crystal in his left hand and his dagger in his right. Kerra was walking beside him. They stopped in front of each other. Rhobart looked at her with haunted eyes. His throat bobbed. “When you didn’t return, I thought that something had happened to you. I have been looking for you for some time.” His voice shook as he spoke. He put the dagger in the scabbard before pulling Ayla into his embrace. “I thought I saw a white doe and decided to look for it with Kerra. I lost track of time. I didn’t mean to scare you.” She didn’t know why she was lying to him. Rhobart tightened his arms around her. “I was even starting to think that you le— Doesn’t matter. You are here, in my arms.” For the first time since she met Rhobart, she saw fear in his eyes. All because of he
They reached the next camp by nightfall. Ayla looked at the camp. Except for her and the others, it was empty. Three little cabins stood next to the woodshed. As she looked at the cabins, she started to feel nervous. After thirteen years, Rhobart and her would finally complete their bond. She rubbed the scar with her thumb. If Sarya was right and she had magic, she would use it to help defeat the Orcs. Someone put his hands on top of her shoulders, and she tensed. Not someone but Rhobart. “Pick one of the cabins and go inside. I will bring wood and the rest of the things we will need for the night,” Rhobart told her. “Alright,” Ayla said and went to the one next to the woodshed. Kerra followed her inside. A magic crystal was next to the table, and Ayla tapped on it. A yellow light came from it, allowing Ayla to see inside the cabin. The cabin was simply decorated—a single bed, a table with chairs, a fireplace, and a cupboard. Some furs covered the bed. Kerra jumped on the b