The cabin’s door opened suddenly, and Eude burst inside, laughing. “Hope you two are not fucking. Although, I wouldn’t mind seeing the princess naked.” Ayla was sitting at the table drinking tea while Rhobart was preparing breakfast—porridge with nuts and berries from the winter bushes. While she had insisted on helping, Rhobart refused and sat her on the chair because, well, the previous night, they could barely keep their hands off each other, and she woke up delightfully sore. Even if a few days had passed since they completed the alxa-lotx, the desire they felt for each other was still very intense. Sarya had told her that the first few days after the bond was completed, Rhobart and her would spend most of the time in bed. Even now, after hours, days even, of being in Rhobart’s arms, she still wanted him. If not for her being sore and needing tea from healing plants, they would probably still be in bed. “I want to see her too,” Hudde yelled from behind and pushed Eude aside.
She expected Rhobart to refuse her, but to her surprise, after exhaling loudly, making his nostrils flare, he bent his head and kissed her tears away. He was not shy about showing his affection and love in front of others. In Myrthana, men almost never displayed their feelings for their wives in public, but in Nordmar, men would take any excuse to touch their women. “If it makes you feel better, then I will not go into the forest,” Rhobart told her. Her eyes went wide. He was taking her feelings into consideration. She smiled. “Thank you.” “Now, if you two are done being all lovey-dovey, could we leave? Or, if you want to get back under the furs, then we can patrol the forest while you two fuck,” Hudde said while grinning. Rhobart growled. “Keep talking like that, and I will cut out your tongue and that of your brother and give them to Kerra.” Kerra licked her whiskers. “I think it is time to gather our things. Right, brother?” Hudde asked. “Right,” Eude agreed. “We wi
After dinner, the hunters and Atlas cleaned the cooking utensils while Rhobart and Ayla prepared the sleeping platform for the night. Gunther and Martin were first to stand watch. Ayla snuggled next to Rhobart under the furs. Kerra curled at their feet. “Thank you for not going into the forest,” she whispered, not wanting to disturb the others. “The idea of something happening to you...” He kissed her forehead while running his knuckles over her cheek. “I know, I feel the same,” he whispered back to her. “But during the war with the Orcs, anything could happen to me. If I di—” Ayla put her fingers against his lips, not letting him finish the sentence. “You promised!” “Ayla,” he tried to reason with her. It might have been the bond or the mere idea of losing him, but she found herself on the verge of crying. Again. “I won’t let you die! And if it is to ever happen, I will find a way to bring you back,” she promised. “I will even fight Beliar.” The tip of his nose touched hers.
Milton did not try to argue with Rhobart as he dropped the shield. The Seeker sent a black fireball straight at him. Milton tried to stop it, but the dark spell hit him in the chest. He put his hands over his heart where the spell had hit and groaned loudly before falling to his knees. A heartbeat later, he plummeted face first into the snow. “Milton!” Ayla screamed. She had promised herself not to let anyone get hurt because of her stupid mistake, and now Milton was... dead. A few tears rolled down her cheeks, and she wiped them with the back of her hand as she stared at the Seeker. She was no longer afraid of making that sacrifice. She rushed to Milton and kneeled next to him, and rolled him onto his back. His right hand was still gripping the magic rune he used for attack spells, and Ayla grabbed it between her palms. She concentrated on her magic. On how it felt. “Is he still breathing?” Rhobart asked, his eyes still on the Seeker—who had stopped his attack for a moment as if
Ayla opened her eyes. “I don’t know what you are talking about.” “I think you know exactly what I am talking about. I have seen your type of magic before, but it is not from here. No, your magic is special, and those that can wield it are from another race. But you appear to be human and not—” Ayla’s heart pounded fast as she said, interrupting Atlas, “I don’t have magic.” “I think I understand why the Seeker is after you,” Atlas commented, and Ayla glanced at him. He toyed with one of his lip piercings for a moment. “You remind me of someone I met a long time ago. Who was your father?” Ayla frowned. How could Atlas have met King Amul? Before she could say something, the Seeker appeared in front of them. The horses stopped running, reared up on their back legs, and neighed. Ayla was not a skilled rider, and she fell from Spirit. The other horses almost stepped on her, but she used her magic to protect herself until she got away from their deadly hooves. “Ayla!” Rhobart yelled. He
Ayla woke up in a throne room she had never seen before. Torches that cast a cold yellow light were placed on the walls. Where was she? She remembered fighting the Seeker and using all her mana to defeat him and the intense pain that followed. Then... nothing. She wondered if she was dead. Guilt filled her heart when she thought of how Rhobart must feel. However, she had had no choice but to use her magic to defeat the Seeker. If she were truly dead, then Inoss had not found her worthy of the Eternal Gardens. It was said that the Eternal Gardens was of such beauty it was hard to describe. All kinds of fruit trees and a plethora of flora flourished there. In the middle of the Eternal Gardens was the Palace of the Gods, in which Inoss and Addanos lived. Then where was she? Maybe she was not dead but only dreaming. But how could she be sure? At the far end of the room, placed on a dais, was a throne made of black marble with gold veins. A man was sitting on it. He was leaning bac
The alxa-lotx vibrated with Rhobart’s anger. It did not surprise her. Not only did she keep her magic a secret from him, but she had hurt him with it. Did he know it had been her who sent him flying into the trees? He must know. Why else would he be so angry with her? Were the others angry as well? Once she changed her clothes and made herself presentable, she would apologize. Rhobart inhaled deeply and looked at his men. “I want to speak with Ayla. Alone.” Eude crossed his arms over his chest and grinned. “I won’t say a word while you two talk.” Hudde, who was standing next to his brother, added, “We will be silent as a grave.” Rhobart narrowed his eyes. “What part of alone didn’t you understand?” “You won’t even know we are here,” Eude insisted. “Go do something useful!” Rhobart yelled, making Ayla flinch. She knew he would not hurt her, but she could not stop herself from being frightened each time she heard him raise his voice. Galian used to scream at her each time he h
Rhobart growled, and Ayla swallowed hard. “You think I can’t tell you are lying? Is it because of your magic? If that’s so, then I am going to forbid you to use it!” Kerra hissed at Rhobart, and it sounded like a warning. While Ayla knew Rhobart was right, she could not let another man dictate the way she lived her life. She thought he was different, but in the end, he was like all men—controlling. She had been controlled all her life. No more! Ayla stared into his eyes. “Why do men always want to control me? First was my father, then Galian. Now you!” Rhobart opened his mouth to say something, but no sound came out. He looked at her for long moments. She regretted her words the moment they came out of her mouth. Rhobart had never tried to control her, if anything, he pushed her to do things—like riding, traveling around Nordmar, teaching her how to use a dagger, and many other things. His eyes turned to steel. “Why the fuck do you keep comparing me to them? That’s what you real