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Chapter 326

Author: Nicole MacDonald
last update Last Updated: 2022-06-15 14:13:35
A HORN BLASTED. LESEACH LIFTED in the saddle and tightened her single-handed grip on the handle, the unpleasantly squishy splatterbug cradled close to her stomach.

The next blast then the next sounded. Shouts rang out. Her centaur spurred into action, long strides breaking into a swift gallop.

Wind rushed past her face, whisking errant hairs back from her forehead. The scent of the khalazyons reached her nostrils and they prickled at the sharp arid smell. Her heart began to race in anticipation, lips spreading in an instinctive bearing of teeth, nose curling as a snarl rolled up her throat.

She'd missed the thrill of a hunt.

The sounds of horses and centaurs charging toward the field were drowned out by the sudden deep warning bellows from the creatures still hidden in the grasses.

Her soldier didn't slow, plunging into the long grasses. With his height she was able to see over the top of the grasses, able to glimpse the massive bodies.

'RIGHT!'

Her roar turned the centaur in h
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  • The Birthright Series   Chapter 327

    'SHE DID IT!'The centaur's shout of excitement took Rashid's focus from the stained animal they'd been tracking. Leaning to peer ahead, he caught sight of the tall blonde Northerner standing alongside a fallen khalazyon, the soldier she'd rode next to her. A horn blast from the soldier he rode rang loud in his ears as he jerked back. Only moments later answering cries rang out as the hunters passed the call on. 'Head back?' his soldier called.'No! Let's go admire the kill.'Reaching the kill site Rashid swung a leg over, landing easily on the ground and grinned widely at Leseach.'Well done! I think you must have found the largest male too!''It was the first we spotted,' the soldier she'd ridden said laughingly. 'Beginners luck!'They chatted as other hunters rode in to admire the kill. Leseach took the congratulations in her stride, a half-smile in place. The scent of the kill grew stronger and the soldier she'd ridden set off with Rashid's soldier to go lead the cart pul

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  • The Birthright Series   Chapter 328

    'LESEACH?' HE HAD TO PAUSE for breath, head spinning from the frantic run. 'Leseach?' The wooded area was fairly shallow before the hill went sharply up. Blinking, eyes watering from the dust cast up from the dragged kill, he spotted the drag marks. Following them without thinking he came up short at the cave entrance.'Holy Ahssan!'Not just two tehnears. A den of them. Horror spread as if he'd touched an ice jytnar with its poison spreading through his veins, freezing them solid.Closing his eyes for a long moment he waited, letting his mind calm.He couldn't lose her again.The heavy toll of resignation rang through his mind.He opened his eyes.With a calm deliberate step, he drew the long daggers sheathed to either thigh and entered the cave.THE MUSKY SCENT ONLY INCREASED within the tunnels, combined with an overwhelming smell of large animals and defecation. Leseach crept silently into the ink black darkness, the tips of her ears stiff as she listened with all her stre

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  • The Birthright Series   Chapter 329

    THE BATTERED AND BLOODY MAN lay crumpled just beyond the entrance to the caves. A bellowing roar of indignant fury shattered Leseach's stunned horror.She stooped, slipping an arm under his shoulder and swung, throwing her other arm around his thighs and lifted, stumbling out of the thicket.Snapping snarls followed her. Shoulder blades flinching at the sounds, Leseach tightened her grip on the moaning man, lurching across the rocky riverbed, aiming for the river.Warning barks then a howl made the breath that had wedged in her throat gasp out in relief. She could hear the distance growing. The tehnears weren't going to leave their kill alone.Reaching the river, she booted smaller rocks aside, awkwardly sweeping her feet back and forth to create a smooth place to set him down.With a grunt of effort, she lowered first his legs then carefully his torso, keeping her hold across his back.Her hand touched the bandi sword embedded in his back.Rashid gave a hoarse gasp of pain.

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    WE RODE OUT TO THE hunt in open carriages, an organized mass of horse pulling vehicles laden with guests in ornate clothing. I pressed a hand out against the fine netting slung over the arches at either end of the wagon and watched a film of dust rapidly build over the mesh. The swaying motion of the carriages and the leg room made the journey feel ridiculously decadent; for a person used to centaur and horseback.I leaned back against Alek, a smile spreading as he tucked his arm around my back, hand splaying over my thigh.'Enjoying the ride?'I tipped my head back, meeting his dark blue gaze with a grin.'Yes! I didn't even realize carriage was an option.'He laughed while Elena, relaxing in the seat before us, twisted to look my way.'How else would you expect the royal family to travel?' 'I hadn't thought. To be honest.' One of the numerous things that had never occurred to me to consider.Alek snorted and Elena turned back. Beside her Aldeern sat with his back straight, h

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  • The Birthright Series   Chapter 331

    THREE SEPARATE PUNCTURE WOUNDS, A shattered eye socket, numerous bruises, and fractured bones.The muscles in Alek's face ached with the force he held over them to keep his thoughts from showing.What could have caused such a reaction from her?The briefest glance up revealed Leseach sitting a meter or so from Rashid, her large eyes fixed on the man's face.Turning his attention back to the Lieutenant, Alek felt it as Cat made another pass with their merged energies, seeking out the last couple of contusions. He lifted his hand from hers at the all clear.Before Cat could remove her hands, Rashid's closed tight around the one against his palm.'Please!'The urgent whisper came out so quiet and quick Alek strained to make sense of it at all. Cat sat stiff, her forehead creased and lips drawn. Making a brief nod to the man she stood and brushed her dress down as Alek stepped forward to help Rashid stand.'Okay?' he asked in a measured tone.The Lieutenant returned the steady gaz

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    DRAWING NEAR THE DOUBLE DOORS that led to my mother's quarters I smiled to see Elena, Kass, Sian, Loi, and Ada waiting.'I'm getting married today!'Laughter rang out, and the girls pounced on me with tight hugs and squeals. After a noisy few minutes Elena's voice calmly cut through it all.'Congratulations on your wedding day, your Majesty''Cat.''Your Majesty,' Elena corrected. 'Allow me to present your wedding gift.' She nodded to the guards who each pushed a door wide open.I stared, mouth working but no sound coming out.Gone was the pale entrance way with feminine pretty furniture pieces. Instead the walls were a soft but rich burnt orange highlighted by a lovely darker mid-range wood that framed the edges, highlighting the light smoky blue ceiling. The side table had been switched from a white and gold gilded piece to something that looked as if it had been grown, not made, an incredibly wrought piece that didn't seem to have a start or end.With a gasp I twisted to l

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  • The Birthright Series   Chapter 334

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