As the voices faded away, Kim forced herself to remain perfectly still. When she was sure they were gone, she opened her eyes.
She was somewhere in the forest. She could hear water rushing in the distance but had no clue where she was. Moving to sit up, she found her hands and feet bound, rolling over she found Caitir beside her, awake, her eyes filled with terror.
“It will be alright Caitir.” Kim whispered and hoped she was telling the truth.
“We are lost.” Caitir whispered back, her eyes filling with tears. “No one will come in time. We are too far away from the guards.”
“Then we have to give them the time.” Kim refused to give into her fear. She has come too far, survived too much to give up now. “Can you sit up?”
“Yes, but what good will that do?”
“Just do it Caitir.” Kim ordered as she struggled up herself. “Quietly.”
Caitir did as she was ordered.
“Now reach up under my sleeve.”
“What?” Caitir gave her a confused look.
“I have a knife Caitir.” Kim whispered impatiently. “It’s tied to my lower arm. Grab it.”
Caitir couldn’t believe it. A female carrying a knife?
“Hurry. Before they come back.”
Kim’s words jolted Caitir into moving. As she grabbed the knife, a twig snapped and she dropped it barely missing the Empress’ bare foot. Both women froze and listened intently. Hearing nothing else, Kim grabbed the knife and began to saw through the ropes that bound Caitir’s ankles.
“What are you doing?” Caitir looked at her in shock.
“Listen to me Caitir.” Kim said as she continued to work on the bindings. “Do you know where we are?”
Caitir looked around, getting her bearings. “Y…yes.” She whispered.
“And you know the way back to House Reeve, back to Wray.”
“Yes.”
“Good.” Having freed Caitir’s ankles Kim started on the ropes around her wrists. “Now, once I get you free, I want you to run for help.”
“What?” Caitir barely remembered to keep her voice down.
“I don’t know where we are Caitir.” Kim told her impatiently. “I don’t know where help is. You do.” Kim’s eyes bored into Caitir. “You have to go find Wray and tell him what happened. Where I am. It’s the only way.”
“No! They will kill you.”
“Not right away, they won’t.” Kim said, refusing to show Caitir how scared she was. “Fala and Gyula are going to want to have their fun first. That gives us time, time for you to escape and get help.”
“No, I won’t let you sacrifice yourself.”
“I have no plans on ‘sacrificing’ myself.” Kim said to her as she finally freed Caitir’s hands and started on her own ankles. “I plan on running. Now which way are the guards?”
"That… that way.” Caitir stuttered, gesturing behind her.
“Then I’m going to run that way.” Kim gestured to her left, not in the opposite direction, but angled away from the path Caitir would need. “I’m going to scream like bloody murder so Fala and Gyula follow me. I want you to wait until you know it is safe then run for help.”
“But…”
“No buts Caitir. If they catch you, we’re both dead. You know that.”
“But if they catch you….”
“They won’t.” Kim hoped she was speaking the truth. Freeing her feet Kim stood and was about to hand the knife back to Caitir to free her hands when the unmistakable sounds of heavy footsteps could be heard moving towards them.
“Go.” Kim ordered and gripping the knife took off running, making as much noise as she could as she screamed.
“WRAY!!!!!!”
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Fala froze at the female's scream, his eyes catching a flash of purple moving fast through the woods to his right. No! It wasn’t possible! How had the little bitch gotten free!
He immediately changed directions and went crashing through the overgrowth after her.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Caitir stayed crouched down and watched the large warrior charging after the Empress. What was she going to do…
All her life she had to be hidden, had been afraid, of her father and other males. Only her uncle had ever treated her with kindness, as if she mattered, but she knew that was only because of her mother.
Until the Empress. She looked at Caitir and saw someone who mattered, someone who had value, for herself. She saw Caitir as an equal, even someone to risk her life for. Was hiding how she was going to repay her?
No! She would do as her Empress and friend had told her and find the Emperor. Lifting her skirt Caitir ran.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Tora froze at the female’s scream, his head jerking towards the sound, his eyes narrowing as they scanned the area. Where was it coming from? Zeroing in on the last of the sound, he moved quickly but silently through the brush. The sound of someone crashing through the brush towards him had him raising his sword ready to strike.
Caitir skidded to a halt, falling on her ass, in front of the warrior’s raised sword, her heart breaking because she knew she had failed.
“Where is the Empress?!! Tora demanded. “Who are you?!!
“I… I am Caitir. The Empress’ clothier.” Caitir stuttered. “She ran that way.” Caitir pointed a trembling finger towards the river.
“Why aren’t you with her?” Tora demanded.
“She sent me for help. She knew if they caught us both we would be finished.
“Who!” Tora demanded.
“She called them Fa… Fala and Gyula.”
Tora stiffened at the names. They were the same ones that had attacked her earlier.
“Go!” Tora ordered shoving her down the way he had come. “Find the Emperor and tell him what you have told me.”
“You are going after them?” Caitir asked hopefully.
“Yes.”
“Please! Please save the Empress!” Caitir pleaded. “She is a good female and they plan to use her as they would an Auyangian.”
Tora paled, then flushed in anger, understanding what she meant. “GO!” he ordered then ran towards the Empress.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Kim raced blindly through the woods. What had she been thinking? She asked herself, as another thorn pierced her foot. She knew nothing about trying to evade warriors. She was a city girl. All she knew was that she wanted to survive. She wanted to be with Wray.
“Where do you think you are going?” Gyula demanded, stepping out from behind a tree to snag her around the waist, slamming her back against his chest.
“No!” Kim screamed the knife falling to the ground.
“Yes!” Gyula said and wrapped a large hand around her neck, squeezing. “You will pay for what you did to us.”
“What I did!” Kim squeaked out, refusing to back down, even as she clawed at his hand trying to relieve the pressure. “I did nothing! You are the ones that attacked me!”
“You are female! Non-Tornian! We honor you by using your body!”
“Honor my ass!” Kim hissed back at him. “You are no better than the Ganglians!”
“How dare you!” Gyula roared squeezing so tightly she was close to passing out.
“Release her!” Tora ordered, charging out of the trees, his sword raised.
“One step closer and I’ll snap her neck.” Gyula told him, making sure he kept Kim between him and Tora sword. “
“Release her now and I will grant you a quick death.” Tora ordered.
“I think not young prince.” Gyula told him, then smiled.
“Tora! Behind you!” Kim cried out when she saw Fala lifting his sword.
Tora spun around, barely blocking Fala’s sword in time, the power behind the larger, stronger warrior's swing causing him to stumble backwards.
“Today is an historic day.” Fala said, swinging his sword around in his hand, making cocky circles. “A Prince and an Empress are abo
ut to die and House Vasteri will fall.” Again, Fala swung and his years of training had Tora stumbling again.
“Just do it Fala!” Gyula shouted. “Stop playing with him.”
“But I wish to play with him.” Fala said shooting Gyula an angry look. “He thinks he is more worthier than us because he is Vasteri. Fitter! Today he will discover he is no different than any other male.”
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Kim couldn't believe what she was seeing. Tora was defending her! At least he was trying, but Fala was a male fully mature where Tora was still growing. She couldn’t let him sacrifice himself for her. Wray would be devastated if he lost him. She had to do something… but what? Maybe????
Going limp in Gyula's arms, Kim felt his grip loosen, thinking she had passed out. Knowing she would only get one shot at this, she let her chin fall to her chest, then flung it back with all her might and felt the satisfying crunch of Gyula's nose giving way beneath it.
“Argggg!” Gyula cried out and dropped Kim to grab his nose.
Gyula’s cry had Fala’s eyes moving towards his friend for a moment and that was all that Tora needed. Lifting his sword, Tora attacked the larger, stronger male letting his smaller size and quickness work to his advantage. He sliced Fala’s sword arm first, then cut across his chest, catching Fala by surprise.
Fala stumbled back, staring down at his chest in shock. How had a male that had yet to see eighteen years been able to draw his blood and lots of it? Gripping his sword more tightly Fala countered, but found his grip slipping under the slickness of his blood coating the hilt of his sword.
Tora showed the male as much mercy has he would have shown Kim, striking as his manno and uncle had taught him. Each strike from his blade cutting deeper, drawing more and more blood until Fala struggled to stay on his feet. An especially deep cut across the back of one leg had Fala falling to a knee.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Gyula ignored the blood streaming from his nose and watched in stunned fascination as Tora brought Fala down. How was it possible? Fala was a cunning warrior. No one defeated him and yet Tora did.
Gyula needed to save himself. His eyes flashed to the female that was the cause of all his problems and found her inching away from him. Her eyes riveted to the battle taking place before them.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Kim ignored the jarring impact of her butt hitting the ground and dug her heels into the ground, scooting away from Gyula the best she could with her hands still bound. Her eyes moving from Gyula to the battle between Tora and Fala.
After Fala’s initial strikes Tora was now coming on strong, battling back the larger male and she knew she was getting a glimpse of the warrior he would one day become. The warrior, his manno currently was.
Suddenly she felt the weight of Gyula’s gaze and realized she’d made a costly mistake. She should have run while Gyula was occupied with the fight, now his focus was back on her.
Twisting around, her fingers dug into the damp dirt as she struggled to her feet and felt they curl around her knife. Praying to the Goddess for Tora’s safety, she took off running.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Wray’s mind was in turmoil, his heart pounding, as he raced across the gardens of House Reeve, his guard barely able to keep up. How could this have happened? Why had he let her go without him? She was his universe and he had failed to protect her… again. If she were gone….
No! He refused to let himself think that. The Goddess couldn’t be so cruel… not when he had just found her. Instead, he let his rage fill him, let it strengthen his arm and heighten his senses.
Today he was not the Emperor.
Today he was a Tornian Warrior, protecting his female and nothing would stand between him destroying whoever was trying to harm her.
Coming up on the guards he had sent to protect Kim he paused only long enough to retrieve one of their swords then followed the trail left by those who had taken his Kim. At the edge of the wooded area, he lifted his sword, hearing someone running towards him. When Caitir suddenly stumbled out he lowered his sword, barely catching her as she fell to the ground. Her gown was tattered and torn, her breathing erratic. Scratches marred her dark skin and her eyes were wide with fear.
“Emperor!” Caitir gasped.
“Where is the Empress!” Wray demanded, barely remembering to keep his grip gentle.
“We separated so they couldn’t catch both of us.” Caitir told him. “She ran towards the river.”
“Who are they?” Wray demanded.
“Fala and Gyula.” She told him. “They drugged us and were planning on taking us to a ship on the other side of the river. Another warrior…” Caitir had to pause to catch her breath.
“What! Another warrior what!” Wray gave her a small shake.
“Another warrior came. He… he sent me to find you… to tell you what happened while he went after the Empress.”
“Tora…”
“Yes, majesty.”
"Take her to my chambers. Protect her as if she were your own." Wray's eyes were hard as he stared at the Warrior dressed in Reeve's colors. "If any harm comes to this female it will be your life and the life of all you know. Do you understand me?!!"
"Yes, majesty!" The male immediately said, his eyes going to Caitir.
"Come," the male held out his hand to help her up. "My vow, no harm will come to you."
A faint scream had every male tensing, trying to locate where it had come from. Wray had no such problem, he let his instincts guide him, knowing they would never fail him, not when it came to Kim. Ducking into the woods, he went to find his Empress.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Kim ducked under yet another low branch, hoping it would slow Gyula down, instead she heard him crash through it just as he had every other one she’d put in his way. He was gaining on her and all too quickly, she was running out of time and space. When the trees suddenly gave way to the banks of the river, she knew it was over.
Spinning to confront Gyula, she held up the knife General Rayner had given her on Pontus and pointed it at Gyula.
"Do you really think that little thing will stop me?" Gyula demanded, pulling out his much larger, longer sword.
"I stopped you before," she gestured to his still bleeding nose. "I'll stop you again." She said with as much bravado as she could muster.
"You were lucky!" Gyula denied angrily.
"Right. Lucky like Tora?" Kim goaded him, hoping to buy herself enough time for someone to help her. “Maybe I’m just better than you Gyula. More skilled.”
The river would be her last resort. Quickly she glanced at it over her shoulder. She hadn't lied to Wray. She was an excellent swimmer, but this river's current looked swift and she has never swam in a long gown before... or with her hands tied... she wasn’t looking forward to it, but she refused to let Gyula abuse her. This time she knew she had no chance of surviving.
"We shall see who the lucky one is now won't we." Gyula sneered as he raised his sword, taking a step towards her.
Kim knew she didn’t have the strength to block Gyula's blow. She knew there was only one place left for her to go, but as she prepared to jump into the river, she caught the flash of movement in the trees.
Suddenly Wray was there. Blocking Gyula’s sword.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Gyula's eyes widened in shock when his blade was deflected. Spinning around, he found himself confronting…. The Emperor!
Stumbling back Gyula quickly reassessed his position. The hard, cold inferno that raged in the Emperor’s eyes told him he would receive no mercy from him. Looking behind him, Gyula saw more of the Emperor’s warriors filling the area and knew he would find no help there. Deciding that if today was the day he was to meet the Goddess he would be taking the Emperor with him.
Setting his shoulders, Gyula attacked.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Wray watched as first surprise, then acceptance, then finally deadly resolve settled ove
r Gyula's face and welcomed it. He wanted this battle. He wanted to inflict as much pain as possible on the male that dared to harm his Kim. He'd only allowed himself the smallest of glances in her direction before focusing his full attention on Gyula, but he'd had enough for him to see her scratches, her bruises and her fear. Gyula would suffer for each and every one.
“Protect the Empress!” He ordered and stepping in front of Kim, attacked.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Every warrior entering the area obeyed the Emperor’s order and stepped in front of the Empress, putting themselves between her and the battle about to rage. None had ever seen their Emperor like this before and they couldn’t take their eyes off him.
Yes, they had known the Emperor was a fierce warrior. You couldn't be from House Vasteri and not be. It was ingrained in them.
Yes, they knew he trained every day to maintain his skills, but it had been decades since he'd actually seen battle and that had made some think his skills would be lacking in a ‘real’ battle.
They were wrong.
Gyula while one of the Empire’s strongest warriors, lacked the sharp mind necessary to become a great warrior. Fala had that. It was why they made such a dangerous pair. What one did not have the other did.
The Emperor had the strength and the intelligence in combination with his skill and rage and there would never be a more lethal weapon than Wray Vasteri.
All too soon Gyula was tumbling under the Emperor’s onslaught and suddenly realized he would be meeting the Goddess alone.
"The Goddess will never accept you Gyula!” Wray bit out coldly, "She only honors those that are worthy and you are not! No, today you will be meeting Daco, for like him, you have a black soul and no concept of honor." Wray's blade cut deep, moving across Gyula's lower abs, spilling his internal organs.