Sword's Call (17 page)

“All right, so what now?” Avery slumped in his saddle. “Do we march right home? Or make him wait on us?”

She shrugged and looked at Braedon. Since they’d left Hadrian’s holding, she’d been constantly deferring to Jorrin’s father.

It was an adjustment, because she’d always been the one in control—even in the King’s Riders—but she needed a break from decision making.

Needed time to gather her strength to do what needed to be done. It was
real
now, they were here and she had to face Varthan.

She had to kill Varthan.

Cera
had
to be strong enough.

Braedon’s support helped in a different way than her other companions. Jorrin’s father hadn’t even paused since arriving at Hadrian’s. The problem had been presented, and he’d immediately been willing to take everything on.

She’d never be able to make it up to him.

“Is there someplace where we could regroup?” Braedon asked. He addressed her cousin, the one most familiar with the area. “If we don’t get some rest, we’ll be of no use to anyone. Plus we need some element of surprise. He may know we’re here, but he doesn’t know what our plans are.”

Avery shrugged. “Where can we? If he knows we’re here,
how
can we hide?”

“Perhaps a masking spell?” Hadrian said.

Braedon nodded. “That’s my plan. Have a place in mind? I have a spell that’s almost magic proof.”

Cera stifled a yawn. Some sleep and reaffirming of plans would delay things.

Perfectly acceptable at the moment.

In the morning she wouldn’t have a choice. A tremor slid down her spine, and she shifted in her saddle.

“How about that place by the lake where we used to play as children?” She met Avery’s eyes. “It’s close enough to the castle, and very old . . . very forgotten.”

“That could work.” Her cousin nodded thoughtfully.

“Let’s go then. When can we cast the cover for our trail?” Jorrin said.

“Leave it to me.” Braedon turned Roan to follow Ash and Valor. “I have a simple spell that I’ve used often.” He smiled and closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he chanted:

“That’s it?” Avery whispered. He looked around, as if expecting some sort of visible magical response.

“It works,” Jorrin’s father said, “So don’t knock it. Everything is as it should be. They won’t be able to see us, or what direction we go. We’re under their shields so to speak. It’s not complicated, but it’s virtually undetectable. We will have just disappeared to magical senses, even strong ones.”

Cera’s cousin threw an astonished look in Jorrin’s direction, but her love just shrugged.

She closed her eyes for a moment, memories of the lake and happy childhood times filling her mind. Her sister’s laughter was palpable.

Tears stung her eyes.

Kait is gone.

She’d never hear her carefree giggles again. Tightening her grip on Ash’s reins, she squeezed until her knuckles whitened.

I will kill Varthan.

She would kill him for all he had taken from her.

Won’t be much longer now.

“Dark thoughts again, love?” Jorrin whispered, making her jump in her saddle. “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you.”

“It’s all right,” Cera said. “We’re almost there.” She glanced over his profile, relieved by his distraction. A jumble of emotions hit her, grief over her sister, flipping to love as she looked at Jorrin, both adding to her determination.

Since he’d cornered her in the barn and what was left unsaid no longer was just that, there’d been a constant ease between them. It was in their interactions, conversations, and everything else.

Except that she wanted him so badly Cera shook with it. Every time he kissed her, she melted into a puddle, only to be left unfulfilled. Beyond kisses and touches, he’d not done more, even when she’d urged him on. She wasn’t going to beg, and Jorrin promised when the time was right, they would be together. Besides, they didn’t have privacy, or time.

Her worries about a romantic relationship distracting her from her course were unfounded. She would
protect what she held dear. Her family view and its importance increased by one. Well, it was more like three, because she couldn’t help but think of Hadrian and Braedon as family as well.

“Well?” Jorrin persisted.

“No dark thoughts. Just fears and plans.”

He nodded and reached for her hand. She entwined her fingers with his, and he gave a squeeze. “It’ll be all right, love.” He dropped a kiss on her hand.

“We’re here,” Avery said.

The ruins were more lost and forgotten than she remembered. She forced a breath, staving off the hopelessness the place exuded.

The remnants of the old castle were to the right; the decrepit stone wall that once offered protection no longer surrounding it. Sections were still standing, but most of it was rubble, in much worse condition than the picture in her mind from childhood.

The lake lay to the left, as large and sprawling as always. Cera remembered the days of playing and fun the three children had shared there. Since reaching adulthood, she’d never been able to feel that free of responsibility, but more than anything she wished she could feel safe again. When was the last time she’d felt truly secure?

Jorrin squeezed her hand again, and Cera shot him a grateful look. The few times in his arms had made her feel warm and safe. She was thankful for him in so many ways and she looked forward to more.

They dismounted at the same time and started exploring the area, mapping a perimeter before coming together at the center of what used to be the castle’s main courtyard. Only Avery was not there.

“How long can we stay here undetected?” Jorrin asked his father.

Cera studied the two men. Since they’d settled things, Jorrin had admitted he’d found it easier to speak to his father, but wasn’t completely over being in the dark regarding Braedon’s past. He’d also told her he needed to let it go for now and focus on ridding their world of Varthan.

She smiled.

What would she have done if Jorrin hadn’t come into her life?

“My spell will hold. They won’t be able to see us. Trust me. I know how to remain unseen.” Braedon’s amber eyes were serious as he regarded his son.

“So, there’s not a certain time limit?” Jorrin asked.

“I don’t think so . . .”

“You never stayed put long enough to find out, though,” Hadrian said.

“But I wouldn’t take our safety for granted, no matter what magic we have,” Cera said.

All three males nodded. Jorrin threw his arm over her shoulders and she leaned into him, needing his warmth and comfort.

Avery appeared at what used to be the doorway of the castle, but it was half gone, as was most of the front supporting wall. “We can sleep in here. This wall has crumbled, but there’s still a great deal of roof, so we should be covered.”

“Provided the ceiling doesn’t cave in on us,” Jorrin said.

Avery shook his head. “I probed it, and my magic says it’s stable.”

“I’ve stayed in worse.” Braedon shrugged.

Jorrin glanced at his father, disbelief written in his expression.

Braedon and Hadrian laughed.

Cera grinned.

They broke their little group meeting, leading their horses inside the perimeter of the dilapidated stone wall.

She grabbed her pack and furs from Ash’s saddle and patted his neck. Cera unsaddled her horse and rubbed him down.

When she’d finish tending him, she patted his rump and smiled. Cera left him on his own to graze, but Ash wouldn’t go far.

Jorrin strode to her and took her hand without a word, dropping a kiss on her cheek. She smiled and leaned into the arm around her shoulders as they headed back to his father.

Braedon gazed at them, a soft smile on his face.

“I would like a bath,” Cera said.

“The water will be cold,” Avery warned, striding over.

“I don’t care. I want to feel clean.”

“I’ll see if I can snag a rabbit or some other small game. Meat for a meal would make us all feel better. Then I’d like to wash up in a bit, myself. I’m sure everyone would,” Braedon said.

The others murmured agreement.

“I’ll start a fire,” Hadrian said from the doorway of the castle’s ruins. “The hearth isn’t what it used to be, but it should be fine for us.” His expression was wry. “Nothing much to burn, anyway.”

Braedon chuckled.

Jorrin exchanged a glance with his father.

“I’m going to see if I can communicate with my mother,” Avery said. “Will it interfere with your masking spell?” he asked Braedon.

Cera’s heart ached with worry over her Aunt Em, but she ignored it.

“Hadrian can show you how your spell won’t interfere with mine,” Braedon told her cousin.

Avery nodded and disappeared into the ruins.

“I guess I’ll go with you,” Jorrin said to his father.

Braedon nodded.

“I’ll go then,” she told father and son. “See you in a bit.”

Cera trotted off to dig in her saddle bags for clothes and soap.

Trikser was on her heels, and she threw him a grin as she bundled breeches and a clean tunic in one of the soft linen drying sheets Hadrian had given her.

She clutched the pudgy roll close, shivering at the thought of the water.

It’d be chillier than the air, but feeling clean was going to be worth it.

Chapter Fourteen

Cera quickly bathed in frigid water.

Trikser lay on the shore, wagging his tail whenever she caught his eye.

She shivered.

Need to hurry before I freeze solid.

Hearing a noise in the woods, she glanced over her shoulder, paranoid that someone would see her naked in the lake.

Someone
being Braedon or Hadrian, really. Avery wouldn’t bother her, and Jorrin . . . well, she’d love to have real courage to be naked with Jorrin, but one kiss and she was a goner to him. So it wouldn’t take much to get over insecurities.

Shaking her head, she grinned to herself.

Her bondmate was a great guard, though. He’d alert her to anyone’s presence.

Trikser was still relaxed, his head resting on his paws.

She rubbed soap into her hair.

Clean
would make her feel better.

When her hair was adequately scrubbed, she dipped her head under the water.

Shuddering, she wrung her hair with her hands, trembling as water droplets hit her shoulders and back. Her teeth chattered.

Cera finished washing and sped to the shore.

Need to get warm
.

Grateful that Hadrian had given her two bathing sheets before they’d left, she wrapped herself in one, rubbing her body vigorously.

She reached for her clean clothes, fighting the tremor that shot down her spine as she donned undergarments and jumped into fresh breeches.

Yanking the tunic over her head, Cera banished the last chilled quiver and was lacing the front of her jerkin when Jorrin called her name.

He waved as he approached the shore of the lake.

When he pressed a kiss to her cheek as he reached her side, Cera shivered for a different reason.

Trikser did a long body stretch, groaning. He sneezed, causing them both to laugh. When he came closer to them, he wagged his tail at Jorrin.

Cera grinned and patted her bondmate’s head, letting her love take her hand and interlace their fingers. “Hunting trip successful?”

“Yes. Two large rabbits. Hadrian’s cooking them. Braedon’s handy to hunt with. He uses magic.”

“Really?”

“Yes, he taught me a thing or two.” Jorrin winked.

She laughed and he tugged her into his arms. Cera sighed into his chest. Her heart thudded against his, and she wanted to bury herself in his arms forever. “Want to take a bath?”

“Is that a hint that I need one?”

“No, I didn’t mean it like that.” Cera averted her eyes, her cheeks burning.

“I was teasing you, love.”

Cera mock-glared.

He lowered his head and brushed his lips against hers. Her heart quickened. The quick touch wasn’t nearly enough. She wanted to sink into him, but it wasn’t the time. If Jorrin claimed her lips properly, it’d only leave her aching for him.

She wished they had true privacy. Cera wanted to sleep in his arms like the night in Hadrian’s barn. She wanted to be warm and safe, and
be
with Jorrin. Wanted to give herself to him. “I have soap.” Rushing her words, she swallowed hard.

“All right, all right, I’ll bathe.” He held his hands up.

Cera kissed him.

Jorrin yanked her back to him, burying his hands in her wet hair to hold her closer.

She moaned into his mouth when he deepened the kiss. Warmth settled low in her belly, and she forgot all about the freezing water as the rest of her body heated.

Wrapping her arms around him, Cera kissed him until her knees weakened.

He held her up, pinned to his chest, and she ended the kiss, burying her face in his neck and panting.

So much for not letting myself get swept away by him
.

Especially when she’d started it.

I love you,
Jorrin thought-sent.

Cera lifted her head and met his half-lidded sapphire eyes. “Good.” Slipping out of his arms, she handed him her soap and the other drying linen. He made an attempt to grab her, but she eluded him, laughing. “We have Hadrian to thank for the bathing sheets.”

Jorrin nodded, gripping his tunic and lifting it. At the first expanse of bare, defined abs, heat crept up Cera’s neck. Her cheeks seared, because she couldn’t look away. Her feet were frozen in place.

One dark brow shot up, but wickedness flashed across his blue gaze when he tossed his shirt to the ground.

Leave. Leave now.

Her feet would not obey.

Still looking at her, Jorrin bent over and started to unlace his boots.

She tried not to stare at his bare chest, but her eyes traveled up and down his body. Her fingers needed to follow suit. Needed to touch him.

Cera hadn’t had nearly enough the night they’d spent in Hadrian’s barn.