Ashes of Chaos (Legacy of the Nine Realms #2) - Amelia Hutchins Page 0,135

slow movements as she fought to hide the pain she felt. She was a born warrior, but worse, she was born to be a queen, crafted in fire, and built to wage battle against anyone who opposed her. The best part of it all? She was mine.

Chapter Forty-Five

Aria

The moment we stepped from the tent, Knox’s men surrounded us until we reached the horses. Knox mounted, holding his arms open to receive me, as Brander grabbed my hips, wincing as I gasped, smothering the cry with my hands. Knox gently grabbed me, helping me onto the horse as he reached for my hands, pulling on the chains until they snapped.

The instant it happened, I brought my hands to my mouth, stifling the scream trying to escape my lungs. Red-hot pain flashed through me as Knox softly purred. Pain from my shoulder and rib mingled with the wrist. Knox forced my body to lean against the large warhorse’s neck, allowing me a moment as he held my hips, silently allowing me to give in to the pain for a moment.

Knox carefully pulled me back against his body, cradling his arms gently around me. The horse started forward at an easy gait, but it still caused more pain to fill me. Knox was careful, and even so, my body rebelled against the jerks and bouncing of the horse.

It was over an hour on horseback to where we dismounted as the trail grew narrow, forcing us to walk into the lush greenery that thinned out as we moved into the mountains. Knox passed me to Brander, watching as Brander studied my face as he set me on the ground. He wasn’t satisfied with whatever he found, moving to the side to speak to Knox as Greer stood beside me.

“And here I thought having a nose job would improve your overall appearance. I was wrong,” he announced.

I laughed soundlessly, turning to look at the worry shining in his eyes, causing another laugh to expel from my swollen lips. Greer studied me as I laughed almost hysterically until tears filled my eyes. The pain dulled as my immortality slowly healed my body, but the magic-nulling cuffs on my wrists seemed to prevent the magic in my blood’s ability to heal me fully.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there, Peasant,” Greer whispered.

“I’ll live. It’s not the worst beating I’ve endured since being born,” I admitted after a moment of silence filled the group.

“You’re stronger than you look. You’d make a horrible princess. I don’t believe you’d be whiney enough for that role, I’m afraid.”

“I missed you too, Greer,” I whispered through swollen lips, wrapping my arms around his neck as he stood awkwardly. “If you don’t hug me back, I’m going to gnaw on your neck.” His arms wrapped around me softly, and I pulled back, plugging my nose. “I thought we discussed aftershave and cologne.”

“I believe you had a conversation without me agreeing,” he chuckled, guiding me toward Knox, who watched us through narrowed eyes.

I passed, ignoring him to follow Greer into the narrowing pathway. The rock cliffs that stretched high into the mountain’s side were golden sheen obsidian that glittered in the sun while appearing black in the shadows. It was a naturally occurring crystal formed from the volcanic glass with higher silica content. Though rare compared to regular obsidian, most preferred it for the beauty it offered in the light.

Witches often built around obsidian for balance and used it as an energy shield or for meditation. It made sense that it would be near a healing pool since witches used it to determine when someone needed to heal one’s true self.

Greenery covered the rocks, reaching up through the cliffside to find the sun. The higher we climbed, the narrower the path became, until we had to walk in pairs through the slender passageway.

My eyes slid to the golden obsidian, discovering ancient writing, which gave me an excuse to pause. I leaned against the wall, running my fingers over the scrawled lettering. The men remained silent, but a shiver snaked down my spine. The sound of shuffling feet drew my attention as a hand touched my shoulder, causing me to peer into striking azure-blue eyes.

“Hecate’s native language,” Knox announced.

“I’m aware of what it is,” I snapped, turning away from the writing that bespoke of peace and new beginnings.

I felt Knox’s irritation at being dismissed as I moved ahead of him. I paused, taking in the cliff’s changes, becoming more colorful, the higher we climbed from the multitude