Forged in Stone - Alyssa Rose Ivy Page 0,42
dirty hands roaming my body.
“The roots? How did they control the roots?”
“They worked for my father.”
“And he could do that?”
“My father could do a lot of things.” He started moving. “We have no time to waste.”
“Is anything you told me the truth?”
“All of it. I would think you would accept that now.”
“Then why did you lie about Charlotte?”
“I did not lie. I took her home because my father asked me to. I had to trick her, but in the end it saved her people.”
“What about me? You lured me into the garden.”
“To protect you.”
“I want to go home.”
“You will eventually, but now we have to get to Bellgard.”
I nodded. I was done arguing. If I had to leave my fate in the hands of anyone, I’d take James rather than those men.
“I know your ankle hurts, we will get you medical attention at the castle.”
“I will survive.” I rested my head against him. I was too tired to hold it up any longer.
“I know.”
“You found her!” Nathaniel rushed over.
“Tell her. Tell her the truth, Nathaniel.”
“James is not bad. Well, not really bad.” He laughed. “What I mean is he is not going to hurt you. We will bring you to the castle, and Charlotte will see to everything. You will like her. She is a wonderful Essence.”
“What’s an Essence?”
“You have a lot to learn.” Nathaniel held out his hand. “I can take that light for you.”
James nodded so I handed it over. We moved through the darkness toward where two horses waited. They weren’t tied up which must have meant they were so well trained they wouldn’t run away.
“I will be as gentle as I can on this ride, but it is rough terrain.” James lifted me onto his horse before stowing our bags in a saddlebag and mounting behind me.
“Just get us as far away from that forest as possible.” My body had finally stopped shaking. James’ presence put me at ease, and I wanted to believe that was for a reason, that he really was safe.
Nathaniel mounted his horse and waited next to us.
“I can do that, you don’t have to worry about the two men as I have taken care of them.” The horse took off.
I leaned back into James and held on like my life depended on it. It probably did. If I let go and fell off the horse, I’d have injured far worse than a turned ankle.
We road into the night, and with the minimal light created by the lantern Nathanial held I saw the landscape illuminated. The effect was almost dizzying, but I fought to keep my eyes open. I tried to remember the way to get home. Who was I kidding? I wouldn’t be able to find my way back by myself. Finally, I gave in and closed my eyes. James arms wrapped around me while he held the reins. In another context, I would have enjoyed the contact, but considering we were riding through the cold night, my ankle was throbbing, and I had no idea what fate I was heading towards, enjoying James’ touch wasn’t high on my list.
“You are safe. Relax.” He said the words against my ear.
“I will believe that when I am back home.” Although where was home? The house certainly wasn’t home anymore, and I had no interest in going back to my mom’s house.
“Are you okay?”
“Are you really going to ask me that?”
“Did those men do anything before I got there?”
“No. Just scared me half to death.” I shivered thinking about the man’s touch.
“Good.”
“You killed them.”
“Yes.”
“Why?” I wasn’t complaining about being saved, but did he have to take it to that extreme?
“You cannot seriously be asking me why I killed the men who kidnapped you.”
“You almost kidnapped me, and I wouldn’t want anyone to kill you.”
He laughed. “Glad you are not in too much shock and you don’t wish me dead, but those men were different. They were touched with the darkness.”
“With the darkness? I assume this has to do with your dad again.”
“It is all a long story.”
“I need to hear the story. I need to understand all of this.”
“And I will explain everything at the right time. It is too hard to talk now.”
For the first time, I noticed his voice was strained. “Are you hurt?”
“Not anything serious.”
“But something?”
“Only some busted ribs. Nothing to worry about.”
He had broken ribs, yet carried me without any complaint?
“We are getting close. I know you probably will choose to ignore my advice, but I would appreciate it