The Warrior’s Broken Mate novel Chapter 105

Realizing we had drawn an audience, I ended the meeting, and we returned to the village as others prepared for nightfall. Elias, however, grabbed me by the waist and led me toward the small forest beside the village.

I didn’t see any locals hanging around the forest and whatever wolves were patrolling, Elias told them to leave the forest. We’d be alright out here by ourselves. So they headed back to the village and started patrolling around the outside of where the people were.

Elias finally takes my hand and starts walking through the forest. There wasn’t anything special about it. No beautiful flowers or anything like that. It was just trees and coverage from being seen. But it felt more like home than anything else around here.

“Are you going to tell me what’s bothering you?” Elias asked.

“What makes you think something is bothering me?” I asked.

“Because even if we weren’t marked and I could feel what you’re feeling, I know you. I know that something is wrong.” He said.

“Something feels off. It has ever since we got back here. Everything felt fine while we were at home, but since we came to this village and Arthur started trying to get into my head…I just know that something isn’t right.” I said.

“I’m scared that he’s trying to use you for something that we don’t know about. He’s trying to use you for his own agenda and it’s going to get you hurt.” Elias said.

“I know. Which is why I’ve been playing into it and I haven’t let him know how I really feel. I’ve been letting him think that I trust him. Especially when he ‘saved‘ me from Morgana today.” I said.

“So, that was all an act when you left me standing there?” He asked.

“Yeah. But I don’t want you to think I am taking sides. I just know that he’s not going to say anything to me while you’re around. He’s not going to let anything slip. He’s more cautious when you’re there.” I explained.

“I’ve noticed that as well. Which is what really scares me.” He said, stopping and turning to face me.

I saw the mischievous glint in his eye before he pushed me up against a tree and he leaned forward to kiss me.

“I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed this.” I said as he rested his forehead against mine.

“What’s that?” He asked.

“Being alone with you. Having our time together.” I said.

“I’ve noticed it.” He smirked.

“I don’t doubt that.” I said.

“It’s too bad there are too many people around.” He said.

“I know.” I said.

“Hey, can you tell me something?” He asked, pulling his head back so he could look me in the face.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“What did the Ash Queen say to you?” He asked.

I looked at him for a moment and I told him everything that she told me. I knew that he wasn’t going to lie to me. I knew that he wasn’t going to distrust me. He wasn’t going to question me. I could be completely honest with him.

“Do you believe her?” He asked.

“Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t know who the hell to believe. They could both be lying to me. Trying to turn me against the other. Trying to get me on my own.” I said.

“I know. But you’re never going to be on your own. I am going to be here with you, no matter what.” He said. And I chuckled.

“Yeah. I don’t think Arthur realized that.” I said.

“No. I don’t think so either.” He kissed me again.

“I do know that Arthur is lying about something though. He’s holding something back. I don’t know what. But there is something.” I said.

“Well, I guess we’re just gonna have to be really careful what we say and do around him.” Elias said. And I nodded my head. “We can also leave at any time. You just say the word.” He said.

“We have missing warriors. We’re not leaving them here.” I said.

She had a mixture of anger and betrayal written all over her face. She heard us talk about running away together. She never wants me to leave her because I am her way out of this crappy life that she hates. She thinks that my power is going to give her a better life. But that’s not what I want. I know that she’s about to do something that will hurt us. She’s going to stop us from running away together. She’s going to stop us from being together.

I woke calmly, Elias was still asleep beside me. Outside, the camp stirred with the rising sun. At the foot of the bed, I pulled a plain yellow dreamcatcher from my bag. Holding it steady, I focused until an image formed–Grayson’s bedroom. He lay on a blanket while Stephanie sat nearby, playing with him.

He was awake and looking around but he didn’t look any bigger.

I was thankful for that. I didn’t want to miss him growing up too much. I saw that Stephanie had gotten a couple of pictures of myself and Elias that she had put on his cupboard against the wall.

I was suddenly overcome with emotions that I didn’t realize I had been feeling. Missing Grayson was something that I hadn’t been focusing on, but right now, it all came crashing down on me and I started feeling the tears start trickling down my face.

Elias wraps his arms around me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder as he’s looking at the dream catcher as well.

“I was wondering what that was for.” Elias said.

“I didn’t want to miss anything.” I said.

“I don’t think we’ve missed anything. But you look like you’re missing him.” He said.

“Of course I am.” I said, wiping the tears away.

“So do I. It’s not just you. Hopefully we won’t miss too much more.” He said, kissing my shoulder.

“I know that we’re not going to miss much more. Because we’re storming the castle.” I said.

“What?” He asked, shocked.

“Alert the warriors. Get Luke to gather the others. Get them here now. We storming the castle and putting an end to this.” I said with such determination that Elias smiled widely at me and kissed me.

We were putting the plan into action – no more waiting, no more bullshit. I was leaving and I refused to be anyone’s pawn. I was taking control, and if they didn’t like it, they’d better be immune to dragonfire.