The Warrior’s Broken Mate novel Chapter 107

As soon as I entered the camp I walked around looking at everyone making weapons and trying to find places to hunt for food. There was so little of that around here that they had to travel far distances to find where the food was.

I saw Arthur standing at the end of the village talking to a few people and I felt completely depleted when I saw him.

He noticed me but I just stood there staring at him for a moment. Not moving, not talking…not doing anything.

Loud talking soon got my attention and I looked over at two men having an argument but I just ignored them and I turned back and went to my hut where I had been staying with Elias.

I sat on the bed, watching the sun dip lower in the sky. Hunters left camp, always eager, as if they d return with a large kill to feed everyone. I doubted it-there wasn’t enough left in this realm to sustain the few survivors. The thought made my chest tighten. Even when they came back, I feared we’d go hungry, like we had so many times before.

I just kept thinking about the warriors. They risked everything, they left their packs and vowed their allegiance to me only to be snatched away and possibly killed while trying to protect the survivors of this realm.

It was an honorable way to die-they were protecting innocents. Otherwise, they weren’t harming anyone. They were just in the way of someone who opposed my decision to storm the castle. That was the only explanation could grasp. The only thing that made sense to me.

Someone was stopping them from helping me take the castle. Whether it was the Ash Queen or it was Arthur. Someone was doing something here. And I didn’t know how to stop them.

“Lyra.” Arthur sang out from the doorway.

“Yeah.” I said.

He walked inside and saw me sitting on the bed, staring out the window as if the forest might hand me back all that I’d lost.

“Is everything alright?” he asked.

“Nope. Far from alright.”

“Where’s Elias? He didn’t come back with you.”

“There were tracks at the site. He’s following them. Hopefully he’s going to find our warriors.”

“I hope he will too. He’s a good tracker, isn’t he?”

“One of the best.”

“Then he’ll find them. I’m sorry about your men.

I know they were good people. They risked everything to come here and help you. To help their Queen.”

“Yeah. A lot of good that did them. Imagine how many families I’m going to have to talk to when I get home if we can’t find them.” The thought alone made my chest tighten.

“You can’t think like that.” He pulled out a chair and sat across from me, trying to steady his tone.

“I know. But it’s hard sometimes. I don’t know why this can’t just be easier. Why can’t life be easier?” My voice cracked at the end, half frustration, half despair.

“I know you’ve had it rough. I mean, you’ve had it rough since you were born.”

“Yeah.”

“But I know that this will work out. I promise this will all work out.”

“I don’t see how.” The words were sharp, heavier than I intended, but they were the truth.

“You’ll find your warriors, and we’ll defeat the Ash Queen. Then you’ll be able to go home to your baby.”

“I’ve already been away from him for too long.” My throat ached, and I forced my eyes back to the window so he wouldn’t see the wetness gathering there.

“He’s still a baby. He’s not going to really notice.”

“He won’t. But I will. I’ll always know | left him when he needed me most.”

“I’m sure he’ll understand when he’s older.”

“I guess we’ll see.” The words tasted hollow, more like surrender than hope.

Arthur leaned forward, sympathy etched across his face, but it only made the emptiness inside me echo louder. He didn’t stay long-l guess he sensed I didn’t want company. He went back into the village, doing whatever he needed, unaware I was watching him closely. visit j-ob-n-i- b . c- o – m for correct chapters. If he left my line of sight, the warriors stationed around the village would track him and link me to his actions. I needed to know everything he said and did; even the smallest detail could make a… world of difference.

As the sun set and everyone prepared camp for nightfall, I heard Elias and Luke return.

I walked out, and Elias looked furious. One glance told me everything.

He punched a hole in a hut before walking toward me.

I stood by the hut, watching them go, then turned to the village, seeing people walking around like a normal day.

But it was anything but.

I walked through the center of the village and I found Arthur talking to a couple of people.

“Go away.” I said to the other people.

They looked at Arthur and he just nodded for them to leave.

“That was a bit rude.” Arthur said.

“I don’t care right now. You win, alright.” I said.

“What are you talking about?” He asked.

“You win. Let’s go. You and me. We’ll go to the castle alone. Elias has already gone so we have to go now. Before he comes back.” I said.

“Are you sure?” He asked.

“Why are you questioning me? You’re the one that wants this. Let’s go. I’m sick of sitting here and doing nothing.” I said.

So he smiled at me like he had actually won something and he turned to grab a couple of things and I grabbed a bow and arrow and we started to leave the village.

“Do you know how to use those?” He asked.

“Yeah. I do.” I said.

So we walked through the village and out towards the vast empty space that used to be filled with lush forestry and special animals and flowers.

I was nervous, I wasn’t going to lie. But I knew that this was the only way I was ever going to get any answers. So I felt like I had no choice.