Broken Promise (The Broken Ones Book 3) (4 page)

"Kei…"

He held out his hand. "We can talk
instead. If you want?"

She hesitated a moment.
"About?"

He blinked once and lowered his hand.
"You and Prince. I thought…it might help."

His uncertain tone made her wince. "I…
Not yet. I'm still trying to figure out what I'm thinking. Everything in my
head is just a mess."

He turned away, but not before she
caught the hurt look on his face.

"Kei…"

"Think then. I'm here if you need
me." He took a few steps away before stopping again. "Just be careful,
and pay attention. The woods aren't safe, and you know that."

Her lips moved, but she couldn't think
of what to say. She still had no idea even when he ran from her sight.

"Rot." She ran her fingers
roughly through her hair. Somehow she'd managed to anger Kei. Hurt him even. She
hadn't meant for that. He didn't deserve it. He was only trying to help, like a
best friend would. Like a brother would. She cursed herself again and started
to run. Maybe if she ran enough, thoughts of Prince would disappear on the wind
of her passing.

∞ ∞ ∞

She eventually calmed the raging torrent
of thoughts into a less chaotic ramble. Whether the mindless task of running or
the silence of the forest helped her she didn't know, or care. Perhaps her
thoughts had just finally run their course.

Even the fierceness of her emotions
dimmed somewhat. The anger, the fear, and the sadness didn't quite overwhelm
her anymore. A sharp bitterness came forward, mainly directed at herself. Why
couldn't she just be happy? They had returned Prince to his home. He'd be well
now, and safe. She should at least be happy about that, but she wasn't. A
selfish part of her wanted him still by her side.

She refused to cry. However, her body
and mind persisted on urging her to do so, to drop to the ground and wail and
scream out her heartache and loss.

Chest tight and eyes stinging with
unshed tears, she pushed herself to run faster.

When darkness dropped from the trees
before her onto the shadowed ground, her breath lodged in her throat as she
scrambled to stop her headlong run.

She saw only flashing claws and snarling
teeth as she skidded to a stop, hands grasping for daggers. The clawed shadow
leapt forward before she could pull them and she stumbled backward, heart
pounding. Fear stole her voice as she lost her footing in her wild attempt to evade
those deadly claws. She crashed onto her back, the breath knocked out of her.

Weaponless and vulnerable, she raised
her chin in defiance to the death about to claim her.

Chapter 4

Threats

"You're dead!"

Aro gasped up at the furious face of
Kei. Heart still madly pounding, she struggled to breathe and control her
sudden flash of anger.

"That's not funny!" Scrambling
to her feet, she brushed off her pants and glared over at him. "I mean
it."

His eyes remained a glowing red. Though
his teeth had returned to normal, his claws remained. They clacked his
irritation and anger. "You weren't paying attention. If it hadn't been me,
you would be dead."

"You don't know that," she
argued.

A low growl rumbled from his chest.
"You should get back on the horse."

"I don't want to."

"Why are you being so
difficult?"

"Why are you?"

He paused at her snappish tone and
wilted under her glare. "I worry for you."

Her anger bled away and she turned her
gaze to the ground. "You don't need to. I'm just…sorting things out in my
head."

His brows drew together in frustration
and perhaps, a bit of anger. "I just want…" Shaking his head, he
pressed his lips together, sealing in whatever he'd been about to say.

Before she could respond, he brushed by
her and stalked into the trees.

She turned to stare after him.
"What do you want?" He didn't turn back and soon disappeared from
view. "What do you want!"

"And that is the problem."

Whirling around, her anger spiked as she
took in the Dragos standing in front of her. "What do
you
want?"

Damon shrugged. "To see how you
fare after losing your prince."

"Well enough."

He chuckled. "So I see."

She bristled at his sarcastic tone.
Don't anger the dragon, though at least he was in his mostly human form. She
hoped never to see his dragon one up close.

He tipped his head in the direction Kei had
gone. "It is a shame you push him away. You don't know what you
have."

"Of course I do," she
muttered.

"No, child, you do not." He
let out a weary sigh. "Still so much anger. You are blinded by it. The
walls you built to protect yourself now hinder you. You won't let him in."

"Who I let into my mind is none of
your concern," she snapped. "You are not welcome. That is all you
need to know."

He shook his head, regarding her as if she
were a five year old. "The boy could be your greatest strength. He is
completely devoted to you. You are everything to him. His family. His best
friend. He loves you."

Her eyes snapped to his strange swirling
ones in surprise.

"I did not say he was
in
love with you." His lips twisted in amusement as she relaxed. "It
hasn't grown into that." He turned and began walking toward the Were
settlement.

She frowned, wondering if she imagined a
quiet "yet." After a moment, she resigned herself to knowing he
wasn't going away. Following behind him, she tried to keep his words from
tumbling about in her mind. She hated knowing he was right.

"Of course I am," he said over
his shoulder.

"I hate how you do that."

He laughed and slowed, allowing her to
catch up and walk beside him. "I am a Dragos, Arowyn. Reading thoughts is
natural for me."

She glared over at him.

"You've changed the topic, however.
Well done." His pace slowed. "As to your Fey." He stopped,
putting out an arm so she was forced to as well. "In time, you would learn
how rare such devotion as he has for you is. Time is not something you have. If
you would only think," he rapped his knuckles on her forehead, "you
would understand what he wants."

Crossing her arms, she grimaced.
"Since you seem so concerned about it, why don't you just tell me?"

"Quite simply, you don't think of
others."

Anger rose within her again. How dare he
say such a thing! "That is not true! At all! I love them. I'd die for my
boys!"

He tilted his head to the side.
"I'm not saying you don't care for them, not at all. But you won't let
them help you. Kei wants to be there for you. He understands you are hurting.
Yet you push him away and wallow in your sadness and anger. You have put no
effort in understanding the bonds you share. Consider what he thinks of this.
He gives you everything, yet you think only of the prince."

The words stung. At that moment, she'd
rather he would have stuck her with a rusty sword. Tipping her head, she stared
at the ground, allowing her hair to shield her face and the embarrassed flush
coloring her cheeks.

"I don't…" She shook her head,
words failing her.

Damon rested his hands on her shoulders.
"Kei can be so much more to you. You need to see this. His strength, his
support, can hold you together. I don't just speak of now, but in the future.
You need him, Arowyn. You will need him, more than you know. Just as he will
need you."

She looked up at him sharply, her body
tensing in anger once more. "Enough about the prophecy. I don't want to
hear it."

Anger shadowed his face as he dropped
his arms. "Difficult child. You do not understand anything! You are a part
in a plan set in motion after the fall of the queens. An important part,
but–"

"What plan?"

"The magic of this world has grown
since we were sent here. Life creates power, and all power returns to its
source, one way or another. Do you understand?"

"Not at all," she said in
annoyance.

"Where do you think these
prophecies come from? At one time, there was no such thing. But the magic has
grown, and at some point it became aware, aware of this world and the beings
upon it."

She stared at him in bewilderment.
"You're saying the magic is alive?"

"In some sense, perhaps. To what
extent I do not know. Yet it aids us now, with prophecy, with gifting you with
so much. Think on that."

"But…why? Why would it want to help
us?"

"Not so much help us perhaps, but
to destroy the Vor. They are unnatural creatures. The Vor-ai, as well as some
of the others, consume magic. With them, not only is it not returned, when they
feed on others, it is lost altogether."

Shaking her head, she struggled to
believe what he said. "So you think the…magic, it can see the future? That
is even more impossible than everything else you've said."

"Not believing will not make the
prophecies go away." He shook his head. "Kei believes, and he knows
more than he'll tell you or I. If you will not play your part and listen, then
you leave me little choice."

Fear skittered up her spine at the
finality of his tone. "What do you mean," she whispered.

He spread his hands. "If you will
not use him, then I will."

"Do not threaten me," she
said, her words clipped and furious.

He chuckled in amusement. "You are
not strong enough to fight me."

"Not yet."

His head tilted slightly, giving her a
brief acknowledging nod. However, the twist of his lips indicated his amusement
at the thought. "Best keep your manners about you, child." His
knuckles briefly brushed down her cheek. "It is not in your or your
friends’ best interest to anger me. We both know how that turns out. Don't we?"

Words lodged in her throat as he turned
and disappeared into the shadows with unnatural speed.

"Rot." She briskly rubbed her
hands over her face. Damon's words had clearly been a threat. Exactly what he
threatened she didn't know, other than it involved Kei. Once again, she'd said
something wrong.

Frustration and anger made her growl out
loud. Spinning on her heel, she took off into the trees. She couldn't do
anything right. It seemed like she never could.

∞ ∞ ∞

She ran, her thoughts at least on Kei
instead of her lost prince. Had she inadvertently put him in danger? It was so
hard to tell with Damon. She never knew what he wanted, or what he pulled from
her thoughts when they spoke. Something she thought inconsequential could mean
more to him.

Anger continued to simmer within her as
the sun moved across the sky. Kei didn't return. Her run remained quiet except
for the occasional thought from Garen or Bo on their location.

A shadow flickered in the trees to the
left.

Garen?

Yes?

Are you near?

No?

I thought I saw something.

The settlement is close. It is likely
another Were.

Relief settled over her. The long day
and her run had begun to tire her. Her legs ached, and the stomach muscles she'd
healed only a few days ago screamed for rest. Raging emotions hadn't helped
either. Being confused was exhausting. Soon they'd arrive and have a bed to
sleep in, and hopefully a good meal as well.

I'll wait for you.

Slowing to a stop, she closed her eyes
for a moment, trying to settle her breathing. Sweat caused her clothes to stick
to her in spots, and strands of hair clung to her damp face. Pulling the
leather tie from her hair, she stuck it between her teeth and attempted to
finger-comb her hair into some semblance of order. Though she likely looked a
mess, and probably didn't smell that great either, she wanted to not look a
total disaster when she arrived.

Though the Were had seen her worse.
Their alpha Rhee-En had brought her mauled body to them for healing. Despite
their best efforts, she'd almost died. Only Prince's knowledge and Fey magic
eventually saved her.

Movement caught her eye and she paused,
fingers caught in a tangle. The late afternoon sun lit the area she'd stopped
in, however the huge trees left much of the forest in various degrees of
shadow. Working on her hair, she tilted her head one way and then another,
watching carefully. A chill ran down her spine.

Garen, there are Were circling.

While waiting for his response she
attempted to count them. Four. Maybe five.

Garen? Is this normal?
She remembered
the first time she'd met Rhee-En and some of his pack. She'd been in their
forest, even though humans were forbidden. They'd circled her then, as well.

They should know who you are, and that
you are welcome. Announce yourself, and that you are a welcome guest of the
pack.
He paused.
Remember these are Were. Do not show fear. You must not be
submissive.

She wasn't quite sure what he meant and frowned
in frustration. It had to be a misunderstanding or perhaps some young Were just
causing mischief.

Pulling her hair back, she retied the
leather around it and then placed her hands on her hips. Being obvious about
looking at the circling Were, she gathered her courage. "I am Arowyn
Mason." She waited, wondering if that would be enough. Not too long ago Rhee-En
sent out a telepathic message to his whole pack stating she and Bo were both
welcome in his lands.

The Were moved from the trees to circle
her. A quick glance around showed five of them. Her eyes darted to the trees,
wondering if there were more. She didn't see any, but that didn't mean much.

Don't be afraid. She sucked in a slow
breath. Three of the Were stopped before her, one flanking her on each side
behind. When the center Were stalked forward a few steps and snarled, it took
everything she had not to draw her daggers.

They are growling at me!

I'm coming. Be strong. Treat them as
children. Be firm but polite.

No! Stay with Bo in case…just in case. I
can do this.

She could almost hear him gnashing his
teeth.

Very well. I have your scent. We are
coming as quickly as we can.

Setting her lips in an angry line, she
stared down the Were. Should she call for Kei? Was he still angry with her? If
he came, all claws and fury, it might only make matters worse.

Rot.

"I am welcome here," she said
firmly. "You," she turned slightly and gestured to the Were behind
her, "come where I can see you." Raising her chin, she blinked in
startlement when they moved to join their pack mates. Perhaps this would work.
"Stand aside."

The Were growled again. All of them.

"I said stand aside!"

With barely audible whines and tails
flicking, four of them moved back, leaving only the center Were before her.

Straightening her back, she narrowed her
eyes, wondering what to say next. How was she supposed to act? Perhaps like a
noble? "I am not pleased. You will let me pass. Now."

The Were didn't move but sat back onto
his haunches. A moment later, he shifted into a man. Ignoring her completely,
he turned his head to the side. "You were correct."