Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
She understood the wisdom of his words. “Where should we meet if separated?”
“The stream where we stopped near the village before entering it. The spot where it flows the quietest.”
“I remember.”
“Then it is settled,” he said, hugging her close and kissing her, praying it wouldn’t be for the last time.
Darkness began to settle thick over the woods, broken only by the flicker of firelight and the low murmur of voices around it. Knox sat motionless beside Dru, legs folded beneath him, his posture loose and lazy to any casual eye. But she could feel the tension in him—like a bowstring stretched too tight.
Across the clearing, three warriors lounged around the fire, their conversation trailing into silence as one by one, they drifted into sleep, exhausted from battle.
Dru leaned close, her whisper barely a breath. “Now?”
Knox’s eyes scanned the camp again, slow and deliberate. “Not yet.” He nodded toward a tree.
A warrior sat guard about ten paces from them, his back against a tree, head drooping only to jerk up every few minutes with a startled snort. He was older, clearly a seasoned warrior. Yet he had been worn out from the battle, giving Knox an edge.
They waited.
Every heartbeat pounded in Dru’s ears, every crackle of the fire made her flinch. But eventually, the guard’s chin dropped and didn’t lift again. His breath deepened, soft and steady.
Knox moved then, silent as snowfall. He rose, crossed the distance in three fluid steps, and slipped behind the guard before he even stirred. A sharp twist. A soft crack and the body slumped to the side.
Dru was already on her feet, catching the fallen sword before it hit the ground. Her eyes met Knox’s. No words needed.
They slipped past the trees, weaving through shadow and root, careful not to stir a single branch. Dru kept close to Knox’s back, trusting his instincts even as every step stretched her nerves tighter. The camp faded behind them, the trees swallowing the firelight and sound.
They were nearly a safe distance when…
A shout rang out behind them.
“Run!” Knox barked, grabbing her hand, the unexpected sentinel spotting them and alerting the others.
They raced through the woods, feet pounding, branches lashing against them, and calls of pursuit grew louder.
Knox turned suddenly, pulling her behind a boulder. “Split. Meet where we agreed. Go!”
He shoved her gently, already turning to draw off the chase. She hesitated—just for a breath—then ran, praying they would reunite.
Knox made it a good distance before the blow came. A rock—thrown, not shot—caught him at the temple. He stumbled, dazed, blood trailing down his face. He kept moving, forcing his legs to carry him forward, deeper into the woods, drawing the warriors away from Dru.
But the night began to tilt sideways. The trees blurred. He dropped, knowing he didn’t have much time. His cheek rested against the damp, cold earth and he had just enough time to roll and conceal himself under a bush. His last thought before the dark swallowed him was of Dru, and the silent promise that he’d find her again.
CHAPTER 30
Dru ran until her lungs burned, until the branches clawed at her arms like angry fingers and her legs threatened to give out beneath her. She reached the stream and crouched behind a fallen log, eyes scanning the trees. The footfalls chasing after her had faded but she still worried she may have been followed. She took no chances, she remained hidden.
It was difficult to see at night especially in the forest, but Knox was too large not to be spotted even in the dark. She didn’t see him, and she worried. He should’ve been here by now.
A crack of underbrush behind her froze her breath. She turned, ready to fight.
A rough hand blocked her swing while someone seized her other arm and dragged her to her feet.
Callan stepped from behind the trees like a ghost, his men fanning out behind him. Dru thrashed against the grip on her, boldly yelling at them to let her go, but Callan only watched her with quiet triumph.
“Where is he?” she demanded, finally calming down, her thrashing doing little good, and her need to know about Knox’s fate more important.
Callan didn’t answer right away. He came closer, close enough that she could see the gleam of sweat on his brow, the slight rise in his chest. He’d been chasing them too.
He let out a slow breath. “Knox is dead.”
Dru’s heart stilled. For a moment, she couldn’t get her breath, then she rushed to say, “You’re lying.”
Callan’s hand caught her cheek hard. “Watch your mouth with me, granddaughter. Your husband took a nasty blow to the head. Lost too much blood. We found him in the dirt and that is where we left him.”
She yanked her arm free. “You’re a liar,” she spat, not believing him. “Just like you lied about my mother.”