Broken Promise (The Broken Ones Book 3) (11 page)

She pulled back when his voice broke,
shocked to find tears glistening in his eyes. "You're here now. That's all
that matters."

"It's not." He looked up at
the snow swirling around them. "I made a mistake."

"No!" She grasped his
shoulders. "You're back. Everything will be fine now."

"You don't understand. The
words…" His eyes squeezed closed. The pain on his face made her falter.

"We'll figure it out. Together. All
of us."

His mouth opened and closed, but no
words came out. Looking back at her, his eyes suddenly glowing red, he took her
hands in his. "Don't argue."

Her brows drew together in confusion,
but then she felt his power flowing into her.

"In case you need it. Save as much
as you can." When she shook her head and tried to pull away, his hands
grasped hers more tightly. "Please, for me."

The pain in his voice stopped her
struggles, and she relented, accepting the power and fury flowing into her. He
seemed to know when she held just the amount she could handle and stopped.

"Take it in. Hold it."

She closed her eyes, concentrating on
pushing the power and fury down deep within her. Many times she'd practiced
this with Kei, and thankfully she succeeded this time without having to let any
go. Opening her eyes, she nodded once. "Done."

Relief swept across his face. He let go
of one of her hands as he turned toward the city. "Let's run."

They took off together, and whether the
strength came from being with him, or from his borrowed power, she didn't know,
but her lungs didn't burn and her legs didn't ache. She let Bo know they were
coming home.

We'll be home by dinner,
she told Kei.

He gave her a weak smile but didn't say
anything.

Snow began to dust the ground. They
couldn't see far in any direction as it fell harder, blowing almost horizontal
in the strong winds.

She tried grabbing the edges of her
cloak and wrapping her hands inside as she ran. The cold and snow bit at her
face, and she cursed the weather. Heading down a hill she slid, the snow on the
frozen ground slick under her feet.

When they reached the bottom, Kei
stopped abruptly and then swung about in a circle. Using the moment to blow on
her fingers, she looked around as well, but saw nothing.

"What is it?"

"Snow," he finally answered.

For a moment, she didn't understand.
When she did, she squeezed her eyes closed, wanting to deny it. "The
prophecy."
Remain safe within the walls until the snow leaves the
fields,
the prophecy said. Was it starting now that snow fell? "Do we
have time? Are we–"

"Run. Just…run." She expected
him to take off toward the city, but instead he pulled her into his arms once
more, squeezing her tightly and burying his face in her hair. "I'm
sorry," he whispered once more.

She squeezed him tightly before pushing
back. "We're in the middle of nowhere. We aren't near the forest; it will be
fine. We can make it."

Pain once again crossed his face. He
looked over his shoulder toward the forest one last time, and then they ran
again.

She hated the rotting prophecies. Having
no idea what to expect, knowing only something might happen made the fury
within her roll about. Would it be the Were? Did some now run through the humans’
fields in pursuit of them?

Time passed with nothing but snow around
them. The only sounds were the fast beat of her heart and the crunching of
their boots on snow.

The snow stopped and the wind became
less harsh. Breaks in the clouds brought bouts of blinding sun reflecting off
the snow. It didn't do much to warm her.

With the city growing closer and closer,
her thoughts turned to the hopefully warm house awaiting them and a warm dinner
at the tavern.

Another cloud passed overhead, saving
her eyes from the snow glare.

Kei crashed into her side, his hands
grasping her forearms to keep her upright as she stumbled and swung around.
With a loud curse, she struggled not to fall, her own hands clamping on to his
arms.

He wasn't paying any attention to her
though, his head tipped toward the sky and swinging back and forth, searching.
Looking up, she saw nothing but clouds and a few patches of blue sky.

"What are you looking–" A startled
cry escaped her. Gripping Kei's arms tightly, her feet moved them backward as
quickly as possible.

The dragon dove from the clouds,
swooping toward them. Its wings suddenly snapped open as its body tilted up.
Strong downbeats brought its flight to a stop as it landed before them.

The blasts of wind sent them sprawling
to the ground. Kei landed on top of her and shifted to shelter her from the
flying snow.

Hands shaking, she clutched at his shirt
and looked up at his panicked face. Already his eyes had shifted to orange.

Sitting up, Kei pulled at her shoulders.
"Get up! Run!"

He managed to get her to her knees, but then
she froze, staring at the dragon now standing between them and the city.

Towering above them, she couldn't
believe how huge it was. Sleek, yet powerful. Beautiful and terrifyingly
deadly. Its scaled hide ranged in tones from deep purple to blue. Spikes fanned
out about its head and ran down its neck.

The ground shook as it took a few steps
toward them. Lowering its head, she stared up into its swirling, iridescent
eyes.

"Damon," she whispered.

His laugh rumbled through her mind.
Though
I am not the only one on this world, I'm fairly certain none other would bother
with you.

She glared up at him and allowed Kei to
finally pull her up to her feet. However, the Fey pushed her back behind him as
he turned to face the dragon. The clicking of his claws pulled her attention
back to how much danger they were in.

Run, run now!

Not without you. I just got you back.

Kei turned slightly, eye glowing red and
clearly angry with her.

She shook her head and stood firm.
Nothing would separate her from him again. Raising her chin, she turned her
attention back to Damon. "Why are you here?"

It occurred to me time is growing short.

Her brows drew together in confusion.
"Time for what?"

The prophecy is clearly in motion. Come
spring, you will once again begin to carry it out. Correct?

She didn't answer. He snorted, making
both her and Kei flinch back.

In order for me to ensure the proper
outcome, I have very little time to discover what course to take.

What is he talking about,
she asked Kei.

He didn't answer, but his claws clicked
more rapidly and his shoulders tensed.

All will be well in the end, child.

"I don't understand!" Panic
sent her heart racing and she grabbed Kei's elbow, pulling him back to her. He
turned into her, embracing her tightly, yet carefully, before dropping his arms.

The side of a claw gently slid across
her cheek. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

One moment Kei stood before her, the
next enormous talons encircled him. Wind sent her flying backward as Damon
launched himself into the air. Kei was gone, jerked up into the sky as the
dragon's powerful wing strokes buffeted her to the ground.

"Kei!" She scrambled to her
feet.
Let him go!

Damon's amused laugh filled her mind.
Do
you really want me to?

Head craning to watch them rise higher
and higher, she cursed.
Bring him back!
Head tilted up, she scrambled to
run after them, tripping and falling over the uneven and slippery ground. Even
from the growing distance between them, she could see Kei struggling against
the dragon's hold, a wild Fey clawing and fighting against the powerful dragon
talons that held him.

You were warned, Arowyn. You did not
listen, and now you face the consequences. You had your chance and wasted it.
Now it is my turn. I will have the prophecy.

Kei, give it to him!

The Dragos laughed again.
That's not
how it works, child. It will be a fine battle against his bindings indeed.

Stumbling again, she screamed in
frustration. Fear nearly overpowered her. She'd been the recipient of Damon
breaking into a mind before and still hadn't forgotten the pain, the loss and
confusion his invasion caused.
Please, don't do this.

There are things I need to know.
Damon paused,
and she wasn't sure if he was thinking or speaking to Kei
. He will be
returned when I am done.

Anger rushed through her. How dare he?
Did he think them nothing but playthings to harass as he pleased? She ran
harder, trying to keep them in sight.
I am serious. Bring him back to me.

Little mortal, do not attempt to tell me
what to do. It never ends well for you…or your friends.

I will kill you,
she snapped
angrily.
If you hurt him, I will kill you.

Child, you could certainly try.
He laughed
again, clearly amused.

I'm coming,
she sent to
Kei, shaking in fury.
I'll find you.

No!

The panic in his voice made her stop her
wild run. Lifting a hand to shield her eyes from the sun, she still could
barely make them out in the distance. Rot it, they headed north east, over the
forests.

Go home. Stay. Don't follow. Please…don't.
His mind voice
faded with each word.

Lurching forward, she started to run
again.
Kei!

Remember…the words…and love you…

The words. More stupid prophecy. To
follow will mean your death.

Defeat struck her like a physical blow.
Love you. I'm with you.
Always.
She didn't know if he heard her or
not. He didn't reply.

Dropping to her knees, she bowed her
head, fighting to control the dueling urges to scream and cry. Her entire body
shook as she gasped for air. She couldn't breathe. The fury rose and thrashed
within her. He'd taken Kei.

Flinging her head back, she raised her
face to the sky and screamed.

Chapter 11

Losing Hope

Returning to the city, she ran in
spurts, her body and mind fighting her each step of the way. Weariness and pain
caused her to slow and stop often. The biting wind and cold left her feeling as
numb on the outside as she felt within.

She was angry with herself, with Damon,
but most of all, with the magic of this world, or whatever it was that created
the rotting prophecy in the first place. What good was it? People obsessed over
it. They read it wrong or couldn't understand it all. It only brought pain to
those she loved.

As usual, there were too many unanswered
questions. Was she in danger? With Kei being taken, how did that affect the
prophecy? Was the promised safety no longer true? Worst of all, had Kei known
he'd be taken?

"Rot, rot, rot!" How would she
tell Bo and Garen? Many times she began to speak and stopped.

The urge to curl up into a ball and let
the cold take her misery away nearly overwhelmed her. Why did everyone she love
have to be taken away from her?

Kei's fury kept her moving and from
falling into a dark hole of despair.

She would get him back. She would kill
Damon.

Arowyn?

Rhee-En's voice startled her, and she
sucked in a lungful of cold air. Choking, she stopped and tried to catch her
breath.

Is all well?

How to answer that?
No. It's not.

My Were near the border reported hearing
quite the scream. Are you in the city?

No.
She rubbed red fingers briskly
over her cheeks.

An exasperated sound filled her mind.
What has happened?

In clipped sentences, she told him. For
a long moment after she finished he remained silent.

Kei is correct not to follow. Likely the
Dragos has headed for the mountains in the north.

But–

He is too far, child.

I have to go after him!

The Were paused.
The king has left
orders for you to be detained should you enter our lands.

Rot. She ground her teeth in
frustration.
What am I supposed to do?

There is nothing you can do. Wait. If he
said the Fey would be returned, I do not doubt he will be.

I'm going to kill him.

Rhee-En chuckled.
I have never heard
of one being killed. They are too powerful.

I don't care,
she replied
stubbornly.

I am sorry I cannot help you, though I
am relieved you, at least, are safe.

His sincerity brought out a sigh.
I'm
so tired…of things like this happening.

I know, little one. Rest, grow strong
this winter.

Yes, that she would do.

And Arowyn…
He paused.
Remain
on your guard.
The city may be safer than the forest right now, but there
is still danger within.

I will. Thank you, Rhee-En.

Be well.

Closing her eyes, she tilted her head to
the sky and tried to hold on to the calm feeling the alpha's lovely voice left
within her. Unfortunately it didn't last long. Kei's loss tore a hole within
her, and his fury filled it.

Anger burning within her once more, she
took off again for the city gates. As the sun began to set, she finally gave in
to the fact she'd have to let Bo and Garen know what happened.

Damon took Kei. Meet me at the east
gate. I'll be there shortly.

The guards at the gate let her pass
after her mumbled explanation she'd been caught in the snow. They took in her
chattering teeth and waved her on through.

Bo waited for her, Garen at his side. The
grim look on his face made her swallow hard and fight back a sudden urge to
cry.

His face softened as she reached him. He
then put an arm around her shoulder.

Lips trembling, she leaned against him.
"I'm sorry."

"Wasn't your fault, pup. Let's get
you home. You're chilled to the bone."

Nodding her agreement, she let him lead
her through the streets, Garen staying close to her other side. Her tired and
cold body protested, but she continued to put one foot in front of the other.

Finally they neared the tavern, and Bo
paused. "Do you want to go in and eat? You haven't eaten today, have
you?"

She winced at his admonishing tone and
shook her head. "Home. I just want to go home."

His arm squeezed against her as they
moved on. "If I can't find something in the house I'll run over. I've the
fires going. You'll warm up in no time."

Before she knew it, Bo had her seated on
the couch in the living room they never used. She closed her eyes, savoring the
warmth coming from the large fireplace. Shivers wracked her body and she
wrapped her arms around herself.

"I'll be right back. Get those
boots off. "

Stiff fingers fumbled at her laces, but she
finally managed to get them off. Garen picked them up in his mouth and
carefully set them closer to the fire to dry before returning to settle down by
her feet.

She heard Bo's heavy steps going up the
stairs.

He's getting a blanket for you.

A smile wavered across her lips. Soon Bo
would be back and she'd have to tell them everything. What would they say?

Staring into the flickering flames, she
tried to keep calm. Kei was gone, and it was, at least in part, her fault. Had
Damon already reached wherever he'd been taking Kei? Did he even now break into
his mind?

Kei, I'm here. I'm with you.

He didn't answer. The silence didn't
surprise her. She knew distance mattered when it came to their pack bond. It
proved how very far Damon had taken him from her. Closing her eyes, she found
the place within her where she and Kei were bound together. His emotions came
to her weakly, but she could still feel them. Loss, despair, sadness, anger.

For a moment, the fury rose within her
before she pushed it back down again. The Dragos would pay for what he'd done.

At least for now, Kei wasn't in pain.

A blanket settling around her shoulders
startled her. Looking up, she smiled weakly at Bo. He set a plate in her lap.

"You need to eat."

Knowing he wouldn't stop bothering her
until she did, she forced the simple food into her mouth. It settled like stone
into her stomach. Bo left and returned once more, holding out a small glass.

"Glass?"

He grinned and shrugged, sitting down
beside her and lifting his own. He swirled the amber liquid inside.
"Apparently it makes this taste better."

She'd rarely had anything stronger than
ale or wine but had seen her brothers drink often enough to know the liquid
inside would be much stronger. Taking a careful sip, she fought not to spit the
burning drink out.

Bo chuckled and tossed his entire glass
back. Shaking his head, he hissed through his teeth. "Good stuff."
Reaching over, he set the glass on a small table. "Now, tell us everything
that happened."

She drained her glass as well.

Her retelling had been brief, but saying
the words still brought forth such strong emotions of grief and anger she
struggled to keep control of herself. The boys listened silently, which didn't
help either. Bowing her head and clutching the blanket tightly, she finally
finished.

"There wasn't anything you could
have done," Bo finally said into the silence.

"I made a mistake." She stared
into the fire. "I shouldn't have let him leave. I should have remembered
Damon's warning."

"Yes. What did he mean by
that?"

Of course she then had to tell them
about their meeting in the forest. The one she'd forgotten about. "The
Were came shortly after that, and with everything that happened I completely
forgot about Damon."

Bo sighed and ran his hands over his
face.

I don't understand what his interest is
in all of this,
Garen admitted.
He is not Fey. He has nothing to do with any of the races
for the most part.

"I don't know either." She
gritted her teeth for a moment, trying to keep her anger at bay. "I don't
know what to do."

Bo shook his head, grimacing. "I
don't think there is anything we can do, but wait."

Garen rested his head on her lap.
We'll
get Kei back. We'll get through this. Together.

∞ ∞ ∞

She hardly slept at all that night,
which actually surprised her considering how tired she felt. Thoughts of Kei
and what he might be going through invaded her mind.

Finally giving up on sleep, she got out
of bed at sunrise. Her muscles ached, and she winced as she dressed before heading
downstairs.

The house was too quiet. Going to the
living room, she stoked up the fire and then sat and listened to it crackle
back to life. The flickering flames strangely calmed her overactive thoughts
and she settled back, closing her eyes and finding her bond with Kei.

For a moment she panicked when she felt
almost nothing, then it occurred to her that most likely he still slept. She
concentrated on her love for him, imagining herself holding him, keeping him
safe.

The feelings relaxed her, and time
passed as she drifted close to sleep. A smile crossed her lips, and it took her
a moment to realize why. The love came back to her. Kei had woken up.

She straightened abruptly, her smile
disappearing as another feeling crashed into her.

Pain.

"No. No, no, no!" A sob tore
through her throat. Arms around herself, she rocked on the couch.

Damon had started his search for the
prophecy.

When Bo and Garen finally came down, she'd
composed herself and finally set her mind on what to do.

"Training."

Bo blinked sleepily at her.
"Training?"

She nodded sharply. "Yes. I need to
train. While we wait for Kei. I need to be stronger, faster, better."

He regarded her thoughtfully for a moment.
"I can help with that. We'll get you set up then. Some targets. More
weapons. Do you still want a bow?"

"Yes. Yes, I do."

Maybe one of those would take a dragon
down.

∞ ∞ ∞

The following days passed into weeks.
Aro ran circles around the house and up and down the stairs. She practiced with
her knives, sparred with Bo with her sword, and even stalked and wrestled
Garen.

Reacquainting herself with a bow took
longer than she liked, but she persisted. She ignored her bleeding fingers. The
proper calluses would return soon enough. When the weather turned suddenly colder,
she moved her targets and weapons into the dining room they didn't use and
practiced there.

So intent on her goals, she rarely left
their walled lot in the city. After the first week, Bo began to again court
Elaina and would bring her home meals when she refused to go out.

Garen now watched her throw knife after
knife and snorted when she cursed at the aim of one.

"I'm telling you, the balance is
off on this pair."

I believe I have to agree.
He paused.
You
have done well, but you need to do more than this. The winter has barely begun.
You are a woman obsessed, and it will not do you well.

"I need to be able to fight."

I understand that. You are quite adept
already.

"I'm not good enough," she
argued. "I'm human. I have to be able to fight the Vor. I wasn't made to
do so like the rest of you." She'd learned mentioning the Dragos only
caused arguments, but fighting the Vor? No one had a problem with her training
for that. They, at least, were known to be killable.

You are more than human, and you know
it.

She snorted, but understood what he
meant. It wasn't like she could argue the fact while using mind speech.

Perhaps you could spend some of your
time looking for information on your brothers, as you'd originally planned.
Training all day, every day, will only do so much.

"I know." She frowned. "I
need someone to train with other than Bo."

Aro, stop.

The fury stirred within her. Closing her
eyes, she took a deep breath. "You don't understand," she said
quietly.

But I do. You and Kei are bound. Being
human, this perhaps means even more to you than it does to us. I understand
what he means to you, I do.