Page 136 of Ashborne Forged

“We’ll be married in ten days—so plenty of time for you to bleed,” he said, his tone turning dark. “Either you will bleed, and then take me. Or you won’t. And if you tell anyone anything other than that you are my ecstatic bride, we will say our vows at swordpoint, leave for our honeymoon, and I will return a widower, grieving the loss of my new bride in a tragic, horse-riding accident. Such heartbreak after sharing that passion with you.” He leaned in to whisper conspiratorially. “And such irony, when your love for horses was the basis for my choosing you as my wife.”

I stared at him, and he stared back.

My mouth went dry, so the words were thin, rasping when they came. “Why would the king host your wedding? Do you hold a royal position of which I’m unaware?”

He smiled. “There is much about me of which you are unaware, my Lady,” he drawled. “But don’t worry, I’ll ensure you learn everything.” His smile made cold settle in my chest. My heart raced to outrun it.

I turned to look out the window again, to the blue sky, and green trees, and the distant mountains. I opened my mind as wide and far as it could reach.

“Still looking for your beast? Fickle creatures, aren’t they?”

“Koa loves me,” I said tightly, flooding the bond with love for my dragon.

Breckon snorted. “My men have watched and seen no sign or scat. Do not think to intimidate me with the threat of the beast. We both know even a well-trained horse will go feral quickly when given its freedom. Especially at times of stress. It seems your dragon has returned to her mate without you. How sad. That is, if there was ever a bond to begin with.”

I did look at him then, glaring. I was about to tell him very clearly just how loyal and beautiful Koa was, when her voice rang in my head.

‘I prove him wrong.’

‘Not now.’

‘I will kill him, Firebird. If careful, I can save the horses.’ She showed me an image of a very thin thread of fire, used with great precision—burning through the harness so the horses could flee as the men and the carriage burned up behind them.

It was tempting.

I shook off the sudden urge to see this man dead. “Why aren’t we flying the dragons now?” It seemed a valid question since we’d used them for several days on the way to his estate.

Breckon’s mouth turned down, but he shooed the question away. “We’re barely more than a day from the castle. It would be a waste.”

But he didn’t meet my eyes and his tone was gruff. There was something about this he didn’t like.

I stared out the window again, mentally stroking the bond with Koa, considering my options—including his threat.

Killing him was an option, though the fallout could potentially rock the entire continent.

I had to hope and pray for more freedom at the castle. That hours not under Breckon’s nose would be inevitable if he attended the king.

I had to find a way to run. But how? Was Breckon aware of the maze of passages in the castle walls? If I was given a room with a secret exit and he didn’t know…

Without that, things looked dire. The servants managed all my things. I couldn’t even walk to the kitchens without guards. And Koa would have to keep more distances from the castle because there was so much clear land around it, she had no way to hide.

Once more, I yearned for Voski.

‘My mate… where are you? Please… I need you to come now. Right now. While we travel. Flame him. Take me. Please…’

Eventually, Breckon began to doze, and with no response from my mate, I pretended to sleep so he’d leave me alone if he woke. But Koa was able to fly at a distance, and send her thoughts even further. Just in case they were drawing near.

But they were still south. Still in that formless place, too distant to sense in detail.

Please… please… draw near, my love. Please.

44. The Voss in Voski

~ VOSKI ~

The following morning, in the wrinkled clothes I’d slept in with Kham, I strode into the kitchen as if I was in a foul mood. It wasn’t difficult.

The kitchen girls straightened from their tasks the moment I appeared, staring at me with wide eyes, while Mrs. Voss took a moment longer.