Page 73 of Ashborne Forged

How had he learned I was here? All the way in Vosgaarde? I’d told no one. “Lord Breckon is my… that is…”

“Her betrothed,” he supplied.

Bren’s brows shot up. “That’s—but… what?!”

I opened my mouth to explain, but Lord Breckon was clearly not in the mood for niceties, he tightened his grip on my bicep and dragged me into the courtyard. “My carriage is this way.”

“What?” I blinked, then braced my feet, pulling him to a halt. “No!”

He turned on me, his expression fierce, probably because I’d shouted the word, which caught the attention of the men following.

We were suddenly surrounded in a bubbling crowd, some asking questions, others making demands, Bren trying to explain—and Breckon firmly refusing to let me go.

To my relief, our squad brothers surrounded us, so even when he turned as if he’d just pull me bodily across the stones, there was no space to move.

And the crowd grew. My head spun. I reached out for Koa. ‘Koa, please. Tell Kham I need Voski!’

‘We come.’

She and Kham had already been out when we woke this morning, but the image she sent was of them flying fast.

“Take your fucking hands off her, you—”

I almost wept when Voski finally appeared, shoving through the crowd, Gil in his wake, and was caught by Ronen.

But of course, Breckon had no interest in these men. They were commoners in his eyes, and held no influence over kings.

My heart swelled when Voski snarled, but I was also terrified Breckon would accuse him of a crime. I wasn’t sure if the laws were the same in Vosgaarde. But in Fyrehold, a common man assaulting a Lord would be thrown into chains.

“—she’s my mate. My One. Our dragons are bonded. By divine appointment, her place is here.”

My mouth dropped open as every Furyknight around us snapped their heads to stare at Voski… claiming me?!

“That’s a very pretty speech, young man, but irrelevant. Our marriage contract was witnessed by the King of Fyrehold himself.”

My heart sank as the fire in Voski’s eyes rose. I tried to reach him through the link, almost weeping with frustration when my words couldn’t get through, yet he continued to push reassurance to me through the bond.

‘Just breathe. I love you. And I’ll protect you to my dying breath. I swear it.’

Voski’s eyes were pained whenever he glanced at me, and furious when he stared at Breckon.

The men argued, and I knew I should speak. Should resist. Should fight. But I stared at my mate, frozen in a tidal wave of love-strangled fear, my dragon now circling overhead, chittering to me because she’d lost her words in her disquiet at my fear, and the men all growing angrier.

Everything was wrong.

I swallowed a sob and began to fight. Clawing at Breckon’s fingers, trying desperately to pry his grip from my arm.

I wasn’t going back. I didn’t care if Koa and I had to flee. Or hide for the rest of my life. As long as Voski was with me, as long as we remained. I couldn’t go back.

But Breckon barely registered my touch, looking down his nose at the men, and curling his lip in a sneer whenever he spoke of me.

He is a firm man, but he loves to ride, just as you do, Grace. You’ll find your connection in that, I’m sure.

My father’s words reached me across the events of the last few months.

I’d had no idea what waited for me.

I should never have agreed.