Olivia perked up instantly. “I’m home.” A smile lit up her face. “Hurry up, Kaden. We are here.”
Three men rode up to meet them. Olivia found that a bit odd but didn’t think much of it. Kaden, though, saw that the men were armed. The one in the middle had his hand on a sword while the other two had hand-crossbows ready.
Kaden pulled his mare to a stop. Cassiel and Bast followed.
“Why did you stop?” Olivia said. Now she knew something wasn’t right but didn’t want to believe it.
Kaden led Mousse closer to Cassiel. He didn’t answer Olivia as he picked her up with ease and put her in front of Cassiel. “Keep her back until I say it’s safe,” he ordered.
Cassiel nodded in understanding and wrapped his arm around Olivia’s waist.
“Kaden. No… Let us just all go together, please. I can tell that one of the men there is George, the stable master.” Olivia protested.
Kaden place a hand on her cheek. “I just want to make sure it is safe. Something isn’t right. I know you feel it, too.”
Olivia sighed, resigned. “I do not want it to be wrong.” She placed her hand over his.
“I’ll be right back.” He looked at Cassiel and then Bast, who both nodded in agreement.
Kaden rode off after giving Pup the command to stay back. Bast had one of her hands ready to draw her weapons, while the other, with which she held the reins, rested atop Charlie’s hands wrapped around her waist.
Olivia watched Kaden ride up to the men, his hands up, devoid of weapons. The men nodded at him and he drew closer. She saw him shake hands with George and after a few exchanged words, the stable master looked over Kaden’s shoulder at Olivia. His shoulders slumped. Olivia waved and George waved back, making Kaden turn around and glance at Olivia. George spoke, gesturing wildly to Kaden.
“Cassiel, we should approach them,” Olivia said.
“No, my lady.” Cassiel’s formal reply caught Olivia of guard, but she quickly recovered.
She sighed. “You can see for yourself that those men are not dangerous. They are my people. That is George, he is the stable master and almost like a second father to me. Also, do not forget that Kaden has a dragon within him. If by any, highly improbable chance they did turn violent, he would be quite capable of defending me.”
“I know, my lady… but –”
“You swore your oath to me. I know you want to protect me, but there is no obvious danger around. You have nothing to protect me from. Either, we ride over to them, or you set me on my horse, or set me down. I will not take any other suggestions as solutions.”
“Yes, my lady.” Cassiel conceded with a tired sigh. He let Olivia slide down, and then dismounted himself.
Bast did the same. If a fight were to break out, she was better and more useful on her own two feet than on the horse. She turned to look at Charlie. “You stay on the horse, understand?” Bast laid her hand tentatively on Charlie’s knee.
“I understand.” Charlie nodded. She felt the tension in the air and didn’t want to argue. She was no good in fights, she’d rather be told what to do.
Olivia took Starlite’s reins, called Pup to her side and strode forward, determined to find out what was going on. Cassiel and Bast followed, each leading a horse as well.
Olivia saw George glance at her when he noticed the movement. He said something to Kaden who nodded and then looked over his shoulder.
Kaden sighed and dismounted his horse as well, the three men followed.
When Olivia neared them, dread washed over her, making her shiver. It didn’t help when she noticed a fresh wound on George’s face. She recognized the other men as well, also bruised and with dark circles around their eyes. They had defeat, regret and guilt written all over their features.
Kaden held his hand out to Olivia as she neared them.
Olivia let go of the reins, Starlite still following, and approached Kaden. She took his hand and intertwined their fingers as she stood by Kaden’s side. She longed to hug George, but it was not the time.
“My Lady Olivia…” George and the two other men bowed their heads. When he looked up, he glanced at Kaden and Olivia’s interlaced hands. His brows furrowed but he didn’t say a word.
“Master George, what happened? Why are you hurt? Has someone attacked you? Is everyone alright?” As Olivia fired off the questions, her eyes growing wider with each question. Her heart drummed a crescendo, echoing in her ears, thrumming through her veins.
Kaden pulled Olivia back to his side and turned her to face him. “Calm down, love.” He brushed that stubborn lock back behind her ear. “There has been an attack. George here will take us to your father. He will explain everything.” Kaden kissed her forehead.
Olivia nodded and leaned into Kaden’s embrace, seeking comfort.
As the rest of their group joined, including Disa and Pup, the three men took a cautious step back.
Kaden held Olivia at his side, an arm around her shoulder, hers around his waist. “They won’t harm you,” he told the men.
Olivia noticed George glaring at Kaden’s arm wrapped around her. He had always been very protective.
“It is alright, George. Kaden here is… he is… it is a long story, but I met him before the prince, who, I have to point out, is not as he seems. I will have to explain everything, so much has happened, but I managed to escape his clutches and then Kaden found me and we decided to return because the prince threatened my family. Kaden has… some specific skills. This is Cassiel Alevi, my sworn knight,” Olivia graced Cassiel with a smile.
George only raised his eyebrow.
Olivia continued, “He has been my protector and I consider him a dear friend now. The young woman on the horse is Charlotte, sister of my heart, and this is Bast, daughter of one of the chiefs from the Forbidden Forest. This little wolf here,” Pup wagged his tail when Olivia looked down at him, “He is my puppy, called Pup. And the mountain lion is Disa; she is Bast’s companion.”
The looks on the men’s faces would have been funny in different circumstances, their eyes wide as they tried to understand what Olivia just told them.
“I know it is a lot to take in. But I trust each of them with my life,” Olivia looked up at Kaden, “some even more.”
George nodded. “I see. I guess there is a lot you left out in that story. Let us go to your father. You have much to tell each other.”
Olivia agreed.
While they walked towards the main building, which was a small castle, Olivia noticed the lack of people milling about. The ones she did notice had the same exhausted looks on their faces, which turned to surprise when they noticed her. They would greet her politely but otherwise stayed out of their way. She had never seen her people acting like that, or looking so beaten.
George led them past the main house and towards the servants’ quarters. As they walked by the house she had grown up in, a shocked gasp escaped Olivia. She clutched her throat, which was clogging with emotion. Most of the lower floor windows were broken, the massive wooden door torn out and just leaning onto the doorway. The gardens were a mess, with nobody tending them. There were dark blotches of blood on the ground.
“Was anyone injured?” Olivia asked and pressed herself closer to Kaden. He stiffened. Kaden was quiet and brooding, his posture tense. He was emanating that slight aura of danger; it might be what was keeping the people at bay.
George didn’t turn to look at Olivia. He couldn’t tell her. “We’ve had some loses, many got injured defending the estate as well.”
“Someone was killed?” Olivia stopped in her tracks, alarmed. She had never thought something like that would happen, but then, she remembered Magnus’ threat. “Who? Are the children alright? What happened? Who was it? I bet whoever it was, the prince sent them. I cannot believe this is happening.” She unwound her arm from Kaden’s waist and brushed her palms down her face.
Olivia felt a hand on her shoulder, and when she looked, she saw Charlie’s face. “You’re not
alone,” Charlie said.
Olivia nodded and turned her eyes to George again, expecting an answer.
“No children were killed, though some were injured, but nothing serious. They’re mostly scared. The bandits attacked two days ago. They were quick, didn’t take much. It seemed they just wanted to create chaos. I’ll… Your father will explain everything. He has been hurt, but before you panic, it was not life-threatening. He is resting in my chamber. We thought it safer to stay close together.”
“Smart,” Kaden commented. “Olivia, let us go to your father and question him. I presume that George has other things to attend to.”
“I apologize. I am asking too many questions again.”
“You’re asking all the right questions, but directing them at the wrong person.” Kaden cupped Olivia’s cheeks. “No matter what, Charlie is right. You have us to help you deal with whatever comes your… our way. You don’t have to carry the burdens alone, and don’t be afraid seek us out. Any one of us.” His eyes flashed amber for a moment, letting her know that Órva’ar was on her side as well. “Are you ready?”
Olivia nodded. “Good girl.” Kaden pressed a soft kiss to her lips. He took the hand Charlie wasn’t holding and they faced George and the men again. They wore surprised expressions, but still, didn’t say anything.
With every step that brought them closer to their answers, more dread slithered down Olivia’s spine. She carried on although there was nothing she wanted to do more than to stop. Just stop and not move forward, not find out what had happened, not face the problems ahead. She knew better, though. She had to be strong. Her people needed her, her family needed her. Olivia was a child no more, she was a woman now and it was time she accepted that fact.
Olivia took a deep, courageous breath, squeezed Kaden’s hand and she let go of both him and Charlie as she stepped into the room her father was recovering in.
Charlie, Bast and Cassiel stayed outside while Kaden entered with Olivia, closing the door behind him. Olivia would soon need him to pick up the pieces of her broken heart and put it back together.
Olivia’s eyes found her father’s form lying in the bed. “Father?” she whispered, hoping not to wake him and at the same time wishing he was awake.
She took a few steps forward, hesitant in her advance. Kaden remained by the door, the shadows inviting him.
“Father?” Olivia’s eyes welled up when she approached the bed. It was a small and humble room, with the bed, wardrobe, dresser and a chair. The window was on the right side of the bed, the soft light streaming in, illuminating her father’s features.
His head was wrapped in a bandage and his right hand bound tightly against his upper torso. Olivia held back the tears and put on her brave face. She had to be strong for him now. She was surprised her mother wasn’t in the room, babying father. Maybe she was resting as well. Nobody had said that Lady Moore had been hurt. Olivia would talk to her father first, then seek out her mother, who was probably helping take care of the children.
Olivia nodded at her own reasoning and sat on the side of her father’s bed. His eyes were closed and soft snores whispered past his lips. Olivia glanced up at Kaden, her source of strength. When he smiled softly, Olivia returned the gesture and turned her attention back to her father.
She tenderly put her hand on his cheek. “Father?”
Lord Moore fought the sleep off when he heard Olivia’s soft voice. His eyes fluttered open. He squinted and saw his daughter’s concerned face. “Violet?”
Olivia smiled upon hearing the name her father gave her. “Yes, father. It is me, Violet.”
Lord Moore took Olivia’s hand off his cheek and kissed her palm. “What…” he cleared his throat, “What are you doing here, my dear Violet?” His eyes searched her face, panic growing in his own. He couldn’t keep the tears at bay.
“What is wrong, father?” Olivia said as she wiped the tears off her father’s face. “Do you hurt? Where?” She reached for the bandage on his head.
He stopped her hand and held it against his chest. “I do hurt, my child.” Desperation laced his words, his gaze dull and lifeless. How was he to tell her? “Nowhere on my body, though… It is my heart that aches.”
Kaden shifted uncomfortably on his feet, drawing Olivia’s father’s attention to himself. He felt Órva’ar’s disapproval of the action.
“Who is –”
“Where is mother?” Olivia interrupted her father. She feared the answer, but needed to know.
Lord Moore’s eyes shot back to Olivia. He gazed into her blue orbs, so much like his own. She had grown so much, her eyes no longer innocent as they once were. It seemed like she had aged too much in so little time.
Lord Moore shook his head no. He couldn’t speak; he couldn’t say the words out loud. Tears streamed down his face and Olivia understood, but didn’t want to accept.
“No,” Olivia raised her chin and narrowed her eyes. She snatched her hand back. She stood up and walked over to the window. “That is not true.” Her voice was cold and emotionless.
No. No. I won’t accept that. She will come back. Just like Kaden did.
“She will sleep it off and then she will wake up. She will be alright. In the meantime, I will take care of you, father.” Olivia strode to the dresser and filled her father’s cup with water.
“Violet, my little fairy…” her father didn’t bother holding back the tears. “She… she…”
“Do not say it!” Olivia snapped, cutting him off.
“Olivia.” Kaden warned in a low, almost whisper-like rumble. Even though his voice was quiet, it carried throughout the room, commanding attention. He pushed himself off the door and took a step deeper into the chamber. He was out of the shadows and her father could clearly see him now. Kaden was… darkness. He wore a scowl on his face and his eyes were black as the night itself.
Kaden’s heart was breaking to see the utter panic, fear and disbelief in Olivia’s eyes. He could see her composure crumbling. “She. Is. Gone.” Órva’ar’s myriads of feelings were overwhelming him. The dragon felt helpless, he wanted to help Olivia.
“No.” Olivia slammed the cup onto the dresser, splashing the water. “No! She cannot be… not my mother!” Tears gathered in her eyes. The heartache, grief and guilt were overpowering her.
Where did I go wrong? Could I have saved her life? Should I have stayed with Magnus? Mother would still be alive if I had…
“Stop that, Liv.” Kaden could see the struggle in her eyes when she lost herself in thought. “It is not your fault.” He was relieved when Órva’ar retreated to the recesses of his mind and closed the doors to his emotions.
Lord Moore didn’t say a word during the exchange as he watched the stranger interact with his daughter so intimately. He could barely hold back his sobs. Some relief washed over him, lifted the burden off his heart, he was thankful that this stranger was making his daughter face the loss of her mother. He did manage to croak out, “It really is not your fault, my daughter.” His words and sniffles drew Olivia’s attention. “Come to me.”
“But you do not understand father… if I had not fought and left… if… Magnus…” Olivia crumbled. Tears stained her face. Her father’s heartbroken sobs reached her ears and it made her feel that much worse. “I am so sorry, father…” She hiccupped as she sunk onto her knees. She looked up at Kaden as if he was her lifeline, her eyes filled with despair and her heart shattered in pieces. “Kaden…” Olivia whispered his name, a cry for help.
Kaden didn’t hesitate, taking the remaining strides towards Olivia and dropping to his knees in front of her. He pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her as he let her weep into his chest. She had to cry it out. He kissed her head and whispered soft words of comfort and love into her ear.
Kaden glanced up and saw a broken man. He had never witnessed such a thing. Lord Moore loved his wife just as much as Kaden loved Olivia. The man had buried his face in his hands, mourning the loss of his beloved, offering
his tears as a sacrifice to have her back, to be taken in his wife’s stead. Kaden knew that Lord Moore shouldn’t be alone. The broken man needed his daughter.
And Olivia needed her father.
Scooping up Olivia into his arms, Kaden carried her toward the bed. Lord Moore looked up and, when he realized what Kaden wanted to do, opened his arms to embrace his child. Kaden put Olivia gently beside her Lord Moore and in an instant she was wrapped in her father’s arms.
When Kaden tried to stand up and leave, Olivia’s latched onto his wrist. In the end, he just sat there, holding Olivia’s hand in his own, running soothing circles with his thumb on the back of her hand.
Olivia’s sobs soon turned to sniffles and her breathing evened out. Lord Moore stopped crying too, finding strength in comforting his daughter. He pulled up the walls around his heart in a desperate attempt to keep the pieces together. A lot of people depended on him, especially his daughter. He was the man of the house, the pillar of the family. He would carry on and mourn the loss of his wife in private. Lord Moore was aware he would never be the same again; his heart would never heal completely, half of it torn away so violently, but he would be there for his Violet… for their Olivia.
Lord Moore looked up and studied Kaden. The man’s gaze was fixed on his daughter. He recognized the love and worship in Kaden’s eyes. Who was he? How had he come to know his daughter? Lord Moore didn’t blame him for loving Olivia; she was perfect, including all her flaws.
Kaden was unaware of the scrutiny he was under, his attention solely on Olivia. She had finally found some peace. Her eyes were red and swollen, but closed and relaxed as the exhausted sleep overtook her. Her lips were slightly parted and he watched her breathe steadily. Setting her hand down, Kaden leaned forward and brushed some hair away from her face, his palm lingered on her cheek, I’ll fix you…
He walked to the chair and noticed a blanket folded on top of it. Blanket in hand, he turned and saw Olivia’s father watching him. Their eyes met. Kaden walked back to the bed, not breaking eye contact. He covered Olivia, who was snuggled against her father’s left side, with Lord Moore’s good hand wrapped around her.
Dragon's Prize (Dragons Awaken Book 2) Page 28