Syrina jogged over, offering the younger female a hand. “Come. Let us go again.”
“I have a better idea,” Astryd moaned, allowing Syrina to help her up. “How about a swim? And then we can soak in the hot pool.”
Both sounded good to Syrina. The last hot pool she had been in was back in Aukrabah.
A sorrowful ache slid through her at the memory of Aukrabah. It represented warmth, laughter…and Brant.
“Are you all right, Syrina? You look as if you are going to be ill.”
She felt ill, Syrina silently admitted, attempting to shake off her melancholy. Life would never be the same without Brant’s touch, his strength…his amazing mouth.
Her body came alive with the memory of her time in that hotel room with him. How was she supposed to go on with her life without him in it?
She would be expected to mate with another. Syrina couldn’t imagine sharing her body with anyone but Brant, let alone her heart, her mind…her soul.
Turning away in hopes that Astryd wouldn’t see through her, Syrina strode toward the door. “I am fine. Are you coming?”
* * * *
The hot, steamy water of the bath house relaxed Syrina’s muscles and helped with the slight tenderness that yet remained in her shoulder.
Astryd stood a few feet away, washing her long, white hair. “Does your father know that you have been shot?”
Syrina nearly groaned aloud. Leave it to Astryd to notice the barely visible scar. “How is it that you recognize a bullet wound?”
“I read a lot. Especially the biology of the human body. It is very similar to our own in some ways, yet drastically different in others. Did you know that human females grow hair on their arms, legs, and genitals?”
Fighting the urge to laugh, Syrina picked up a cake of soap. “Does your father know of your interest in the land walkers? And where are you getting your reading material? I do not recall books on human biology in our libraries.”
Astryd’s face paled, and she quickly looked away. “I do not remember.”
“There is no need to hide from me, Astryd. Whatever you say to me in private will go no further.”
Obviously struggling with indecision, Astryd sighed. “I have a human friend.”
Syrina’s heart turned over. If the land walkers were to find out about Arkadia, no one would be safe.
She set down the soap and chose her words carefully. “This friend…are they male or female?”
“Female. She owns a bed-and-breakfast not far from the tunnel exit.”
Syrina blanked her expression and calmly asked, “Does this friend have a name?”
“You cannot tell anyone, Syrina. It would endanger her life. She is a good person and—”
“I will not speak of it. You have my word.”
“Lisa. Her name is Lisa Odom.”
“I see…”
Astryd’s eyes grew nervous. “I am sorry, Syrina. I know that humans are forbidden and even hated, but Lisa is different. She would never bring unwanted attention to us or to herself for that matter. She is hiding from someone as well, and exposing us would expose her.”
When Syrina remained quiet, watching her, Astryd blurted, “I knew you would not understand.”
“I understand more than you think.”
A young Bracadyte female came barreling into the bath house, her face pale and her eyes huge. She skidded to a stop next to the pool. “Syrina! You must come quickly. There are land walkers in Arkadia. And one of them is asking for you!”
Syrina’s heart somersaulted. She scrambled from the pool with Astryd tight on her heels. “Did he give you his name?”
The girl paled even more, if that were possible. “No, but King Kryten is beyond furious. He has had them captured and brought to the great hall.”
“Go,” Syrina ordered, snatching up her clothes. “I will be right there.”
Syrina dressed in record time, her hands shaking and her chest so tight she could barely breathe.
She rushed from the bath house and ran toward the great hall, desperately opening her mind to Brant. “Have you gone completely daft? Why would you come here?”
“I came for you,” he calmly sent back, throwing her off balance.
“My father will destroy you, Brant. You should not have come.”
Syrina rounded the corner, nearly running into a large crowd of Bracadyte warriors gathered outside the great hall.
“Let me through!” She shouldered her way through the throng of angry warriors until she caught sight of Brant.
He stood next to Oz, Gryke, Thrasher, and Pyre. All five of them were bound and standing before an angry King Kryten.
Brant, Thrasher, and Oz wore nothing but boxer briefs, their dive gear lying in piles next to them. They had obviously come in through the water.
Syrina’s father stepped forward, his eyes full of fury. He motioned her to his side.
Indecision warred inside her the longer she stood there staring at Brant’s back. The proud, defiant set of his shoulders made her want to run to him, to beg him to bend his knee before the king. His pride be damned. The only thing that mattered in this moment was that his life be spared.
Her father suddenly nodded to someone behind her. Two Arkadian warriors gripped her by the arms and escorted her to Vyken’s side.
A hush fell over the crowd as King Kryten’s voice rang out. “You dared to enter my home without my permission? Why have you come?”
Pyre opened his mouth to speak but was quickly shut down by the king. “I did not ask you. I want to hear it from him!” He jerked his chin in Thrasher’s direction.
But it was Brant who spoke. “I came for my mate.”
The crowd exploded in outrage, the sound fierce and deafening.
Syrina’s stomach flipped. Brant had just referred to her as his mate. Did he truly want her, or did he have another motive for signing his death sentence?
She attempted to connect with him, but he ignored her, his proud gaze glued to King Kryten.
The king held up a hand for silence. “Who is this mate that you seek?”
Without acknowledging her continuous attempts to mentally call out to him, Brant replied, “Syrina.”
Vyken stormed forward until he stood directly in front of Brant. He drew back his arm and backhanded him across the face. “You dare lay claim to my daughter?”
Gryke snarled, his big body poised to fight, but Brant stopped him. “No, Gryke!”
Holding Vyken’s gaze, Brant stated in an angry albeit respectful voice, “I knew when I came here that I would most likely not leave here alive. I understand the Bracadyte way. I knew it coming in. But I love your daughter, sir. Kill me if you must, because I don’t plan on leaving here without her.”
Vyken reached for a knife sheathed at his belt.
“Wait,” King Kryten demanded, stepping down from his dais to stand next to Vyken. “Not yet. I would hear what the land walker has to say.”
Syrina wanted to run to Brant, to throw her arms around him and beg to be taken home. And Brant was her home. He had been since the first drop of her blood had entered his veins back in Cuba. But she couldn’t. To show such disrespect to the king in a room full of Arkadian warriors would cause Brant’s immediate death. She remained perfectly still.
Brant’s gaze flicked to her. He briefly opened himself to her, allowing her a glimpse into his heart.
His emotions poured through their connection, nearly taking her breath before he turned his attention back to the king.
Kryten studied him for long moments. “What is your name, land walker?”
“Henagar. Brant Henagar.”
“You say that you came for Syrina, yet you come prepared for war.”
“I didn’t come for war,” Brant shot back. “I only want what is mine.”
Brant’s words wrapped around Syrina’s heart. She noticed the king’s shoulders stiffen. “You mock me?”
“No,” Brant rumbled, not backing down. “But I’m
also not going to grovel. If you’re going to kill me, then do it. Otherwise, I’m taking my mate and leaving this place.”
Kryten growled low in his throat, but no retaliation came. He looked Brant up and down and then moved back to his seat on the dais. “You show great bravery in coming here the way you did. Especially with so few in your party. Why is it you feel Syrina would mate with you? Have you shared blood with her?”
“I have,” Brant admitted in a loud, clear voice.
Collective growls exploded throughout the room.
Vyken snarled, his hand returning to the hilt of his blade.
Syrina knew what would come next. Her father would cut Brant’s throat the second the king gave him leave to do so.
Kryten waved a massive arm, signaling immediate silence. “Have you copulated with her?”
Brant glanced at Syrina and then returned his gaze to the king. “I have not.”
“Then you have no rightful claim to her.”
Kryten turned his attention to Thrasher. “How fares my daughter?”
“She and our unborn child are doing just fine.”
Koral, Kaspyn’s mother, covered her mouth with her hand, and tears sprang to her eyes. But she held her tongue.
Syrina moved her gaze back to Brant to find him watching her intently.
Obviously satisfied with Thrasher’s answer, the king moved on to Pyre. “You disappoint me, Pyre. And your parents as well. I should have you locked up for insubordination.”
“Zyen and I were sworn to protect your daughter, Sire. And if I am to be punished as such, then I will accept my punishment without a fight.”
The king didn’t flinch. “I will deal with you later. As for now” —he switched his attention back to Brant— “since it is Vyken’s daughter that you attempt to lay claim to, I will let him decide your fate.”
Vyken pulled his knife from its sheath and moved to stand directly in front of Brant once again. “I will not allow my daughter to mate with the likes of a land walker. Nor will I allow you to walk this earth with her blood flowing through your veins. On your knees.”
“Nooooooo!” Syrina cried, racing forward to reach Brant’s side.
She was abruptly hauled off her feet by a massive warrior, her desperate screams falling on deaf ears.
“No!” Brant’s voice penetrated her cries. “Don’t fight them. I knew the consequences of my actions when I came here. If I’m to die because of them, I’ll die with honor.” He lowered to his knees in front of Vyken but kept his gaze pinned on Syrina. “I love you…”
Syrina watched in horror as her father’s blade rose high above Brant’s head.
And then the unthinkable happened. Vyken’s arm began to shake, and his lips peeled back over his teeth.
The dozens of warriors standing behind Brant dropped to the floor to writhe in pain.
Syrina’s gaze flew to the door in time to watch the king of Aukrabah stride into the room. Flanking his sides were Kaspyn, Vaulcron, Hauke, Rykaur, Anthony Vaughn, and Braum. Zaureth brought up the rear, his massive arms out in front of him, his big body vibrating with power, and his pale green eyes glowing with rage.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Brant knew the moment Zaureth came on the scene. Not only could he sense the healer’s presence in his head, he could feel the Bracadyte’s energy coming up the hall ahead of him.
King Kryten’s eyes narrowed with fury. He yanked up his sword and bounded from the dais, only to find himself on his knees, holding the sides of his head in pain. His sword clattered to the ground in front of him.
Gryke, Pyre, and Thrasher burst into action, exploding for the door to fight off the furious Arkadian warriors now running inside.
Zaureth’s unique power dominated the great hall and everyone in it, aside from those he came to protect.
Brant surged to his feet and made a beeline for Syrina. His bare feet slapping on the stone floor could be heard over the moans and cries going on around him.
“Let’s go!” He grabbed her by the hand and rushed her toward the exit.
Klause’s voice rang out above the chaos, stopping Brant in his tracks. He turned back to watch the king of Aukrabah approach the fallen Kryten.
Zaureth followed close behind him. Though his arms lowered to his sides, his eyes continued to glow with power.
Klause offered a hand to Kryten, who brushed it aside and staggered to his feet.
“I did not wish to come here in such a manner,” Klause announced in a voice loud enough for all to hear. “But from the stories relayed to me about Thrasher’s experience at your hands, I felt I had no choice. And I am glad that I did. You would have killed someone dear to Aukrabah…dear to me. Had that happened, Arkadia would have faced a war the likes of which it has never seen before.”
Kryten’s jaw tightened in rage. “You defend these land walkers as if they are our equals. When they are nothing more than weak, pitiful creatures full of greed and dishonor!”
“The land walker you were about to have beheaded has more honor inside him than you will ever have. He has not only risked his life for Syrina, but everyone in Aukrabah as well. He is blood brother to the Bracadyte… He is a brother to me.”
“You disappoint me, Klause. What sort of king would let his bloodline become tainted in such a way? You allow your own children to reproduce with the land walkers. You are a disgrace to the Bracadyte way.”
Kaspyn stepped forward, an obvious sadness swimming in her eyes. “Your own grandchild has human blood in his veins, Father. Perhaps you should consider that before passing judgement onto others.”
“Then mayhap it was best that you relocated to Aukrabah.”
“Kryten!” Koral gasped, running to her daughter’s side. “You do not mean that!”
Indecision flickered in Kryten’s gaze. He turned on his heel. “Be gone from here. All of you. And do not come back.”
Koral threw her arms around Kaspyn. “Be well, my child. I will see you again, someday. I vow it.” And with that, she hurried off behind the king.
“Syrina?” Vyken called out.
Brant felt her stiffen beside him.
“If you leave here with that parasite, you are no longer my daughter.”
Brant could feel Syrina’s pain as deeply as if it were his own.
She took a shuddering breath and faced her father. “I will always love you, Father, but I belong with Brant.”
Brant squeezed her hand to show his support. He knew what it cost her to walk away from her family. But Brant was her family now, and he would do everything in his power to make her happy.
Klause nodded to Zaureth. He didn’t need to speak, so in tune was the healer to his king.
Zaureth waited for Klause to stride toward the door, and then he fell into step behind him.
Everyone gave the healer a wide berth, including Syrina’s father.
Brant and Syrina followed Zaureth while the rest of their group brought up the rear.
Thrasher’s voice rose enough that Brant could hear him gently scolding Kaspyn. “You shouldn’t have come. And how the hell did you get here so fast? I just spoke with you last night, and you were still in Aukrabah.”
“Anthony Vaughn procured the human aircraft for us. We arrived in a matter of hours once we were in the air.”
Brant’s lips twitched. He bent and kissed the side of Syrina’s face. “Do you want to fly home or take the yacht?”
“Given the circumstances, I think we should fly. We have much to discuss, and the sooner we reach Aukrabah, the sooner we reach safety.”
Brant tugged her closer to his side. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“It is not me that I worry about. I do not trust my father where you are concerned. Especially on the open water. You would not stand a chance against Bracadytes in their own element.”
Brant shook his head. “I can’t leave Oz to bring that yacht back alone. I won’t. He’s here because of me.”
“Then we’ll all t
ake the plane,” Oz announced, falling in step beside Brant. “I’ll hire someone to bring the yacht back to Destin.”
An hour later, they reached the exit to the tunnels and emerged onto land.
Tony nodded toward the tree line. “We have a bit of a walk ahead of us. The plane landed at a small airport about five miles from here. I’ll call the pilot.”
Brant watched as Tony fished a cell phone from his pocket and pressed some numbers. He brought the phone to his ear, speaking low to the person on the other end.
Ending the call, he faced the group. “The pilot says a storm’s coming and we won’t be able to take off until tomorrow. Looks like we’ll have to find a campsite and spend the night.”
Syrina visibly paled. “We cannot stay the night so close to Arkadia. The king will surely have gathered an army of warriors by now to look for us. If not the king, then my father. I have never seen him so infuriated before.”
Brant pulled her in close. “Well, we can’t very well rent hotel rooms. Not with so many Bracadytes in our group. We would be noticed right off the bat. And God only knows who would come looking for us then. I’d rather take my chances with the Arkadians.”
“You do not know what you are saying,” Syrina argued. “My father would surely have you killed.” She suddenly stilled, her gaze straying back to the tree line. “I have an idea, but I will need you to trust me. All of you.”
All eyes swung in her direction.
Syrina glanced King Klause. “There is a place not far from here. A bed-and-breakfast. It is owned by a female named Lisa Odom. She is a friend of Zyen’s sister, Astryd.”
Pyre’s eyebrows shot up. “Astryd has a human friend? I highly doubt that her father is aware.”
“He is not,” Syrina confessed. “But Astryd trusts her, and she has assured me that I can trust her as well.”
Brant ran a thumb across Syrina’s knuckles. “So this Lisa knows about the Bracadytes?”
Syrina nodded. “Apparently she privy to more than that. She also knows where Arkadia lies.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Syrina trailed up to the door of the bed-and-breakfast and rang the bell. Though it was the middle of the night, she noticed a light come on inside.
Brant: Science Fiction Romance (Enigma Series Book 11) Page 12