Deadlands Hunt

by Gayla Drummond

  "I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable doing so, or that my opinion would be of any use to you, Amy." He studied her expression. "But if you wish me to, I will."

  "Please." She passed the letter over to him, and began picking at her lunch while he read it. Marcus actually read the letter twice, surprised to feel a sense of kinship with the writer. He too had obligations he was expected to fulfill, and those obligations were the reason he'd lost his own love. The Weren clearly loved Amy every bit as much as he loved Lina.

  Returning the letter to her, Marcus contemplated the tabletop while thinking. What would his reaction be, if he told Lina the same, and received a response that she was doing as he'd asked? After several minutes, he knew what it would be, and that gave him an idea. Looking up, he met Amethyst's gaze and smiled.

  "I think he loves you with all his heart and wishes nothing more than for you to be happy. Of course, we both know you won't be as happy without him as you would be with him, but I really think you should do as he asks, Amy."

  "I suppose I must," she agreed in a soft voice.

  Marcus cleared his throat. "I've a suggestion. You and I understand each other, and know the other is in love with someone else. My parents are beginning to be quite insistent upon my marrying, and I'd rather it be to a woman I respect and like. I think you and I are good enough friends that our honesty is something that we can build upon, and we are comfortable with each other. If we must marry, why not marry each other?"

  Amethyst stared at him in astonishment. She hadn't thought of Marcus being one of those she'd choose from; however, there was a definite logic to his suggestion. "I do like you, and yes, a good friendship is preferable to none. Especially if neither of us can have the marriage we wish for with those that we love."

  "So, do you think we can make a go of it? Have a successful marriage despite the fact we're not in love with each other?" he asked.

  "I think we can. Yes." She nodded slightly. They gazed at each other then both smiled a little wryly.

  "What do we do now?" Marcus asked. "Would you like for me to get down on bended knee and propose?"

  "That would be a bit much," Amethyst replied, laughing quietly. "Perhaps something more suited to us?"

  "Ah. How about a promise? I promise that I will always be open and honest with you, and that I'll try not to ever become a bore or drive you into a frazzle." Marcus grinned.

  "Very nice. I promise to do the same in regards to honesty and openness, and also to never become either a bore or drive you insane." Amethyst blushed. "I suppose I should also promise to give you a son?"

  "Um, let's save that matter for later consideration," Marcus blinked. "To be honest, I hadn't thought of that. But I suppose we'll manage to suit one another as long as we hold to the promises we've just made, don't you think?"

  "I suppose so." Still pink, she nervously laughed. After a second, Marcus joined her. It wasn't long before the nervousness faded and their laughter became genuine.

  Thirteen

  Chase wondered if there'd be a letter waiting as they rode steadily towards Adersol. He hoped there would be; or better yet, that Amethyst herself would be waiting.

  Instead, two letters proved to be waiting. Telling the innkeeper he'd wait for him to retrieve them, Chase wondered what they held. When the man returned, he thanked him and paid in advance for the night's lodging before leaving the common room and stepping back out onto the porch.

  "I'll tend your horse," Curtis offered, spotting the two envelopes his pack leader held. Nodding in thanks, Chase moved down the porch to a bench and sat, already looking at the envelopes to see whom each was from. One was from Amethyst; the other from Sally.

  The Weren couldn't think of a reason in the world the blond-haired woman would be writing to him, and that almost decided him to open hers first. He changed his mind, hungry to know what Amethyst's said, and opened it instead.

  Dearest Chase,

  I've thought upon your request, and much as it pains me to agree to it, I've decided I can't be selfish either.

  I'm to be married to Marcus Thornwell on the 21st of Sixth Month.

  The shape shifter's shoulders slumped, his eyes fixed on the sentence as pain thundered through him. He wasn't sure, but it felt as though his heart had just been ripped out. It took Chase several minutes before he could gather enough composure to continue reading.

  Marcus is a good man, but more importantly, he's a good friend. We suit one another quite well, so I've every hope that our union will prove a satisfactory success.

  So now, as you requested, you’re released to seek the same for yourself in order to fulfill those obligations you mentioned. I hope that you find a companion as pleasant and good-natured as the one I have.

  There are things I wish, but like you, I don't feel they are important, other than my wish for you to be happy.

  Love always,

  Amethyst

  Sighing heavily, Chase leaned back against the wooden boards of the inn's front and stared at the letter in his hand. After a few minutes passed, he carefully folded it and returned it to the envelope before tucking it inside his duster, where the first letter from her rested.

  It was over. She was promised to another man and irretrievably out of his reach. Chase rested his hand over his heart, feeling a burning pain radiating from it. Gone, lost to him forever. His eyes burned, threatening to release tears; Chase blinked rapidly to keep them from escaping.

  He hadn't asked her, but sent her home. Told her to find another. What in the hell had he expected?

  Suddenly remembering the other letter, the Weren fumbled it open.

  Dear Weren Idiot -

  I am very, very put out with you. Amy has cried constantly since you told her to go home. We thought, Peter and me, that you loved her, so why would you send her away? Are you stupid, Chase?

  Why didn't you simply return with her? You've told her that you would ride through hell if she needed you. Was that an empty promise?

  She loves you. Of course, she needs you! It's not as though she could ask you, now is it? Ask you to leave what you know to be with her. That's not what women do!

  She didn't ask because she didn't want you to be subjected to the prejudice of those around us, all these stupid people who've never even seen a Weren, much less ever attempted to become acquainted with one.

  Who've never learned what sort of people you are: decent, kind, and honorable.

  At least, that was my opinion of you, but I'm not so certain it still is. After all, here's Amy about to make a rather large mistake she'll have to live with for the rest of her life, marrying a man that she doesn't love.

  Instead of marrying you, the one she does. So I ask, are you going to keep that promise of being here when she needs you, Chase?

  Oh, and don't even attempt to throw that pack nonsense around. I suggest you speak with Curtis and the others to see what they think about it all.

  Once you have, my next suggestion would be to climb aboard that horse of yours and ride as you've never ridden before. It is two weeks' travel time from Adersol to Taryton by horseback, much faster than by coach. I order you to get here and save Amy!

  Or be stupid and stay away. Marcus is a nice sort, so perhaps in time Amy will forget all about you and love him instead. It would certainly serve you right!

  Sally

  Blinking, Chase looked up as his pack mates stepped onto the porch. Curtis asked, "Well?"

  "She's getting married the 21st."

  "Son of a..." Kyle snatched his hat off his head and threw it onto the floorboards before glaring at him. "You just gonna sit there?"

  "Who was the other one from?" Bran asked, looking unhappy.

  "Sally. She says I'm an idiot." Chase offered the letter to him, and the other three huddled together to read it. Curtis cleared his throat.

  "Today's the sixth. We leave in the morning and we can get there, Chase."

  "Morning, hell! We leave tonight," Kyle growled.

  "I ca
n't ask you..." Chase began, but Bran interrupted, with an apologetic look.

  "You're not asking. We're telling you. Living in the city might be fun. And it'd be a good thing we'd be doing, getting to know human folks. Letting them get to know us, so they learn we aren't like their gossipy legends say."

  "He's right. Besides, we're pack. You think we're gonna let you give up Amethyst because of us?" Kyle asked in a belligerent tone. "Maybe you sent her home for her, but the reason you haven't high-tailed it after her is because of us."

  "So," Curtis leaned against a support column. "Are we leaving after a meal, or in the morning?"

  Looking from face to face, Chase felt hope bloom. "In the morning. The horses could use the rest before the run they're about to make."

  *

  Waking, Amethyst was hit by anxiety as she realized it was the day she'd become a wife to someone other than Chase.

  Reminding herself that she and Marcus were good friends, the red head also recalled the fact that she'd shared her fears with the Weren, and he'd sent her home. Reaching for her robe, Amethyst rose from bed while again thinking that she and Marcus would surely manage as they embarked upon a life together. Friendship and comfortable companionship was better than nothing, if one couldn't have the love one wished for.

  We’ll be fine, she firmly asserted, ignoring the little voice that was telling her she was making a dreadful mistake.

  The morning seemed to rush by, and it was suddenly time to dress. Amethyst tried to ignore Sally's restless fluttering from watching her to staring out the window. She couldn't ignore the frown and upset expression, but made no remark upon them.

  Sally was wondering if Chase had decided not to come. Didn't he love Amethyst enough to brave the city for her?

  All too soon, they were climbing into the carriage for the drive to the cathedral. Sally frantically tried to think of a way to delay their arrival, but her mind kept coming up blank.

  *

  Peter scanned the incoming traffic with worried eyes before glancing at the clock tower. Less than an hour to go and then it'd be too late. Barely enough time to reach the cathedral from here, he thought. Catching a rumbling undertone to the crowd noise, the human jerked his eyes back to the gate and grinned in sheer relief.

  The four riders on coal black horses rode in with their hats pulled down low. Peter knew there would be four pairs of pale gold eyes taking in everything around them as he urged his horse into the flow. "Hallo, Chase!"

  "What are you doing here?" Curtis asked as Peter maneuvered his horse between Chase's and the others.

  "I'm your guide. You've cut it awfully close, and we don't have time for you to be wandering about the city," Peter replied. "Now I suggest you follow me. Unless of course you wish to arrive just as the bride receives her first kiss as a married woman?"

  "Hell no," Chase snarled in response.

  "Good. Come on!" Digging his heels into his horse's ribs, Peter sent it into a headlong gallop. The four Weren fell in behind, their expressions grim.

  *

  Amethyst fidgeted, her nervousness exacerbated by Sally's constant fluttering and attempts to talk her into just leaving, rather than marrying Marcus.

  "Amy dear, Marcus is a wonderful person, but he's not the right one for you."

  "Perhaps not, but the one who is sent me home, if you'll remember," the red head tightly replied.

  "Because he thought that was what you wanted. Oh, dear me. How dare he?" Sally threw her hands in the air. "How dare he think so little of himself, in order to do what he thought was best for you?"

  Amethyst sighed. "Sally, please. I'm nervous enough."

  "Because you know it isn't right!" Sally declared. "Did you ask Chase to come with you? No, you did not. He might've, you know."

  "He couldn't have, Sally. He can't leave Curtis and the others," Amethyst pointed out. "He made a commitment to them that supersedes any others he makes."

  "And neither of you even thought to speak with them." Sally's hands waved in the air. "You're both raving idiots!"

  "It's done." Amethyst's voice was quiet and firm. "Marcus is wonderful, and we’re friends. This will work out nicely."

  The door of the antechamber opened, and an acolyte stuck his head inside. "Ladies, it's time."

  "Thank you," the red head replied. "Now, Sally, do smile for me. Please?"

  "As you wish," Sally replied, feeling defeated. She had so hoped the Weren would arrive, but it appeared that he wasn't coming. Preceding her friend out the doorway, the blond pasted on a falsely cheerful smile.

  *

  "Through those gates!" Peter shouted over the clattering of hooves. Chase aimed his horse in the direction pointed, silently wondering if he was too late.

  What would he do, if he walked in and discovered he was? Wish them well and leave? Say nothing and walk away a second time?

  Bringing their horses to a halt at the foot of the stone steps leading up to the great wooden doors of the cathedral, all five riders leaped from their saddles. The four Weren unconsciously swept back the sides of their dusters, hooking the material behind the pistols that rode at their hips. Chase led the way up the steps, Kyle and Curtis at either shoulder. Bran and Peter fell in behind them, trading an uneasy glance.

  Reaching the doors, Chase grasped the handles and paused for the briefest second before flinging them open. He blinked while taking the first step inside, eyes adjusting from bright sunlight to the dimness of the nave.

  A figure in white, looking small in the distance, caught his gaze.

  Am I too late?

  *

  The quiet gasps and murmur of voices caused Amethyst to pause with her hand halfway to the offered one of Marcus. His gaze left her face for the aisle behind her.

  She glanced back, eyes widening in disbelief. Five dark figures paced steadily down the aisle towards her. Their strides matched perfectly - left, right, left right - as they walked. She strained to make out the face of the leader, even though she knew who it had to be.

  Turning to face them, she barely noticed the hushed uproar rising as the guests realized there were Weren among them. She only had eyes for the lead figure, now halfway up the aisle.

  Marcus' voice was quiet when he moved to stand just behind her. "Wonderful. I'd hoped he'd make it in time. You'd have made a lovely wife, Amy, but there's no reason at least one of us can't have what we truly want."

  "What?" Her voice was barely audible.

  "That is Chase, correct? Go to him and say whatever you need to in order to settle things between you. These people are here for a wedding," Marcus reminded her, pleased his plan had worked. "Hurry along."

  *

  Chase paused, only thirty feet separating him from the woman he loved and the man whispering in her ear. The man she was supposed to marry, who straightened and smiled directly at the Weren before stepping back.

  He looks like a nice fellow, Chase decided, eyes returning to Amethyst, who was staring at him. The Weren focused on her, barely breathing.

  *

  Amethyst felt frozen in place, eyes meeting the pale golden ones that had haunted her dreams for months now. Unheeded, her bouquet fell to the ground from suddenly nerveless fingers as dizziness threatened.

  Then she was gathering up the heavy satin skirt while launching herself towards him, a smile growing on her face. An answering one split Chase's as he caught her with a joyous laugh and swung her around. The cathedral resounded with the shocked tumult of hundreds of voices. Neither of them heard it as he set her on her feet, clinging to one another for several long minutes.

  Forcing himself to release her, Chase gently pushed her back while keeping hold of one hand. Going down to his knee before her, the Weren finally asked the question he'd wanted to for so long. "Amethyst, will you be my wife and mate?"

  "I will," she replied, face shining with happiness.

  "Well, now that that's out of the way, might I suggest the two of you join us up here and seal the deal? Be a shame
for all this to go to waste, don't you think?"

  Rising, Chase looked over her head to meet the twinkling brown eyes of the other man.

  "I must insist on being the best man though," Marcus informed him as they stepped onto the dais. "Since I'm a friend of the bride's and do have possession of the rings."

  He offered his hand with a grin and Chase shook it. Very quietly, the Weren said, "Thank you."

  "You're quite welcome. Marry the woman before she explodes, would you? I'm afraid that would be rather messy," Marcus replied.