Leaf looked at her with sad eyes. “Probably. But not anytime soon.”
“And when he comes back…he won’t be my Protector anymore.”
He shook his head. “No, not unless he asks for that job. And I don’t think he will.”
Syney nodded. “Thank you for helping him…avoid death and all that.”
Leaf glanced away. “Hunter is as much a brother to me as Lake is. I did what any brother would.”
They stood in silence for a moment before Syney took a deep breath. “I’ll check in when I get back. We’re leaving in the morning.”
“OK. I’ll tell the queen you went to the Great Lake or something. I don’t think she’ll care much.”
“Sounds good. Thank you again.”
Leaf nodded as Syney walked out of the room. She grabbed Reed, and they started to make arrangements. All they needed was a few horses and food for the journey. Syney wanted to hunt down Noelle or Adam or even Gabe but decided on spending the day alone. She still wasn’t sure how she felt about everything that had happened, and another day to think on it sounded like a good thing.
The patrols had turned into search parties, and the morale in camp had fallen. Hunter looked over as Fern helped a limping Ivy through camp and began to regret not taking the death sentence the queen had offered. If they didn’t find Cass—and soon—he was certain he would be put to death anyway, so what did it matter if it had occurred a few months before?
“What happened?” he asked, deflated.
“It was stupid,” Ivy said through gritted teeth. “I was rushing, trying to cover more ground, and some rocks came loose below me.”
“Eight-foot drop,” Fern said dryly.
“You need to get to the medical tent,” Hunter said, motioning a male guard to take over for Fern.
“I’ll be fine. I still have time on my patrol.”
“Your leg might be broken. It’s swollen enough.”
Ivy shook her head. “She was my responsibility. If I don’t find her…”
Hunter stepped closer to her. “She was my responsibility, not yours. Now go. See what they can do in the medical tent.”
Ivy nodded and limped off.
“You should be sterner with her. Maybe a beating.”
Hunter looked at Fern. He wasn’t totally shocked by the comment. He had learned that Fern followed the old way of thinking when it came to the guards. He shook his head and looked away from her.
“A good commander has control over his people. The princess should never have been allowed to leave camp, and those responsible for protecting her should be punished. She’s obviously dead, and someone will need to be brought before the queen.”
Hunter took a deep breath and noticed more than a few faces turn toward them. He grabbed Fern’s arm and pulled her into the command tent. “What was that?”
Fern’s entire face turned hard. “This whole operation is poorly run. You can’t be an effective leader if you rule with emotions. If a wolf steps out, you handle him or her. You keep everyone in line and set the standard as a leader. You do none of that.”
Hunter gritted his teeth and stepped within inches of her. “You have no idea what it takes to be a good leader. I was chosen for this mission for a reason.”
“Because you couldn’t keep it out of the seated queen.”
He squeezed his fists tightly but kept them at his sides. “Leaf asked me to do this before all that, but I turned him down. The reason you’re not commander is because we actually want wolves alive by the end of this.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re impulsive and generally think only about yourself.”
“That’s rich, coming from you.”
“At least I actually had someone who loved me. You’ll never get that. You’re a cold bitch who’ll die unloved.” Hunter winced and regretted the words the second they came out of his mouth. But Fern had been doing that to him lately—getting him to the point where he wanted to hit her just to shut her up.
She stared at him, her face showing no emotion. “If we don’t find her, they’re going to kill you,” she said slowly.
“I thought you said she was already dead.”
“I believe she is. But for your sake, I hope she isn’t.”
Hunter took a deep breath. “What I said…I didn’t mean it. I’m sorry.”
“No, you’re not. I was thinking that when we get back, we could talk to the priest about breaking the joining.”
“What? That’s hardly ever done.”
“But in some cases, it’s granted.”
“I don’t get it. I know everything has been tense around here lately, but things had been good between us.”
Fern turned to leave the tent but stopped by the door and took something out of her pocket. “I can’t live in her shadow,” she said, handing it to Hunter and leaving.
Hunter looked at the picture of Syney he’d kept in the side pocket of his trunk. It was of her and the Andrews. He had taken it out of the wallet Syney had given him the last night he had talked to her. She had given it to him for the money, and he had taken the picture with him before leaving the Village. He ran his finger over her face in the picture and felt his heart tighten. She was beautiful. He could almost feel her soft reddish hair that fell in delicate curls or her smooth light skin. He shook his head and slipped the photo into his pocket. He needed to get rid of it. He decided to burn it, in front of Fern, to prove her wrong. He couldn’t have her going to the priest and requesting a breaking because she would have to prove him to be unfit for her, and undoubtedly she would mention Syney; he couldn’t drag her into that.
He was about to go find Fern when someone sounded the alarm, a low-toned but loud horn. He rushed out of the tent to see Ridge carrying an unconscious Cass to the medical tent. When he got there, two guards were administering fluids and examining her.
“Report.”
Ridge looked at him. “She was on the border ten miles to the north, alone. She wasn’t conscious when we got there.”
Hunter looked her over. Cass didn’t seem hurt, just dirtier than the last time he’d seen her, and maybe a little skinnier. “Is she OK?”
One of the guards examining her nodded. “It looks like exhaustion. Possibly food deprived.”
“Can you wake her?”
He nodded and pulled out a packet of something. He cracked it open and held it under Cass’s nose. A moment later she coughed, and her eyes fluttered open. She looked weakly over everyone, stopping on Hunter. “Did I make it back? Or am I dead?”
“You were on the border,” Hunter said, stepping forward. “What happened?”
“I…a Shifter took me onto their land.”
“How did you get away?”
Cass smiled slightly. “He let me go.” She rolled her head to look at the other guard. “I’m hungry.”
Hunter smiled. “Get her anything she wants.”
“Yes, sir,” the young guard said, rushing out of the tent to grab some food.
Hunter leaned forward. “Now I’m sending you back to the Village, and don’t you dare fight me on it.”
“Ugh, I won’t. I need a shower and a big feast.”
“But before you go, I need to know everything.”
Cass nodded. “OK, but only you.”
Hunter stared at her. “Why?”
“Let’s just say I’m so sorry, and I totally get it now,” Cass said, tears coming to her eyes.
Hunter was going to ask more when the guard returned with some dried meat and other rations. He told Ridge to assign her a constant guard and to meet him in the command tent once he dressed. He left the medical tent as the sun was setting and spotted Fern by the fire pit. She looked at him as he walked over to her. He didn’t say anything; he just took out the picture and threw it into the flames before walking back to the command tent. Once there, he pulled out the map of the border and made an X ten miles north of camp. Ridge walked in a moment later with Fern on his heel
s.
“We’re too far south,” Hunter said. “If the Shifter was taking her to a settlement, it has to be farther north.”
“Then we move,” Fern said, examining at the map. She pointed to a spot along the border. “Here.”
“No.” Hunter shook his head. “If we’re going to send the group over the border, we should do it here. That way they can get some intel without being a direct threat.”
“I agree with Fern, for once. If we know they’re farther north, we should go over there,” Ridge said.
Hunter looked at them. “Send them over tonight. Let them report back, and I’ll make the decision then. Also, Fern will lead the mission.”
Ridge shot Fern a look before nodding. “Come on. Let’s get the guards together.”
Fern nodded and followed him out.
“Fern!” Hunter called out.
She looked back at him.
“Good hunting.”
She nodded. “Thank you, sir.”
Hunter stared after them, hoping he was doing the right thing. He was afraid Fern might do something rash, but he needed to give her a confidence boost, and this was the only way he could.
The group moved out a while later with food and water for a week. Hunter stopped in to see Cass, but she was asleep. He looked at Ivy, who was wide-awake.
“I won’t let her out of my sight again,” Ivy said with a nod.
Hunter nodded in return and headed to his tent. He hadn’t slept in a good three days, and his back was screaming at him. He put Ridge in charge and fell asleep the second his head hit the ground—not that his sleep was filled with rest.
He was in the command tent, looking over some maps when the entrance flap opened and Reed walked in. Surprise overtook him, and he smiled at the young wolf. It was good to see him. “Reed! What are you doing here?”
Reed smiled. “Just seeing if you were alone,” he said, ducking out of the tent.
A moment later someone else walked in, a deep-purple cloak covering his or her face. Hunter grinned, knowing exactly who it was before she pulled down the hood. “I’ve been waiting for you,” he said, tears coming to his eyes.
Syney smiled at him. “I didn’t know if I should come, with everything that happened, and Fern…”
Hunter shook his head. “It’s always you. It’ll always be you.”
Syney ran to him and almost jumped into his arms. “I’ve missed you.”
Hunter pulled her head back, placing a hand on either side of her face. “I’m so sorry. I should have gone to you and explained everything.”
She shook her head. “It’s OK. I know it all, and I love you so much.”
He smiled at her and kissed her. It felt so right. It felt like home. He picked her up and sat her on the table as her hands pulled his shirt over his head. It didn’t take them long to get the rest of their clothes off and make love right there. When they were finished, Hunter kissed her gently, and they both were breathing heavily. “I wish I were there with you,” he whispered.
“Me too. I’ve needed you so much over the past couple of days. I don’t know whom to trust,” she said, tears pouring out of her eyes.
He wiped some of her tears with his thumb. “It’ll be OK. I promise.”
They kissed again.
Hunter opened his eyes and sat up. Sunlight was pouring through the opening of the tent. Morning. Another day. He dropped his head in his hands and forced himself up. If he didn’t, he’d likely try to sleep the rest of the mission away. At least then he could be with Syney.
Syney woke up with the taste of Hunter still on her lips. She’d had dreams of him before, and all of them felt so real. She sat up in bed and rubbed her arms. This dream was so unlike them, stealing an intimate moment out on the front lines in a tent where anyone could walk in. It had felt exhilarating, though. She stretched the last of her sleep out of her body and got out of bed as Noelle walked in carrying a tray. They hadn’t talked since the other night in Gabe’s room. Noelle had kept her distance the day before, which Syney appreciated. She still felt very uncomfortable with everything that had been revealed, but she also still considered Noelle her best friend. Noelle had her reasons, and Syney understood that. It just still felt awkward. How was Syney supposed to treat her now that they both knew each other’s secrets?
Syney walked over to the couch and pulled the lid off the tray as Noelle paced by the bed. “Tell Gabe we’re leaving in about an hour.”
Noelle stopped pacing and looked at her. “OK.”
Syney shoved some food into her mouth. “Do you think Adam will come?”
Noelle shrugged and sat across from her. “I can tell him to. He’s been miserable.”
Syney stared at her for a moment before nodding. “I’d like him there. You too.”
They looked at each other in silence for a moment before Noelle wiped some tears from her eyes.
“I’m not comfortable with everything yet,” Syney said. “Mostly with myself, to be honest. But I do get it. What you said the other night…I get it.”
“Thank you,” Noelle said.
Syney smiled at her. “So what animal are you?”
Noelle laughed. “Is that really the first thing that came to mind when you found out? Gabe asked the same thing.”
“I bet his was in a kinky way, though. Mine is pure curiosity.”
“I’m…a housecat.”
“Aw. I love cats.”
“Guess that’s why we get along so well.”
They both laughed.
“I really am happy that we’re OK,” Noelle said, seriousness entering her voice. “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had.”
“I am a really good friend,” Syney said with a smile.
Noelle shook her head. “So, um, where do you stand with Adam?”
Syney sighed. “I don’t know. You were a coincidence. He was planted here for me to fall for. Plus, he’s a con man. How do I know any of it was real?”
Noelle moved to sit next to Syney. “A while ago Adam came to Gabe and told him he should let you in on everything. He didn’t like lying to you because he liked you. I’m pretty sure whatever you two have is real. Adam got really pissed when Gabe refused to tell you.”
Syney looked away from her. Even after having an amazing dream about Hunter, she still had to admit her feelings for Adam were real and strong. Plus, Leaf had told her yesterday, in not so many words, that she and Hunter were never going to happen. She didn’t want to think of Adam as her second choice, but she did love him and was open to being with him. She just had to mull it over some more. “Well, I have the whole way to the Human Realm to think things through,” Syney said.
“Yes, you do. Are you ready to do this?”
“To meet my dad, whose subjects tried to kill me last year? No, not really. I still don’t want to believe it.”
“He might surprise you. Gabe speaks highly of him.”
“And that’s a trustworthy opinion,” Syney said with a chuckle. “I want to find out more about this war. That’s really the only reason I’m going.”
Noelle sighed as she stood. “I’ll get Gabe and Adam. I think you should keep an open mind about Hadrian, though.”
“I will,” Syney said softly. And she meant it. She just couldn’t help think about the fact that the Daemons had been blamed for the death of Queen Amelia, her mother, and that they had tried to kill her as well. There were a lot of questions that needed answers, and she prayed that she finally would get some.
Gabe gently pulled Noelle up behind him on the horse. He didn’t really need to ride out to the portal, but he liked the idea of sharing a horse with Noelle. He was starting to need her during the day, which was pretty scary for him. He didn’t like to need people.
“He is coming, right?” Noelle whispered in his ear.
Gabe looked at Syney, who watched the large wooden door that led to the Village. She stood next to her horse, its reigns in her hand. Reed had offered to help her onto it, but she shook her
head and turned back to the door. Gabe should have been happy about this development but couldn’t help worrying. When people let emotions, especially love, get involved with what had to be done, like the plan, things always got messed up. As Noelle slid her hands along his waist, he felt himself get lost. This was exactly what he didn’t need and couldn’t live without. If he felt like this, he could only imagine what Syney and Adam felt, and that could be dangerous.
“We should get going,” Reed said from atop his horse.
The young wolf was growing on Gabe. He wasn’t sure how much Syney had told him, but he had handled it all well—although Gabe did miss Hunter’s company, which he would deny if asked.
Syney sighed and nodded. “OK.” She glanced at Gabe. That was the first time she had even looked in his direction in a couple of days. He didn’t need to be a mind reader to see that she was angry. He didn’t blame her. In fact he had actually felt bad about what he had done to Hunter, although it needed to be done. He couldn’t have Syney leaving the Village; she was too important.
Syney put her foot in the stirrup just as the gate opened and Adam walked out. He looked around at all of them before settling on Syney. “Sorry, I had to…figure out if I wanted to come.”
She nodded. “OK.”
Adam pulled himself onto the horse then offered his hand to Syney.
They started toward the portal at a slow pace. They weren’t in too much of a hurry, but Gabe kept his ears open for even the slightest noise. He was on edge because of the Shifters. He didn’t like the idea of a group of antsy Lycins walking around the borders of Shifter land. Shifters were known for a lot of things, but backing down from a fight wasn’t one of them. And there was no mistaking the fact that their mission was a clear threat, whether or not it was meant to be. He needed the plan to be accelerated because of that. He couldn’t have the Shifters actually engaging the Lycins. That would put the Magic User queen in the forefront of the war, and he needed Syney to call a peace summit. Those two things didn’t mix.
The other problem he had was Mellisandrianna. He was pretty sure, if she was really switching bodies somehow, that she actually knew who he was. That alone should have gotten him kicked out of the Village, which meant she didn’t know that he knew what she did to stay young. But she also wasn’t giving up the throne anytime soon. He needed Syney in charge. Originally he wanted to kill the queen, preferably in her sleep, but he couldn’t do it. Not because he didn’t want to but because it would cast a shadow on Syney. She was next in line for the throne and the most likely to be blamed if foul play were suspected. There were several things he could do now. The one he was leaning toward was to slowly edge Mellisandrianna off of the throne. Syney had been doing a good job of it already without even knowing it. The two were at odds on just about every issue, and Syney was slowly winning more support. The more council votes she garnered, the easier it would be when she motioned to take the throne. There was one little hiccup there, however: Only a joined queen could take the throne.
Deviation: Altera Realm Trilogy Book 2 Page 14