Freed

by Samantha Britt

  My childhood best friend dropped the bundle of firewood in his arms and raced towards me. I met him halfway, throwing myself into him. He caught me and easily lifted me off my feet. I started to cry.

  “You’re here!” I said between sobs. “You’re okay.”

  Jem tightened his hold. “That’s what I should be saying to you! Thank the gods, Lissa. I never thought I’d see you again.”

  “Me either.” I burrowed my face into his neck, too overcome with emotion to let go. I suspected we caused quite the scene, but I couldn’t find it in myself to care. For most of my life, Jem had been the one person I could always turn to no matter what. We’d grown up together. I’d accepted I wouldn’t have the chance to turn to him again, and to realize I’d been wrong… Well, it was overwhelming.

  I don’t know how long we remained wrapped around each other, but it wasn’t until a throat cleared loudly behind me that Jem finally put me down.

  I looked over my shoulder, and my disbelief intensified. “Hyde?”

  Sure enough, Hyde Stanley, the son of the ruler of Caldiri, stood there. His arms were crossed, and he wore an amused grin. “Hello, Amelissa.”

  I stepped back from Jem and looked between the two men. “What is going on? Are you both working with the rebellion?”

  “We are,” Jem confirmed. He motioned to Hyde. “Hyde is actually the person responsible for recruiting me.”

  My eyes widened. “Really?”

  Hyde shifted nervously. “I watched families torn apart for years by the Census, but I never said a word. I found I couldn’t do the same after seeing you and Lorie taken.”

  I questioned how much of Hyde’s new feelings came from him claiming to be in love with me. He’d wanted to marry me, but my recruitment had ruined that.

  But I didn’t think Hyde’s broken heart would’ve been enough to turn him against his father and his people. I looked at him—really looked at him.

  Hyde had broadened a bit, and he was an inch taller than the last time we spoke. It’d been in Draek when he and his father had appeared to request my return to Caldiri. Obviously, I hadn’t gone.

  That wasn’t so long ago. When had Hyde decided to go against his own family? When did he decide to fight for the interests of the humans he’d spent his whole life overlooking?

  Seeing my confusion, Hyde revealed, “King Roderick ordered another Census less than two months ago.”

  My mouth fell open. “But… but it hasn’t been a year!” The Census was a dreaded event that only happened once a year in the early days of summer. What was King Roderick doing initiating another one? That had never happened before.

  Jem explained, “The new Census specifically recruited able-bodied young men to fight in King Roderick’s army. Except, he didn’t just select a few. Every single boy and man, age fifteen to twenty-three, was chosen.”

  “Oh my gods.”

  The king’s actions were criminal. Fifteen? Those boys weren’t ready to be soldiers. They were only children! The king was forcing subjects into his army. Had Brion known? I couldn’t believe it. He wouldn’t have sat by and allowed it to happen. He would’ve opposed his father. I felt sure of it.

  “Indeed,” Hyde exhaled. “My father received news of King Roderick’s plan two weeks before it was to take place. Once I heard, I went around Caldiri and warned as many citizens as I could.”

  “Then Lin came around not a few days later,” Jem jumped in. “He offered shelter to any who would rather join the rebellion than fight in the king’s army. Many joined our cause, including myself and Julie.”

  “And many Unfortunates,” Hyde added.

  “Unfortunates?” The poorest of our region were starved and weak. They wouldn’t make good soldiers for either side. Surely, King Roderick wouldn’t have tried to recruit them.

  With an uncanny ability to know where my thoughts had gone, Hyde said, “King Roderick was very clear in his message to my father. All men in the age range were to be taken, no matter their state of health or living conditions.”

  I didn’t know what to say. “That’s terrible.”

  “Yes,” Hyde agreed. “King Roderick is desperate to root out all factions of the rebellion. He’s worried, and he will do anything to try and regain the advantage.”

  A group of men walked by. They tried to look like they weren’t watching us, but they failed.

  One muttered, “That’s the princess.” The others mumbled something back, but I didn’t hear them. My eyes had snapped up. I braced myself for Jem’s reaction.

  He met my stare with an amused smirk. “Did you think we didn’t know?”

  Hyde said, “It’s all over the camp.”

  I sighed, then felt the need to say, “I didn’t learn the truth until very recently. Had I known in Caldiri, I would’ve told you.”

  Jem touched my arm. “I know.” His touch fell away, but I felt lighter for it.

  I looked around, knowing there was much that needed to be shared between me and my best friend, but my heart distracted me. It was pulling me in a different direction, toward a certain formidable prince.

  “I must go,” I told them regretfully, looking at Jem with a hopeful expression. “But I hope we can speak later?”

  “We are to go on a scouting mission in the forest,” he stated. “But we return in two days’ time. I will find you the moment I return, Your Highness.”

  I punched Jem’s arm. “Don’t call me that.”

  He laughed. Hyde smiled.

  “You know, I should’ve known there was something more than human about you,” Jem commented seriously, but there was a teasing glint in his eye.

  “Oh?” I returned with attitude. “And what’s that?”

  “I’m not really sure.” Jem feigned contemplation, tapping a finger against his lips. “Your superior healing ability, perhaps?” He turned to Hyde for assistance.

  “Your beauty?” Hyde supplied with a grin. Initially, I stiffened, worried Hyde still held some affection for me. The last thing I wanted to do was encourage him in any way. I hadn’t exactly been good at detecting when a man held feelings for me. I didn’t want to make the mistake of leading yet another good man on.

  My worries proved unnecessary. Hyde’s expression bore no hint of romantic feeling, only friendship.

  “No,” Jem snapped his fingers, drawing my thoughts back to the present. “It’s your haughty air. You always acted as if you were above us mere mortals.”

  “I did not!” I cried, indignant.

  Both men laughed. I knew he teased me. Still, the joke stung. I didn’t really give off airs, did I?

  Seeing my expression, the laughter quickly died from his lips. Regret filled his expression. “Lissa, come now. You know I was only joking.”

  “Of course.” I forced a smile. “Please, excuse me. I need to meet someone.”

  “Lissa—”

  “It’s fine.” I backed away, keeping the smile on my face. “I’ll see you when you get back.” Without knowing where I was going, I walked away from my two fellow Caldirians. Only, I no longer felt like I was truly a Caldirian. More accurately, I didn’t think they viewed me that way. Not anymore.

  I walked around the rebel camp for several minutes before a man finally took pity on me and asked if I could be of assistance. Taking a chance, I told him I was looking for the draekon prince. The stranger swiftly escorted me to the tent where Brion had been moved. I couldn’t believe my good fortune.

  A team of well-armed guards stood all around the tent, and I couldn’t help but notice they were all elven. It made sense. Who better to guard a powerful draekon prince than members of the only race able to kill draekon?

  I prepared myself for an argument, but the elf standing slightly in front of the others took one look at me and ordered the others to stand aside. I was given entry without issue. My good fortune continued. I stepped into the tent and let my vision adjust to the dim light.

  “Brion?”

  Movement across the tent drew
my gaze. “Lissa?”

  I rushed forward. “Brion!” I threw myself into his arms, and he caught me easily. His strength remained. He hadn’t been shackled like I’d feared. I buried my face into his neck and inhaled the scent of soap. Contentment, the kind I could only feel around Brion, filled every inch of my body.

  “How are you?”

  I choked back an incredulous laugh. “How am I? I should be asking you that.”

  A large hand rubbed up and down my back. “I wasn’t the one asleep for three days.”

  I reared back. “Days?”

  He met my gaze. “You didn’t know?”

  I pulled back until Brion was forced to set me on my feet. He kept his hands firmly placed around my waist.

  “No,” I replied. “I didn’t.”

  Brion’s expression softened. He cupped my cheek. “The power you’d summoned had been so great, your mother was forced to subdue it by putting you into a deep sleep until it faded away and was no longer a threat. Or so they told me. It wasn’t until your sister assured me you were well that I stopped trying to escape to find you.”

  I couldn’t imagine what Brion must’ve thought after I didn’t visit him for days. I wouldn’t have believed it if someone told me he was in an elven-power induced coma. I would’ve thrown a fit to try and get to him to ensure his safety.

  “They’ve been treating you well?” I asked.

  “As well as you can expect, given I am the son of the rebellion’s greatest enemy.”

  “But you aren’t their enemy.”

  “Am I not?” Brion’s fingers flexed, pressing into my skin. “My capture occurred after I initiated an attack on a goblin hovel. Our spies had reported prominent rebel leaders resided within their borders. I only wanted to question them about their motives. But it was a trap. The rebels were waiting for me. They slaughtered most of my men, and the rest were driven so far back that they couldn’t lend aide. The thick tree tops made any draekon interference next to impossible.”

  “How did they get to you? Why didn’t you escape?”

  “I always lead my men,” Brion stated. “I was in the front assault and trapped when they cut off our retreat.”

  I wanted to call him foolish. He’s the prince—the heir to the throne. It was reckless to put himself in danger like that. But I bit my tongue. There was no point in reprimanding him. It was over. Brion was safe. That was what mattered.

  “Enough about me.” Brion pulled me deeper into the tent until I saw a wobbly table, supported by four thick branches, attached by twine. Two sturdy-enough chairs were placed beside it. He guided me to one of the chairs then picked up the other and moved it in front of mine. He sat. “Tell me about your time in Eelie. How was it to see your mother’s world for the first time?”

  I didn’t know where to start. “It’s beautiful, and I love the ocean.”

  Brion smiled. “Yes, I hear their coasts are the best in the world.”

  I nod. I wouldn’t know about the whole world, but their coasts were certainly better than Caldiri’s.

  “The people are friendly,” I continued. “And they treat one another fairly. Elves and humans, I mean.”

  “Yes, the elves have always been more civilized in that respect.”

  I swallowed and took a few seconds to formulate my next words. “You agree that treating humans as equals is what’s right?”

  “Of course I do,” Brion said with resolve. “Anyone with a conscience would agree.”

  “Then you see why the rebellion has hope that you will help them achieve their goals of equality.”

  Brion leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, staring at the ground between his legs. “I do.”

  My heart leaped in my chest. Would I dare to hope Brion would agree to work with the rebellion against his father? Would it really be so easy?

  “Then you agree…” I began hesitantly, gauging his reaction to my words. Brion didn’t move. He continued to stare at the ground, motionless. “You agree to help the rebellion defeat your father’s armies?”

  Brion’s sigh was heavy and loaded with conflict. He clasped his hands together in a tight grip. “It’s not so simple as wanting to help, Lissa. Those men… the ones you are asking me to fight against… they aren’t evil. I’ve spent my entire life working beside them. I cannot simply switch my allegiance and go against them, no matter how much I agree that my father is not the best ruler for Draekon.”

  I didn’t know what to say. I wanted to argue. Of course, he could work against the army. It would be for the greater good. But I couldn’t claim I didn’t understand his resistance. Those men weren’t just soldiers to him; they were friends.

  “So, what’s the plan?” I asked in a quiet, subdued voice. “If you don’t plan to help, how do you plan to get out of this?” I gestured to the tent and the rebel camp around us.

  “Let’s not worry about that right now.” He leaned forward and took my hand. “Tell me more about Avelin. I heard you went there to stop Finn from doing something reckless. Thank you for that, by the way.”

  “What?” I blinked. “How did you hear about that?”

  “Min dropped by,” Brion replied.

  “Oh.” I guessed Min wasn’t a prisoner then. Surprising, considering his loyalty lied with the captured prince and not the rebellion. “And Agent Leith?”

  “I haven’t seen him, but Min assures me the rebel leaders have forgiven his interference. If nothing else, he brought you to them.”

  I steered clear of discussing my parents. I wasn’t interested in sorting through my emotions on the topic. Not yet.

  “Did King Aquin welcome you to his Court?” Brion asked, changing the subject.

  I stalled, and there was no question that Brion noticed. I swallowed. “He did.”

  “Min tells me your arrival caused quite a stir. His and Finn’s introduction to the king was delayed as a result. Which was your plan, I’m sure.”

  I nodded. “Yes.” I worried what else Min told the prince about my introduction to the elven court. Surely, he wouldn’t have said something about my rumored link to Erwin.

  Right?

  Brion stared at me for several seconds. Then, he sighed. His free hand ran over his face, and he squeezed my hand with the other. “Lissa, I know about the Kyrie Spirit matter.”

  Dread pooled in my gut. “How?” If Min was responsible, he was in for quite an earful.

  “Erwin.”

  My response lodged in my throat, choking me. I coughed. Hard. My eyes watered, and I struggled to catch my breath. Brion waited patiently. I couldn’t get a read on what he was thinking.

  Finally, I said, “Erwin told you? When?”

  “Before you sailed away on his ship,” Brion admitted. “Erwin pulled me aside and told me you and he shared a Kyrie Bond.” The dread in my gut moved to my limbs. It filled every vein. What would possess Erwin to share such information?

  I nervously observed Brion’s calm expression. “You aren’t… mad?”

  Again, he squeezed my hand. “No. Well…” He smirked. “I might’ve been less than enthused at first. But when Erwin revealed our connection trumped you Kyrie Bond, I didn’t worry so much.”

  “You believed him?” I couldn’t hide my disbelief. “About our bond being stronger, I mean.”

  “Yes.”

  I averted my gaze. I had trouble believing Brion’s cool reaction to the information. “Why did you let me leave with Erwin?” I looked back at him. “If you knew there was some sort of connection there. Why would you let me go with him?”

  The corner of Brion’s lips lifted. “Are you telling me I had something to worry about?”

  I straightened my back. “Of course not.”

  “I didn’t think so.” He brushed his thumb over my knuckles. “I trust what we feel for each other is strong, Lissa. Stronger than anything I’ve ever felt in my long life. I wasn’t worried you would sneak off to be with Erwin in the middle of the night. Even when insecurity plagued me when
I never received a response to my letters, I believed in us.”

  Brion paused and gazed at our hands. “But if you had decided to choose Erwin, I would have respected your decision and let you go.”

  Touched, but still confused, I mumbled, “I don’t see why Erwin had to tell you anything in the first place.”

  Brion chuckled. He leaned closer, deep emotion swirling in his dark, purple-tinted, eyes. “Erwin told me the truth to prove he would guard your life with his own. Otherwise, I wasn’t sure I would’ve been able to leave you behind.”

  I reached up and cupped his cheek. He sighed and leaned into my palm, closing his eyes. He looked content. And relieved.

  “You were worried about me?” I whispered.

  “Worried is an understatement,” he half-laughed. His eyes opened. “I thought about you every day we were apart, but I trusted Erwin to keep you safe. It was all that kept me from flying across the Western Sea to reach you.”

  My heart soared. “I thought about you every day, too.” Our time apart had made me begin to doubt the connection I shared with the draekon prince. I’d started to believe it was too good to be true. But sitting there, feeling his stubble pressed into my hand and seeing the affection shining in his eyes, I knew it was real. What we shared was real, and it was worth everything I’ve ever endured in this life. Every empty stomach, over exhausted day, and fearful night led me right here. To this moment. And I wouldn’t change a minute of it.

  Brion’s face drew near, but he didn’t close the distance. He seemed content to stare into my eyes, but I wasn’t. I lifted my chin and pressed my lips to his. His reaction was immediate.

  Brion’s hands cradled the sides of my head. I leaned forward until my chest pressed against his, tilting my head to deepen the kiss. I poured all my love into the kiss. Running my hands over his chest, I admired his muscles and itched to touch more of him. A growl vibrated in the back of his throat when I slipped my hand under his tunic.

  “Lissa,” he said in warning.

  I didn’t listen. My fingers trailed over his abs, feeling every curve and ridge. Brion shivered.

  “You’re going to be the death of me,” he murmured against our lips. His fingers dug into my hair.