Priestess

Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Ara wandered down strangely quiet streets. Ahdlyn was utterly deserted. The homes had been pillaged and then burned. Black soot smeared the once golden walls. It was so bizarre to see emptiness in a place previously bustling with activity.

Even the thieves were gone.

Bomin, Zacar, and Tenan flanked her as they carefully made their way toward the castle. "I always thought the Kanovians would take over this fair city," Ara commented.

"Not if your King orders you back to Torqu to save what's left of your stronghold," Zacar replied.

Ara couldn't help the feeling of satisfaction that washed over her. Essenia's prophecy had worked even better than expected. "Well, we might as well spread out, gather anything useful."

Even with their hunting and half rations, the supplies had nearly run out. If they didn't find more food soon, there'd be some very hungry people to deal with.

Her Guard hesitated, not wanting to leave her. "I'll be fine." Though she didn't expect them to find much, she felt draw to Coen's quarters, and she wanted to visit them alone.

She couldn't deny her strong attraction to Zacar. But even those feelings didn't disturb her nearly as much as the fact that she couldn't recall Coen's face.

Stepping past the doors, which just weeks earlier she'd stormed, she walked up the stairs and pushed open the door to his quarters. Coen had left quickly. Books were scattered haphazardly across the floor, as if he might return at any moment to retrieve them.

Spreading her palms on the desk, Ara studied the now worthless map he'd left behind. On it, the enemy encampments were highlighted. Lovingly, she traced the outline of the word, Bondell.

After nearly four years, she was finally going home. Coen would be waiting for her there.

Coen-whose face she couldn't remember.

A small scraping noise, like the scuffing of boot on stone, sounded softly in Ara's ears. She'd become so enrapt that she hadn't been paying attention. She shouldn't have come here alone. Fingering, her dagger, she whirled and threw in one smooth motion.

Zacar.

Too late to stop it leaving her fingers, she threw her aim instead. The dagger skittered across the floor. She released her pent up breath, "Zacar you scared me."

Reaching down, she felt a twang of guilt as she picked up her dagger-Coen's dagger-and put it back in its sheath.

Zacar said nothing as he looked around the room. Noticing the map, he joined her. "Where are we going?"

Ara pointed to Bondell. "There."

He raised an eyebrow. "What's there?"

"My home." She tenderly brushed her fingertips across her mountains. With a sigh, she faced him. A solitary tear trailed down her face.

Zacar gently wiped it away with his thumb. He took a step closer. He was going to kiss her again.

She quickly ducked her head and turned away. "Will you come with us?"

He dropped his hand. "This battle's as much mine as it is yours-perhaps more so." His eyes never left her face. "I'm in love with you, Ara."

She flinched. "You can't say that to me."

He cocked his head to the side. "Why not?"

"Please," she begged.

"There is another?"

She didn't answer.

Zacar stroked her face again and then his arm encircled her waist. "As you wish." And yet, his lips meet hers. Ara's heart pounded so loudly in her ears that she could barely think.

"Get your filth away from her."

With a sharp intake of breath, Ara pushed Zacar away. Tenan stood in the doorway-his fists clenching and unclenching.

Zacar, brown eyes smoldering with emotion, stroked her cheek defiantly before striding past Tenan and out the room.

Tenan visibly tensed as Zacar passed, but he made no move to touch him. Instead, he glared at Ara for what felt like forever. Knots of anxiety twisting inside her, she forced herself to face her brother, and Coen's closest friend.

Having never said a single word to her, Tenan turned darkly and retreated down the stairs.

Alone in the abandoned room, she sank to the floor, her soul aching. Surely Tenan would tell Coen. She shouldn't have let Zacar kiss her, but it felt so good to be touched. She was so lonely.

"Lodan," she called weakly. "I need you." She heard his clopping steps as he walked up the stone stairs and then peeked through the open door. "I don't know what to do," she cried.

Lodan didn't respond for a while. "You are always trying to fix everything. For once, just let it be broken."

Ara launched herself onto Lodan's back and let him carry her from the castle and through the streets, the wind tugging tears from her eyes. By the time she slid to a stop in front of Bomin and Tenan, her tears had long since ceased. Before Lodan had completely halted, she dropped down in front of them.

They looked at her, fear written in their features. She laughed outright. "What's the use of having the fastest animal in all Nonae if I never enjoy the speed?"

Tenan rolled his eyes. Bomin smiled broadly at her. Ara returned the smile, glad he'd forgiven her. Zacar returned a short time later.

Zacar was the only one that found anything really useful. Two partially burned wooden carts. They tied these to the horses and filled them with children and those unable to walk and then left the city.

~Thanks for reading! If you can't get enough, I have lots of books up for sale on Amazon, Smashwords, and Barnes and Noble. http://www.amazon.com/Amber-Argyle/e/B004YE1BR4/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_3

Join my street team for amazing opportunities, like having a character named after you, mention in my acknowledgement page, free books, etc. https://www.facebook.com/groups/857943497557771/

And don't forget to add all my books to your Goodread's shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4629065.Amber_Argyle