Phoenix of Dawn

Unraveling

The night was quiet aside from the occasional critter scampering across the forest floor. There was no way of knowing where we were but I knew it had to be far from where I was. Claira would have been searching high and low for me although parts of me wished she'd let me go. Early morning was sounded by the subtle chirp of a few birds outside the tent walls. 

Most of the night had been spent considering all of the options. Stay, leave, die...

All three had the chance to lead to death so I came to the glorious conclusion that it then didn't matter which one I chose. I would be dead anyways. 

Then this whole nightmare would be over for me. 

"Kyra."

The sound of his voice had my blood humming and I hated it. Not long ago I'd hated him but I'd be lying if I said I still did. Was that part of his plan? Was that why he'd come in the first place? To suck me in and convince me to not only trust but to like him? This was all some ploy to make me submit to Ky's army. 

Well I wouldn't give them the satisfaction of winning me alive. 

I lifted my head to look at Axel but he was refusing to even send a glance my way. His eyes were fixed off to the side. Although I wished it were shame hidden on his turned face I knew I'd have better luck wishing for wings. 

"We're heading out."

The tone didn't hold the usual force I'd come to recognize but instead was an empty shell, every emotion tucked away carefully behind blank walls. A twinge of apprehension plagued my gut at the sight of him but it was easily squashed by my anger. 

I shifted to get up, wincing at the burn in my wrists. Some whiny, pathetic part of myself surfaced, questioning if he actually cared then why was he letting these chains hurt me? Why was he standing idly by while I suffered? Why had even for a second allowed me to be manhandled by one of those goons outside? 

It was clear he didn't care. I'd been up all night and didn't hear a single disturbance outside to tell me that he'd dealt with the jackass who had tried to harm me. 

After a moment I was on my feet without any help from Mr. Caring who stood stoic by the flap of a doorway. The animal in me wanted to snarl at him as I passed but that stupid side that was holding out hope he was still who I thought he was. 

He held back the flap for me to exit and instantly my feet faltered.

I'd expected Ky to spare a few people to hunt me down but this was closer to a small army. Wolves, Beastbane, and more wolves. There had to be between sixty and eighty warriors around me. Why the hell would he send so many just for one girl? In my history with Ky he never spared that many to collect a prize and if someone tried to escape they were instantly killed. 

"Breathe."

I turned my head slightly to see Axel close behind me, his heat seeping into my chilled skin like a warm blanket. Nothing was more tempting in that moment than to soak in his warmth but he was my enemy or at least I was pretty sure he was. 

"Why would he send so many for me?"

For the first time he stared down at me, his eyes burning in the early dawn light and sending my heart into a frenzy. Axel was a gorgeous man and now that we were around several other people, a large few being women, it was clear I wasn't the only one who noticed. A blond sashayed near us giving me a death glare while sending flirty glances Axel's way. If I hadn't been so irritated by her bold behavior I'd have been impressed by her ability to multitask. 

Swallowing the growl in my throat I marched forward, not even waiting for Axel to give me direction. Sure I was a prisoner but I would be damned if I let them see me feel shame over it. I was still strong. I was still a threat.