Bonds that Burn and Bind

Chapter 11 Part 2

AN: Sorry for the late update life just got in the way! I am giving you two chapters instead of just one. And so this story is a work in progress, so some things have changed. One is the dynamic of Val and the three Jamies in chapter 5. I changed the dynamic of the river serpent hunt in chapter 5. I turned it into Val wanting to go and the others wanting to turn around. The idea with that is that in the past, Val is not taking enough responsibility, while in the present she is taking too much. Anyway without further ado let's continue our story!

"So want to hear my plan for how to stop your mother?"

I tossed a stick from the pile I had collected into the fire, and it cracked loudly as heat licked it. "Go on."

His gray eyes found mine. "Let's pretend tonight a spark formed between us, and we developed an attachment, at least until your mother leaves. We can pretend to flirt with each other. You can even start praying with me right before sunset— it's one of the most intimate things a man or a woman can do with clothes on in Incartha.

The religion of the Mother and the Father was stronger here than anywhere else. Incartha claimed to be the birthplace of where Mother Earth and Father Sky first spoke to their mortal children. They even tracked their time differently than the rest of the known world. Currently, the year was 521 A.L—After Liberation. Incartha's year was 3,500 Y.A- Yheh Afals, which translated roughly to God's children—when Incartha's people became the children of Mother Earth and Father Sky. They referred to it as the Incartha's True Time.

"What else would I get in exchange for my cooperation in your plan?" I asked. "I might not like you, but I might like a better chance at being queen. Rumor is, you might be next in line for the throne. Give me something that might make me reconsider."

That was an outright lie. I didn't think ten crowns was worth being married to Prince Jackass. But my father has taught me to, never accept the first offer.

Prince Orin snorted. "I should have known that the Prince of Thieves' daughter would drive a hard bargain. Go on, what would you want?"

I pointed to his sword. "How about that?"

"My sword?" he looked at the blade resting beside him. "This was forged by Uri Fayed, one of the most skilled craftsmen alive. It's not a toy or a decoration."

"Are you sure you don't just use it for decoration? I thought Incarthians only learned how to wield magic?"

A smile curved the prince's lips and he flashed his teeth at me. "In Incartha, we mostly defend ourselves with magic, but as a royal, I received a well-rounded education." He stood and walked over to my pile of sticks, selecting two the length of his forearm.

He kept one and tossed the other at my feet. "These will act as our swords. If you land one blow before I can land three, you get the sword. Either way, you still have to help me against your parasite of a mother."

Parasite of a mother... bastard!

"Fine," I said, picking up my temporary sword, which was damp and smelled of earthy rot.

In the light of the flickering flames, we faced each other. Just beyond the ring of light, the horses grazed.

"Ready?" Prince Orin asked.

I nodded, and he came flying at me. I barely blocked the first blow that he leveled, taking a staggering step back and having to readjust my grip, which had been knocked out of alignment.

Then he swung low at my right side. This time, he found his mark, striking against my leg. I winced as it stung through the thin fabric of my pants. I jumped back in an attempt to create distance between us.