The Border Trilogy (Book #1) Enemies to lovers, Forbidden love

Part 7

It wasn't long before the sound of a horn followed by people clapping and cheering flowed in from the windows, the invasion was over. The guards opened the doors and everyone poured out of the stone house, running in the direction of the council ground where everyone would be gathered for a head count/ roll call of each family and member to make sure no one is missing.

Following everyone, I reached the council grounds. Children were running out of the stone houses to their parents, hugging them. I noticed Rina, Nessie and Jessica run to a woman who I guess was their mother. Approaching the crowd slowly, I was careful not to startle anyone. Continuing, I made my way straight to the elders. No use in hiding, I would still be considered their prisoner, and if I flee now, they'll have every right to demand my tribe hand me over, or declare war.

*they assess the wounded, no casualties

"You're still here." Elder Geneveive said.

"Yes," I replied.

"Why?" Elder Mincha asked, narrowing his eyes at me.

"You didn't escape?" Elder Ethella asked.

"I couldn't leave, " was all I responded.

A hush fell over the crowd that was now forming around us, they were just as confused as the Elders were about as to why I was still here.

"Why is that?" Elder Ethella seemed to look into me.

"There was room for help."

The Elders didn't respond, they seemed genuinely confused yet in their eyes, I felt a pinch of compassion.

"My being here, crossing the border, stepping foot on your lands- it was a mistake, but I had no choice-" I began. 

"Why did you help us?" Elder Elzara snapped.

"Because it was the right thing to do."

The Elders looked at each other. Just as Elder Elzara opened her mouth to speak, I felt someone tug my right hand. I looked to my side to see George by my side, I smiled down at him and he turned to look at someone in the crowd. I followed his eyes to wear Darien was standing. Still looking at Darien, Georgie pointed at me and Darien nodded. Georgie looked back at me, opened his arms wide and fell into me with a tight hug; didn't let go. The crowd gasped, even I myself was surprised. Then one by one, Rina, Jessica and Nessie ran to me and hugged me along with Georgie. Absentmindedly, I bent down and hugged them all back. Georgie leaned his head back and looked up at me.

"Thank you for saving me," Georgie smiled, and I couldn't help but smile back. 

Out of the crowd a woman walked up to me as I stood up, she put her hand on my shoulder. 

"Thank you for saving my daughters," she looked back at the Elders, as did the rest of the crowd.

"Eva Lockheart, it seems we are obligated to break precedent here today. Crossing the border was a crime, but it seems giving you the predetermined penalty would be a crime in it of itself." Elder Genevieve spoke then. 

"You did an honorable thing, risking your life in the process, we won't punish you for it." Elder Mincha added.

"But that does not mean that you will not be consequences, we can offer a compromise." Elder Ethella offered.

I nodded.

"As you well know, the tribe that attacked us was the Ra'am tribe. They've been after our tribe for years." Elder Mincha explained.

"Yes, mine as well." I replied.

"Then you understand what they are capable of, and the terror they inflict. Here are the conditions under your crime, and the terms of our compromise. You will not receive a death sentence, but you will remain on our lands, and train with us until the next attack. Only after the attack you may return to your tribe, how does that sound?" he asked.

"Better than a death sentence."

"Yes, I thought so too. Will we have to assign a protector to follow you around to make sure you don't try to flee to your tribe?"

"No! No I will honor your choice and commit to it, I promise there will be no attempt to escape."

"Alright," Elder Mincha finished.

"There will still be watchers 24/7! Watching you to make sure you truly honor your word." Elder Ethella added. She doesn't like me very much.

"Okay," I agreed.

"And you'll need to be trained, I don't know the extent of your training, but we wouldn't want you to be stuck in a battle when your skills are not too great." Elder Elzara said.

I nodded.

"I can train her," Darien said, every one looked at him.

"Ah yes, who better to train you than the one that caught you." Elder Ethella said.

"You will need a place to stay-" Elder Genevieve began.

"Oh, oh! With me, with me!" Rita jumped up and down, "She can stay with me!"

The Elders looked at Cassandra who smiled at me. "I'd love to have her stay with us."

"Yaaay!!" The girls yelled.

"Then all is settled." The Elders looked at me. "Enjoy your stay,"