Loyalty Or Honour (Book 3)

Chapter Forty Nine

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Orion goes downstairs to see his mother emerging from the back door into the kitchen. He tilts his head to the side and makes a tutting noise. Khiara smiles gently and pours herself a drink. She then leans against the table and watches him. "Let me guess, you were all hiding out in the garden to punish me for leaving." Orion grumbles.

Khiara shakes her head, lips stretched upwards. "Hunter was not impressed when he awoke. For one Arisxandre had told us and he did not want to put us in danger. But he was most annoyed that his brother had left him without as much as a goodbye. His other brothers would not have done so. He was adamant of that. He thought you deserved a lesson. How could Arisxandre and I refuse a dying man's wish?"

"Is he still dying?" Orion catches on to her last words, accepting the rest without argument.

"No." Khiara pushes off the table and stands before her son. She gently strokes his cheek and rubs off some of the dirt. "He won the fight against the fever half an hour ago. He is now at peace." Orion grinds his teeth at the words so similar to the ones that had caused panic to strangle him. "He needs to recover but I do not believe he is any danger anymore." Khiara goes on her tiptoes and kisses her son on the forehead. "Did you do what you needed to?" She asks softly.

"He is safe for now." Orion confirms. "Where are my sisters?"

"John took them out for the day. This house is suffocating when all you can consider is the one upstairs fighting. Zandar was sure the fever would break and so I made them go out. They will return soon I am sure." Khiara takes a seat and gestures for Orion to do the same. "I have something I wish to discuss with you."

Orion sits down and inclines his head to show he is listening.

"John and I had a discussion last night. When Hunter is able to ride he will still be weak and his injury will be at risk of opening again. But he cannot stay here. I suggest that you go to your father. I have written a letter that you can take to give him. It will explain who Hunter is and I have no doubt that he will take you both in and provide safety for Hunter while he heals."

"I understand that he will have to rest somewhere safe but how can you be assured that he will protect him and not betray him?" Orion questions, his brow furrowed causing lines across his forehead.

"The letter. You must not read it, Orion. It is for your father and only for him. It will explain everything." Khiara assures. Orion's eyes flick across her face and he opens his mouth only to shut it a moment later. "You look so much like him. He will be happy to see you again. He may be poor but he protects his family. I did not do right by him but he will not hold that against either of you."

"Mother." She blinks. "Do not say anymore. I prefer to be in ignorance. I do not wish to hold on to anymore secrets. We have seen where they can lead."

Khiara weakly smiles. "You have grown to be a very good man. I am so proud of both of you." She holds out the letter to him, sealed with wax. Orion warily takes it and places it inside his jacket.

A thump from the room across the hall has Orion jumping to his feet and Khiara's eyes following in alarm. She hurries after her son. Her hand comes up to cover her mouth when she sees the squirming figure of a young woman on the floor fighting against her restraints. Orion halts and looks down in amusement, eyes brimming with laughter. He crosses his muscular arms across his chest. The girl pauses for a moment sensing eyes watching her. She shoots backwards across the floor until her back hits the wall. Her chest heaves with anger.

Orion's smirk grows. This only seems to infuriate the girl further. Hazel eyes that resemble those of a tiger surveying its opponent flare up with fire. She continues to fight the rope firmly around her wrists. She wrestles and fidgets but does not achieve her goal. Khiara steps forward but Orion's arm flicks out and stops her. He shakes his head and gently pushes his mother back. Pearl bares her teeth at him. "You knocked me out!" She accuses.