Brotherhood

Chapter 15

Geric slowed to a walk as they approached his tent on the edge of the clearing. He had purposely made certain that he was far away from the others so that he and Amy could speak without being overheard. If she didn't kill him first.

He stopped just outside the tent and crouched so that she could slide easily off his back. Amy slid down gracefully, looking at him with such hurt and betrayal in her expression, Geric wondered if she would ever believe that he hadn't been trying to manipulate her this whole time. When Amy didn't make a move to go inside the tent, he nudged her through the flap with his muzzle, feeling the rage rolling off her in waves. He knew he had hurt her horribly, but he had only done what he needed to do to keep her safe.

Shifting back into his human form was difficult, the emotions swirling around inside him made the transition painful. He let out a little involuntary noise of pain, fighting for control as he wondered if he would even be able to attempt to explain himself or if he would remain in this form for the rest of the night. A small part of him almost preferred it that way, then he wouldn't have to face the hurt and betrayal in her gaze, knowing full well that he had been the one to put it there.

Finally after several attempts, Geric managed it, hastily pulling on a pair of pants that he had left just outside the tent as a precaution and going inside. Amy rounded on him the moment she sensed him behind her, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"You!" she accused, balling her fists in rage. "How could you? I trusted you, I actually allowed myself to care about you."

She flew at him from across the tent, her fists striking every inch of him that she could reach in her fury. "How could you betray me like that? How could you?"

Geric didn't move, he knew he deserved all this and more. He just let her pummel his chest with her fists as she screamed, "I trusted you!"

Finally, Amy's fire seemed spent and she collapsed on his bed, sobs wracking through her body. Geric sat down next to her and touched her shoulder gently, but she flinched away from him, making him pull back.

"I'm sorry," he murmured. "I didn't know any other way."

Amy sat up, her eyes twin embers of fury. "To what? Steal my crown?"

"No," Geric said wearily, running both hands over his face. "To protect you."

Her sobs hitched in her chest as she stared at him in disbelief. "What are you talking about? I thought this was your plan all along."

Geric shook his head, his eyes meeting hers. "I told them what they needed to hear. The plan was already in motion to kidnap you. I was out of options, so I went along with it hoping that with me here, they wouldn't harm you."

Amy swallowed a sob, eyeing him warily through her watery, red-rimmed eyes. "How do I know that you're not just telling me what I need to hear?"

"You don't," Geric shrugged. "I can only offer you my word that I'm not lying to you."

Amy studied him in thoughtful silence and he returned her gaze steadily.

"I know I've made it really hard for you to believe me, Amy," he said. "But I'm offering you the truth now. Please believe me, I have never wished harm on you or your family."

Biting her lip, Amy continued to study him in silence. Geric backed away to the other side of the tent, sitting down on the ground a short distance away so she wouldn't feel threatened.

"What did Tonraq mean when he said you were their king?" Amy asked hesitatingly after several long moments of silence. Geric closed his eyes, wishing that she had asked him anything else, especially because he no longer had his signet ring to back up his story.