Brotherhood

Chapter 31

The celebrations lasted well into the night, but Geric and Amy stole quietly away after a while to be by themselves. He led her up a rocky path, the forest ground spongy and hollowed by deep tree roots, to a waterfall that fell straight for the height of three men, then continued to churn around rocks and smaller falls until it smoothed into a rippling, lazy current further downstream.

"We lost no men in that battle," Geric said gratefully. There were many injuries, but it could have been worse. So much worse. "And we've driven the Minnings army back to their borders."

"Do you think they'll stay there?" Amy asked, cooling her palm under the jet of the waterfall. "They lost so many men at our hands."

Geric shrugged, he could still recall the taste of the blood of one of Minnings soldiers, the sickening crack when he had broken another's neck. The memory made him shudder. "I hope so. If they agree to surrender, they will be allowed to return home in peace."

Leaning her head against Geric's shoulder, Amy said, "I hope you're right. But I fear Charles won't give up so easily."

Geric's stomach churned at the thought as well but he pushed it away, instead focusing on Amy's beautiful eyes and her inviting pink lips. He leaned over and kissed her, letting the warmth of her kiss seep into his bones, chasing away all the images of battle.

"I didn't bring you up here to talk about war," he whispered. "I came up here to be alone with you, away from everyone else."

"I like the way you think, wolf," Amy smiled slyly, pressing her lips against his, her fingers fumbling with his shirt before pulling it over his head. She traced the Alpha mark on his chest lightly before kissing him again.

Standing up, she moved toward the water, letting her dress pool around her ankles as she led him under the icy spray of the waterfall. Geric smiled, covering her body in kisses, drinking in every inch of her. The army and the battle faded away into a distant memory as they got lost in each other's touch. They belonged to each other, nothing could ever change that.

"What happens if my father asks why we're all wet?" Amy giggled, slipping back into her dress and braiding the wet strands of her hair down her back.

"Simple," Geric grinned. "We'll just tell him that we wanted to bathe after the battle. We don't have to tell him we did it together."

Amy giggled as they started back down the path. The celebrations had died down and many were asleep in their tents, including the king. Geric walked with Amy back to her own tent and was about to bid her goodnight when she caught his hand, her lip quivering slightly.

"What's the matter?" he asked, pulling her into his chest protectively. Amy brushed away her tears, looking up at him with worry in her voice.

"I'm afraid of Charles," she admitted. "He wants all of us dead, but me in particular."

Geric nodded, resting his forehead against hers. "I won't ever let him hurt you, I promise."

"I know," Amy whispered, a small smile on her lips. "But will you stay in my tent tonight anyway?"

Geric nodded, following her inside. He placed his clothes carefully on her trunk before shifting into his wolf form, curling up on the ground protectively in front of the woman he loved.

Some time later, Geric wasn't certain how long, he was awakened with a start. He raised his head to check on Amy, but she still slept soundly in her bed, her breathing soft and slow. He raised his head, cocking his ears to determine where the noise that had woken him had come from. The horses outside were prancing uneasily and testing the ropes that held them. There was a whisper, not of wind, but of footsteps drawing nearer to the camp.

"They're here!" Geric bellowed, changing into his human form and throwing on his clothes. "Minnings' army is coming, sound the alarm!"

The commotion woke the camp, soldiers and wolves scrambling to get into their positions to defend the army. Amy sat bolt upright in bed, her eyes fearful.

"Stay here," Geric barked, slinging his bow and arrows over his shoulder. Blood curdling shouts from the Minnings army could be heard and Geric saw enemy soldiers flooding the darkened camp, swords drawn.

Something moved in the shadows just to Geric's left and he drew back his bow. In the glow of the torches that had been hastily lit, he picked out eyes and a gleam of teeth before letting an arrow fly. The dark shaft pierced the enemy soldier through the throat and he fell to the earth at Geric's feet. Now Geric could see what he hadn't before, four more men were approaching Amy's tent, the intent evident in their eyes. Geric strung his bow again and two more of the soldiers were similarly downed with the hard, sharp whipping sound of arrows in the dark. Geric rounded on where the other two had been seconds earlier, but he was surprised to see them lying lifeless on the ground. He turned to see Amy standing just outside her tent, another arrow already nocked and ready in her bow.

"I thought I told you to stay out of sight," Geric said, fear lacing his voice. "You need to stay safe."

Amy smiled, her teeth gleaming in the moonlight. "Now where's the fun in that?"

At that moment Geric heard the snap of a twig a short distance away and whipped around, his bow at the ready. Three more enemy soldiers were charging their way through the trees, weapons raised. Geric and Amy drew back their bows, firing at the same time. They each shot a soldier through the heart before turning on the third and firing, Geric's arrow splitting Amy's down the shaft again.

"Run!" Geric bellowed as he started toward camp where the fighting was the worst. "Run and don't let them catch you."