Forgotten Heir: Realm Doors Book One

Chapter Twelve

Luke startled awake, the familiar roar of his bike rumbling the distance. It was midday and he was groggy, but he’d know his BMW anywhere. He leapt out of bed, yelling to Anthony in his stall, and to Kalidir in the main barn as he went. All three tumbled out of the barn several minutes before Ric and Cara pulled up, weak and dust covered and ready to collapse.

She carefully pulled Luke’s helmet from her head to be greeted by gasps of horror. She could only imagine what she looked like. If it was any where near as bad as Ric, then her face would be bruised to black, her lips cracked and torn, with smears of blood, soot and, and other dirt covering every inch of her body.

It hits her that she'd made it home and the last iota of her strength failed m. She swayed dizzily in the saddle, and although Ric tried to reach for her, tried to steady her, but his own vision blurred in exhaustion. She wondered curiously who’s brain whispered the words ‘just let it go dark’ as they both passed out tumbling off the bike.

When her eyes flicked open again, she discovered she'd been carried to her stall. Ric lay on his back next to her, still unconscious, with Luke cleaning his wounds. Kalidir tended to the burns on her chest, but the feeling of his fingers against her skin makes Cara tremble involuntarily. Her breath rasped, her chest heaving as she began to hyperventilate, struggling to draw in air over the knot of terror which formed at the feel of a man’s touch. She wanted to scream or run, but for a second she stayed frozen to the spot, before managing to push Kalidir’s hand away and hurling herself into the corner of her stall. She curled into the smallest ball possible as her breath shook in ragged gasps.

Her panic started Ric awake, and a moment later he knelt in front of her, cupping her cheek and turning her face to his.

“Hey,” he whispered softly. “It’s alright. It’s just Kalidir. He’s your friend, he won’t hurt you, remember?” When she glance reluctantly from Ric, to Kaldir, and back to Ric again, he took her bruised and battered hand, continuing, “You’re safe now, Cara love.”

Kalidir and Luke watched worriedly, unsure how to proceed with the jumpy, fearful girl who’d returned in the place of the warrior princess they’d hoped far. Cara wondered just how much of Kalidir’s work she’d undone.

Guiltily, she hid her face. The prophecies couldn’t be about her. What could she ever achieve? How would she lead an army of men she felt too afraid to be around?

Ric’s mind nudged softly against hers, encouraging, “You have nothing to be ashamed of, my Cara. You’ve already done more than anyone thought possible. Give yourself some time.”

She gazed up at Ric again, nodding once before turning slowly to Kalidir. She scooted cautiously back over to him, staying silent, forcing herself to sit still as he took up his bandages and towels again to clean and dress her wounds.

“What, in all the realms, did they do to you?” he asked, concerned.

She shook her head and answered, “Please don’t ask me.”

Kalidir watched her, his gaze gentle but worried, his brow creased in a frown as he gently wiped dirt and grime from the aching wounds which marred every inch of her body. Ric slumped down next to her, wincing as he tore open the abrasions on his chest again. He took her hand again, keeping her steady while Kalidir and Luke see to them. Cara hoped that once they finished, she'd be able to sleep for a very long time.

“I hope you aren’t too angry about the bike,” she murmured to no one in particular.
Luke chuckled, though the sound didn't mask his worry, “In all honesty I was more concerned about what the bike would do to you than what you would do to the bike. We didn’t know you could ride.”