Blood Ward

Chapter 18

I didn't leave the cabin muchafter that. I preferred Reif's and Beast's company to going ondeck and spending time with anyone else. By the time we docked inCoranthine, I was ready to get off and back to riding. Reif hadgained his sea legs just in time to get back on land.

We were sure to get quickly outof Coranthine, leaving Reif to pick up some supplies as we found aplace to camp out of the city guards' watchful eyes. None of usknew whether we were still wanted, but didn't want to take thechance. When Reif rejoined us, I breathed a sigh of relief.

I was glad that night to have mysparring partner back. Daeron was proving easy to predict. Reif gaveme a good workout and I slept well in his arms. We pushed that laststretch of our journey to arrive at Banaila in another week. Insteadof trying to get into the city, we went back to the elven camp.

"We must speak with KingMáadir," Beri said, dismounting her horse with Daeron closebehind. "You convince your king..." Then she was gone.

I found a messenger who coulddeliver a message to Valkyrie. Within an hour, she rode down with theking and her brother. "Anastasia! You've returned," she saiddismounting her horse and rushing over to me.

I was standing with Reif andBeast at my side and Anders and Stefan at my back. Val seemed to takein the shift of authority before King Simon said, "My messengersays you bring news from the north."

"We do," I said, earning adisapproving look from him. Obviously he was not impressed by myunladylike demeanor. I sighed and continued. "The force that ismarching against you is not to be taken lightly. They have powersbeyond us and are not easily killed."

"You speak of monsters. Theelves talk of the same nonsense," he scoffed.

Reif stepped forward, flashed hisfangs and his eyes burned black. "Do not question those who knowmore of such things than yourself," he growled.

King Simon stepped back and theprince's hand found his sword hilt. I put a restraining hand onReif's arm. "Are you prepared to hear us out now?" I asked.

Valkyrie stepped toward me. "Tellus Ana..."

It took us an hour to explaineverything and for Reif to give pointers to Brian on a vampire'sweaknesses. When we'd finished, I refused Val's invitation tostay at the castle, opting instead to set up camp close by theelves'. She followed, asking me to join her for a walk. With a nodfrom Reif, I started down a trail through the woods.

"So..." she began. "You'vebeen gone so long, and it seems like a lot has happened."

"Lots has changed," I agreed.

"I see you found your vampire,"she said warily as if she had another question.

"What is it Val?" I askedwearily. I was no longer used to people skirting propriety and wishedshe would get to the point.

"You seem close... and Stefanno longer watches you... I don't know what to think of the mage youtravel with..." she blurted, obviously befuddled.

I laughed. "It's okay Val...breathe..."

"I just feel... like I don'tknow my best friend anymore..." She sighed.

I stopped and sat on a mossy rockso I would be comfortable to tell Val my story. She looked from me tothe rock and I saw the disgust on her face. I sighed and stood,brushing off the butt of my leggings. "I'm not sleeping withReif... well, I am sleeping with him, but not like that... Stefan andI are no longer involved because of his need for a damsel and not awoman who can hold her own... and Anders, well, we're sort ofinvolved but we've had to take things slow because of amiscarriage."