The boat was getting closer. Too close. And nowhere did she see any sign of Kaelan. But he was alive, she could feel it and he would come for her. She just had to make sure not to get in the boat.
“Braden, please listen, Dreth is not a man of his word. You will get nothing he promised you. He will get rid of you as easily as he did Ogga. Please, you must believe me.”
He stopped, surprising her.
“I have no reason to believe you.”
“What reason do you have to believe Dreth? Has he shown you any good faith that he would keep his promise? Has he listened to anything you say to him, or do you follow his every word?”
That hit a chord with him, she could see the sudden thought spark in his eyes.
“You have something Dreth will never have. A tribe who loves you and will protect you. If Dreth failed Tharne, he would execute him as he did Ogga. Your tribe hopes you come back, has sent someone to bring you home, not to harm but to help.”
“What are you waiting for, Braden. Bring the woman to me now,” Dreth yelled.
For a moment, Bria thought he would refuse but then he dragged her along and no matter how she fought she could not stop him.
“She is yours,” Braden said. “Now what about mine?”
“You will get what’s coming to you,” Dreth said.
Bria saw it then in his eyes, a flash of realization and he loosened his hold on her giving her just enough time to run before Dreth reached for her.
“Bloody hell,” Dreth shouted and looked to the man by the boat. “Go get her.”
The man was fast on his feet and got to Bria before she could put any significant distance between her and the shoreline.
He grabbed her arm, shaking her hard, so hard she grew dizzy. She had no choice but to stumble along beside him.
A yellow light suddenly flew around them.
“Kaelan is almost here,” Fiora said as she buzzed around the man’s head to disorient him.
“Lose her and you are dead,” Dreth called out.
Fiora bobbed, dashed, and flew circles around the guy avoiding every swat… until on one swing he whacked her. He sent her flying and she dropped to the ground, not moving.
Bria prayed to the gods she was just stunned and would be up flying about in no time, but she wasn’t. She lay there lifeless.
“Let her go,” Braden said.
“Do you want to die?” Dreth threatened.
“Do you?” Braden asked, his eyes shimmering gold.
Dreth took a cautious step back. “Think carefully before you do something foolish.”
Braden laughed, though there was no humor in it. “I finally am.”
“Get her on the boat,” Dreth shouted over his shoulder.
The command came low and dangerous from Braden. “Release her.”
The man hesitated.
“Now!” Dreth yelled and without warning yanked his dagger from his sheath and drove it into Braden’s stomach.
Braden stumbled back, blood pouring from the wound.
