* * * * *
Elryia was tussled with a shake, a giant hand on her shoulder the cause. “El!”
Her eyes tried to adjust to the light, but there was little to be had. The sun was peeking over the horizon and Elryia wondered what the emergency was. “Sam?” she whispered, fatigue still set on her.
“Someone’s coming!” Sam whispered back harshly, and Elryia’s foggy head cleared instantly. In an heartbeat she stood, looking back towards the group, “Should I wake the others?”
Sam jumped back on his horse and turned it in the direction Elryia assumed the enemy came from, “Nay, there’s only one, but be ready.”
Elryia stilled, waiting patiently as she whispered—her fingers dancing as a fire erupted from their tips. Sam halted as well, tugging the huge axe from his back, his eyes remaining steady. Elryia’s wavered between him and the danger—of which she still could not see. Only Samsun’s expression shifting from stern to shocked. “What? What is it?”
“It’s…” his eyes grew even further, then softened quickly; forcing Elryia to look at what he was.
“Grahamas…” she whispered, her appearance becoming brighter than her hands had earlier. Although he rode up quickly, he slowed the moment he neared. Elryia shuffled her feet as she fought herself, her heart wanting her to run to him; her mind telling her to remain. Sam moved his glance back and forth between the two, even he was curious as to how this was going to play out.
The Champion slid off of his horse, giving a brief look to Samsun before turning to Elryia. Despite the worry on his mind, amidst the sting of the desperate situation before him, Graham’s mouth perked then erupted into a full-blown smile. Elryia’s body held stationary, though her mouth ascended. Grahamas’ arms raised, his hands turned towards her then moved out—an obvious invitation.
And Elryia broke. The twenty feet between them crossed in an instant, her arms wrapped around his shoulders, his around her waist, as she crashed into him. “Grahamy,” she whispered and clung. She would have remained there had it not been for Samsun clearing his throat quite loudly, apparently after he grew impatient.
A touch of pink burned on Elryia’s cheeks as she inched away and composed herself once Graham released his grip on her. She continued to smile, as did he; but reality set in and the grin faded. She was set on asking him what it was, but his hand glided into her and squeezed as he led her over to Sam, so she uttered not a word.
Samsun looked concerned as Grahamas approached, “Why do I get the feeling that this is not a friendly visit?”
“It’s not Sam.” Graham’s attention flicked between Samsun and Elryia, his fingers pulsing with hers. She glanced down, gaze catching the silver-lined, black stone bracelet that slid down his arm and stopped at his wrist. She struggled to hide her dimples and fought the urge to swoon. “I need your help, both of you,” he requested in a soothing tone.
Reading his face, Elryia gripped his hand tighter, “What happened Graham?”
“It’s Rhimaldez…” he whispered.
In A Time Of Darkness Page 37
