It had been two months since Jerrick turned his back on Briahnna and left that tent. She hadn’t seen him since. She and Gabriela were returning to Estreed for a two-week break. King Rinald was taking them. He and the Elders were returning for council while Darian stayed.
After Jerrick had caused such chaos and upheaval, the King of Thornhold led his troops and battled Mageia with a renewed force of vengeance, pushing Mageia back again, closer to the forest. From then on it was a back and forth tug-of-war, neither one gaining much ground.
Rinald was furious. He had thought that after a short time he would be able to achieve peace with King Estrod. But after Jerrick’s uprising, King Estrod was in no mood for peace. He wanted revenge and decided that the magiks were too powerful for their own good and should be eliminated. Instead of ending the war, Jerrick had caused more animosity and frustration between the two kingdoms. Unless he could come up with a sound plan, King Rinald was looking at a war that was going to last years instead of months.
After a week-and-a-half of travel, King Rinald, Briahnna, and Gabriela rode through the streets of the city. Briahnna was a nervous wreck.
When they were out of the forest and in Mageia again, Briahnna felt around for Jerrick but was disappointed to find he was blocking her. Not that she was surprised, just disappointed. That evening after they had settled down, Briahnna felt Jerrick lift his wall. Relief flooded through her, his relief, her relief. She inhaled sharply when she felt his love. She was so unsure of his feelings, especially after their last encounter. His emotions were full of confusion and frustration. Then she felt the anger she knew he was harboring and couldn’t help but feel her own anger rise with the slam of his wall. She was furious. He blamed her for the circumstances they were in, and she wanted to scream some sense into him. Maybe she would when she got the chance. Now that they were in the city and so close to him, however, she wanted to run back to the battlefield and escape the inevitable.
On their way to the palace, they passed the Tristeil estate. Briahnna gazed over Jerrick’s grounds wondering where he could be hiding as they passed. She stopped at the palace gates, afraid of what might await her here as well. This had been his home for so many years. Queen Adriahnna was like a mother to him. He could be there also.
She squared her shoulders and entered behind her father, slightly disappointed that she didn’t find Jerrick lingering in the courtyard, waiting for her. Why would he? He didn’t know she would arrive at exactly that moment on exactly that day.
Queen Adriahnna dashed down the palace steps and across the courtyard when they entered, and threw herself into her husband’s arms. Rinald buried his face in her hair, taking in her familiar scent. Adriahnna turned and Briahnna slid off of her horse. Letting the stable-hand take it for her, she stepped into her mother’s arms. Briahnna missed her so much. Stifling a sob, she buried her face into the Queen’s shoulder. After a few minutes of uncontrolled crying, Briahnna looked up and found herself surrounded by her sisters.
“What are you all doing here?” she gasped as each one took her into their arms.
“Our husbands are at war also, Bri,” said Emilia. “Word has spread that the slave traders are getting worse, and with most of our men and guards at war, we felt that we were best protected here.”
“Well, I guess circumstances are not ideal…but I’m glad you’re here all the same,” Briahnna said.
Angelina raised her eyebrows. “Jerrick also informed us that the next time you were in Estreed, there would be a wedding. You cannot keep us away from such an event.” She looked around at the rest of the sisters. “I think we’re all actually surprised that this wedding hasn’t taken place a lot sooner.” They all laughed watching Briahnna blush.
So Jerrick was still determined to marry her as soon as he could, huh? Not that she was very surprised. She had discussed this with her father, unsure of what to do. They had hurt each other so many times. She was still hurting. She didn’t want to see Jerrick follow that dark path that he seemed to be on. She wanted to help him. She wanted to make him see that she still loved him and that she was willing to work with him and listen to him, if he would listen to her. They could compromise and learn from each other. They could grow together just like they had for their entire lives.
“Has he been around?” she asked tentatively.
“Too much, actually,” said Angelina, laughing. “The boy’s restless. I can’t believe father sent him home.”
Briahnna watched her mother and father exchange a look. Rinald had sent a letter home to Adriahnna, explaining the circumstances but had asked that she keep it confidential.
“Go get washed up,” said Rosalia. “Word was sent of your return today, so we drew up a bath for you. You can visit Jerrick when you smell better.”
Briahnna’s face brightened with delight. “Aw…All of my mothers home to dote.”
Rose gave her a pat on the behind as she walked passed, sauntering up the steps.
…
After Briahnna bathed, she walked to the school, delaying her visit to Jerrick’s estate, wondering what in the world she would say to him. Would he even want to speak with her?
The children were elated to see her and show her everything they had learned and improved on. Forster was able to move a five-year-old from the path to the grass with his wind, obviously proud of himself upon hearing Briahnna applaud in delight. She had missed all of her students dearly.
Finally, Briahnna could delay no longer.
She paused five feet inside Jerrick’s gate and began to turn around.
“Do you remember when I first came for lessons at the palace and Samson made fun of me because I couldn’t read?”
Briahnna gasped and jumped around, finding Jerrick leaning, arms crossed, against the gate. He stepped closer to her.
“You tackled him, and punched him until Darian lifted you off,” he continued.
“How did you get there? Did you just return?”
Jerrick shook his head and took another step closer, leaning in he whispered, “I snuck up behind you, Little Bee. You need to stop your buzzing and listen better.”
She snorted and took a step back. “I was dead-silent. There is no way I couldn’t hear you sneak up.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Yet, here I am.”
She shrugged her shoulders.
“Do you remember?” he repeated.
“Yes.”
He smiled. “I remember thinking I would never want to get on your bad side… And I think that I have been on the receiving end of that bad side multiple times since.”
“I can’t help it if you act stupid,” she scoffed.
“Would you think me stupid if I said that I actually missed your snarky mouth?” he asked.
Briahnna shrugged again. “No. I think there have been plenty of people who have missed my snarky mouth.”
“I’m pretty sure you are only snarky to me,” he said.
She cringed. “You’re special.”
“Oh, I know that.”
Briahnna sighed, exasperated. “What do you want me to say?”
He smiled, “I want you to say you actually missed me, you love me, and you can’t live without me.” Jerrick tucked her hair behind her ear.
She closed her eyes. “Are we just going to ignore what happened?”
His hand fell to his side. “Pretty much.”
“Jerrick–”
He held up his hand to stop her before she could speak. “Is it a sin to want to pretend nothing happened at all?”
“You think it’s going to help if you bury it?” she asked.
“I’m good at burying things.”
“It was wrong, Jerrick,” she said in a small voice.
“From whose point of view?” he asked.
She looked at him accusingly. “You could have killed thousands, upon thousands of people! You would have if I hadn’t been there to catch them! That’s why I did what I did. I felt that if I didn’t stop you, more would be ki
lled. What were you thinking? Now everything is worse, and I really don’t see an end to this.”
He growled, “Briahnna, think about it! If I had been able to finish what I started, it would be over! You know it! Now I’m to blame for the way things have turned out?”
“You really don’t see anything wrong with what you were doing? You could have killed Abriel! There is a line in war, and you crossed it! Did you even make sure he was okay, before you left?”
He shook his head frustrated. “We’re just going to argue in circles, Bri. Sacrifices have to be made. Without them there is no victory, and your father doesn’t know how to make sacrifices for that victory! That is why this war will keep going!”
“But there’s a line, Jerrick, a line! How many times are you willing to cross it?”
Jerrick clenched his jaw tight. “Lines have to be crossed. Besides, who drew the lines? You? Your father? Thornhold? You were willing to cross it to stop me,” he accused.
Briahnna growled at him and tried to step around him to leave. “You’re right, this is pointless.”
Jerrick grabbed her arm. “It’s a difference of opinion. Is it really going to come between us?”
“It’s more than that, Jerrick!” She yanked her arm free. “I feel like I don’t even know you anymore!”
He stepped back. “Bri,” he pleaded, “it’s war.”
Briahnna closed her eyes and brought her hands to her face, rubbing her temples in an attempt to erase her growing trepidation. “I know, I know.”
“Can we please not talk about this?” he asked.
“There wouldn’t be a point, would there?”
He swiftly changed the subject. “We’re getting married at the beginning of next week.” She felt like she’d been slapped in the face.
“I know that you told everyone we are getting married while I’m back, but at the beginning of the week? We’re only here for two weeks!” she insisted, trying to get him to see some sort of reason.
Jerrick cocked his head to the side. “Why do I feel like you’re trying to get out of this? I told everyone your promise, and your mother has been making the arrangements.”
“I’m not!” she insisted. “I remember my promise. But I thought it would be at a more convenient time. A time when we had more time.”
He nodded and stuffed his hands into his pockets. “That’s why we’re doing it at the beginning of next week, not the end. It will give us more time. Besides, with the way things are going now, when do you think it will be more convenient? Are you backing out?”
“No! Really, it’s not that, but…You throw this at me in the middle of an argument! You can bet I’m going to be a little surprised!”
“I don’t know how else to get you off of your high horse, other than tactical surprise,” he laughed.
She blew out a breath of air. “I missed you…I love you…I can’t live without you,” she said sarcastically.
He laughed some more and pulled her into his arms. “See? I can be forgiving. You lowered my self-esteem a bit, but I still forgive you.”
Chapter 23
Out of breath, Briahnna looked behind her and screeched. Jerrick was right on her heals. Instead of breezing past her like she expected him to, he leapt at her, grabbed her, and lifted her off of the ground with him as he tackled her. This time she screamed. Wind rushed around them and they soared, just a little longer, as Jerrick twisted them around. It slowly dissipated, gently laying them on the sandy ground.
Rolling off of him and onto her side, Briahnna placed her head in her hand and looked down at his smug face. They were both breathing heavily.
“Well, I guess you could call that a tie. Of course tackling someone is a bit cheap, but I’ll let it slide,” she said.
“Actually, I won.”
“Excuse me?” Briahnna asked, astonished as he smiled up at her. “What race were you in?”
Jerrick rolled onto his side, scooting close so they were practically nose-to-nose. “I hit the ground first.”
“Ha!” she scoffed. “And you say I have poor logic. That’s ridiculous. If you hadn’t tackled me I would have won.” Snorting, she muttered, “You hit the ground first.” She rolled her eyes and hit his arm out from underneath him.
Jerrick laughed. “You know, I once heard your father tell your mother that you needed to get your anger under control. How do you think that’s going?”
Briahnna grinned and went to hit him again, but he grabbed her hand and rolled her on top of him.
“I think that’s one of the reasons he’s okay with me marrying you. I know how to handle you,” he said, winking at her. He gently pulled her head down to his and kissed her, rolling her back onto the sand. She tugged him closer and froze when she heard someone’s throat clear.
Looking up, they saw Samson standing a few feet away. “Sorry,” he said, with and unapologetic smile. When he winked at Briahnna, she blushed and squirmed out from underneath Jerrick.
Jerrick closed his eyes and hung his head, feeling the loss. “Way to ruin a moment,” he said, smirking as he looked back up at Sam.
Samson snorted. “I’d say we’re even.”
Jumping up, Jerrick kissed Briahnna on the cheek then turned to Sam. “What do you need?”
“I need to speak with you privately.”
Briahnna watched as they walked a few feet away, whispering to each other, Jerrick’s countenance darkening as he listened to what Samson had to say. Jerrick gestured for Samson to stay where he was and walked over to Briahnna. “I have to go. I’ll see you at dinner.”
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Yes. I just have a few things to take care of.”
“Okay,” she said, and once again he kissed her cheek, turned, and took off with Samson. As she watched them go, she couldn’t help but feel suspicious, which meant she was still struggling to trust him. And they were getting married in one day.
Jerrick didn’t show up for dinner that evening.
…
Briahnna walked back to her room after dinner and found Gabriela frantically pacing outside the door.
“Is everything okay?” Briahnna asked.
“Oh, Briahnna!” Gabriela exclaimed. “I don’t know what to do. I have to go to my family. Word has spread that the slave traders have actually come to Estreed, and my family lives in such a meager part of the city that I’m afraid they’ll be targeted.” Gabriela took Briahnna’s hands. “I have to go to them. I have to make sure they’re okay.”
Briahnna squeezed Gabriela’s hands. “I’m coming with you. We can bring them back to the palace until we find somewhere safe for them to stay.”
“Briahnna, you won’t be allowed out. Your father knows that they’re here. We were all ordered to stay within the palace grounds. I just need you to help me find a way out. I cannot allow you to come with me, Princess. If anything happened to you, I’d be devastated.”
“And if anything happened to you, I’d be devastated,” Briahnna returned. “Do you really think you are going to be able to keep me here?”
Gabriela released an explosion of air in exasperation. “You listen to no one. Princess. You’re being ridiculous. Just let me see to my family and you stay here where it’s safe.”
“Gabriela, I can help bring your family here.”
“I won’t hear of it, Briahnna.”
“You have no say in it,” Briahnna growled. “I will go with you and help you. Please,” she paused. “I have to make sure you come back safe. You know I will just follow you if you refuse.”
. . .
The two were out of the palace grounds within an hour and sneaking their way to Gabriela’s house.
“I can’t believe I allowed you to come,” Gabriela whispered.
Briahnna stopped with raised eyebrows looking at Gabriela from the corner of her eye. They both giggled as they snuck through the streets. Gabriela sighed in relief when they arrived, and she knocked and opened the door. Her family, going about th
eir business, getting ready for bed, all stopped dead in their tracks upon seeing Gabriela enter with the Princess.
Gabriela’s father had passed away long ago, leaving behind his wife, Gweneth, and three children. Shortly after, Gabriela being the oldest, was offered a position at the palace to help with Briahnna. Therefore, the family was cared for with Gabriela’s income. She was somewhat older than her siblings, who had been only one and three-years-old, Gabriela being thirteen. Everyone bowed.
“Gabriela…” Gweneth hesitated, then stood, the two children scrambling to give Briahnna hugs. “What are you doing here? And with the Princess, no less. Excuse me, Princess Briahnna,” she said with a slight bow of her head.
“Mother!” Gabriela exclaimed. “What are you doing? We heard that there are slave traders in the capital!”
“Which is a good reason for you and the Princess not to be here,” her mother answered. “Besides what did you expect us to do? Hide, until we heard word that they’re gone?”
“Well…” Gabriela hesitated, “yes. That’s why we’re here. We’re going to bring you back to the palace with us until we can find somewhere safe for you to be.”
“Gabriela, you can’t possibly be serious. Do you really think we are all going to pass through the streets unnoticed?”
“We have to get Princess Briahnna back to the palace anyway. We might as well take everyone while we’re at it,” Gabriela insisted. “We will be careful and quiet. We have to try,” she pleaded.
Gabriela’s mother exhaled in exasperation. “Fine. Let us gather a few things,” she said, shooing the children to their room to gather some belongings.
Gabriela helped as Briahnna sat down in a chair, feeling slightly out of place. She began to doze when she heard a commotion outside and froze when she saw the door banging off of its hinges. A large man entered and looked directly at Briahnna, then grinned. Briahnna looked to the kitchen to where Gabriela had disappeared minutes before and sighed in relief. Hopefully, Gabriela heard the commotion and found a way out with her family, or at least somewhere to hide. She stood and began backing away.
Spirit (Legend of the Dragons Book 1) Page 14
