Battle for the Valley

by C. R. Pugh

  “Nash needs you,” he said.

  “Give us another minute,” said Laelynn. “I need to talk to Ravyn.”

  “Now, Lae,” Haldar insisted in a brusque tone.

  Laelynn’s shoulders slumped. “Alright.”

  I placed my hand on her shoulder. “We’ll speak again soon.”

  She nodded sadly and marched back to the clearing with Haldar.

  I wasn’t sure I could trust her family again. If we were forced to band together with her brothers – Kaelem especially – it could prove to be a difficult journey, no matter where we decided to go. I didn’t particularly like how much information Kaelem could learn by picking thoughts out of my head. Would he betray me again for the right price?

  Camellia looked around the area and rubbed her arms to put warmth back into her body. The shadows were getting long as the sun set behind the trees. “We should head back, Ravyn.”

  “You go,” I said. “I need another minute.”

  Camellia squeezed my hand and nodded. “I’ll get some dinner ready for us.” She turned and started heading back to the clearing after Laelynn and Haldar. Allowing her to go alone was probably foolish, but the warning sensation in my tattoo was silent and I knew Thorne’s Warriors were keeping watch nearby.

  I stared down at the grave again. If I hadn’t brought them outside the Terran gates this never would have happened.

  “You are as stubborn as Thorne.”

  I whipped around at the sound of Pierce’s voice behind me. It had been a while since he’d spoken directly to me, but I recognized his growl immediately.

  Narrowing my eyes, I stared into the shadows. I could only see his dark silhouette. “I thought I told you I didn’t need to be looked after.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” he drawled. “But I don’t take orders from you.”

  “Were you listening in again?”

  Pierce stepped out of the shadows of the sequoias and folded his arms over his broad chest. “I was listening for other things.”

  I snorted. “Why don’t I believe that?”

  Pierce shrugged and merely stared at me with his penetrating blue eyes. “You know, you’re being a little ungrateful.”

  I stiffened at his words.

  “Thorne gave up everything for you. He left two of his sisters behind, and who knows what kind of danger they’re in after the Elders questioned him. And Thorne’s position as Commander was stripped away because he refused to cast you aside.”

  My stomach tightened up in knots. Thorne had only mentioned leaving Peton. He’d never actually come out and said the Elders had taken his position from him.

  Pierce added, “Someone who cared about him at all would show a little more appreciation.”

  I glared up at him. “Did he send you out here? I know you two are brothers.”

  Ignoring my accusation, he grumbled, “Thorne saying the Binding Words probably saved him from being thrown in jail by the Elders. Gunter knew he was going to leave and so did Elder Cadmar. I’m certain that one of the Elders gave an order to arrest Thorne.”

  I covered my mouth with my fingers. Thorne had downplayed how much trouble he’d been in.

  “The Warriors ignored the order to lock him up,” he stated.

  “Why?”

  Pierce stepped closer and narrowed his eyes. “Because we have a code in Peton. The Binding Words are sacred. Now that our people know you two are bound, the Warriors – at least the honorable ones – would never knowingly try to keep you two apart.” Pierce snorted and glowered at me. “It’s lucky they didn’t know that you were the only one who said them.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “They’re not complete. You said them. Thorne didn’t. That means the union could still be set aside, especially if you’re not seventeen yet.” Pierce glowered at me again. “You’d be wise to think long and hard before doing anything stupid.”

  I stared off into the woods again. I didn’t want to hurt Thorne. I still loved him, regardless of what he’d done back in that cave.

  “And for the record …” Pierce said, jolting me out of my thoughts. “… it was Thorne’s idea for you to come out here to say your goodbyes.” I didn’t miss the bite in his words. “Thorne and I have been dealing with our own loss, so don’t think you’re all alone in your suffering.”

  Pierce turned and trekked through the shrubs back toward the clearing, leaving me standing alone in the darkness.

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  Table of Contents

  5

  Thorne

  I watched Pierce walk away from Ravyn and wondered what on earth he had said to make her look so miserable. Pierce could be blunt, but he had never been outright rude, especially to females.

  Ravyn took one last moment to stare at her parents’ graves. She ran both hands over her hair, a gesture of frustration I was well-acquainted with, and then walked back to the abandoned treehouse that Laelynn had put her and Camellia in for the night. I had not wanted to intrude so I simply followed her through the sequoias from a distance.

  Pierce had been helping me keep watch over the three women as they walked to the gravesite. His ears and my eyes were the perfect combination for standing guard. Not only was I on the lookout for soldiers, but Kieron as well. I didn’t want him anywhere near Ravyn or Camellia. But I never imagined that Pierce would confront Ravyn tonight.

  By the time Ravyn reached the rope ladder she was limping again. We had to get that bullet out soon. She would be hard-pressed in a fight with that injury nagging her every step of the way.

  Once I was assured Ravyn was safe up in the treehouse, I trudged to the base of the tree and leaned my back up against it to keep watch. Tallon, who must have been waiting for me, slipped out of the shadows of the sequoia next to mine and strolled over to stand beside me.

  “You’ve been quiet since you’ve returned, Brother.”

  I glared at her. “What are you doing down here alone?”

  “You’re down here alone,” Tallon pointed out.

  “That’s different.”

  Tallon rolled her eyes and jabbed her thumb over her shoulder. “Brock’s back there by the tree.”

  I glanced past Tallon and, sure enough, Brock was standing guard by the sequoia where Tallon had appeared. If my sister hadn’t pointed him out, I would not have seen him. Brock was perfectly camouflaged, standing beside the dark brown tree trunk. Blending into the forest was definitely Brock’s gift.

  Tallon leaned her shoulder up against the trunk of the tree and crossed her arms over her chest. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

  After a moment’s hesitation, I admitted, “Things between Ravyn and me are unravelling. I don’t think she’s going to forgive me.”

  My sister watched me, her eyes glimmering with amusement. “Has she taken a swing at you?”

  Thinking back to the argument with Ravyn, I shook my head. “No, though I thought she might punch me when I dumped her in the stream.”

  “You dumped her into -” Tallon sputtered with wide eyes. She covered her face with her hands.

  “What? She had blood all over her. She needed to bathe.”

  “Thorne!” Tallon scolded, dropping her arms and scowling up at me. “That was just mean. Kemena would be ashamed of you.”

  I jabbed an accusing finger at her. “You were the one who told me to be firm with her,” I pointed out, reminding her of the brief conversation we’d had. “You said, ‘be the commander.’ So, I was.”

  Tallon gaped at me. “That’s not what I meant.”

  “Well, what did you mean?”

  “You need to be the man she fell for on the hunt. Be yourself.” Tallon shook her head at me and giggled. “If she didn’t punch you after you threw her in freezing cold water, that ought to tell you something.”

  “You think so?” I asked tentatively.

  “When Gunter made his move on me after the Council meeting, you remember what happened? I slugged him. And when Kaelem tried to ask for Ravyn’s forg
iveness earlier, she nearly broke his nose, which I imagine is no easy feat with his mind-reading.”

  I snorted at the recollection. “That punch was for Camellia, no question.”

  “That makes no difference,” Tallon said, waving my comment away. “She’s done with Kaelem. At least until she decides he’s trustworthy again.” Tallon stared at me for a moment. “She hasn’t left you, has she?”

  My heart fluttered inside my chest and the corners of my mouth lifted. She had said she wasn’t my wife and that she hated me, but that had been in the heat of the argument. When she had walked away from me, she had done so openly, knowing I would come after her. If Ravyn had really wanted to leave, she would have snuck away in the night, like she had done during the hunt.

  “See,” said Tallon, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Ravyn isn’t done with you.”

  “Humph.”

  My sister snorted at my retort, then turned on her heel to return to Brock, who had been watching us from a distance. I imagined they would head back to the treehouse the other Warriors had taken up residence in. It was two trees away from here on the opposite side of the brothers’ home.

  Before disappearing with Brock in the shadows, Tallon paused and turned to look at me again. “Is she still worth fighting for?”

  I gave her a lopsided grin and nodded.

  “Good, because Pierce and I will beat both of you senseless if we came all this way for nothing. He keeps muttering about ‘love’ and ‘idiots.’” She quirked an eyebrow at me. “I’m pretty sure he’s talking about you two.”

  Chuckling, I rolled my eyes at her sarcastic remark.

  Tallon waved in farewell, laced her fingers with Brock’s, and returned to their treehouse.

  ***

  Close to midnight, Archer relieved me of my watch. He didn’t come down from the treehouse they were sleeping in, but stood watch on the balcony above. I gave him a nod and climbed up into Ravyn and Camellia’s treehouse. Ravyn would awaken if her tattoo gave her a warning, but I still couldn’t let myself leave them unprotected. I took off my boots and set them by the wall. I slipped off my shirt and rolled it up to use as a pillow, lying down close to the stove. Someone – probably Camellia – had already lit a fire in it to warm the room for the night.

  My eyelids were starting to get heavy when I heard whimpering coming from one of the two bedrooms. I rolled to my feet and padded to the doorway. The room was dark, but I saw a glimpse of Ravyn’s black hair from beneath the covers. She was caught in one of her nightmares.

  Reacting instinctively, I moved to the mattress and knelt down beside her. Her dark lashes were wet with tears.

  She mumbled, “Thorne … no …” Her arms twitched, as if she were striking enemies while she slept. My heart sank, wondering if she were fighting me and not some soldier.

  It’s just a dream, I told myself, but it was still painful to think about.

  “Thorne,” she murmured again, only this time she added, “Don’t leave me.”

  My heart beat harder at her words. I carefully lay down beside her on top of the covers, and, wrapping one arm around her waist, I held her close to me as I had done in the cave two weeks ago.

  “I’m not going anywhere, little warrior.” I leaned in and placed feather-light kisses to her forehead and her temple. “I love you,” I whispered.

  “Thorne,” Ravyn said with a sigh. Her hand travelled over the scars on my torso, finally resting on my heart. Her eyes were still closed in sleep, but she seemed to be free of the nightmare.

  Hesitantly, I placed my lips to the corner of her mouth. Ravyn sighed again. I held perfectly still, not wanting her to awaken and push me away. I eased back and rested my head down on her pillow and closed my eyes. I would leave in a couple of hours. Ravyn would never know I had been here.

  “Thorne.”

  Slowly opening my eyes, I found Ravyn awake and staring at me.

  I froze. “I didn’t mean to wake you. I can go if you …” I started to edge away from her, but she tightened her hold on my waist and pulled me closer to her.

  “Stay,” she whispered.

  I nodded and cleared my throat, still nervous about provoking her again. “You were having a nightmare.”

  Ravyn’s eyes cut to the left, recalling whatever memory had crept its way into her dreams.

  “You don’t have to tell me,” I assured her.

  Her eyes found mine again. I held my breath while her hand drifted from my heart up to my cheek, tracing my scars with her fingertips. That delicate touch on the ugliest part of me made my heart beat faster. Ravyn had never flinched at my marred skin where a Howler had left claw marks running down my cheek.

  Ravyn leaned in slowly and brushed her lips against mine. I closed my eyes and held perfectly still. No sudden moves. She placed another tender kiss to my mouth. Ever so softly, she uttered, “I love you too.”

  I thought my heart would explode with joy at those four miraculous words. Back in Peton, Brock was convinced Ravyn loved me, but I would not let myself believe it.

  This time, I leaned in. I cupped the back of her head with my hand, tangling my fingers in her hair, and pressed my mouth firmly against hers. The kiss deepened. Ravyn dug her fingers into my back and pressed closer. Reluctantly, I ended the kiss and pushed my body away from hers. Ravyn’s eyebrows pinched together in confusion and her mouth turned down in a frown.

  I ran a finger along her lower lip. “Little warrior, I won’t take things further. You remember what I said about that.”

  “I’m seventeen now,” she pointed out. “My birthday passed last week.”

  “While you were in the compound?”

  Ravyn nodded and I had to bite back a foul curse. What should have been a joyous day for her was probably filled with unspeakable horrors.

  “Even so, I won’t let things go further until our bond is complete. If …” I hesitated briefly. But then I remembered that she had declared that she loved me in return, so I took the chance. “If you want to complete the bond.”

  “And if I do?” she challenged.

  “Not tonight, Ravyn.”

  “You don’t want me? Or …” She studied me for a moment and then realization hit her. “You’ve never been with anyone?”

  “No.” I winced when my own words came out as a growl.

  “That’s surprising,” she muttered.

  “Why? I’m not Gunter. I’ve kissed a few girls from Peton but I was a lad, long before …” I pinched my lips together and felt my face heat up.

  “Before the Howler gave you those scars?” Ravyn said. She wrapped her arms around my torso and drew her body close to me once more. I closed my eyes and nearly groaned. “Those girls are fools,” she whispered against my scarred cheek.

  Every so gently, I eased out of her embrace, putting some distance between us. “I am eternally grateful that you don’t mind my flaws, but … you need time to grieve, Ravyn. And …” I searched her face again.

  “And what?”

  “You’re still injured. Are we going to talk about your knee?” I asked in reply.

  “What difference does it make?”

  “Because you know those pain pills won’t last forever,” I said. “We need to get that bullet out of there.”

  Ravyn gulped and her eyes filled with dread. My own belly was churning as well. I remembered too well the agony I felt the first time I dug my fingers into Ravyn’s shoulder to retrieve a bullet.

  “I know. Just … not tonight. Can we not think about it tonight? Please.”

  “I need to know the truth. Was it Kieron?”

  Her lower lip trembled. I yanked her hard into my chest and hugged her tightly. “I could kill him again for that.”

  Ravyn pushed out of my arms and narrowed her eyes at me. “Kill him again?”

  Heaving a deep sigh, I nodded. “When he was attempting to snatch Camellia, I chased after him. We fought. I told you this.”

  “No. Camellia told me you saved her. No one said
anything about you killing him.”

  “Obviously I didn’t kill him,” I said sharply. Rolling onto my back, I ran my fingers through my hair and stared at the ceiling. “What does it matter now, Ravyn. He’s not dead. You said yourself that the serum cannot bring back the dead. It was probably because I damaged him so badly that he needed to use that serum.” I pressed my lips together to keep from saying something I might regret. I didn’t want to fight, not after the moment we had shared. “Should I go?” I asked her after a long minute of tense silence.

  I heard Ravyn take a deep breath and exhale. “No.”

  She inched closer and lay her head down on my shoulder. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and silently cheered.

  “I’m sorry for jumping down your throat,” she said. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

  “It’s the grief. I did the same for days after Hawke was killed. I was snapping at the Warriors every time I opened my mouth.”

  Ravyn strummed her fingers on my bare chest until I finally covered her hand with mine.

  Another long minute passed in silence when Ravyn finally said, “I’m sorry your position was stolen from you by your Elders. That’s why you can’t you go back to Peton, isn’t it?”

  The corners of my mouth turned down in a frown again, thinking of all that had gone wrong in the week I had been home from the hunt. Every part of my life had been turned upside down.

  “Yes, it’s true,” I confessed. “It sickens me to think how close I came to putting you in more jeopardy. If I had brought you back as my claimed woman, you would have been long gone, back to the General. I would have led you right to him.” I shook my head and squeezed Ravyn’s fingers.

  “I’m sorry I caused you so much trouble. I know how much being Commander meant to you, and I ruined it.”

  I turned and kissed the top of her head. “I’m not sorry.” Pierce was right about one thing: I could never stay in that clan knowing some of the Elders had plotted to kill Hawke and me.

  “So, Gunter is the new Commander,” Ravyn muttered. “If Pierce didn’t think Gunter was the informant, then who do you think it was?”

  “The crossbow brothers.”