Kindred 1

by Donna Grant

  He was going to have to learn quickly because Edra wouldn’t be hunting the witches alone. He’d be right beside her every step of the way.

  Witches. Magic. His thinking would have to change, as well. Not his battle skills, but the witches were different than an army of knights. His strategy would have to adjust. Though he wasn’t looking forward to one-on-one battles with them—even with his spelled sword.

  CHAPTER 4

  “Where are we going?”

  Edra glanced at Radnar over her shoulder and smiled. They had made love several times throughout the night. After a quick wash, they were on the move shortly after dawn.

  “Don’t you trust me?” She held back a laugh at her teasing. Ahead, she saw the rooftops of the village.

  “I just like to be prepared.”

  She rode one of the extra horses while he sat astride the stallion. His dark locks were loose and falling down his back. She’d run her fingers through his thick hair last night as he’d fallen asleep with his head on her stomach.

  After all the hardship she’d endured, all the torment and agony, it seemed almost too good to be true that Radnar was back in her life. But she wasn’t going to tempt Fate to take him from her again.

  “The village up ahead has something I need to pick up,” she said.

  She heard the sound of hooves as he galloped the stallion even with the horse she rode. As he stared, she rewrapped the reins of the third horse around her hand.

  “I know that look.”

  She shrugged and gave him an innocent smile. “What look?”

  “The one that says you’re preparing for something, and you’re going to get your way regardless of who tries to stop you.”

  Edra blew him a kiss. “It got me you, didn’t it?”

  “I went after you,” he said with a snort.

  “You’re wrong. I decided I was going to have you.”

  He gave a shake of his head as he chuckled. “Are you going to tell me what it is we’re getting?”

  They entered the village. “You’ll find out shortly.”

  “I knew you were going to say that,” he grumbled, a smile about his lips.

  He let her pass, taking the rear as she rode through the village. They were almost to the other side when she caught sight of the little girl.

  Edra halted the mare and dismounted. Radnar moved his horse forward so he could see what was going on, but he remained behind when she held up a hand stopping him.

  She had seen the child when she was setting up the witches for battle and had been unable to stop and help. Since she had been homeless and starving at one time, she knew exactly how the girl felt.

  Edra saw her huddled next to a building with her knees against her chest, her bare feet sticking out of the frayed and filthy skirts she wore. The girl’s hair was matted, and she was covered in dirt.

  When the child’s soulful brown eyes turned her way, Edra felt her knees give. She remained upright by grabbing hold of the building. The desolation and misery that filled the girl’s gaze broke her heart.

  “Hello,” Edra said with a smile.

  The child continued to poke the stick she held into the ground. She looked away, not bothering to reply.

  Edra knew the gaunt look of the starving. She had lived through it while others had succumbed. And if she had anything to do with it now, this little girl would survive, as well.

  Even though Edra knew the answer, she asked, “Do you have any family?”

  The girl gave a shake of her small head.

  Edra crept closer by a few steps. “Are they dead?”

  Another shake of the head.

  At least she was getting answers. Though Edra didn’t like them at all. She swallowed and took another few steps slowly. “I have food I can give you.”

  The child looked her way, but there was no hope or elation visible. “Why?”

  “Why?” Edra repeated, shocked. She felt her heart breaking again. Lowering herself to her knees, she sat back on her haunches and handed the child some bread. “I’m offering this to you because you’re hungry, and I have it.”

  For long seconds, the girl stared at her. Then, quick as lightning, she snatched the bread from Edra’s hand and tore into it with her teeth.

  Edra watched her for a moment. “I once lived just as you are.”

  The girl looked at her with eyes wise beyond her young years. She gave a huff that told Edra exactly what she thought of that statement.

  “It’s true,” Edra said. “My mum died, and I had nowhere to go. I remember being so hungry that the mere thought of food made me sick. It was the weakness I detested the most.”

  “I hate the cold and the wet.”

  Edra nodded in understanding. “My aunt found me and took me in. I had shelter and some food, but it wasn’t much better than where you are now. The thing is...I want to help you.”

  The girl eyed her skeptically. “How?”

  “How old are you?”

  “Don’t know,” she said around a mouthful of bread.

  By the look of her, Edra suspected she was around six or so. “I want to make you an offer. I want to share my home with you. I ask nothing more than that you help me with chores and that you don’t steal.”

  The girl looked over her shoulder. “Who is he?”

  “Radnar. He’s a knight and my friend. My name is Edra.”

  The child lowered the bread as she considered the offer. “If you hurt me, I’ll run away.”

  “I won’t hurt you. And I promise that I can teach you how to protect yourself so that no one ever hurts you again.”

  “My family abandoned me.”

  With those four words, Edra wanted to wrap her arms around the girl and track down her family for retribution. She did neither. She simply blinked to keep the tears at bay. “I won’t ever leave you.”

  “Why did you pick me?”

  “Because you need me. Just as I need you.”

  The girl nodded slowly. “All right.”

  “What’s your name?”

  “Leoma.”

  Edra held out her hand, palm up. “Hello, Leoma. Ready to start a new life?”

  The girl hesitated before she put her hand into Edra’s. Once she did, Edra softly closed her fingers around the much smaller ones. They stood together and turned toward Radnar. He sat, watching them intently, his expression fierce.

  “Do not be afraid of him,” Edra whispered.

  As they got closer, Leoma pulled her hand away and walked straight to Radnar. She leaned her head all the way back and looked up at him.

  “Hello, youngling,” he said, gazing down at her.

  Leoma tilted her head to the side and asked, “Are you going to hurt me?”

  “I give you my word as a knight that I’ll never harm you,” he vowed.

  Edra watched the exchange with interest and a smile. Then, to her shock, Leoma raised her arms. Without missing a beat, Radnar reached down from his lofty perch and plucked her up, setting her before him on the horse.

  They both looked Edra’s way.

  She returned to her mare and mounted. The three of them left behind the small village and the horror of whatever had happened with Leoma.

  “Where are you taking us now?” Radnar asked when the village was far behind them.

  Edra thought back to the ruins she’d stumbled across a year prior and had quickly used magic to hide from others. “A place that will be ours. A place for us to gather and train. A place where we can hide when need be.”

  “You’ve really thought this through,” Radnar said.

  She shot him a wry look. “I knew I wasn’t going to run from the Coven forever. I had to devise a plan.”

  They traveled the rest of that day, and half of the next before they came to the forest. Edra was nearly bursting with excitement. During their time together, Leoma hadn’t spoken much, but she had taken turns riding with Edra and Radnar. It was enough that the child seemed to be adjusting.

  But there w
ere times when she caught Leoma looking around as if she expected to be abandoned again. Edra was prepared for the long road ahead of helping the child overcome such fears—if that were even possible. Sometimes such events had lasting effects.

  Edra took them through the forest, turning toward a large rock formation. She dismounted once they’d reached the rocks. A look back showed both Leoma and Radnar looking around with interest.

  She tugged on the horse’s reins and walked around to the side of the rock where there was an opening. It was partially concealed, making it difficult to find unless you knew what to look for.

  Once she was through, she stopped and waited for Radnar and Leoma to catch up. She smiled at them as they stood together. Then she waved her hand, removing the spell that had hidden the ruins.

  Leoma gasped in surprise, and the first signs of a smile appeared. Without another word, the girl rushed up the curving stairs that had been cut out of the rock and walked beneath the vine-covered archway to the ruins.

  “How did you find this?” Radnar asked in awe.

  Edra moved closer to him and took his hand. “By accident.”

  “You’re right. It’s perfect. Though it’s going to need some work.”

  “Come,” she said and tugged at his hand as she began walking.

  As soon as she was up the steps and beneath the vines, she felt like she was home. But it wasn’t until she reached the old wooden door and stepped through it to stand in what was left of the castle that she knew this was where she belonged.

  She released Radnar’s hand and walked to the middle of the great hall. Most of the ceiling was missing, causing light to stream in, breaking up the shadows. She twirled in a circle, her arms out as she laughed.

  When she stopped, she swayed from the dizziness. She looked around to find Leoma at the top of the stairs with her legs hanging over the side of a balcony.

  Then Radnar was before her. He took Edra’s hands and drew her against him. She leaned her cheek against the hand that cradled the side of her face.

  “We’re home,” he said.

  She wound her arms around his neck as she came up on her tiptoes. “Our home.”

  “I never thought I’d find you again, much less be together.”

  “But here we are. Are you sure you want to do this?”

  He lightly kissed her lips and put his forehead against hers. “I’d rather be fighting witches with you than doing anything else.”

  “You might regret saying that,” she said with a smile.

  “How can I when I have my own witch?”

  She laughed at his teasing. The laughter faded as they kissed. It was Radnar who broke away and raised his gaze toward Leoma.

  “We have a watcher,” he whispered.

  Edra was about to pull out of his arms when Leoma’s voice reached her.

  “Are you two married?” the child asked.

  Marriage hadn’t been discussed, and Edra wasn’t sure how to reply. She knew her love for Radnar went beyond anything a priest could sanction, but how did she explain that to a child?

  “Not yet, little one,” Radnar said.

  Edra’s gaze jerked to him. She gave him a curious look to see if he was saying that just for Leoma’s benefit or not.

  “You look surprised,” he said.

  Edra shrugged helplessly. “A little.”

  “I’ve wanted nothing more than to have you as my wife,” he said. “Nothing will stand in my way now.”

  She raised a brow. “How about the absence of a priest?”

  “Like I said, nothing will stop me now. What’s your answer?”

  Leoma asked, “Aye, Edra. What’s your answer?”

  “You know my answer,” she told Radnar. “Aye.”

  While Radnar picked Edra up and spun her about, Leoma clapped and laughed, the sound reverberating through the ruins like the tolling of bells.

  CHAPTER 5

  Radnar looked at the sky as he stood outside the ruins. Just an hour earlier, there had been a sprinkle of rain, but the skies had cleared as if they knew how important this day was.

  “You’re fidgeting,” Leoma said.

  He cut his eyes to the girl and gave her a stern frown that usually set men back on their heels. It didn’t deter the child at all.

  He’d wanted to marry Edra the day after they’d arrived at the ruins, but she had put him off, saying the date was important. So while he waited for her to tell him when it was time, they’d begun working.

  After a month, the new roof was almost in place, and Edra, with Leoma’s help, had been cleaning the rooms. Radnar had also cleared some of the vines away from the ruins. It was how he had discovered the stables. There was work to be done to make them suitable for the horses, but at least he didn’t have to build one from scratch.

  The biggest change had been Leoma. It had taken some doing to get her thoroughly clean, and her hair detangled, not now it gleamed a glossy brunette with red highlights when the sun shone upon it. She also had new clothes and shoes.

  He was thinking about growing food when Leoma elbowed him in the thigh. His gaze swung from her to the stairs where Edra stood.

  For a moment, he couldn’t breathe as he stared at her. In all his fantasies, nothing could’ve prepared him for the day he took her as wife.

  She wore a dress of deep blue that hugged her shape before the shirts flared. A belt of pale blue wrapped her small waist twice before the ends fell down the front of the gown. Her honey blonde hair flowed down her back to her waist. Atop her head was a crown of flowers.

  There was a smile on her face as she came down the steps, looking as ethereal as an angel. Her bright blue eyes never left his face as she came to stand beside him.

  He faced her and took her hands. “You’re beautiful.”

  “You’re very handsome yourself,” she said, running her hands over his navy tunic.

  Leoma stood before them, her hands clasped before her. “How does this work?”

  Radnar winked at Leoma before he grew serious as he stared into Edra’s eyes. “I knew from the moment I first saw you that you were meant to be mine. You’ve always been in my heart, and you always will be. I vow to love and protect you for all of my days. I will stand beside you to fight whatever battles come our way. From now through eternity, you have my love.”

  Edra’s smile was so bright it could’ve lit up the night. He watched as her eyes filled with tears of happiness, but she struggled to keep them at bay.

  “Radnar,” she said. “Our hearts and bodies were bound long before we met. Our souls recognized that and called to each other. I freely gave you my heart long ago, and you hold it even now. No other can match you in strength, bravery, kindness, or love. You have always been my knight. I pledge that I will love and protect you always. Despite what may find us in the days and years ahead, nothing will separate us again. We’re united in all ways. Our minds, our hearts, our bodies, and our souls. I loved you even before I knew you, and I love you more each day.”

  His heart hammered against his chest as her words filled the air. The forest was their church, and Leoma and everything around them their witnesses. The cloudless sky was a canopy of blessings of its own. Though there was no one to officiate the ceremony, it was binding nonetheless. Because it had been done before the gods and nature with hearts full of love, it would tie them together for eternity.

  “Forever and always,” he said.

  Her lips curved into a smile. “Forever and always.”

  Radnar pulled her into his arms and kissed her with all the love, hope, and passion he held within him. Before the kiss could take a seductive turn, Leoma began skipping around them, humming.

  They watched her for a moment before she took off into the trees. Radnar had been worried at first until Edra showed him that Leoma was a child of nature. He hadn’t understood that until he saw how the forest protected her.

  “The start of our family,” he mused.

  He pretended not to notice the sadn
ess in Edra’s smile. It had been there ever since she’d discovered that she wasn’t carrying his child. But there were many more years ahead of them.

  And there were witches to hunt.

  “Don’t go far,” Edra called to Leoma. “You have training.”

  Leoma lifted her hand in a wave to let them know she’d heard.

  “You’re starting her early,” Radnar said.

  Edra flattened her palms against his chest. “In a world with magic, there is no such thing as too early.”

  Radnar chuckled, unsurprised. They turned and began to walk to the river at the back of the castle. “Leoma seems to know a surprising amount for her age.”

  “Aye, she does. What weapon are you going to work with her on today?”

  “The bow. She did well with the sword the last two days, but she didn’t like it.”

  “Perhaps the bow will be her specialty,” Edra said as they stopped beside the river.

  Radnar began to speak, but the words went right out of his head when his wife removed her crown of flowers and then her gown, followed by her shoes.

  She gave him a smile as she walked to the edge of the water. “Are you planning to watch me, or will you be joining me?”

  He didn’t need to be asked twice. Radnar hurriedly removed his clothes, intent on enjoying the day. Who knew how many they’d have before they began hunting.

  Edra laughed as he ran into the water and pulled her against him. This kind of happiness had seemed so far out of reach just a month earlier. Now, he couldn’t remember what life had been like without Edra.

  Their smiles died as the desire flared between them. Radnar groaned as he leaned down and claimed her mouth.

  Thank you for reading EVERKIN. I hope you enjoyed it! If you liked this book – or any of my other releases – please consider rating the book at the online retailer of your choice. Your ratings and reviews help other readers find new favorites, and of course there is no better or more appreciated support for an author than word of mouth recommendations from happy readers. Thanks again for your interest in my books!