by Leilani Love
Merlin nodded at him. “Take Katrina back to your home. I will be there shortly, after I make sure no one else comes for you.”
Bryan nodded. He had many questions for Merlin, but they could wait. First, he needed to get Katrina back to their home and take care of Arthur, who was starting to fuss.
Katrina was pale, and her body was still shaking, reacting to everything she had just been through. The blade still held tightly in her hand, as it dripped with the blood of the man who had dared attack her. Very slowly, he put his hand over hers. “Katrina, I’m going to take you home now, okay? Can I have this?”
When she nodded, he took the dagger and slipped it into his belt. He gave her a gentle kiss before reaching out and taking Arthur from her. His free arm slid around her before he looked over to Snow’s brother, who was lying on the ground trying to get up, while the other three wolves tried to help by nuzzling him.
“I’ll take care of the wolves, they’ll be fine,” Merlin stated after Bryan hesitated, not wanting to leave his family behind.
Choosing to trust Merlin after he had saved them, he guided a shaking Katrina to the house. Arthur fussed quietly and put his thumb in his mouth. When he got to the house, he sat Katrina down before gently putting Arthur in her arms.
He didn’t often drink, but he kept a bottle of scotch in his cupboard and poured her a small draft. He handed it to her and picked up Arthur trying to settle him while Katrina took a sip. If he weren’t so worried about her, Katrina’s response to the drink would have been comical because, her eyes widened, and her breath came out in a whoosh, then she started coughing.
Bryan watched as her color slowly returned. “Are you okay, lass?”
Katrina nodded, reaching for Arthur. “I think he is hungry.”
Katrina opened her bag and got one of the bladders of milk and went to the room to feed him. Bryan wanted to follow her but felt she might need this time alone to come to terms with what had happened.
After a bit, he went and checked on Katrina. Not surprisingly, he found her asleep in the bed with Arthur. His finger brushed her cheek and he took the fur at the foot of the bed to cover her up. He stroked her cheek, smiling. She’d fought bravely to protect the baby sleeping soundly next to her.
Bryan went back to the front room to find Merlin inside. He didn’t have to look around to know, that none of the wolves were there. Opening his mouth to ask where they were, Merlin put his hand up effectively silencing him. “They’re in the stables. They’ll be fine but need the rest.”
“Do you want a drink?” Bryan asked sarcastically, when he noticed that Merlin had already gotten out two wooden cups and was pouring them both a scotch.
Merlin smiled, handing him one of the cups before motioning for him to sit. “When I sent Katrina from my home with the prince, I didn’t realize Morgana’s men were already after her. She must have had someone in the castle watching. The kingdom is forever in your debt for saving him and for what you’re about to do.”
Bryan raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean, what I am about to do?”
Merlin kept his gaze locked on him. “You and Katrina need to leave. They will think that they found your bodies and the baby, burned in a fire with the others. Once that story starts to spread, you won’t be able to stay here. The two of you need to leave.”
Bryan wanted to argue, but there was nothing he could say. If he moved with his sister they would still be able to find the three of them and he would just be bringing trouble to his sister’s door. When he opened his mouth to say something, Katrina stepped from the bedroom.
“I can go alone,” She announced proudly.
“No lass, you promised to marry me and will not be going anywhere alone,” Bryan said standing up to take her hand and pull her into the room.
“You have family Bryan, I could never ask you ––”
Bryan kissed her gently, effectively stopping her from finishing her sentence. When he pulled back, he smiled down at her. “Come lass, let’s listen to what Merlin has to say.”
Katrina nodded, and he helped her into the chair closest to him. Merlin gave Katrina a small smile before continuing. “I’m sorry Katrina. I didn’t know things would come out the way they did. Morgana’s grown stronger than even I was able to predict. I thought I had time to lead them away from you, but she found you first. Now, to keep the three of you safe, you must leave. The two of you must raise him as your child.”
“He’s the crown prince, can’t we…” Katrina started to ask, the panic in her voice sneaking out.
Merlin shook his head, and Bryan reached out and took her hand. “Trust me Katrina, one day all will be revealed, but for now you must leave.”
Merlin stood up and gave them a reassuring a smile. “Bryan, I’ll be back in two days. Pack whatever you can’t replace. The rest, leave here.”
Bryan nodded and closed the door after Merlin left. He took a step toward Katrina, who was standing up wringing her hands.
“Lass, it’ll be okay,” Bryan said wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close, needing to hold her after the day’s events.
Katrina looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “What if I’m not?”
Bryan stopped her words with a quick kiss trying to stop her from thinking that way. He broke the kiss and brushed the hair back from her face. “Together we are.”
Katrina nodded and he knew in his heart those words were true. Together, they would leave and raise the crown prince in secret. He also knew that one day they would need to come back. But, for now, their job was to hide Arthur and keep him safe, so when he got old enough, strong enough, he could come home and take back his kingdom.
About the Author
Leilani Love is a USA Today Best selling author and Gold Medal Winner of the Readers Favorite Paranormal Books 2016.
A proud mother of two very active boys. She loves traveling to new places and meeting new people wherever she goes. Thus far, Leilani has visited Paris, DenBosch and Amsterdam and hopes to one day return. On her next trip she hopes to be able to make stops in Scotland and Italy. Currently residing in Oregon, she has also lived in Hawaii, Florida, Alaska, Virginia, Texas, Washington and California. She loves to read books and has a passion for various genres. Her love affair with dragons began when she was young and she still dreams of having her own dragon and Black Panther. For now, she is content to write about them in her books.
