Beyond(5)

He smirks. “Guess you should have done better research when choosing me. I never wanted to marry. You can’t exactly expect me to turn into husband of the year, can you?”

My spine straightens. “Marrying me secures you a spot as leader when my father steps down. You should be thanking me.”

He tilts his head to the side, apparently thinking that over. “Who said I want to lead?”

“It doesn’t matter if you want to or not. People look to you. I’ve seen it. You think I’d choose a weak man for a husband? Yes, I was attracted to you. You’re powerful. My instincts told me to choose the alpha male. But don’t consider me weak Dane. I might just be a woman but I’m a force to reckon with. We should just have a marriage in name only. Then we both win. My father gets off my back and you get to carry on like you’ve been doing.”

He licks his bottom lip and glances away. “I have to go. Don’t leave the walls.”

I roll my eyes at his dismissal. “Like I’m ever allowed to leave the damn walls.”

“You just stay here and look pretty,” he calls as he walks backwards, then turns and disappears from my sight.

My finger nails dig into my palm. Stay here and look pretty? That condescending bastard.

“He’s probably prettier than me,” I mutter under my breath, storming towards my room. When inside it, I grab my sword and my bow and arrow and head outside where there are several targets set up for the archers to practice. Sam taught me how to shoot. He also taught me how to use a sword and fight hand to hand. I’ll always be grateful to him. I know no one wanted me to be a warrior. My father wanted me safe indoors, cooking or sewing or some other task that bored me to death and only I knew the truth of why. My father was told of a prophecy. Somehow he believes that my son, who apparently will be born by next year, two thousand and twenty, will be our salvation. Don’t ask me how my first born is going to save our world, because it’s beyond saving. My father is hoping, but it’s redundant. There are flesh-eating monsters roaming our planet, and there is nothing we can do except hide out and try to survive. Putting his hope in me and a baby I haven’t even had yet is completely ridiculous, I know it, but he does not. Either way, my child will be a prince of sort amongst the community, then will eventually take over. Talk about having a heavy burden on my shoulders, and now I’ve dragged Dane into it, a man who doesn’t even want me.

How did everything get so complicated?





They return four days later.

“Olivia!”

I run as I hear my name being called, grabbing my first aid kit. My eyes scanning everyone that walks through the door, searching for injuries.

“Who is hurt?” I ask Sam as I see him walk over to me.

“Lars was stabbed in the arm,” he replies, looking towards the door. “We ran into another group who weren’t too happy to see us.”

With a lack of supplies and food in some areas, I could only guess why. Luckily we’d been growing our own food plus the men went on hunts like this one to find whatever else we may need. Running into others was a tricky situation because you couldn’t trust some people. Okay, make that most people. Desperation makes nothing off-limits. We were very blessed with what we had here.

“Which one is Lars?” I ask, my eyes on Dane as he enters. Our eyes connect until his gaze drops, taking me in from head to toe. Next to him is the soldier I saw him talking to about me, cradling his arm. Guess that was him. I touch Sam’s shoulder, happy he’s home safe, then walk over to Dane and Lars.

“Sit down,” I tell the man, pointing to the closest chair.

Lars flashes Dane a look before complying. He was a good looking man, with short dirty blond hair and sharp green eyes. Opening my kit, I pull out what I need then examine the cut.

“Not too deep,” I murmur, cleaning and dressing it. The man doesn’t even flinch, and I knew it had to sting like crazy.

“Are you hurt anywhere else?” I ask, examining the dressing.

“No,” he replies in a deep voice. “Thank you.”

Tegan walks over to Dane. From the corner of my eye, I see her rest her hand on his shoulder. “Thank you for taking care of me Dane,” she says.

No one besides a select few know of mine and Dane’s engagement, and Tegan mustn’t have a clue.

Dane’s eyes dart to me before returning to her. “It’s my responsibility to make sure everyone returns safe from the hunt.”

“Yes I know,” she replies, her voice turning flirtatious. “But it was more than that. You know what I’m talking about--”