Kidnapped and Claimed(16)

*

I coughed and coughed. A pair of strong arms shook my body. Somebody called my name. I heard people shout and the clash of swords. Men screamed in agony. I opened my eyes, but the thick smoke made them hurt. Smoke got into my lungs making it hard to breathe. Somebody had pulled me from the burning pyre. Searing heat caught my hair and burned my scalp. I collapsed. Everything went dark.

*

When I opened my eyes, I thought the afterlife was so calm and green. I expected to see Duke Gavin, but instead I saw Lord Veredi. He had me immersed in water where the cold soothed me.

“Elyra, wake up,” he said.

I wanted to, but it was hard to keep my eyes open. I was so tired, I was ready to doze off again. Seconds later, the alluring slumberland claimed me again.

*

The first thing I saw when I stirred awake was Ronen and Callarn next to my bed. Lord Veredi and Ashanie were behind them. They were all smiling.

“Are you with us now, Elyra?” Lord Veredi asked. Ronen and Callarn moved aside to give way to their lord.

“Yes,” I said quietly. My throat still felt raw. “I’m not…dead?”

“Silly wench.” Lord Veredi shook his head. “We saved you just in time. Barely. You were hurt from the pyre.”

“What about my brother?”

Lord Veredi traded gazes with Ronen. “He’s dead. Ronen killed him.”

“Oh.” I waited for some sort of sympathy to slip into me hearing about Erodan’s demise, but none came. He was my brother after all. But he tried to kill me for his own gain. I couldn’t forgive him for that. “And the hunters?”

“Rest assured that no one will harm you from now on. We have taken care of the problems.”

I took me long seconds to digest what Lord Veredi meant. No more Jakael hunters. Had he and his warriors killed them all? All of a sudden, I wanted to cry. Not because of the hunters’ demise. I was touched that Lord Veredi and his warriors had done much for me. Since my father’s death, I had no one who stood for me against Erodan’s abuse. These people, the Khimerian, had taken me from my sorrowful plight and given me sanctuary. They even went to extra lengths to save me from my evil brother. I didn’t know how I was to repay their kindness.

I scrambled up to sit, but I found I was very weak. And my head felt funny. Lord Veredi helped me. I groped my head and discovered that my hair was gone.

“You were burned quite badly. We had to keep you in Lembanyu for three days straight. Worry not, you will heal and your hair will grow back.”

“I’m bald,” I mumbled.

“You are still beautiful,” Callarn said. “The most beautiful maiden I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

Somehow, what he said made me smile. “You mean it?”

Ronen winked. “Of course we do.”

My heart lightened. I had just discovered what unconditional love was.





Chapter Six


It took me almost a month to heal from my burns. Every day I soaked in the Lembanyu spring to speed the healing. And Lord Veredi, besides a fierce warrior, was also a great healer. He concocted special salves for my burned skin and to grow my hair. After four weeks, my new hair almost reached my jawline.

Every day, Ronen and Callarn tended me with unexpected patience I hadn’t seen from any warrior I had met. They took me for a walk to restore my strength. They hunted game for me to eat. They cared for me. They spoiled me.

When I was fully healed, I had come to the decision to accept their claim. There was no more Erodan hunting me and the threat hanging above my head was gone. I was truly free. Thanks to my warriors and Lord Veredi, I could live my life the way I wanted it to be.

I went to Lord Veredi and told him my wish. Lord Veredi accepted my decision with delight. He told me to sit while he ordered a young foal to fetch my claimers.

Ronen and Callarn were surprised when they found me with Lord Veredi.

“Lads, sit down. I’m bearing good news,” Veredi said.

They took a seat.

Veredi continued. “Elyra and I have discussed some important matters. I’m pleased to announce that she has agreed to accept your claim.”

Both Ronen and Callarn brightened with joy. Ronen took my hand and squeezed it. “Beloved.”

Veredi stood up. “Give me your right hands, lads.”

Ronen extended his, followed by Callarn. Veredi produced a dagger from his belt and made a thin cut across Ronen’s palm. He repeated this with Callarn.

“Now yours, Elyra,” he asked me.

I offered my right hand. Veredi sliced my palm. I winced. The blood welled from the cut but it didn’t hurt much. Veredi let Ronen’s blood and Callarn’s drip onto mine.

“Binding of the three, for now and forever. As of this moment, Elyra, daughter of Alai Drorknar is lawfully your mate, Ronen, son of Asghare, and Callarn, son of Madhere. May Goddess bless your union   forever.”