“Ready!” Dodlin’s bark echoed up the mouth of the cave.
The Dranark in front of him planted their feet, ready to lunge when he gave the command.
“Steady,” Thanred whispered to those next to him.
The silence was pierced by a crow cawing overhead.
Something moved behind him. Leaves rustled. The faint sound of footsteps could be heard walking out of the trees.
Thanred’s heart jumped into his throat.
No.
Not Royla. He had told her...
The mouths of the Dranark in front of Dodlin fell open as they laid eyes on her.
Thanred fought the urge to spin around, to chastise her for disobeying him, to chase her back into the forest where none of them would find her.
One corner of Dodlin’s lips curled up. He stood up from his crouch and peered over the Dranark’s shoulders. “Well, well. What is this?”
To Thanred’s disbelief, Royla stepped between him and Guro, walking a few paces farther to come stand almost next to the smoldering spear lodged into the ground. Henearly reached out to yank her back but knew that one quick motion could have devastating effects.
“I am Royla.” She held her head high, proud and defiant.
Dodlin tilted his head to one side. “Royla,” he said, sneering at her. His smile faded. “You must have been the offering meant for us. Pityhefound you first. Otherwise you might have lived.”
Thanred’s stomach tightened at the threat. Hot anger coursed through his body. He ground his teeth together, still fighting the impulse to charge through the line and try to make it to Dodlin before the others buried their spears in his back.
“I am with child,” Royla said. Her voice sounded so sweet and innocent compared to Dodlin’s ugly grunts and barks.
“What are you doing?” Thanred hissed at her.
Royla’s hand came up as she turned, a finger pointing at Thanred. “It is his,” she said, gazing into his eyes. “The child is Dranark.”
Dodlin’s expression took on a confused look. “What?” he said.
Something stirred behind him. It came crawling out of the cave on hands and knees and once it was in the light, Thanred saw that it was one of the females. She stood and stared at Royla, peering at her through narrowed eyes.
Dodlin noticed her come up next to him. “What are you doing? Back in the cave!” he snapped.
The female, Alaya, if Thanred remembered correctly, simply turned and scowled down her nose at Dodlin.
Another figure emerged. Another female. She, too came to stand next to her sister, staring at Royla, wearing a puzzled look. A third came shortly after.
Alaya turned her head to look at Thanred. “Is this true?” she asked quietly.
He barely heard her voice, blood pumping from his chest, muffling all sounds and tunneling his vision. Somehow, he found the will to quell his instincts and openhis mouth to answer. “It is,” he said.
“This is no concern of yours!” Dodlin barked. “Get back in the cave, I said!” He reached out and grabbed Alaya by the arm and tried to give it a yank.
Her scowl deepening, she yanked her arm free of his grasp, causing him to stumble forward.
Two of the Dranark guards growled and turned their spears to point at Dodlin.
He gasped as he staggered back. “What are you doing?” he spat. “Turn those away! Haven’t I told you that you will have any female you wish?”
Hope and a small sliver of relief washed over Thanred. It was the first sign of resistance he’d seen from anyone since he’d been banished.
