“Not yet,” Kaid smirked. He planned to change that someday very soon. Yes, he would marry this female and she would join him to rule in his ocean palace.
A branch snapped somewhere in the surrounding forest and Asta was instantaneously at her feet, sword in hand. Kaid slowly stood, observing their surroundings. He could not see anything, but the dense coverage of leaves overhead made it impossible to see very far beyond their camp perimeter. They stood for several moments, not hearing another sound.
“Probably an animal,” Kaid whispered.
They both sat down and finished their watch shift in silence.
Chapter 41
They were on day two of traveling, which was how long Gyrial had said it would take them to arrive at the fae mountains. So when Gyrial shouted “Just past this hill!” over his shoulder an hour ago, Kaid had never been more happy to hear the fae male’s voice.
Gyrial came to a stop in front of two incredibly large boulders at the base of a mountain range. The Spellid Mountains.
Gyrial dismounted his steed and walked between the boulders, shouting in a language Kaid had never heard before, but matched Gyrial’s accent.
Two soldiers appeared between the boulders—fae, judging by their pointed ears—clad in golden armor with humongous swords across their backs. They answered Gyrial in their language, the three fae conversing in what sounded like agitated tones.
“They will not let us pass,” Gyrial said to the group.
One of the soldiers stepped forward, throwing his long, almond colored braids behind his shoulder. “Tell them what we actually said, Gyrial Bohr.” His accent made him almost impossible to understand and it took Kaid a moment to translate. The soldier spit as if Gyrial’s name tasted foul.
Gyrial’s face heated. “We cannot pass without a duel. I am not allowed access to fae land until I face the general.”
Asta dismounted Thurs and stood next to Gyrial, arms crossed. “Then we duel.”
“No,” Gyrial protested at the same time the almond-haired soldier asked, “Do we have a volunteer?”
“I will duel with your general if that is what it takes,” Asta stated confidently, as if dueling a fae general was a miniscule task.
“Asta, you do not know what you’re agreeing to.” Gyrial stepped between Asta and the soldiers who were wearing cruel smirks. Kaid dismounted his horse and stood next to Gyrial, as well. If the male was concerned for her safety, so was he. Kaid heard Asta scoff behind him.
The two soldiers laughed as another fae male appeared from behind the boulders. This fae was exceptionally tall, even when compared to the other preternatural beings surrounding him. He moved with the grace of a mountain cat—undetectable and graceful. The gleaming silver sword he held was as long as his body was tall and Soren, Revna, and Tova unsheath their swords in response.
The male had long black hair sectioned into thick locks adorned with beads and jewels, but his dark skin and amber eyes were what Kaid concentrated on as he looked back and forth between the male and Gyrial. They were nearly identical.
“You are the same coward you have always been, Gyrial, if you are willing to let this female do your fighting for you,” the fae sneered. His voice was gravelly and rough, a vast contrast to his movements.
“Even worse, General,” the almond-haired soldier said, “he is protesting thatanyoneduels.”
So this mountain of a male was the general. That made sense. Kaid still found himself comparing Gyrial to the general, and he knew there was only one conclusion to be made.
“He’s your father,” Kaid said aloud.
The general’s eyes jumped to Kaid. “That’s right, boy. I’m General Bohr. And the male you’re standing next to is my traitorous deserter of a son.” The general spat at Gyrial’s feet. Kaid was glad that expelling saliva was not a part of any siren traditions that he had observed yet, and hopefully it remained as such.
Gyrial laughed in disbelief. “We have different memories of my departure, Father.”
“Then choose your second and duel me, so you may petition the council.” General Bohr hardened his stare as he crouched into a fighting stance.
“I am his second,” Asta declared as she stepped around Kaid and Gyrial’s protection.
Kaid grabbed her forearm. “Asta, there are multiple warriors here that can be his second. You do not have to.”
“Iam a warrior,” she replied through gritted teeth, yanking her arm from his grasp and stepping forward.
General Bohr laughed. “Standard duel law. Tap in your second as needed. We go until a forfeit.”
Gyrial opened his mouth to reply but Asta beat him to it. “Agreed.”
