Page 104 of Her Ivory Flame

“Hold on,” he whispered.

“I plan to.” She breathed back and a few seconds later, all of them launched into the darkness of the night sky and she prayed to Odin she would come back home soon.

- - - - - - - -

Grey dapples could be seen a few feet ahead of her and she smiled at the site of Zuri grazing a small patch of grass in the pen nearby.

The sun would be rising fully shortly and they all moved to get the horses saddled and the wagon moving. Xander and Boone had come the night before and stocked up the supplies making it faster for them to get on the road.

Zuri’s head shot up as she approached and the mare instantly started walking towards her. She was quick to saddle her, and before she knew it they were all walking down the short path to the road nearby.

The small stable belonged to a friend of Boone’s and they used it frequently when they needed to travel on foot during the day. It was convenient, and she was impressed the males had so many connections outside of Elnora.

This time Boone and Xander took the lead while Kaden rode with her in the middle. Finnley and Raine took up the back like normal, Titus being content just steering the wagon behind her.

From what she knew of the plan, they should make it to Bromel by evening and then they had to stay for a week before they could return back to Elnora.

“You will stay with me in Bromel right?” she asked quietly towards Kaden next to her.

He didn’t look at her, his eyes watching the surroundings diligently but saw him smirk. “I have no better place to be.”

“I mean you could technically go back home like you did in Elnora.” she teased. “Which, I wouldn’t blame you.”

Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw his head turn towards her and she looked up to meet his gaze.

“I’m not leaving you, not unless you ask me to.” His voice was deep and unwavering, causing a shiver to go down her spine. “Besides, it would not feel like home without you now.”

Color rushed to her cheeks and she glanced around trying to distract the thread in her stomach that was now humming. It didn’t really work, but she saw him go back to scouting the surroundings and she tried to do the same.

Giggling could be heard from behind them and she snuck a glance over her shoulder. Raine and Finnley were having a very animated conversation, and she felt her own smile form on her lips.

She had spent so much time alone over the last century, she forgot what it was like to have people she enjoyed being around. The way someone could make your day better just by one sentence or gesture, and it made her annoyed with herself she had let herself disregard that feeling.

Victor and Elisa came to mind and wondered how they were fairing in the small town. Worry crept into her mind and hoped her small town would stay off Mavros’s radar if he really was raiding smaller villages.

War was already in full force, and she was running out of time to get her powers back before Mavros took control. Kaden was powerful, but it was her flame that could kill these creatures, not his.

“You were tortured and beaten when you were locked up, it’s going to take something just as emotional to finally break it back down.”

Kaden’s words he had said to her echoed into her mind and a sudden dread washed over her. She didn’t know what could match that emotion, but a feeling in her gut told her it wasn’t going to be good.

Chapter 39

Orange hues lit up the sky as the sun started to disappear behind the mountains just as they entered the streets of Bromel.

All the men were on high alert, and she kept her axe casually in her hand resting on her leg. She had been relieved to see the males had retrieved it after she was taken and kept it waiting for her in the wagon.

No one seemed to bat an eye at them as they maneuvered through the streets to the governor's mansion on the other side of town. Most people just kept to themselves and moved quickly around the different shops.

It was still a clean city, stone buildings and well maintained roads surrounded them. If she was an unknowing traveler she wouldhave thought it was like any other town and been content traveling through.

However, she knew better and could see the dangers lurking in the shadows under the awnings and down the allies as they passed by. None ventured towards them but she knew Kaden was well aware of their presence as well.

It only took a few more minutes before they made it to the mansion, guards posted every few feet and they stopped on the outside of a large steel gate.

Kaden rode up to the front, switching positions with Xander and she watched him start talking to the guards.

“They should know we are coming, right?” she whispered towards Xander.