Page 41 of The Brute and the Blade

I am his, I think fiercely. His, and his alone beyond border or blade, in peace or war.

And I will endure this for him. For us, and the future we could build together, birth together from the ashes of all we were.

I will hold fast, hold true until he finds me, until he frees me...

My king, my captor. My heart, my home who will never stop fighting for me, seeking for me, no matter the cost, the carnage. No matter the miles between us.

My Grok who even now, somehow is coming for me. To claim me, crown me as his own.

As he was always meant to do.

17

Grok

The walls of Thornhall loom before us, a towering bastion of stone and spite, blocking our path to the heart of the human lands. To Emberhal and the female, the future that waits within its walls.

Lily. My heart, my home, held captive by the twisted lord of this tainted land. My scouts came back with the news today, after hearing it in the town squares, seeing it on posters papered on every tavern door: the Red Blade has been declared a traitor, and captured for trial, even execution. One man is responsible.

Varkos. The Bloody Baron, they call him. The Butcher of Emberhal.

A monster in human skin, and the only thing standing between me and my mate.

But not for long, if the plan forming in my mind bears fruit.

Beside me, Sharak shifts in his saddle, his eyes tracking the movements of the scouts returning from their furtive forays. "What news?" he rumbles, his voice a low growl.

The lead scout, a wiry young warrior named Drex, swings down from his mount and sketches a quick salute. "The city is well guarded, my lords," he reports, his words clipped. "Patrols on every wall, every gate. Archers in the towers, armed and alert."

I nod, unsurprised. Varkos is no fool, for all his cruelty. He knows the prize he holds, the power he wields in keeping Lily confined.

He knows that I will stop at nothing, spare no one to get her back, to bring her home.

To me. To the heart that beats only for her.

"But," Drex continues, a glint of excitement in his eyes, "there is an opportunity. A weakness in the city's defenses, one we might exploit with cunning and courage."

I lean forward, my blood quickening. "Speak," I command, my voice a low, intent rumble.

Drex nods, gesturing to the bustling streets beyond the city walls. "There's a festival planned for tonight," he explains. "A celebration of some human holy day. The gates will be open, the guards distracted."

A slow, savage smile curves my lips, a fierce anticipation kindling in my veins. "A festival," I muse, my mind racing ahead, spinning out possibilities. "Crowds of revelers, clamor in the streets, the perfect cover for a small, stealthy force to slip inside, slide between the cracks..."

"And strike at the heart of the city," Sharak finishes, his eyes gleaming with a ruthless light. "At the keep where they'll be holding her. The Red Blade, the ransom they think will buy them safety, security..."

"Fools," I snarl, my hands clenching into fists on the reins. "As if anything, anyone could keep me from her."

I turn to Drex, my decision made. "Gather the others," I command, my voice ringing with authority, with absolution. "The best of the best, the bravest of the brave. We ride for Emberhal and we do not return without the Red Blade, without my mate."

Drex salutes again, a fierce light in his eyes. "As you command, my Chief," he rasps. "We will bring her back or die in the attempt."

"Let us hope it does not come to that," Sharak murmurs as Drex hurries off. "We are few, and they are many, with stone walls and steel blades between us and the goal."

I meet his gaze, my own unflinching. "Then we must be swift," I reply, my voice steady. “We will strong from the shadows. We must be smart and sacrifice everything, even honor, even open combat for the sake of stealth."

Sharak's eyes widen, understanding dawning. "You mean to go in disguise," he breathes. "To cloak ourselves in costumes and walk among the humans undetected."

I nod grimly, the idea taking shape. "It's the only way," I mutter. "The only way to get close enough, quick enough to find her and free her, before they sound the alarm."

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