Page 13 of Their War

“He better not think that he's going to become a Consort,” Lennox snapped.

“What if he does?” Baer asked. “If Rhowyn wants him and he proves himself, then I don't really see the problem.”

“He wasn't chosen by Avalonia,” Lennox argued.

“We all know fate has different plans than what we'd like. Somehow, I feel that he was drawn to us for a reason. I just haven't decided what that reason is yet,” Arryn said.

“The argument is pointless,” I told them all. “In the end, it'll be Rhowyn's decision and she hasn't shown any interest in him. Maybe we're putting the cart before the horse here.”

“Yet,” Lennox said. “She hasn't shown any interest yet.”

“So, what if she does. It doesn't mean that we're any less important to her,” Baer said.

“Says the guy she's already slept with,” Lennox pouted, crossing his arms.

“Your time will come as long as you pull your head from your ass,” Baer said with a smile. “I've felt the tension between you two, and it's just a matter of time before you can be with her in that way too.”

A jolt of fear from the bond, stronger than anything we had felt from Rhowyn in the last five days, had us all on high alert. None of us moved, the shock from the blast of emotion freezing us in place until a stronger burst flowed down through us all.

Not waiting for Brannoc to return, we all rushed off in the direction that we had felt her, no longer concerned with hiding. Rhowyn was in trouble, and we needed to reach her.

Turning the corner of the arena, we were spotted by a couple of Royal Guards. “Halt!” one of them yelled out to us.

Disregarding his command, I charged forward, pulling my sword. It'd take a lot more than these two to stop me from reaching my Chosen. The Guard who yelled at us met the swing of my sword with his own, and I made quick work of him, slipping under his next swing and hitting him on the back of the head with the pommel and knocking him out.

The second guard held his hands up, not reaching for his sword. “Arryn.”

“Drew,” Arryn said, holding his own sword cautiously as he approached.

“I don't mean any harm. When the Queen made that accusation about you being a traitor, I didn't believe a word of it. There's no way you'd harm Avalon. You were always the most honorable of us all,” Drew said.

“She was right, though. I am a part of the rebellion,” Arryn admitted to him.

“So. You wouldn't have joined them if you didn't think there was good reason to.”

Nodding in affirmation, Arryn said, “I have my reasons, but I am always devoted to Avalonia.”

“Not to interrupt this reunion or anything, but Rhowyn is in trouble.” Lennox prompted.

“Of course,” Drew said, the sense of urgency growing as Rhowyn's fear morphed into pain.

“How do we get to her?” Arryn asked.

Without hesitation, Drew answered him, “Halfway down this way is a tunnel. Once inside it, you'll need to go left and then right at the intersections. The arena entrance will be clear from there.”

Clapping a hand on Drew's shoulder, Arryn said, “Thanks for your help, Drew. I'll remember this. And hopefully you'll forget this next part. Sorry, but I've got to knock you out.”

“I know,” he said with understanding, bracing as Arryn hit him and gently lowered him to the ground.

Brannoc returned as we sprinted toward the tunnel that Drew had told us about. “We need to hurry. Rhowyn is in serious trouble.”

“No shit,” Lennox snapped at him. The pain from the bond intensified.

Turning the corners as Drew instructed, I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. In this case, it was the good kind and not the kind that meant the afterlife. Rushing through the opening, we were greeted by the forest that had been created for this trial.

“Which way?” I growled at Brannoc as he led us to her. Wave after wave of pain assaulted the bond, and I could feel Rhowyn slipping. My wolf was pushing to take charge, but I needed a clear head until I knew the full situation, so I held him back by force.

Brannoc surged forward, leading our group as we raced through the trees until we stumbled to a stop at the sight that greeted us. There, lying prone on the ground, shackled by vines, was Rhowyn, her beautiful face black and blue as Genevieve kicked her.

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