Page 132 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

“We’ll discuss it once we’re back in the Woodlands.” Tharan didn’t want to send the women away, but Hopper was right. Their kingdoms would want them back.

Sumac cleared her throat. “Why don’t we just leave them here?”

Hopper looked at the women sitting on the shore of the brook. “I mean, we could. They’re elvish. A town will accept them.”

“And we can ride on the back of wolves with the Hunt. They’re faster than a carriage, and we will be home in no time.”

Tharan bit the inside of his cheek. The cool night air sent a chill up his spine. He wanted to help the women, but he also had to think about his kingdom. He had done them a favor and gotten them out of the Elohim.

Sighing, he said, “Alright, let’s go. Leave them the carriage. Tell the driver to take them anywhere they want.” His stomach turned at the thought of betraying the women, but he couldn’t take them with him.

Sumac whistled, and the Hunt sauntered over on the backs of their massive wolves. Their silken fur shone in the palemoonlight. Tharan patted one on the head. The fierce beast whined like a puppy for more.

“She never even does that for me,” the rider said.

“I have a way with creatures.” Tharan mounted the wolf, hooking his arm around the soldier’s waist.

Sumac and Hopper did the same.

“Hold on, my Lord. Once I let her go. There’ll be no stopping her.”

Tharan took one last look at the women chatting by the river and swallowed the guilt gnawing at his heart.

He tried the whisper stone one more time. Nothing.

“Sir? Are you ready?”

The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, but he pushed the ill feeling away to focus on the immediate worries.

“Let’s go.”

The riders clicked their tongues, and the wolves sprinted off into the night. Tharan didn’t dare look back.

They rode until the sun crested over the horizon. Far from home but closer than they had been, they took shelter in a copse of pines.

“We’ll let the wolves rest during the day. It’s safer for us to travel at night,” Sumac said, dismounting.

“How far are we from the Court of Malts? At least they’ll be friendly and likely have a portal.”

Sumac looked at the sky, squinting to make out the fading stars. “I’d say we’re at least two days’ ride away.”

He rested his head against the trunk of a tree. The night’s events took a toll on him, and his body begged for sleep. Twistingthe whisper stone, he hoped the sound of Aelia’s voice would calm him.

He waited for the sound of her high-pitched voice, but she didn’t answer. Was she mad at him? They’d quarreled over the proposed marriage, but he thought they’d moved past it.

A sinking feeling in his stomach told him what he’d always feared. Something had happened to Aelia, and he hadn’t been there to protect her. Once again he’d failed the one he loved.

“You okay?” Hopper asked, taking a seat next to Tharan.

Not wanting to alarm his friend, he buried the feeling deep down. He had to be strong for his kingdom. He had to get them to safety, then he could worry about Aelia.

“As well as can be expected.” Tharan rested his hands on his chest. “I knew it wouldn’t be easy to persuade Arendir to help us. I just didn’t think it would be this hard.” He rubbed the bridge of his perfectly straight nose. “And those women… we just left them.”

Hopper let out a long sigh.

“You have always wanted to save everyone, Tharan. You are king now, and it’s high time you learned that not everyone can or wants to be saved.”

“I know,” Tharan said, shutting his eyes. “But I hate that I can’t.”

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