Page 60 of Crowned A Traitor
“They aren’t used to this much pressure.”
“You want me to give them a break?” Klara asked, and he tilted his head.
Klara lifted her feet, as they sunk deeper into the mud. “They can take a break when they’re dead.”
Klara looked to Wolfgang who was already staring at her. From the stone expression, his heightened hearing meant he had heard her. “If they want to survive, then they need to do as I say,” Klara said, loud enough for everyone to hear.
“We are well able to ensure our survival,” Wolfgang said, moving past Klara and Arthur with Lottie on his back. “Don’t forget who saved your life back there.”
Wolfgang mocked a bow, “Am I to serve you now Heiress? Least I won’t have to for long since you are abandoning Malum.”
“What did you just say to me?” Klara reared up their face’s inches apart. “Who knows where your loyalties lie. Why should I trust a mangy Lycaon?”
“My pack burnt for you and their loyalty to your Father, and you were going to abandon them.”
Klara felt the heat of his breath on her.
“It was my mangy pack that came to your aid if I had known you were a coward that let your people burn, I would have turned you over.”
That’s why he had been in the Forest. They were searching for me to help me. Klara clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as her inherited paranoia got the best of her. “You still could betray me, and the High Queen will reward you.”
“Not any point now is there?”
“And why is that?”
“I have no pack left to save.”
The tension was thicker than the humid air.
“Please don’t fight,” Lottie pleaded, holding Arthur’s hand. Anger tore through Klara, but it was true. She was abandoning the Forest. Klara took a step back, and she saw his eyes drop to her lips as they stood inches apart.
“Once we get to Kalos, I’ll spare you from ever having to see me again.”
“We have enough to face without you two at each other’s throats,” Arthur stood between them. “Hate each other all you want but if you want to see the other side of the border than I suggest you put your differences aside.”
“Why are they so mad?” Lottie asked.
“Grown-up stuff,” Arthur said, and she wrinkled her nose, “they aren’t grown-ups, and mom says being mad is bad for the soul.” Klara couldn’t help but smile.
“When they come Mom and dad will be mad at you for fighting,” Lottie said, popping a thumb between her pale lips. Wolfgang’s face fell and Klara no longer wanted to argue.She thinks her parents are waiting for them. A hopeful smile reached Lottie’s bright eyes.
“We moving or what?” Wolfgang said. Unable to hide the pity she felt, she nodded in agreement. She didn’t envy the task of having to tell Lottie that their parents weren’t waiting for them.
x
The marshes and air began to clear the further into the Neutral Lands they travelled. The stench of rot was left behind them. The ground firmed up, and the trees stood tall and full.
Arthur and Wolfgang carefully matched Klara’s steps after their earlier incident.
Klara stood in steady streams of sunlight coming through the trees, nothing but pure warmth on her skin. The sun didn’t feel this good on Malum’s side of the River. Storm clouds forever shaded the sun only in rare moments would Klara catch the beams.
“Wait,’ the shout startled Klara before she could react Wolfgang held her waist pulling her against him. “Really can’t keep your paws off me,” Klara scolded.
“More like I’d like to keep you in one piece.”
Klara followed his gaze to where she was about to plant her foot—a trap. Metal jaws peered out from the leaves and soil.A snatch, it would take the foot or paw of any Creature that came into contact with it.
“I didn’t see it,” Klara said as Wolfgang removed his arm from her waist. The tormented look on Arthur’s face told her that he had missed it as well.
