“Maddox?” Tears stung my eyes, and I went weak in the knees, nearly collapsing from the relief. Despite my brave face, I didn’t think I’d ever see him again. Those tears worsened when I noticed he wasn’t alone in the saddle. “B-Briar.”
Neither of them had spotted me yet. Rowan had concealed us off to the side, out of sight.
More horses burst through behind them. I saw Callum, Quincy, and Duke. Even Hudson. Sir Anton, a knight from the First Order, was there too, riding a white horse with patches of gray spots on its rear.
They had come for me. My vision blurred even more, and the tears finally fell, rolling down my cheeks. I wasn’t sure how they’d known where to search for me, but the ‘how’ didn’t matter. All that mattered was they were there.
I stepped forward, but Rowan pushed against my chest to hold me in place.
“Let me go!” I told him, terrified they would ride past us.
“You heard him,” a familiar voice said from my left. “Take your hands off him.”
The air whooshed beside my face before Rowan leapt to the side, dodging an attack.
My attention was torn from him when I caught sight of silver hair. I then met a pair of purple eyes, and my sternum squeezed. “Lake?”
“I’m here,” Lake said, taking me in his arms. As his spring water and faint peach scent reached my nose, I released a whimpering cry and buried my face against his neck. “I told you I’d find you. No matter how far away I am.”
Another cry tore past my lips.
“Evan?” Maddox called out. His voice. Dear god, his voice. So much relief laced within it that it shook. I turned just as he reached us. He pulled me in for a crushing hug, his large body quaking as he held me. “Don’teverleave my side again. I…” He lowered his face to my shoulder, and although he didn’t make a sound, he trembled.
“I’m okay,” I croaked before breathing him in. Leather and warm spice. More tears. “You came for me.”
“Of course we did,” Briar said as he joined us. He pecked kisses along my cheek and jaw. Then, one to my temple. His favorite spot. He shook too, and when he spoke, that shake reflected in his voice. “You are the most important thing to us, love. When Kuya told us you were missing, my heart stopped.”
“Is Kuya okay?” I asked. “He’s not here, is he?”
I didn’t want him anywhere near the dark wood.
“He’s fine,” Briar answered. “And no, he didn’t come with us, although he wanted to.” He tried to get his arms around me but couldn’t. “You need to share, Captain.”
“No,” Maddox mumbled against my neck. He still hadn’t released me. “I need just another moment. Or ten.”
I met Lake’s stare over Briar’s shoulder. He stood off to the side, surveying the area in between looking at me. When I reached out a hand, he took it and brought my knuckles to his cheek. A low whine crawled up his throat.
“Where is he?” Maddox then asked in a deep voice that gave me chills. He lifted his head, and rage penetrated through his blue eyes. “The bastard who took you.”
Rowan was a dead man. Plain and simple.
“Over here, Captain,” Quincy said, his chocolate brown hair a bit messy as he aimed his sword at Rowan, who stood between him and Duke. “He was trying to sneak off.”
“Well, my services are no longer required,” Rowan said, back to his cool confidence. That cocky smirk was back too. He then gave a little bow, fluttering his fingers. “You strong knights with your big swords are more than capable of safely escorting him from the forest. I now leave him in your hands.”
“You’re not going anywhere, thief,” Maddox growled. “I’m dragging you back to Bremloc in chains where you’ll answer for your crime.”
“You’ll have to catch me first.”
“Uh, Captain?” Callum said, unsheathing his sword. “I hate to interrupt, but we’ve got company.”
The demons.The ones that had been chasing me and Rowan. The relief at seeing my men had made me forget about them.
Loud screeches and roars grew in frequency, as did the skittering of leaves and branches.
They had finally reached us.
***
