Page 55 of The King's Weapon

The five of them weaved between the trees. Ahead of Kallie, Fynn and Dani's horses rode in tandem. After Fynn gave Dani a quick nod, he then turned back, tipping his head toward Graeson. A moment later, Fynn and Dani rode to the left as Graeson headed to the right. And when Kallie looked to the left, Terin had followed after his brother. The trio disappeared in between the trees, the sound of their horses' hooves quieting as the two parties separated, leaving Kallie and Graeson alone.

"Where are they going?" Fear filled her words.

"It's best if we split up," Graeson stated, tone matter-of-fact.

"But shouldn't one of them have come with us?"

He looked over his shoulder and Graeson's stare bore into her. "Do you think I am incapable of protecting you?"

He was confident. But Kallie had always been told overconfidence was the fast track to one's demise. Even though she had seen Graeson fight, she did not know how many people he could handle on his own. And due to the current circumstances, if the opportunity presented itself, she did not know who she would fight with—him or the soldiers.

"You have always been the priority." Graeson's gaze was unwavering, piercing. "Iwillbring you home. No matter what."

Her heart skipped. She had never been the priority, but rather the object used to achieve it. Thus, rendered speechless, she could only give a small nod.

Graeson returned his attention to the road. No further discussion, no further elaboration.

Soon, Graeson brought Calamity to a trot before the horse exhausted herself, and they traveled in silence once again. Without the others riding beside them, the woods felt eerie, more ominous. Each snap of a twig, each crunch of a leaf, each bristle of leaves sent Kallie looking over her shoulders.

Graeson, however, remained focused on the path ahead, seemingly unconcerned by those who chased after them. But for Kallie, paranoia rose with every passing minute. Still wrapped around Graeson, her palms grew clammy. After all of their planning, Kallie had never planned for this. For the moment when she was unsure what she wanted to happen, for the moment when soldiers chased her as she rode upon the horse of an enemy, arms wrapped around him.

Everything was happening too fast. There was no time to process anything. And Kallie was supposed to have time.

The rustling of leaves grew louder behind them and the sound of pounding hooves clashed with Calamity's steps. Kallie had to make a choice. Here and now.

"Use me,” she spat out.

"What?" Graeson snapped, his head swiveling around to look at her as if seeing her would change what she had said.

"Use me," she ordered. "I can help."

He scoffed and turned around. "No."

"Graeson, listen to me." Kallie unwound her arms and gripped his shoulders. "They're after me, so use me as bait."

"That's ridiculous," he said as he shook his head.

Kallie groaned. "Why?"

"First of all, we are trying to rescue you, not lose you." Graeson turned his head to the side, glaring at her, but just as quickly he returned his attention to the path ahead. "Second, how do I know I can trust you? You just tried to run away last night."

"You shouldn't trust me." A streak of light through the trees shone on the ring on her finger. "But trust that I need answers, and staying with you is how I get them."

His shoulders sagged beneath her fingers, so she pressed on. "Once they're close enough, I'll use my gift and I'll force them away."

"And if it fails?"

"I never fail."

Except when I've fought you,Kallie thought. But squashed it as quickly as it entered her mind. She would not let him see how her confidence had wavered while she had been captured, while they had destroyed everything she knew to be true.

"You sure about that?"And the way he tilted his head toward her, scanning her up and down, sent a chill coursing through her body that was quickly replaced with the heat of her building rage. While she may not have been able to manipulatehim, she was not done trying. She needed answers; she needed the truth. And she would get it. No matter what it took.

"My gift is not my only source of power, Graeson."

He ran his hand through his hair. "Fine, but the moment it goes south, I will intervene." He straightened. And when he spoke next, his voice was huskier, colder, “Just know, I make no promises to be merciful to those who go against me or to those who try to take you away from me again."

It was a challenge, not only for the soldiers they would meet on the ground but for her as well. However, Kallie had been trained to conquer every obstacle she faced. She would not start backing down now.

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