Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Price of Vengeance: Kabanata 71 - Kabanata 80

Their darkly skinned bodies were frail and knobby but tall enough to be terrifying. Their skin was leathery and dry, and their jaws opened too far back into their skull. Allowing them the ability to fit a grown man’s head between them. To crush it. Styx could hear the dog’s occasional whine and sometimes the rattle of a cracking branch. They rode on. Trying to appear calm. Styx fell back a few steps to walk behind the horses. Guarding their backs. “Almora?” Lon broke the extended silence. Taking the opportunity of some privacy to chat with her. “Yes?” “Promise me something?” “Of course.” She waited for him to explain. “If they attack. You won’t interfere. You’ll just get away.” “Lonnix!” She cried appalled. “I don’t want you hurt. You said you’d promise!” “But-” “This may be my last request. The last thing I ask of you...” Drawing a shaky breath, she gave a reluctant nod.

Bernus was inside the cottage. Sitting in the chair, tipped sideways, with his head craned back against the rest as he watched the door. His large feet were firmly planted on the dirt floor. His posture was relaxed. He'd been here far too long for him to be tense any longer. He’d gotten the message the Edre had left him. And he was to meet her here. So where is she? He’d been waiting for over a day and was now beginning to wonder if the woman he so respected was playing him for a fool. She’s wasting my time. There was much he could be doing as a guardian of Enuchte. Wasting time along the surface of Ardae was not something he enjoyed. Bernus was a man set on achieving goals and moving on. Calm down, Old Boy. He told himself. Reminding himself that if he was wrong, what he desperately wanted was well on its way in this direction. She could be bringing my target straight to me. Pati

Having uttered the ominous warning, Bernus turned his head and his eyes narrowed meaningfully on Lon, as if to warn Almora what he'd do to the chubby man. I won’t hurt her, if she runs, I’ll hurt him. Lon was clearly too far out of shape to run for anything. He’d be easy to catch. Bernus’ gaze flitted over to the demon male with them. Watching him warily. “I don’t like you.” Almora hissed, as she turned to face Bernus. He shrugged. Unsurprising. She marched back over to stand by Lonnix. He laughed coldly. “Most don’t. My job is not an easy one. But I do what I must.” “Perhaps you should consider doing something else.” Lon commented. Bernus' laughter was a rough bark. Shaking his head, he leaned back and watched out the window. Before asking more soberly. “When are they coming?” “I don’t know.” Lon deflated. Surrendering his little act that they weren't on their way.

Disseus cradled Nim’s head in his lap and peered down at her. Silvery blue hair falling around their faces in a secretive curtain. “Yes.” “That’s what happened to your back?” She recalled when he’d nearly lit on fire. “Yes.” He sighed and dropped his head back against the wall with a thunk. “You’ve nearly killed me, more than once.” She grimaced at those words. “I didn’t know.” “How could you? You didn’t stay long enough for me to tell you?” But his usual accusing note was gone. Instead, there was only sadness. “That’s impossible.” Bernus stared at them wide-eyed. “Why?” Disseus’ lip curled in contempt. “At the end of the day, we are still fey, contrary to what you First Water like to tell yourselves. We still love, still yearn, still grow lonely. The efforts of your kind to isolate us only darkened us and sent us to others, for comfort. The loss of your Harbingers is your own doing.” That accusation dropped in the air like a b

“No!” Marnie declared. “We must think this over, carefully.” Bernus advised. Looking to the prince for support. “He is right, Little One.” Prince Mane said carefully. “Your mother is weak. And even if she were whole, we don’t know she could do it alone. We need him.” “Will you do it for any other prize?” Prince Mane asked slowly. Disseus stood solidly. Refusing to give any ground. Nim’s words came back to him. For once defend yourself. She’s right. For once, he was going to demand what he wanted from these fey. “I’ve done much to protect her.” His gaze dropped from Bernus to Marnie. His next words seeming to settle her. “I will always protect her.” He jutted his chin stubbornly. “Give me her. And I will go back to your lands with her.” He paused. Considering the next words before pronouncing them. Condemning himself to whatever fate awaited him there. “I’ll protect them and your people…