Chapter 22 The Fight
Chapter 22
The Fight
Ryder’s POV
Olivia was nearby, scared but alive. That was all that kept me on my feet.
I jumped in surprise but Tomas was there to catch me, holding my shoulder. "Do you feel her?"
"Yes," I replied, my voice rough. "She's here."
Elric scanned the trees ahead, eyes keen "The camp is larger than ever we thought." More guards."
"I don't care," I said. "I'm going in."
Tomas stepped into my path. "Not alone."
I looked at both of them, my chest rising. "This ends tonight. If I fall, don't stop."
"You won't fall," Elric said. "Not today."
We made a soundless passage through the trees. There rose ahead smoke thick and low, Fires were burning between crude tents of hide and wood. Armed rogues were laughing and drinking on the fringes, unaware of the danger that was about to come.
The first guard never saw me. I snapped his neck before he could turn, and dropped him to the ground. When a second guard came reached for his blade, Tomas thrust his sword into the man's chest. Blood spilled into the dirt. There was no time to slow down.
"Split," I said. "I'll find her."
Elric nodded. "We'll draw attention."
A shout was heard, and a body fell, and another. The camp erupted into noise. Blades were drawn. Wolves shifted. Firelight fell over faces twisted with shock and anger.
I pushed on through, heavy sword in my hand, pounding heart with one thought; Olivia.
A rogue lunged from the side. I blocked his strike and bashed my elbow into his throat. He fell gasping. Another charged head‑on. Stop and cut him down' is a metaphor. The bond led me left, then right, through the chaos.
"Prince!" someone shouted. "It's the Lycan prince!"
So much for secrecy.
I tore through the camp, not bothering at the pain in my shoulder where a blade had cut skin. A wolf appeared before me snapping. I drove my sword into his bosom before he could skip, and he fell prostrate at my feet.
I came to the largest tent in the middle of the camp. Two guards waited outside. One rushed me, I broke his jaw with the hilt of my sword. The second lifted his weapon but I grabbed his wrist and twisted until the bone cracked. He screamed. I did not wait for the pain to be over.
I shoved inside the tent.
Olivia was sitting on the ground with her hands tied with ropes around her wrist, her face was pale but fierce. Her eyes got larger with shock, then got full of tears.
"Ryder," she whispered.
Two steps and I was across the gap, dropping to my knees in front of her, cutting the ropes with quivering hands.
"I'm here," I said. "I've got you."
She lunged into me as soon as her hands were free, arms around my neck. I held her tight, breathing her in, grounding myself in the truth of her body against mine.
"I knew you'd come," said she in a breaking voice.
"I always will," I replied.
A growl echoed behind us.
Max stood at the entrance of the tent, with burning eyes and his blade in hand. Blood stained his clothes, but not his own.
"So the prince reveals his face," he said. "I hoped you would."
I slowly stood with Olivia behind me. "Step away."
He laughed. "You came into my camp and thought you would walk away consequence free?"
"You already lost," I said. "Your guards are dead. Your camp is falling."
"Not all losses are final," Max replied. "I made my point."
He moved rapidly, and hit me in the chest. I blocked him, steel clashing. We traded blows and every blow was heavy with force. He fought with rage I fought with focus.
"Do you think that taking her makes you powerful?" I asked, driving him back. "It makes you nothing."
Max became snaggly and kicked my knee. I staggered but did not fall down. He swung again. I sliced across his arm, getting blood.
Olivia cried behind me. "Ryder, be careful."
Max backed away breathing heavily. "This isn't over."
"It ends now," I said.
He smiled, sharp and cold. "Not today."
There was a sound of a horn outside of the tent. Max looked in its direction, then looked into my eyes. "War is coming, prince. Choose your side." He threw a blade down in the ground between us, blinding for a moment, and then tore through the back of the tent. By the time I got there to the opening he was gone, disappearing in the trees.
Tomas came along blood on his sleeve. "The camp is breaking. They're running."
"Elric?" I asked.
"Alive," he replied. "Injured, but standing."
I turned back to Olivia and took her face in my hands. "We need to move."
She nodded, fingers holding onto my wrist. "They won't stop hunting us."
"I know," I said "But you're safe now."
As we left the burning camp behind I felt it in my bones. There was no hiding anymore. No silence. I had crossed a line I was never going to take steps back on. And I would do it again.
Olivia's POV
I followed Ryder through the trees until the light of the campfire disappeared and the forest closed in on us. The air was cool against my skin, but my body remained warm because his hand kept finding mine, as if he wanted proof that I was still there. We stopped in at a low stone shelter that was hidden amongst dense roots and bushes. It was quiet, it was conceal and it smelled of smoke and pine.
"This is where I stay," he said turning to face me.
In the dark I looked at him, looked at the firm line of his jaw and scars from the fight. My chest was tight and full at the same time. "You live like this now," I said. "Because of me."
"Because I chose you," he said, certainty in his voice. "I'd do it again."
Without giving it a second thought, I took a few steps closer. My hand brushed the cut on his arm. "You could have died."
"So could you," he said. "That almost destroyed me."
I closed my lips with his. It started out soft but he reacted immediately, hands reaching to my waist as if he had been waiting. The kiss intensified, became warmer, with every forbidden word in it. I pressed closer, and felt him quicken his breath and to feel the tension melt as he pulled me in.
His hand was on my face, with his thumb brushing my cheek as if trying to remember me. I kissed him again, slower this time, allowing myself to feel it. The forest died down until all that was left was our breathing and heat between us.
"Olivia," he murmured, as though my name had weight.
"I'm here," I whispered. "I won't leave."
He planted wet kisses on my neck. When we finally rested our foreheads together, we were both breathing hard.
"I don't know what happens next," said I.
Ryder smiled at me tired but sincere. "Then we face it together."
He kissed me once more, slow and deep, In the dark in that moment I chose him all over again.