Rise of the Warrior of Everfen

Chapter 34: One Word

Erinne scrambled to her feet and gasped when Cold Hammer's palm landed flat across her rump. "Hey!" She swatted him over the head and he chuckled as she pulled on her clothes. "Get up!" She hissed quietly and he lumbered lazily to his feet and she glared at him as she yanked her trousers on.

"Lady Erinne!"

She cringed as some of the kingsmen called her name again. "Are you dressed? Come on!" She snapped at him and he was still giving her a big lopsided grin as she started to bolt away, but he grabbed her arm.

"Wait," he pulled a few leaves out of her hair. "Okay, go." He yanked her to his lips and then pushed her off and she hurried through the trees.

"Yes?" She called out as soon as she made it back to the lightly worn path they were traveling. It was obvious no one used the path often. The men were farther up ahead, two of them, looking around. They gave her a baffled look but they'd been calling for at least a full minute.

"The king sent us to find you. We really wish you wouldn't wander off alone. King Wren-"

"Is concerned for my safety, I understand." She was perfectly safe. "Taking walks soothes me. I have a lot to think about."

"We understand, milady, but if you could stay a bit closer." The soldier suggested with a meek smile as if he knew she wouldn't listen. "Everyone is rested and ready to continue."

"Of course," she nodded and reached them in a few strides, burshing her fingers through her hair in case it was messy. Wren had been wrong in his original belief that her famiy home wasn't more than three or four days away had proven wrong. They were six days out and he wasn't confident there wouldn't be another few days. As the fifth day had ended and she'd asked him how close they were, he'd actually blushed and apologized for the delay.

She didn't fault him for his mistake. She was enjoying the journey, seeing more of Wren's kingdom, and learning about it from him and the other humans. When she had the chance, she was enjoying the time sneaking around with Cold Hammer, too.

She followed the two soldiers back to where they'd stopped the horses and dire wolves to rest. Lohke was on a patch of grass, running a brush through Sheshal's fur while Khash asked him questions about the animals, how they trained them, how they befriended them. Wren was speaking to one of the men he'd brought with him.

"Catch." She reacted to the word swiftly and turned and caught something in motion with ease before her eyes focused on the small, red object in her hand.

"Apple?" She questioned and looked up at Cold Hammer, not sure how he'd beaten her back, but pleased that he had. It worked in their favor to keep everyone from being suspicious. She looked down at the fruit as he walked by her as if she didn't concern him, but she was focused on the red.

They weren't going to be able to keep people from being suspicious for much longer. She hadn't seen red in one too many days. Her monthly bleeding should've come by now. She wasn't exactly satisfied by the prospect, she'd barely had time with Cold Hammer. They hadn't talked about what their future would be like, but she was growing increasingly certain that she might be carrying his child.

"Lady Erinne?"

She glanced up from the apple as Wren called her name. "Yes?"

"I think we're getting close, we may even reach it today. I wanted to apologize again, I have not been to this part of my kingdom in many years,"

She cut him off before he continued his apology, "There's no need, Wren. It was an honest mistake."

"You're too kind."