I Bore His Heirs, Then I Vanished novel · Chapter 16 of 24
Chapter 16: First Night
The Blackthorn Alpha lifted one finger.
Four of his guards moved at once, and two had Delphine by the wrists before she could press the blade.
Aldric closed his bare hand around the silver and wrenched it out of hers.
It cut him to the bone. He did not let go until Rowan was clear.
Rowan ran.
He hit my legs so hard I almost went down, and I got the guards' hands off me somehow and dropped to my knees and held him.
He smelled of horse and lavender soap and small boy.
"Mori," he said into my neck. "Mori, Mori."
"I've got you."
"I'm sorry I said you were sick."
"You didn't know. I've got you."
Linnet woke between us and wailed, and for a moment all three of us were holding on at once.
"Take Delphine out," the Alpha said.
Delphine did not scream.
She looked at Aldric, bleeding on the floor, and at me, and at the two children.
"You will regret this," she said in her bedtime voice.
"I regret seven years of it already," Aldric said.
The Alpha stood.
"No blood of guests on my floor," he said. "You have until dark to cross my lake. My riders will see you to the border, and if you come back, my wolves will not ask your name."
They put her out through the great door into the snow.
The Alpha turned to Aldric.
"You have a bad wound and a worse wife. There is a hunter's cabin an hour east of here. Take your people and go."
"Thank you," I said.
"Don't. I bought a story. You've made me look like a fool." His good eye rested on the lock at my temple. "But the old house had my father's respect, Lady. Go."
The cabin had one room and a loft.
Torin lit the stove and looked at the two of us, and at the ladder, and then at the ceiling.
"I'll sleep in the stable," he said. "I'm a very deep sleeper. I may also be deaf."
"Torin," I said.
"I'm saying nothing."
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