Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
V era stormed back to her shelter, slamming the door behind her with such force that the wooden frame shuddered. Her mind raced, a whirlwind of confusion and anger. How could Grabon keep the approaching Farlain ship a secret? The very thought of it made her stomach churn.
She threw herself onto the bed they'd shared, burying her face in the rough-spun blankets. Their scent, a mixture of Grabon's earthy musk and her own, only twisted the knife deeper. Memories of him flooded her mind - his gentle touch, the warmth of his embrace, the way his eyes softened when he looked at her. Tears of frustration and hurt welled up in her eyes, hot and stinging.
She screamed her anger into the pillow, then rolled onto her back, staring up at the thatched roof. The pain of his betrayal cut deep, leaving her feeling exposed and isolated in a way she hadn't since her initial abduction.
Her chest tightened as she recalled the tender moments they'd shared, the laughter, the passion. Had it all been a lie? A ploy to keep her distracted while he carried out some hidden agenda?
She sat up abruptly, wiping furiously at her eyes. She would never let herself be this vulnerable again. She'd trusted him, opened her heart, and look where it had gotten her.
"I should have stuck to my books," she muttered. "I'm a professor, not a bloody heroine. Professors don't need mates."
She got to her feet and paced across the room, her temper simmering. Why had she thought he would be any different than the Farlain male who had attacked her? He'd pretended to care about her, about the Elvar, but it had all been a sham. But why?
Had it just been to get her into his bed? If that had been his goal she'd certainly hadn't made it difficult for him, she thought bitterly.
The realization hardened her heart, helping her push aside the lingering ache of disappointment and replace it with anger. A small part of her heart insisted that there was more to the story, that she hadn't misjudged him so completely, but she ruthlessly pushed it aside.
The most important thing right now was to decide how to handle the approaching ship. She needed to work with the Elvar to come up with a plan. She would deal with the pain in her heart later.
She took a deep breath and left the shelter, quickly scanning the village. To her surprise, the initial panic seemed to have faded and most of the Elvar had returned to their previous tasks. Several sets of wings fluttered nervously and a few people exchanged worried looks, but they had accepted the news and moved on with the preparations. Admiration filled her at their quiet resolve. They appeared so delicate and fragile but they had a core of strength she envied.
Maeve appeared at the door of the village hall and waved her over. She went eagerly, anxious to help and happy to have something to take her mind off the pain that still lingered in her chest.
"We have been discussing whether or not to proceed with our original plan," Maeve said as they joined the other Elders.
One of them, an elderly female, her faded eyes still uncomfortably sharp, peered at her.
"Do you think your mate will reveal the plan?"
"Of course not," she said immediately, then flinched.
She couldn't conceive of Grabon betraying them in such a way, but then she'd never imagined that he would have kept such a secret from her. And yet … She remembered him working alongside the Elvar, tirelessly helping them prepare. She remembered him laughing with several of the males and stooping down to comfort a crying child. He hadn't needed to do any of that, and she couldn't believe it was all an act. And he'd promised to help the Elvar.
She sighed and met the elderly female's eyes.
"No. I don't think he would do that."
"I agree," Maeve said calmly. "I believe there is more to this than we know."
More he should have told me , she thought bitterly.
"However, I also think we are running out of time," the other female continued. "If we are going to stand a chance of taking the stronghold, we need to act now."
Their plan was simple enough - a contingent would enter through the hidden tunnels while the others launched a frontal assault, keeping the guards distracted until they were surrounded on both sides. In the event that the attack failed, they'd created a series of traps and defensive positions all the way back to the village. If necessary, they would make their last stand here.
"I have already sent the children and the elderly to the safe houses we set up," Maeve said quietly. "And I sent word to the other villages that we are preparing to launch, but I don't know if reinforcements will reach us in time now that we are moving earlier than we originally planned."
The Elders exchanged grim looks, but one by one they agreed that they couldn't afford to wait any longer. She watched determination replace worry in the eyes of those around her as they prepared to take action.
"And what of the warrior?" one of the Elders asked, his voice tinged with suspicion.
Her heart clenched, but managed to keep her face calm.
"He's gone to meet the ship. We don't know what that means yet, but we can't count on his help. We need to be ready to defend ourselves."
And pray that he didn't intend to cause them any harm.
After the rest of the Elders left, Maeve joined her, placing a gentle hand on her arm.
"We will fight together, as one," she said softly, her voice low but determined. "No matter what happens."
"No matter what," Vera repeated.
But it was harder to believe now than it had been before. She wanted to be sure, to be certain that her faith in Grabon had not been misplaced, but she was still shaken by his deception.
Maeve's eyes were soft and understanding.
"There are many different paths to redemption," she said slowly. "Sometimes it takes strength of heart, sometimes of body, but forgiveness is never unworthy." Her lips curved into a half-smile. "But I am preaching to the converted, I think. I think you're already on the path to forgiveness."
"I don't know. I … love him. Love him enough to at least listen now. But if he acts against you … If he aids your enemies …" She shook her head. "I'm not sure I could forgive that."
"I don't believe you will have to. Now come, it is time for us to go."
She nodded, trying desperately to calm her nerves. She was accompanying the group that was infiltrating the castle. It was the part of their plan Grabon had objected to most strenuously but at the time she'd thought he would be with her. She hadn't realized how much confidence that had given her until she was faced with doing it without him. But she wasn't going to back down. Not now.
"I'm ready."
She changed quickly into the tunic and leggings the tailors - and anyone else in the village who could sew - had woven for the fighters. It was a long way from armor, but the vines from which the garments had been woven were surprisingly resilient and would deflect or block most edged weapons. Unfortunately, they would be little protection against blasters and she swallowed nervously as they edged closer to the hidden door.
The jungle pressed against the stronghold wall, concealing both them and the entrance as the leader of their group opened the door and quickly gestured for them to enter. Her heart beat a staccato rhythm against her chest as she obeyed, only to come face to face with Lior.
The girl's eyes widened as she saw the line of fighters entering.
"It's today?"
"We had to push up the timeline," Maeve said as she joined them and the three of them stepped into the mouth of one of the branches, allowing the others to proceed. "I'm glad to see that you are safe."
"I'm sorry I haven't been able to get away sooner but everyone has been watching everyone else." The girl shuddered. "A third leader took over today."
"A third?" she whispered.
"They've been fighting for power ever since they discovered Lord Dekell was dead. The first male who declared himself Lord was gone so quickly I didn't even hear about it until yesterday. The next would-be-lord didn't seem that different from Lord Dekell - not better but not worse either. But the male who took over today …" Lior shuddered again. "He was just biding his time, setting his traps. I think he's going to be the worst of all."
She and Maeve exchanged a quick look over the girl's head. She didn't like the sound of this new lord but it was too late now. The Elvar were already inside the stronghold and they were committed. They couldn't pull back now.
"Did you manage to find the storeroom?" Maeve asked.
"I … I think so. I just can't guarantee it," Lior said apologetically. "I didn't want to take the chance of alerting any of the guards by attempting it before."
"I understand, but it's still worth a try."
They followed Lior through the confusing network of secret tunnels, then out into more hallways, pausing at every intersection and every crossroad. She grew more and more nervous as they progressed, jumping at every noise. Her fingers tightened convulsively on the handle of her borrowed spear.
"I'm sorry," Lior whispered when she paused yet again. "But it has been so long since I was allowed in this area. Everything looks different."
"Are we close?" Maeve asked.
"I … think so. I'm sorry. It's been so long."
"Don't apologize. We'll keep going until we find it."
They rounded another corner and a huge wooden door at the end of the corridor. Lior gave a sigh of relief.
"That's it! I remember that door."
She darted forward, fumbling with the heavy ring that served as a lock and key. It turned reluctantly and they carefully crept inside, closing the door behind them.
"Now what?" Lior asked nervously.
She tamped down her own nerves and managed a grin.
"And now we make a bomb."