Chapter Eleven

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Tabitha

My legs feel much better after feeding from Theodas, and I've meant to thank him again, but every time I look at him, he's in deep concentration. I think he's trying to make sure we aren't going around in circles, which I'm not sure we aren't. Everything looks the same. Does it look different to him? Can he really tell if we're going the right way? Whatever the right way is…

I don't want to be the reason we get lost… more than we already may be. So, I'll thank him again when we're safe.

I'm grateful it isn't hot here, though the smell seems to be getting worse the longer we stay. Or maybe that's because we are getting closer to the source of it—the ogres.

I trust my men to protect me, but ogres are nothing to turn your nose up at. They will be a challenge even to three Dravens. Especially if we come upon a horde of them. Ogres tend to stay in small groups, as they hardly get along with themselves, but at times, they travel in groups of ten or more. And if that happens, we will not escape them.

The growling continues to echo around us, and we aren't sure where it's coming from. Seems it's coming from nowhere and everywhere all at the same time. The more we walk, the more I notice there are fewer clusters of trees. So no, I don't really think we are walking in circles, but it sure seems like it.

"Is there more water?" I ask.

The three of them stop at the same time, all reaching for their packs that are on their backs.

"I will get it," Raisi says, pulling out the canteen and handing it to me. I take a sip, swallow, then take another small one. Who knows how long we will be here without food or water.

"Does anyone else want any?" I ask.

"We do not need hydration the way you do, my queen," Theodas answers.

I cap the canteen and hand it back to Raisi, who returns it to his pack.

"You can call me Tabitha, you know," I say, hoping a lighter subject will occupy me. "You don't have to be so formal."

"I like calling you my queen," Raisi says as we start to walk again.

"As do I," Theo answers.

"I like Tabitha," Koz says, shocking us all.

"Oh?" I question. "Of everyone, I expected you to be the last to say that."

He frowns. "Why is that?"

"You just seem so—"

My words are cut off from a thunderous boom that shakes the ground beneath our feet. The three of them go into protective mode, moving closer and looking around for any threat. I peek between them for the nearest tree cluster to run to in case that's what we need to do. It's a good distance away.

"Quake?" Koz asks.

Theo shakes his head. "It's rare in this realm." He gestures outward in the direction we were walking. "Their weather tends to be cold, their land dry. Dust storms are more common here. Sometimes snow, but not much else."

The ground shakes again, this time without the accompanying sound. Only this time, it doesn't stop.

"We should go," Theo says, wrapping his hand around my upper arm. "Now."

The four of us turn and make a run for it. We run as fast as we can toward the nearest tree cluster.

I am not moving as quickly as the rest. Koz and Raisi keep moving up ahead, but slow when they realize I am taking more time. Theo tugs me to a stop and quickly pulls his pack off and ducks down. "On my back!"

I hop on and he grips my thighs, standing up with ease. Koz doubles back to snatch the pack from the ground, and we keep running.

The rumbling on the ground can be seen now, the small pebbles bouncing in place and the sand-like dirt causing dust to rise like clouds. It's similar to how it was before Raisi appeared earlier, only on a much bigger scale. Is something else going to pop in? Is there another portal somewhere?

We reach the safety of the tree cluster before anything worsens. We dip inside, running to the center, where we are unlikely to be seen if something does show up.

"I am sorry," I say as Theo puts me down.

"It's my pleasure to carry you, my queen."

I shake my head. "But I—"

"Your legs are much shorter than ours," Kozzanth says. "It's only natural to move slower. It has nothing to do with skill."

I offer him a small smile. "Thank you for that."

Though it does nothing to make me feel better. In fact, it only makes me feel more inadequate. I know I've bought these men to protect me, but I hadn't expected to need them so much. I'd thought maybe they'd assist me with things, not have to take charge and carry me because I can't run fast enough.

Maybe going after my father's throne needs more thought. Or maybe it isn't a good idea at all. Working my way there is making me realize things I hadn't thought of before. Maybe I was too confident. Too cocky.

The ground continues to shake, the trees around us shaking too. The leaves vibrate so much they look like they are aflame. It's a beautiful sight, truth be told.

"Do we have any idea what this is?" Koz asks Theo, hands planted on his hips.

Theo shakes his head, staring out toward the way we came.

Raisi puts his arm on my shoulder and guides me a short distance away.

"Sit with me," he says as he takes a seat on the ground, leaning against the tree trunk. He pats the spot between his legs, and I sit there. He wraps his arms around me, and I rest my head against his chest.

"Are you okay?" he asks softly.

"Just thinking."

"About?"

He brushes his fingers through my hair, the motion soothing. "My father used to do this to me when I was a little girl. He wasn't always a cruel man."

Raisi makes a sound of acknowledgment, still brushing his fingers through my hair. "When did it change?"

"I started seeing changes with him on my sixteenth birthday, but the really horrible things didn't start until I turned eighteen. That's when he locked me in the dungeons."

I'd told them a little about my father and what happened but haven't gone into great detail. Reliving those days isn't something I want to do, but maybe opening up about it will help me get past it.

"That's terrible."

"I was in there for three years until I escaped."

"My queen is so young," he says. "Twenty-one?"

I huff out a laugh. "I assure you; I feel much older." I look up at him over my shoulder. "How old are you?"

"The three of us are thirty-five."

"From the day you were born or made?"

"Born."

Dravens, since they are bred, are kept in a sleep state until they are old enough to learn to care for themselves. There are no parents to take care of baby Dravens. If these men are thirty-five from when they were born, then they are closer to forty from when they were made, as typically Dravens are released between ages three and five, depending on the amount of brain activity responses.

"Ah, so really, you are older."

He smiles. "Does it bother you?"

"That you're older than me? Of course not. That's nothing but a number. It means nothing to me."

"It means a lot to some."

I wave a hand. "Just witches and others of the like. Most creatures don't care. Especially angels and vampires like me, who live for hundreds and thousands of years."

Raisi puts his arms around me, holding me tighter to him. I settle into him, grateful for how comforting this is.

"I am grateful you chose me. And them too." He gestures to the other two with a slight jerk of his chin. I look that way. They are having a quiet but serious conversation, if the furrowed brows and frowns are any indication. If our lives weren't in danger, it would be cute.

"Thank your breeder, Luparia. She's the one who suggested the three of you."

"Yes, but you didn't have to listen."

"You're right. But when I saw you three, I knew it was the right choice. I knew you would protect me."

"And we will. For as long as you will allow us." He kisses the top of my head, and my eyes fall closed.

Raisi is sweet. Gentle with me. I appreciate it about him.

We grow silent, the rumbling still happening beneath us. It hasn't gotten any stronger, but it isn't any easier either. Theo and Koz continue to talk until Theo nods and walks over to Raisi and me. Just by the look on his face, I can see he has something important to say.

"We think it's best we lie low and stay here for a while. See if we can wait out whatever this is." He gestures outward with his arm. The fact he doesn't know what it is scares me a little. There hasn't been a thing he doesn't know yet. Theo has studied books. Loves books. Memorizes them. There was nothing about a rumbling ground in the Oedaeth Realm? That can't be good.

I sigh, but nod. "Though I don't want to, I must agree."

"If this were any other realm, I'd feel more comfortable making decisions, but…" Theo shakes his head.

"I understand. Do not feel as if you're failing. You're doing what you think is right."

Theo points to Kozzanth. "We are going to check out this area a little more, but we won't be far."

"Be careful," I say.

"Of course, my queen."

I watch him as he walks away, meets Koz, and they both keep walking.

"Do you prefer I call you Tabitha?" Raisi asks.

"I prefer you call me whatever you'd like," I say.

"How about Tabi?"

I laugh at the nickname. "Sounds like something fit for a child, but if it's what makes you happy."

"I like it," he says, giving me a small squeeze.

"Then I'll allow it."

"Can you sleep?"

"Doubtful, but I can try."

He settles back, pulling me with him so I am in more of a lying position.

"Try. We don't know what is yet to come."

Which is exactly what has me nervous.

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