Page 22 of A Rift in the House of Bruin

“She certainly doesn’t look good. Her skin is blue—or is it grey?” the female added to her growing list of compliments.

Was my color really that bad?

“Let us go now, and I’ll make sure your lives are spared,” Fallon sneered.

The male chuckled. “You’ll make surewe’respared? Darling, I think you have it backwards. You’re the ones who should be begging for your lives.”

“Yeah.” The female tightened her grip. I sucked in a breath as the blade bit deeper into my skin. “Looks like I’d be doing you a favor. If she’s as sick as she looks. She’ll be dying a horrific death soon anyway.”

“If you so much as sever a single hair on her head, my brothers will see to it you’re disposed of in the most horrendous way.”

“Your brothers are being dealt with as we speak. They’re probably dead already. Answer the question. Who are you?”

Fallon laughed. “You underestimate my brothers. Let us go now.” She was losing patience. I could hear it in her voice. We were in no position to fight off these outlaws. I could barely speak, let alone defend myself.

“I’m going to ask you one last time, then I won’t be so kind. Who are you?”

Fallon lifted her chin higher, giving the male full access to her neck in a defiant move. “I am Fallon, First Daughter of Artos, Princess of the Second Realm.”

Immediately, the blade fell away from my neck. I sighed with relief, reaching up to find a small trickle of blood. It was a risky move, outing our identity while we were on the lam. What if they were Johan’s trackers? Fallon had to be the most self-assured, reckless person I’d ever met.

“My Lady, forgive me. One can never be too cautious out here in Thornwyn.” The male stepped out from behind the tree. He was well dressed, but caked in a layer of grime. His dark hair was mussed and slick with oil. He clearly hadn’t bathed in several days. He bowed before us. “Artos was a great ruler. The realm hasn’t been the same since his death. The name’s Levi Brackenbark of the Raven’s Hand. How may I be of service?”

The female was equally filthy, dressed in pants and a tunic. Her red curls were wild with frizz and leaves. “Fiona Briggs, humbly at your service, My Lady.”

“That’s more like it.” Fallon stood, tucking the fur tight around me. “Call off the others before they do something they’ll regret.”

Fiona promptly took off towards the cabin without a word. I only hoped it wasn’t too late.

“Levi, I need you to carry my friend back to the cabin. Can you do that?”

“Yes, My Lady. It would be my honor.”

“Treat her with the utmost care… as though your life depends on it.” Fallon smiled. “Because it does.”

“Is she sick with?—”

“What she’s sick with is none of your concern.”

Levi squatted by my side and gently scooped me into his arms. He smelled as bad as he looked. Though to be fair, they did say I smelled like death, I guess we were both a bit fragrant.

“Nice to meet you, Levi.” I struggled to get the words out. They were barely a whisper. “My name is Michaela. Please, don’t fear me.” The surging adrenaline began to subside and take withit all the strength I had left. I could no longer hold my head up and it lolled against his chest. “I’m not contagious.”

I felt him breathe a sigh of relief as the tension in his arms softened and he headed toward the cabin.

“Mic!Why is there blood on her neck? Give her to me now!” Lu’s voice jolted me awake. I must’ve drifted off.

“You’re not bringing a sick one in here, are you?” a foreign voice called from behind me.

“Cole,” Levi warned. I felt him shake his head no in a silent plea to stop.

“Fuck the Divine, she’s on death's doorstep.” Another strange voice added to the melee. “You can’t bring her in here.”

“You will shut your fucking mouth before I shut it for you,” Luca snapped. “This isn’t your home. We don’t owe you hospitality. One more word and I’ll dispose of you all.”

“Sir,” Levi addressed Lucius. “She’s losing color quickly.” He passed me gently into Lu’s arms, and he rushed me into the cabin.

“I’ve got you, Dove. We’re gonna make you better now. Hang on a few more minutes. Luca! We need you too. She’s severely depleted.”

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