Page 41 of Lucie
“I think I’m okay. What happened?”
“If you’re worried about LomasMortigan, you have nothing more to fear from him or his sidekick.” Something in Lucien’s tone sounded different. It wasn’t the banter she’d heard before. It was harder, more authoritative and decisive. It was the voice of a battle prince.
“Johna, it’s time you came clean with me. Why did those men attack you? Why were they planning on drowning you?”
“They were?” Her dizziness was suddenly back. She leaned heavily against him as she caught her breath and tried to steady herself. He didn’t comment, but waited patiently for her to continue.
“Lomas has tried to force himself on me for years. Butbecause his hunting skills are subpar, he was relegated to guard duty, instead of being allowed to go outside the compound with the other hunters. He’s tried to intimidate me, and at one point he went to the council to demand I marry him.”
She felt Lucien’s surprise. “I didn’t know the council had that kind of power,” he remarked.
“They do if a person’s been labeleda pariah,” she softly told him.
Silence. After a while, he spoke again. “Because you’re halfMutah?”
“Because my father was a Normal, and part of a regiment that attacked our compound. And while they almost destroyed us, he raped my mother, who was barely into her menses.”
“And yet you survived.”
“Foga, one of our councilmen who lived throughthe attacks, told her I would bear theMutahmark, and that I would be beneficial to the compound and the people because of it. That’s why she relented and gave birth to me.”
“Where is your mother now?”
“She died from the wasting disease when I was eight.”
“Then who raised you and taught you how to hunt?”
“Hobron. He’s been my mother, myfather, my guardian and my teacher.”
Again, Lucien went silent, and she was unable to read him.
They continued on.Johnafound herself starting to fall either to sleep or unconsciousness, when the horse abruptly halted. Lifting her face, she looked over his shoulder to see the battle lord signaling. Almost as one, every soldier dismounted, including the battle prince.He reached for her, as if to help her down. She held out her arms, and felt his hands go around her waist, letting her slide out of the saddle. He lightly set her on her feet, and for a moment they remained standing there, neither of them willing to separate. Her heart was pounding so loudly, she wondered if he could hear it. Staring up into his eyes, she noticed he was focused on the swellingon her forehead.
“What now?” she murmured.
“From here we walk. Will you be able to make it?”
“Watch me,” she replied. He finally released her, to her regret. Grabbing her spear from where it was strapped to the saddle, she followed him over to where his parents were waiting for him to join them.
