Vengeance (The Captive #6)(92)
“Bad, really bad. We have to get to Braith.”
“As far as I know they’re still in Chippman, but they may have returned to the palace by now. We’ll go to Chippman first.”
“Sounds good,” William replied and squeezed her hand.
CHAPTER 31
Snuggled before him in his arms, the wintry scent of Tempest filled his nose as they rode into the town. The residents of Chippman stopped to watch them ride by, most of them waved as they made their way down the street. He pulled Tempest closer against his chest, taking solace in the comforting feel of her in his arms. He’d come so close to losing her; he wasn’t willing to take any chances with her again.
His head still throbbed dully from the cracking it had taken on the rocks. His leg, shoulder and chest had healed, but the headache remained. He recalled what it had been like to wake on that ledge, unable to move while her screams echoed throughout the mountains. Those screams had dragged him from the earth when he’d never believed he could move. Her cries had made it possible for him to pull himself up the cliff, dragging his broken leg behind him, and relying mostly on one arm to climb.
It had been her that had pulled him forward. It had no longer been the idea of killing Kane pushing him onward, but a driving need to make sure she was safe. She’d been the only thing on his mind. He would have climbed those rocks with two broken legs and a broken back if he’d had to.
Driving the spear through Kane’s back and finally ending the bastard’s life had only been a bonus. Seeing her alive had been all he’d cared about when Kane’s body hit the cave floor. It was funny to realize the person he’d been searching for and determined to kill for nearly six months was finally dead. He’d gotten his revenge, yet it hadn’t mattered anywhere near as much to him. The most important thing sat in the saddle before him; her eyes searching the residents as she fought the urge to bite her nails by fiddling with the torn and soiled sleeves of her cloak.
He was glad it was over, and that piece of garbage no longer walked this planet, but Kane had stopped being the center focus of his world the second he’d met her. He hadn’t realized it at the time, but he did now.
Leaning forward, he pressed a kiss against Tempest’s temple. She turned to smile at him, her fingers playing with the beard shadowing his jaw again. He pressed her palm against his cheek, holding it close. He’d been lost before, deadened and cold inside, but she’d brought him back to life and saved him in many ways.
His attention was pulled away from her when the door to the tavern opened. Jack stepped onto the porch and walked to the end of it. His gaze searched the soldiers riding along side him before landing on William. Jack broke into a grin and jogged down the steps. Hannah poked her head out the door behind him.
Jack met them halfway down the street. His gray eyes curiously ran over Tempest when William helped her from the saddle before dropping to the ground beside her to greet his friend. He couldn’t stop himself from grinning when he stepped forward to embrace Jack.
“Glad to see you’re still alive,” Jack said as he clapped him on the back. “I should kick your ass for taking off like that on us.”
William released a snort of laughter. “It will take a lot more than a vamp to kill me off, the second time at least. And you would have done the same.”
Jack’s mouth pursed before he finally gave a relenting nod. “I would, but I’m also a lot older than you.”
“And I’m better with a bow than you.”
Jack scowled at him, but he couldn’t deny the truth. “Did you shoot him through the heart then?”
“Stabbed him through the back with a spear, rather fitting don’t you think?”
Jack laughed loudly and clapped him on the shoulder. “Yes, I do, and how are you?”
William knew he wasn’t inquiring about his health. “I’m doing better.” And for the first time in over a year, he actually meant it.
He took hold of Tempest’s hand, enfolding it in both of his as he held it before him. Jack’s eyebrows shot up; his eyes darted back and forth between them. Before he could speak, Hannah arrived at Jack’s side. She embraced William before wrapping her hand around her husband’s arm. Her brilliant green eyes sparkled in the sunlight as she gazed between the two of them.
“Jack, Hannah, I’d like you to meet Tempest,” he introduced.
Tempest smiled shyly at them, she went to curtsy but Jack stopped her by thrusting out his hand. “Not for us,” he murmured.
Tempest glanced at her battered cloak. “I’m filthy.”
Jack seized hold of her hand. “We’ve all been beaten and battered at some point. I’m guessing there is a lot to tell about what happened out there.”
A radiant smile lit up her face and warmed William’s heart. “There is,” she said. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said as she shook both of their hands. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“I bet,” Jack replied. “And if you ever want to hear the true story, especially about this guy,” his hand clamped down on William’s shoulder. “I have plenty of stories for you too.”
“I’d love to hear them,” Tempest said.
William glowered at Jack when he smiled innocently at him. Before he could respond Daniel, Timber, and Max walked over to join them. “We have to talk,” Daniel said to Jack. “Somewhere private.”