Page 72 of Nansar
"What is it?" I whispered.
"It's too quiet. No fowl. No movement in the brush. Nothing."
Now that he mentioned it, I realized he was right. The valley was beautiful, but silent—unnaturally so. Even the wind seemed to have died away.
"Maybe we should—"
"Wait." Nansar dismounted in one fluid motion, then helped me down. His hand went to the blade at his hip. "Stay close to me."
We began moving toward the clearing where the Alliance ship was supposed to land, leaving Starfield behind to munch on purple grass. I found myself holding my breath, listening for any sound that might explain the eerie stillness.
We were perhaps a hundred yards from the clearing when a figure suddenly emerged from behind a cluster of rocks.
Nansar moved faster than I'd ever seen him, pushing me back as his blade sang free of its sheath.
"Whoa, whoa!" The figure held up both hands. "It's me!"
Nansar froze, his blade still raised. "Ahrick?"
The male stepped fully into view, his face breaking into a relieved grin. "Thank the stars I found you."
I stared up—and up—at the towering figure before us. Ahrick had to be nearly eight feet tall, his frame broad and heavily muscled in a way that made Nansar look lean by comparison. Unlike Nansar's pale skin, Ahrick's body was covered in a soft-looking pelt that reminded me of velvet, a deep tan color that shimmered slightly in the light.
His long dark hair was woven into a thick braid that fell past his shoulders, and when his gaze met mine, I found myself momentarily transfixed by his eyes—brilliant gold irises set against deep blue sclera that seemed to glow with inner light.
"What are you doing here?" Nansar lowered his weapon but didn't sheath it, confusion evident in his voice even as relief flickered across his features.
"Stopping you from walking into a trap." Ahrick's eyes shifted to me, and his expression softened. "You must be Chloe."
I stepped out from behind Nansar. "I am. And you're Nansar's friend?"
"Ahrick," he confirmed with a slight bow.
Despite the tension, I saw Nansar's lips quirk in what might have been a smile. "Ahrick, this is Chloe. Chloe, Ahrick."
"Nice to meet you," I said before moving on to more important matters. "A trap, you said?" My stomach tightened. "What kind of trap?"
Ahrick's expression grew serious. "Duke Ako comm’ed a few days after you left. The Alliance received intel that Declan Hewes was headed to Palaydium." His golden eyes fixed on me with concern. "To grab you, Chloe."
The name sent ice through my veins. Declan.
A tremor started in my hands and spread through my body. The memories crashed over me—his cold eyes, his calculating smile, the way he'd made me feel like a possession rather than a person. My breath came shorter, faster.
Then Nansar's arm wrapped around my waist, solid and warm, pulling me against his side. The trembling didn't stop immediately, but his presence anchored me. The fear was still there, coiled tight in my stomach, but it no longer threatened to overwhelm me. With Nansar beside me, I felt stronger. Ready to face whatever came next.
"I set out to warn you," Ahrick continued, glancing between us. "I have to say, getting through the mountains was surprisingly easy. I didn't see a single Welati the entire journey. I expected at least some trouble, given their reputation."
Nansar and I shared a look, and I felt a smile tug at my lips. His eyes warmed with understanding, a hint of amusement dancing in their depths.
"What?" Ahrick looked between us, clearly puzzled. "What am I missing?"
"Let's just say," Nansar said, his hand finding mine and giving it a gentle squeeze, "the Welati had their reasons for letting you pass unharmed."
I felt warmth bloom in my chest at the unspoken acknowledgment of what had transpired in the Welati village. But the moment was fleeting, overshadowed by the threat Ahrick had just revealed.
"We need to move," I said, forcing myself to focus. "If Declan is here—"
"He'll be close," Ahrick confirmed grimly.
