The Delta's Daughter Chapter 223

HUNJI

I pulled Morgan up onto the horse behind me, I really didn’t think this through. She scooted up behind me, her arms snaked around my waist and her front pressed to my back snuggly. I took a moment, closing my eyes and inhaling. Wishing I hadn’t when the smell of manure burnt my nostrils. But her soft body pressed against mine was doing things to me, making me think of things that I shouldn’t, and my wolf was encouraging the thoughts.

I shook the thoughts from my head. Reminding myself that one: I had taken an oath. Two: She was not mine. Three: She was too young - a nine-year age gap. Four: She was a virgin and had to remain that way or she would lose her gifts. Although I can’t see how being able to communicate with the dead or raise an army of dead could be seen as a gift. Not one that I would want too anyway.

“I can’t believe you covered me in horse shit” I heard Morgan grumble behind me.

“Be thankful you don’t have a shifter’s sense of smell.” I chuckled and tapped my heels into the horse’s side, walking him out of the stables onto the road.

I glanced in the train station’s direction, giving a sigh of relief when I didn’t spot any of King Panja’s men. Hopefully, we had lost them. We took off at a gallop, heading East, in the direction of Mint, and a more direct route than the train.

The land out here was dry and sandy, the rain never quite making it over the mountains creating a desert in between the three countries. We had but three bottles of water and whatever snacks I had grabbed from the train cart the day before. I was fine, knowing that if the need arose Ruda could always find a desert rabbit or prairie dog to feast on. The witch, though, could not hunt and there was no vegetation out this was to gather and eat. Just small rock formations, dry dirt, and sand for the next two days until we reached the closest village.

We were several hours into our journey when I heard the distinct call of a wolf’s howl. At first, I thought it was the wilds, but when I heard it the second time, I knew it was a shifter calling out to his pack. Alerting them that he had picked up on a scent and was tracking it. I didn’t want to panic Morgan, so I dug my heels into the horse a little harder, giving her a kick so she began to full-on run.

I felt Morgan bouncing behind me as the horse sped up, her arms gripping me tighter. “Oh, my goddess, oh my goddess,” She began to whimper.

“Morgan, are you ok?” I asked looking over my shoulder. That’s when I saw them, Wolves and horses racing across the bare land, howling, and snorting. “Shit” I ground out.

“Vision!” She gasped out, just her hands began to go slack and slip from around me.

“Damn it! Hold on little one!” I shouted, letting go of the reins with one hand and grabbing her upper arm as I felt her body start to slide to the side.

Pulling her up and around in a violent way, I had her seated on my lap. Her eyes were a bright violet staring at nothing. Her body was limp “Morgan!” I looked down at her with worry. “Morgan!” I called her again trying to steer the horse, keep an eye behind us and bring her out of whatever trance she seemed to be in. Suddenly she gasped, her body jerking up and almost falling her from lap. “Mother of moon woman! Are you ok?” I yelled holding her tight as the horses’ movements bounced us up and down. The air around us whipped the faster we went. The knot in my hair came loose – causing it to get fall over my face and in my eyes.

I didn’t dare let go of Morgan to brush it away, she reached a hand up attempting to swipe my hair when the horse jostled. Startled she gripped my biceps and looked over my shoulder “We’re not going to make it.” The fear in her voice had me pause.

“What do you mean we are not going to make it?” I said pushing the horse to go faster.

“They are gaining on us, Kian.” Hearing my birth name made me falter and tug the reins, the horses’ feet stomping before I could right her.

A thin whip of air whizzed by my head and before I could register what it was the horse reared up, kicking its hooves, and a painful neigh let out. “They are shooting at us! They just shot the horse!” Morgan cried out gripping me tighter.

The whizzing sound of an arrow was heard before it reached its target. The horse groaned out in agony before it dropped to the ground, taking me and Morgan with it. I managed to jump and roll before the horse had us pinned under it. I took no notice if Morgan was injured or not, going for my swords I pulled them from the sheath on my bag and turned to face the enemy.

“Get behind the horse!” I commanded, my reflexes kicking in as I batted an incoming arrow away with the blade of my sword.

In seconds the wolves had reached us and all five of them attacked me at once. I swung my swords with precision slashing at one, stabbing another to only turn and decapitate a third. The sounds of pounding hooves drew nearer as the soldiers on horseback neared. I launched an attack at the other two wolves who circled me, trying to keep me at bay. They were quick and jumped out of the way, snarling and snapping.

I called on Ruda, letting my wolf come forward, drawing on his strength. I growled at the two wolves before spinning in a full circle, sending each of my swords flying in the direction of each wolf. They hit their targets and the wolfs whimpered as they hit the ground. They were not dead, but it bought me some time as the soldiers were dismounting from their horses and running at me.

I let out a loud and fierce growl scaring the four-legged beasts who spooked and took off. Eleven shifters surrounded me and Morgan who was tucked behind our dying horse. I snarled showing them my fangs - Sure that my eyes were as black as night and the mark of the Queen’s Knight shone in my eyes.

A slow clap sounded from behind some of the men, his scent only just reaching my senses. “Bravo brother!” Abbas chuckled “All these years we thought you were dead. Yet here you are, alive and well. You were just hiding like the coward you are. Instead of facing me, you ran. You are good at doing that. Running” He smirked. I growled.

“Turn around and go back Abbas, I do not wish to take your life today,” I warned him.

He cocked his head and took a step forward. I raised the swords I had retrieved from the injured wolves, placing my feet in a sideways stance ready for a fight.

“No problem,” his smile was full of venom and sly. “Give us the girl and I will happily go on my way, no need to tell Farid you are alive.”

“Not happening,” I said tensing and throwing a quick glance at Morgan. She wasn’t well hidden, of course, they see her, but she had enough sense to stay down, just her white-blonde hair peeked over the horse and her violet eyes that were wide and full of fear.

“The girl is coming with us, by choice or force.” He gestured to Morgan “Come along little witch, we won’t hurt you.” I could almost taste the lies rolling off his tongue.

“You must think I fell from the moon! I will never come with you!” I rolled my eyes at Morgan’s retort. She just couldn’t keep quiet.

“Don’t be like that witch, I promise we wouldn’t harm a hair on your head. In fact, my brother is planning on taking very good care of you.” His sly tone had Ruda growling, he knew exactly what he meant by taking care of her. “Come out and come with us, I don’t want to make you.”

“What does Farid want with her?” Abbas turned his attention to me and laid a hand on the hilt of his sword.

“He knows what she is, and when he is crowned King, she will sit by his side, and bare him, heirs,” Abbas said with a look of - isn’t it obvious.

“Ha!” Morgan exclaimed now standing up with her hands on her hip, glaring at my brother “Then you and your brother are fools! You can’t have both. I guess Orion never told you that to keep my gifts I must remain a virgin, If I was to be mated then my gifts cease to exist.”

Dear all that is holy this girl was digging herself a deeper hole. “She is not yours. I will tell you again, leave and I will let you keep your life today.”

“You never could keep your women, Kian” Abbas laughed “Did he tell you how he murdered his mate in cold blood? The one he marked, ripped her heart out in cold blood, that he couldn’t satisfy her… didn’t do it for her?” His eyes turned to Morgan his smirk widening. “Did he tell you when he tore her beating heart from her chest, she was pregnant?”

My wolf whimpered at the reminder, but the anger bubbled inside me, my wolf clawing at me from the inside, desperate to get out and rip him to shreds. Desperate to shut him up.

“I don’t give a shit what he did and didn’t do, it’s not my business! Now do as he says…” Morgan was cut off when Abbas let out a loud growl and fur began to spurt from his arms and his claws started to grow.

“Get the witch and kill this bastard wolf!” He screamed at his men “You may have survived before but today I will make sure you stay dead Kian!” He roared half-shifted, looking like a toddler throwing a tantrum.

He drew his sword; him and half his men rushing me. The other half advanced on Morgan who crouched down behind the horse again. I leaped in the air, somersaulting backward and landing in front of Morgan. My sword met the arm of a soldier, taking it clean off and a spray of blood coating my face. His screams of agony sounded out as the first strike was made. All swords were drawn and aimed at me. I was the only thing standing between the wanted witch and Abbas’ men.

“Kill him!” I heard Abbas scream in desperation “Kill him!”

I punched a soldier in the face with the hilt, simultaneously driving my other sword through another’s chest. Pivoting around – my swords slashed through men exposing guts and dismembering extremities, blood gushing out of their open wounds blanketing the dry dirt beneath our feet. Shifter after shifter fell to the ground around me.

I paid no attention to Morgan’s discomfort when she gasped and winced as I cut them down one by one. Until only Abbas and four of his men remained standing.

“Stand and fight me, brother!” I hollered out when Abbas began to retreat “Face me like a man!” I stood there, chest heaving, eyes blazing coated in the blood of my enemies.

“You are not of this realm!” He accused “Spawn of Gilgamesh! Farid will claim his witch, mark my words, Kian!”

I growled out at his words as I watched him back up some more and shift – turning and running away with his remaining men.

Every fiber of my body urged me to give chase and finish him off. My wolf paced and growled within, ready to end Abbas’ life and take his revenge.

I didn’t dare move a muscle, if I did, I knew my feet would carry me to give chase. My wolf – craving the hunt and kill. My adrenalin was still roaring when a dainty hand touched my arm. Still in a feral mood and whipped around my head snapping – baring my teeth and growling at the intrusive touch and its owner.

“Kian…” Morgan jumped back, distressed with terror shining in her eyes.  She scanned me from head to toe, her body leaning away as if I was going to make her my next meal. “Are – Are you ok, Kian?” She asked timidly.

“I said don’t call me that.” My words came out harsher than I meant them to and hurt replaced the look of fear.

I hung my head, so she didn’t have to see the murderous look in my dark eyes. I could see she was affected, and I knew my wolf was showing. I could scent her fear even with the stench of the horse manure that still lingered. I had let Abbas’ lies get to me.

‘Not all of it was a lie,’ Ruda reminded me.

‘Maybe not, but his intentions were full of malice. I don’t know what he was hoping to gain or what reaction he was trying to get from me or Morgan, but…’

‘He underestimated us and ran like the little bitch he is.’ Ruda replied smugly.

‘He and Farid will not let this go, once he runs back and tells his brother I am still alive and have his precious witch – He will hunt us down like wilds.’

‘And we will defend ourselves, we will kill him.’

“He- he is your brother?” Her voice was shaky and small, she was frightened by me and scared to ask a question.

“You as too many questions little witch.” I ground out not wanting to talk right now as I was still trying to calm down.

She gave a loud huff “This poor horse is still alive.”

I shouldn’t have done it; I should have had her turn away or walk away but my natural instincts told me to put the animal out of its misery. So, I did. Walking over to it and slashing its neck with my sword. Instantly finishing the animal off.

“Oh, my goddess, I’m going to puke.” And so, she did. Turning her back to the animal, she bent over and retched her guts out all over a dead soldier who had missing limbs. “Fuck” She cried while stumbling away from the body and puking some more. “This is so gross. So nasty.”

“Would you have preferred that I let them take you?” I sneered at her for showing weakness.

“Fuck you.” She hissed back, wiping her mouth on the torn sleeve of her dress.

“We have a lot of ground to cover. Let’s get moving.” I ignored her insult and leaned over the dead horse, unlatching our bags and sheathing my swords, throwing them over my shoulder.

“How far do we have to walk?” She asked in no particular way, but son of a god I wish she would just shut up and be quiet. Now my adrenalin was beginning to wear down I was forming a headache. And the headache was beginning to be called Morgan.

“From here probably three-four days to the next village. So, let’s go.” I looked up, the sky a hazy color. I knew it wouldn’t rain but there was the threat of a storm and if that storm rolled in, we were sitting ducks. I rolled my eyes, could shit get any more fucked up? Thinking that’s exactly what Tobias would say if he was here. Now I’m even thinking of the most annoying bear shifter in the world. Although I would prefer his company over my current one at this moment.

I was right. Unfortunately. The storm rolled in fast and thick. A cloud of orange came in from the Northwest and was heading straight for us. “Morgan – Morgan. Take the bags and get on my back!” I said with urgency.

“What – why?” She hesitated – confused.

I pointed to the wall of orange that was still some ways off but would pick up traction soon. “Sandstorm. It will cut a human to pieces in seconds.”

“Oh, my goddess! What do we do? There is no shelter!” That seemed to be becoming a favorite phrase of hers.

“Get on my back I can carry you. Quickly! the faster we get moving and I run the better chance we have of outrunning it or finding safety. I will heal. You won’t.” I clenched my jaw willing her to climb on my back already. She hoisted the bags, one on each shoulder. And scrambled to get up on my back. I had to hold her under her ass, so she didn’t fall. As soon as she was securely hanging on, I took off at inhuman speed, using all the strength my wolf had to fleet us forward.