BK1 Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Three

After the deterrent device demonstration, the march did not seem as difficult. We rose higher as the landscape rounded from the flat highlands. The air was thinner, and I found myself gasping heavier breaths to replenish my oxygen. Garret stumbled on a jutted rock cursing as Harold helped him back to his feet, keeping him in line with our team. After our scheduled rest for lunch, we slowed our pace as the climb became more straining on our thighs.

Eventually, we reached the peak separating the highlands landscape from the view of the Capital. We all paused as the city came into view, it was still far away, but we could see the grand stone walls blockading the structures within.

Two large towers loomed on either side of a narrow strip of land surrounded by water. To the right of the towers was the vast ocean, its waves thumping against the cliffs and dripping onto beaches of yellow sand at the base. Teresa gasped as she saw the sparkle of the waves in the afternoon sun. She grabbed my hand and excitedly pointed to a boat bopping on its surface.

On the left of the towers was more water. This stretch of blue was still and calm as it basked in the sun, gently reflecting a gleam of turquoise. It was Oran Lake, I had read about it in books, but I had never imagined it being so large. I could not see the other side of it.

As we stood there, taking in the breathtaking view, Lieutenant Cragborn snapped at us for stopping. Reluctantly, we tore our gaze away from the captivating sight and resumed our trek towards the Capital. We quickly continued forward behind the Lieutenant as the path led us downhill, winding through large rocks and pebbled ground. The air grew cooler as we descended, providing some relief from the sun's heat. I almost slipped at the angle we walked, grabbing onto Teresa for support as she helped me past a rather tricky dip in the ground.

The scent of the ocean mingled with a smell of manure as we neared the edges of a stretch of farmland at the base of the cliff. Like Talbour, farms sprouted in well-maintained fields outside the Capital's walls. Golden heads of wheat gently swayed in the wind, and green leaves fanned in rows of vegetables on neighbouring fields. I could see small cottages dotted in the distance and blobs of movement in the fields as farmers tended to their crops.

Teresa and I walked side by side, occasionally exchanging words in hushed tones. I could tell she was still captivated by the view of the Capital and the vastness of Oran Lake. I shared in her awe, but my mind was also filled with thoughts of Callan. His presence to our left stirred up conflicting emotions within me, and I couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty.

Throughout our march, I had felt his burning gaze at the back of my head. It was difficult not to look his way, and I had been tempted too many times.

We halted at the foot of the cliff as the brigade began to fan out at the edge of the farmlands. The horn blasted as the last of the Summoners in the rear guard descended, signalling the end of the day's journey. As per our routine, we quickly set up camp at our designated spot for Trainees. Tents were erected, and we hurriedly organised our set up for the night, gathering flufftoru for the fire and laying out our bedrolls. The fatigue of the day's march weighed heavily on our bodies. However, our increase in stamina released much of the exhaustion we experienced when we first began the march. Teresa and Harold were still perked with energy and eager to continue training.

Settling on a spot near the fire alone, choosing to rest instead, I held up my palm. "Sign"

Blood Sign

General Information

Name: Lynette Heversham

Age: Twenty-One

Rank: Daughter of Viscount – Talbour

Traits: Beast born Hidden

Occupation: Trainee of Zopan Empire Army

Covenants: Zopan Empire Army Blood bond: Guidance of Vishka Hidden: Knowledge of Albus

Progression

Core Innate Grade: 0.02

Core Condensation Grade: 0.02

Affinities: Unknown

Skills

Aether: 1

One With All - Gathering: 1 – (Novice)

Combative: 2

Jian - Flowing Water: 6 – (Novice)

Dagger strike: 12 – (Novice)

Body: 3

Poison Resistance: 15 - (Initiate)

Pain Resistance: 25 – (Apprentice)

Stamina: 14 – (Initiate) +2

Mind: 3

Research: 12 - (Initiate)

Herbology: 57 - (Adept)

Alchemy: 7 - (Novice)

Spirit: 1

Beast Taming: 3 - (Novice) Hidden

General: 1

Social: 1 - (Novice) Hidden +2

Cooking: 2 – (Novice) +1

I was pleasantly surprised my social skill had increased. Maybe it had been during my conversation with Rian and Teresa this morning. I smiled, turning the spoon in the pot above the fire, preventing the rice from sticking to the metal. I was improving my skills, albeit slowly.

"You gained the cooking skill. I see, Lady Heversham," Garret approached, standing opposite me against the fire, instantly making my smile drop.

"Yes, Lady Thornfax was kind enough to teach me", I replied, rolling my eyes at his twitching smirk.

"Hmm, I will have to thank her. A wife who can cook is welcome in my household" he stared at me with an expression that made me flinch. His eyes sharpened as he moved past the flames gracefully, his hands behind his back toward me. "We will be reaching the Capital soon," he said, sitting down beside me.

"Yes. I am very much looking forward to civilisation," I said, inching away from him. I was looking forward to finally having a bath.

"As am I. Your Blood Contract can be revoked, and I can take you home to Talbour. Now that the deterrent devices have been refuelled, our journey shall be pleasant in comparison to this farce of a march." Garret ignored my intention to further my distance and instead closed the gap between us. I frowned at his hands as he rested them on his knees.

"I find myself repeating these words Lord Asher. I will not marry you or be returning to Talbour."

"Then I shall repeat my own words back to you" Garret snatched my wrist, and I felt my heart quicken as he dragged me close. My skin crawled like a thousand ants were running up my arms at his touch. "You are mine", he sneered in a hushed tone. His breath blew against my cheek as he leaned toward my ear.

I tried to pull away from Garret's grasp, my heart pounding in my chest as visions flooded my mind of his beatings. My chest tightened as I tried to hide my quickening breath, but the tremble of my hand was impossible to stop.

"I am no one's," I said, my voice hitching slightly. "I have made my intentions clear, and I will not be forced into a marriage or taken back to Talbour against my will."

"Oh? You forget Lady Heversham; you have no control over that decision" Garret's grip on my wrist tightened, his fingers digging into my skin. A sharp pain shot through my arm. I winced but refused to let him see the extent of my discomfort. "Don't think that Lord Hudson will protect you. What does the son of a Marquess care about a girl like you? You are nothing, just a girl he used and threw away. You are far better off with me. I am offering you a life of luxury, and you dare to reject it?"

I tried to steady myself, but my stomach flipped at his words as a surge of fear fluctuated throughout me. So Nathaniel was a Marquess lineage? I had created a scandal with a Marquess of all people. No wonder Nathaniel had told me things may be complicated now I was coming to the Capital.

"Why do you care?" I swallowed my hasty voice. "Why do you try to force my hand like this?"

"Because I always get what I want", Garret spat, his eyes burning with a mixture of arrogance and frustration.

I remembered his beatings, his obsession with gaining power that did not belong to a Baron. Garret had always been a man who tried to appear more than he was. He relished in having others to tower above and despised his lack of superiority in noble society. Fear mingled with anger within me as I looked into his brown eyes in defiance.

I will not go through life with this man again.

"Your obsession with control is your own downfall, Lord Asher," I said through gritted teeth, trying to maintain my composure. "You may think you hold power over me because of an agreement with my Father, but I will not surrender my freedom so easily. Your promises of luxury mean nothing to me when they come at the cost of having a man like you by my side."

Garret's face twisted with rage, his grip on my wrist growing even tighter. He grabbed my other hand, which was pushing against him. "You are mistaken, Lady Heversham. You belong to me, and I will ensure you realise that."

I felt a surge of desperation and panic rise within me as I recognised the look in his eyes. It was the same expression Garret showed when he was more than willing to force his way with me. I doubted he would do something like that here, but knowing that was his intention was enough. My eyes darted around the camp towards Teresa, but she was far away, too far to take notice as she was embroiled with Harold in their training. I tried to find Rian, but I could not see her camp; there was only one person I could think of that may be close enough. My panic led me towards Callan's team, they were a distance away, but I could see they were chatting around their fire. Of all the times, Callan's back was to us.

"Cal-" I tried to call, but Garret slammed his hand over my mouth, pulling my head down so the action was hidden between our huddled bodies. A surge of adrenaline coursed through my veins as fear exploded, fuelling my actions as I fought against his hold, desperately trying to break free. He was too strong; he always had been.

With all of the strength I could muster, I bit down on Garret's hand, hoping to startle him enough to release me. He yelped in surprise but did not pull his hand away, glaring at me.

"Lady Heversham", he bared his teeth at me, keeping up his hushed tone. "Face your circumstances. You have no choice but to be mine. Your little stunt with Lord Hudson has not deterred me nor your Father. Your hand has already been agreed upon. Accept that, and I will treat you as a loving husband."

Loving husband, my ass. His words rang hollow in my ears. I had already been down this road before, hoping for a loving and respectful marriage, only to be met with pain and abuse. I refuse to let my third life repeat itself. With renewed determination, I glared at Garret, trying to pull his hand away from my mouth with the one he released, my nails digging into his skin, but he only tightened his grip more on my wrist.

"Stop that", he gritted. "I do not want to hurt you, Lady Heversham. There is no point in struggling like this. No one will believe you if you tell them," he grinned manically. "Who would believe the Crazy Cerue over a trusted noble like me?"

His words made me pause my struggle. Was he right? My stomach numbed as I realised he probably was. Maybe Teresa and Rian would believe me, but the people who mattered, my brothers and Father, they definitely wouldn't. They never trusted me. They hadn't in my third life when I had tried to tell them what sort of man Garret Asher was.

I felt my strength wane. Was I truly trapped in this marriage again?

"Good" Garret's grin widened as tears welled up in my eyes, and my struggle weakened. "Accept you are mine", he relished in his perceived victory, loosening his grip on my wrist.

I refuse to marry this man.

Gathering all of my courage, I stomped hard on Garret's foot and bit harder into his hand. The pain rippled through my own foot as my teeth sank into his skin, but it was a small price to pay. Garret yelped but did not release me. In a surge of desperation, I shifted my weight and lunged forward, catching him off guard. We tumbled, and his grasp on me released. With a surge of energy, I stumbled away from him, gasping for breath.

"You underestimate me, Lord Asher", I shook, my legs carrying me away from him. "I may not have the support of my family or their trust, but I will not allow myself to be yours. I would rather die," I spat on the ground, clearing my mouth of Garret's blood. Why not die again? It was better than living with him.

Garret's nostrils flared as he glared at me with a mixture of anger and disbelief, clutching his injured hand and nursing his foot. I could see the fury burning in his eyes, but I refuse to back down.

"You will regret defying me, Lady Heversham", he growled, rising to stand.

"What's going on here?"

Startled, we both stilled, turning towards the source of the voice.

Callan stood a few paces away, his eyes narrowed with concern and confusion etched on his face. Relief washed over me, something I had never experienced seeing Callan's appearance. Without a word, I threw myself toward him.

"Lady Heversham attacked me", Garret's voice rang out, and I froze my step. The weight of the accusation hung in the air, threatening to crush me as Callan hardened his expression and glared.