Read Bellona (Part 1.5 of The Saskia Trilogy) for Free Online

sword. He doesn’t draw it so I focus on the two that have. I pull on one man’s spirit and he stumbles. It is enough for the second man to charge. I quickly rip the man’s soul from his body before turning to the charging guard but I am too late. He is an inch from me before he slumps to the ground, a dagger protruding from his back. My eyes clash with the last remaining guard.
    He saved me. Someone saved me.
    “What is your name?” My voice is low but he hears me.
    “Taurus, my lady.” He inclines his head in respect but his eyes remain dark, as dark as his soul. Yet, he saved me.
    “Bellona,” Nierra’s voice breaks my gaze from Taurus, he halts when he sees all of the bodies. My stomach tightens, but my face is in his hands as he surveys me. My hair is in tangles, tears are still wet on my face, hand marks are visible on my cheeks, and blood trails down the side of my head. “Who did this?” His words send a shiver through me, he is barely containing his rage.
    I scramble for an explanation, but Taurus gives one. “The guards attacked but I was able to disarm them.”
    We turn to Taurus. I look at him stupidly, why is he helping me?
    Nierra pulls my gaze back to him. “Bellona, is this true?” he questions, and I nod, still reeling in shock.
    This is my way out so I stand a bit taller. “Yes, Taurus came to my rescue.” I look at Taurus. “He saved me,” I whisper. Someone saved me. “Very well.” Nierra’s words are spoken louder than necessary, breaking my gaze from Taurus. But confusion clouds his beautiful eyes.  “But why did they attack?” he asks.
    “Because I wouldn’t return with them. One guard just couldn’t contain his anger and he attacked. Then everything happened at once. Taurus stopped them from hurting me further. He …”
    Nierra cuts off my words, finishing them for me. “Saved you,” his words sound angry and I feel a twinge of my own anger towards Nierra.
    I slip out of his hands and turn to Taurus who stands still, giving nothing away. “Thank you, Taurus. I will be forever in your debt.” I bow to him and can hear the sharp intake of Nierra’s breath, but I turn away before glancing one last time at Taurus. His eyes look lighter as if he is smiling and I find myself smiling the whole way back to my chambers.
    “Bellona, this needs to be reported.” Nierra moves beside me and guilt swamps me.
    I turn to him. “Taurus will report it tomorrow. Right now I want to get cleaned up and return to my party.”
    Nierra looks confused. “Are you sure?” he asks and I smile at him, a real smile.
    “I am positive.”
    He kisses my hand. “Go get ready, I will wait right here for you. I won’t leave you alone.”
    Tears fill my eyes but I won’t let them spill. “Thank you,” I say before turning to my chambers.
     
                                                            ***
    I return to my party and pretend that I don’t notice the gleam of hunger in the eyes of the men or the envious streak in the woman’s eyes. Right now my mother moves through the crowd. I hold still and keep my head high. I am not alone , I chant in my head. And I wasn’t. Nierra stands right beside me, but Morrick arrives. “I will only be a moment,” he says and I swallow but nod as he moves away and my mother fills my view.
    “What are you wearing?” her heated words and visible anger please me, for the first time in my life I am winning.
    “A dress, of course,” I say while holding each side of the dress out. The red fabric is soft against my fingers. Her hand grips my arm roughly.
    “Go back right this moment and change,” she whispers into my ear so no one can hear her cold words.
    “Bellona.” It’s Nierra’s voice that makes my mother withdraw and smile. He bows to my mother before taking my hand and moving me away from her.
    “I’m sorry, but Morrick had a question.” He pauses now. “And I am sorry that I wasn’t