Read The Stolen Valkyrie: Broken Bonds (Part One) (Fantasy Erotic Romance Novelette) for Free Online Page B

need a moment alone.”
     
    She forced herself up and headed toward the grove of trees. Other than the bit of nausea, Asta did not feel bad. After relieving herself, she headed back to camp. The women started to fuss over her again but she shooed them away, “I am not with a phoenix babe, Tani. Don’t ye think I would know if I were?”
     
    Her adamant tone froze Kelci. Asta quickly covered, “It is my bleeding time. That is all.”
     
    Understanding flooded over both her companion’s faces. Tani quickly grabbed a packet of herbs from her satchel and created a mixture. Unwilling to confess her secret, Asta drank it and accepted Kelci’s help climbing atop the horse. Besides crossing two rivers, their journey was uneventful with intermittent stops once again.
     
    By the time they agreed to camp, Asta was exhausted. She forced herself to hunt, gaining a rabbit for their meal. She picked over the meat, forcing most of it down her throat by sheer will. The talk turned again to the Vojihn Clan. Fearing she would lose her dinner, Asta remained quiet and listened.
     
    The conversation turned to mating and babes. Tani tried to outdo Kelci by saying, “Our Chief Zajihn has double phoenix in his blood. I tell ye his seed is the most potent in the world. His twin’s spirit…”
     
    Asta’s head jerked up, “Enough! Tani, do ye dare rile the Gods by speaking of my Master’s lost twin?” She shook her head and uttered a disapproving sound before ending the conversation by telling Kelci, “Gods forgive me but, if ye must know, his twin babe was killed by the Vojihns. If ye ever yearn for a swift death, speak of the matter to Grand Master Johan. He does have the strength of two. I can vouch for that.”
     
    Kelci remained quiet, darting a glance at Tani who had a peculiar expression on her face. She swiftly rose and grabbed the furs, “Mistress, I beg your forgiveness. Ye are right.”
     
    Asta frowned at Tani’s back, wondering who was filling her friend’s head. At the moment, she was too exhausted to find out. Motioning toward their horses, Asta told Kelci, “Check them while I snuff the fire.”
     
    Afterward, Asta curled against Tani and said, “Take care with what ye think ye know, my friend. Some rumors are best left alone.”
     
    The Mistress’ last words, uttered with extreme exhaustion, alarmed Tani. With her front to Asta’s back, Tani wrapped her hands around her friend and said, “Asta, your stomach is overly hot. Have ye taken the mixture recently?”
     
    Asta did not answer. She had already fallen asleep. The next morning, Asta knew she was becoming ill. She had never felt so thirsty in her life. Watching Tani prepare the mixture, she rasped, “Hurry!”
     
    Kelci’s hand rose to her forehead. Frowning, she told them, “A fever. Tani, get the tonic and add a drop to her water.”
     
    Once the drop was added and Asta drank some, they thrust a fresh canteen of water into her hands. Asta nodded, “Thank ye.” Trying to alleviate their anxiety, she motioned toward the horses, “I’m able to ride. Let us journey forward.”

 

Chapter Four
 
     
    Over the next two days, Asta kept them from seeing the true extent of her illness by force of sheer will. When they were within hours of the village, exhaustion overcame her. For the first time in her life, Asta fainted. Her horse pranced, whinnying nervously when its owner’s body slumped sideways.
     
    Tani saw her go down and called to Kelci, “Halt! Something is very wrong with Grand Mistress Asta!”
     
    Together, they carefully lowered her from the horse and onto a fur. Working quickly, they transferred supplies from the back of Tani’s horse and onto Asta’s stallion. Tani mounted before pulling Asta in front of her.
     
    “Gods be with us, Kelci, she is burning with fever. We must ride hard for Western Shire.”
     
    Digging spurs into the horse’s flanks, they sent Clan Zajihn’s alarm cry through the air. Shouting the