Mated to the Warrior Beast

But what if it worked? She needed to be confident of what Tarkyn was working towards. And she also deserved to know if they made this decision to leave, what the consequences might be.

So, taking a deep breath, but trying to keep his face as expressionless as possible, he reached for her mind and showed her the memory.

He showed her Gar standing close, watching over his shoulder when they were outside the prison tree, and breathing to him below hearing, “Help him. Get him out of here. He can only prove himself when he’s free.” He showed her his relief at the War Chief’s instruction. Then he showed himself, offering his hand to Zev, and the two, tiny nails he’d palmed to the male as they shook. Neither of them big enough to do harm as weapons... but strong and straight... and perfect for picking a lock.

He always carried little tools in his belt, but when he’d seen it in the male’s memories-the training he’d had, the ways he could free himself or break into closed buildings-it had occurred to him.

There was only one way to prove to the Anima that the Chimera weren’t coming to kill.

Tarkyn just prayed that the nails were enough. They’d get Zev and his family out of the cell. But Tarkyn had planned to create a diversion, an opportunity for them to flee without needing to take out guards.

Gar’s instruction or not, he couldn’t be responsible for harm coming to some of his guards, especially not as a consequence of him letting the Queen down, breaking his vow, however unintentional the breach had been.

.....

He’d tried to give the wolf every warning and clue. But he hadn’t expected to immediately disappear.

If they left now and Zev wasn’t patient like Tarkyn had told him to be. If the male tried to escape immediately, harming guards-or worse-on his way... Or if he was caught trying because Zev got frantic and didn’t wait until there were no witnesses...

And if any of these things happened-even his successful escape-right after Tarkyn had been alone with him... right after Tarkyn had let the Queen down...

Tarkyn laid it all out in the flash of a few seconds for Harth. Her eyes widened, but she was wise not to speak out loud. She tightened her grip on his hand, but he felt her hope rise and heard her joy in the whisper of her voice in his head.

‘He’ll be careful. He won’t want to kill anyone for the sake of it. He’ll just want to get free,’ she murmured as if they might be overhead, even in the bond.

‘Yes, but will he wait? If he disappears tonight-at the same time I’ve gone with you? Harth... it won’t look good.’

Gar waited, obviously figuring out that they were speaking, but he kept watch on the forest around them.

Then, while Harth chewed her lip and considered that, Tarkyn had an idea. ‘Can you still reach his mind? Can you tell him we need two or three days? So they won’t connect us with his disappearance? I can... I can give him some tips on the best times to try.’

Harth blinked, but her eyes brightened. ‘Yes. Yes, I can still reach him.’

Tarkyn nodded, then turned to Gar, instinctively pulling Harth closer. “We’ll go,” he said. “I’ll take her to the lagoon.”

“The Lagoon?”

Tarkyn’s chest tightened-he’d never shared his favorite spot with any of the other males because he’d always gone there seeking solitude. But this was necessary, and Gar had his own caves, Tarkyn knew.

So, he stepped aside on the trail to point through a gap in the trees, tugging Gar to look over his shoulder. “You see the peak with the curved side, like a bear swiped a chunk out of it?”

“Yeah.”

“Head that way for three hours-two if you’re in your beast. Just keep running straight for it. There’s a ravine at the base of the mountain that looks dark, like a dead end. But if you push through, there’s a small wood, then it opens into a lovely clearing. The cave is hidden, but I’ll hear you if you call. Even from the Ravine.”

Gar nodded and they both turned to face each other.

Tarkyn’s heart was pounding, but he couldn’t decide what he felt more deeply-the fear and dread of the Queen’s potential anger, or the freedom and joy of time alone with his mate.

“You’re certain she’s not going to think I’ve stolen Harth away?”

Gar shook his head. “She was already talking about letting Harth stay with you-without the guards. She knew that had to happen. She was just... struggling.”

“Didn’t she want Harth to confirm some of-”

“Tark, seriously, just go.” Gar reached down to his belt where he’d tied two hunting bags. “I got you some food and a knife. Do you have furs there?”

“It’ll be fine. We’ll be fine,” Tarkyn said carefully, taking the bags from his friend.

Then they stared at each other and a moment later, Gar cracked a smile. “I know it’s a shitty way to do it, but happy honeymoon.”

Tarkyn smiled too.

Gar winked at Harth. “Don’t let him order you around like one of his soldiers. Make him work for it.”

Harth snorted, but her grip on Tarkyn’s arm tightened. Then Tarkyn and Gar clasped forearms. Gar pulled him into a quick embrace, thumping his back. “Just keep an ear out for us. We’ll get through this, Tark. She’ll listen. We’ll make sure she does.”

Tarkyn nodded quickly, then took Harth’s hand and pulled her down the fork in the trail that would lead them into the wood.

The questions and fears of everything that had happened wanted to overwhelm him, but he shook them off.

He’d prayed for a chance to be alone with his mate-free. Both of them free. And here it was.

He wasn’t going to question this gift.

In fact, as they started down the trail and he used the link to tell Harth everything that Zev needed to know before they went out of range, he had to discipline himself not to run.

** POSTED 29 November 2022 AFTER publication so you aren’t charged for the words **

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