Broken Enchantment (Unbreakable Force Book 3) by Kara Jaynes Read Free Book Online Page A

Adaryn. She’d fiercely denied it, but Aaric decided it was time to leave the city.
    Bran rode his black stallion up ahead, scouting for trouble, though with Matias out of power, the brigands were gone, and the roads safe. Miss Grace rode next to him, perched on her milky-white mare, leading a pack pony that was so laden with packages it was a wonder it could walk at all. The young woman from Ruis stuck to Bran like a burr to a coat. The nomad welcomed her company. A lot had changed since they left Ruis.
    Adaryn frowned at the two figures riding in front of them, her brow creasing. She didn’t remark on it, however, until that evening.
    Miss Grace had left the camp to fetch water. Aaric and Bran were setting up camp, and Adaryn was getting dinner ready. It was quiet until Adaryn broke the silence, staring after Miss Grace. “Odd that she offered to help. She must have a motive.” Her gaze turned to Bran. “You seem rather attached to Grace, Bran.”
    Bran smiled, not making eye contact with anyone as he erected a tent pole. “Do I?”
    Adaryn peered at him, her eyes narrowed. “You spend nearly every waking hour with the woman. What do you see in her?”
    Bran shrugged. “Guess I like a pretty face. Plus, she has a good heart, though she tries to hide it.” He grinned. “She does have a temper as fierce as yours. Nobody’s perfect, though.”
    “She’s an Oppressor.”
    Bran looked at Adaryn, his dark eyes hard. “And Aaric isn’t?”
    Adaryn stared stonily back. “No, he isn’t, actually. He’s one of us now. He has proven his character and loyalty to the clan.” She glanced in the direction Miss Grace had gone, but the blonde woman had walked down the slope and out of their line of vision. “Be careful, Bran. She may collar you yet.”
    Bran rolled his eyes. “I don’t know what happened between you and Grace, but you might put aside your prejudice and try to get to know the real Grace before making assumptions.”
    “The real Grace is probably even worse,” Adaryn sniffed. “How can you be so blind?”
    “Your hypocrisy is astounding, Adaryn.” Bran stood and with a dark glare at the slim nomad woman, stalked off in the direction Miss Grace had gone, leaving Aaric to finish setting up the second tent.
    Adaryn threw her hands up and turned to Aaric. “Am I being unreasonable?”
    Aaric merely shrugged. Adaryn was in one of her moods again. He chewed his lower lip, pondering what had transpired.
    Bran was probably right, that there was more to Miss Grace than her vanity, but Aaric could also see the signs. Bran was falling for her hard. Miss Grace’s father was a magistrate of Ruis, however. A more unlikely match Aaric couldn’t fathom. What would it entail for the nomads and for Ruis?

16
Bran
     
    G race walked down the hill toward the stream, a bucket in her hand. Bran padded after her silently. Adaryn had indicated surprise over Grace’s willingness to help and was suspicious.
    Bran smirked. Grace probably just didn’t want to be outdone by a nomad.
    Grace knelt by the stream, filling the bucket with water. Mud soaked the edge of her dress. Bran started in surprise and grinned hearing the string of curses that followed.
    “Let me help you with that.” Bran stepped forward to take the bucket.
    Starting, Grace fell with a squawk into the stream, splashing water up on the bank and Bran’s boots.
    “Grace!” Bran leapt forward, and unceremoniously hauled her, dripping wet, onto the bank. She sputtered in shock and indignation.
    “Don’t scare me like that,” she pouted, glaring daggers at him. Her hair was a wet, tangled mess, and a smudge of mud streaked across her nose. She handed the once-again empty bucket to him. “Get yourself some water, if you want it so bad.”
    “Wasn’t that your job?” Bran arched an eyebrow at her, smiling.
    Grace tried to toss her blonde curls over her shoulder, but they stuck to her neck and shoulders. She plopped herself down on the bank. “I