Broken Prince (The Broken Ones) by Jen Wylie Read Free Book Online Page B

and frowned. "Lovely."
    She forced a smile. "You are a troublesome Elf. I
hope you know that."
    He glared over at her. "Where's Cain?"
    She froze. Turning her head away she tried to fight
the pain within her. "Dead."
    He sucked in a startled breath. "Aro..."
    "It's like you said. People die to protect me. I understand."
She clamped her mouth shut over her stiff and angry words.
    "That explains–"
    "My mindless killing?"
    "Arowyn." He leaned forward and reached out
a hand to her. When he swayed suddenly, she scrambled closer and caught him,
holding him against her. "You're not fine," she whispered. He turned
in her arms so he rested on his back, looking up at her. His blood and dirt
streaked face looked so broken and weary she clenched her jaw to keep from
crying.
    I am sorry. His
voice whispered through her mind.
    I know. We'll have you home soon. The horses will
help.
    Aro, I do not...
    She squeezed her eyes closed and held him more tightly
to her. "Shh..."
    Feeling his hand on her cheek she looked down at him
in surprise, blinking back the tears in her eyes. Don’t leave me. Don't
die.
    He smiled faintly as he looked up at her. I am
trying not to.
    His wry reply forced a small laugh from her. "Stupid
prince."
    Closing his eyes he sighed again. "The things I
do for you."
    "I know, living and all. Such a hardship," she
replied blandly.
    His lips curved up slightly. She couldn’t find it
within herself to smile.
    "I’ll get you home," she whispered. "I
promise."
    You have saved me enough already.
    As you’ve saved me. It’s what friends do. I won’t ever
stop. Don’t ever ask me to.
    Aro, you do not–
    Despite the fact he spoke to her with his thoughts, she
pressed her fingertips to his lips. "Hush. You need to rest."
    She looked up and saw Kei returning quickly, having
found both of the horses. "We have horses."
    As Prince mounted she stood next to her horse for a
moment, taking in a deep, shuddering breath and closing her eyes.
    While holding the beautiful, broken man in her arms,
acceptance had suddenly flooded through her. He was her friend. Her family.
More than that, she finally understood she truly was in love with him. Months
of trying to deny the feelings, to hide and ignore them, had failed. The
emotions he created within her would not go away. She just had no idea what to
do about them.
    "Wither me."
     
    * * *
     
    She and Prince moved quickly back into the trees. Kei
went in search of the lost pack. Heading south again, Prince followed behind
her. Once certain he wasn't going to topple off the horse, she closed her eyes
and pictured Garen.
    Can you hear me? She waited a moment, and then tried again, thinking of the human form
he’d shown her and attempting to push her thoughts out further. Garen? Are
you there?
    Yes. I have not found your friends yet , he finally replied.
    Relief flooded her he had answered. We found
Prince. We're heading south again now and still looking for Bo.
    Very well.
    "Aro, what are you doing?"
    "Talking to Garen," she replied. "Letting
him know we found you." She turned in the saddle to look at Prince when he
didn't answer.
    He was staring at her incredulously.
    "What?" She frowned, wondering what she had
done now.
    He shook his head. "You should not be able to
talk to him."
    She shrugged. "I've had a lot of practice. With
you, with Damon."
    He opened his mouth and closed it quickly again before
looking off to the side and shaking his head. "Troublesome child," he
muttered softly.
    She turned back around, keeping her eye out for Bo.
Kei would be pacing them within the fields and doing the same. She hoped they
found him soon.
     
    * * *
     
    She and Prince made their way south slowly, stopping a
few times to rest. Kei checked in on them occasionally, tying Prince’s pack
onto his horse on the first visit. They met again at noon to eat a quick lunch,
fill their water skins, and do a quick wash at a small stream.
    The new horse drew her attention when they stopped. She’d
noticed