Songbird by Colleen Helme Read Free Book Online

wanted to find her people.
    “It’s not much,” Bran said, dismounting. “But I have food and extra supplies here.”
    Teya dismounted as well, but once she hit the ground, she had to grab the saddle before her legs gave way. After she made sure she could walk, she straightened and followed Bran to the cabin. The unlocked door swung open on creaky hinges, and fear to enter the enclosed space caused her heart to race.
    Noticing her hesitation, Bran stepped into the cottage, and held the door open. “It’s safe, and not as small as you might think.”
    Taking a deep breath, Teya followed him inside. On one side of the room a fireplace lined the wall. The center held a table and chairs, while a narrow bed took up the rest of the space on the other side.
    “Why don’t you find something to eat while I take care of the horses?” He set a food pouch from his saddlebags on the table and turned to leave.
    “How long are we staying here?”
    “Not more than a few hours.”
    “Okay.” Teya let out a relieved breath and barely managed to flop into a chair at the table. She was so exhausted, she didn’t think she could eat much, but rummaged through the pouch anyway. She found bread, cheese, and dried fruit, along with a waterbag, and set them on the table. Her stomach chose that moment to growl, and she decided a little food wouldn’t hurt.
    A moment later, Bran came in and sat beside her. He took an apple and bit into it, then settled back in his chair. His casual movements took some of the worry out of her and she relaxed. He had risked a great deal to get her out of the palace and sudden warmth swept over her. “Thank you for freeing me from my prison.”
    Bran caught her gaze and smiled. “How long were you there anyway?”
    “Ten years,” she answered. “I was a child when they kidnapped me.”
    He shook his head and frowned. “Well, you’re out now, and I’ll do all that I can to keep it that way.”
    Her lips twisted in a wry smile. “Is that because you’ll probably be dead if you don’t?”
    “Something like that,” he drawled, smiling. “So…what do you think the king will do when he finds you missing?”
    Teya considered it. “First, he’ll probably send guards to search the grounds, and servants to search the palace. He won’t let them rest until I’m found. I’m not sure what he’ll do then, but it won’t be pretty. He’ll do whatever he can to get me back. He’ll probably have the guard killed who escorted me to my room last night. If Clare was still there he would have her tortured before executing her.” A spasm of pain shook her body. “He’s shown such cruelty before. Anyone who ever cared for me is dead.”
    “It’s not your fault.”
    “I know.” Her voice turned hard. “Now, tell me why you want to find the Kalorians.”
    Bran frowned, pausing to choose his words carefully. “I’m here because of sym . Have you ever heard of it?”
    His question caught her off-guard and spiked her curiosity. “No. What is it?”
    “We don’t have magic in Braemar. But recently we’ve stumbled upon an elixir that gives magical abilities. It’s called sym , and comes from the Old Country…uh…here. The magic only lasts a few hours, but in the wrong hands, it’s deadly. In fact, we have reason to believe that whoever is behind it is a threat to Braemar. I need to find out where it’s coming from, and the Kalorians are the only people who possess magic. That’s why I want to find them.”
    “You think my people are making sym ?” She frowned, confused.
    “No, not your people,” he said quickly. “But maybe some of them.”
    “The Kalorians would never use magic to hurt anyone,” she said defiantly, then realized her blunder. “Unless it was the only way to defend themselves.”
    “Like you?” His eyes narrowed. “I know you hurt the king the other night. I’m pretty sure he deserved it, but people were saying that was exactly why Kalorians needed to be collared. They