Surrendered Love (Love Series: Book 3) FREE READ TEMPORARILY DISCONTINUED

::Ryanna's POV:: These lands defined the expression on that Spartan's face. It was barren, destroyed, and hopeless. As Tyrion and I arrived at the docks of Eurota. The river flowed in an eerie rhythm. There were still signs of burnt debris and the smell of blood. As we scanned the area, a feeble old man cautiously approached us. "Who are you?" he asked shyly. "My name i-" I then was hushed by Tyrion's large waved hand. Tyrion started, "We are looking for someone by the name of Domarius. Have you seen him?" The old man took a step back, "I don't know who you're talking about," he croaked. Tyrion took two strides forward and reached for his neck. He held him in the air and the old man dangled, unable to breathe! This wasn't exactly the first impression I was hoping to achieve! He continued, "From the sound of your tone, you're lying. Tell me now, or I will burn whatever is left in this forsaken land!" "O-okay," he wheezed, "Please put me down!" Tyrion slowly put him down and before his feet were inches from the ground he hesitated and tightened his grip, "Any wrong movements will decipher the well-being of your land. Choose wisely." The old man nodded and was thudded against the ground. "Why did you do that?" I hissed. Tyrion ignored me and continued to glare at the old man. The old man coughed up some blood before feebly pointing at me, "You!" "Me?" I looked at him confused. "You look like him," his voice mustered, "Did you know Dravon?" I was about to speak until Tyrion interjected once again, "You will be speaking to me from now on," he coldly threatened, "Last chance." "I'm sorry," he apologized, "Before I bring you to him, would you at least introduce yourself?" Tyrion growled, "After..." The old man was defeated. He turned around and slowly limped on his cane back towards the badlands. "I can't believe you!" I was agitated. "Ever heard of 'Do not judge a book by its cover'?" he scoffed, "Bet you didn't see his cane. While wondering what he was going on about I observed the man's cane. Although it looked like an ordinary wooden cane, there was a sharp bit at the end that plowed the earth. It could have been used as a weapon! I can at least thank him that he hadn't slit his throat like Kenji would've done instantly. We followed the old man and my heart continued to sink the further we went in. There were trees that were charred and blazed within its irreparable bark. Rocks were cracked and stained with blood. The smell was not anything pleasant, but we trudged on. A few miles later I could smell a different aroma. I foresaw smoke in the nearby horizon indicating there were others nearby. I caught up to the old man, who smiled sweetly at me. "So you're Dravon's daughter, eh?" he whispered, "The name's Garyd." "So, Garyd," I looked at the smoke, "Is Dom there?" "I recognized that man by your side," he whispered, "Although not friendly in tone, he helped Dravon a few years ago." "Seems like you know a lot about my father?" I rolled my lips inward, "He sounds like a hero." "Oh, child," he smiled once again, "In some places, citizens thought he was their mythical god. Dravon was a pillar of hope for our people at one point." "I heard that the Vikings did a number on this place," I disclosed. The old man relucted, "Wiped out 85% of our people to be exact." What? 85%?! How could anyone be that cruel? "We may arrive at the village," Garyd spoke, "But, Domarius returns later tonight." "Why later tonight?" I asked. Garyd explained, "A lot of the percentages of people we have are elders, women, and children. He offered to hunt for food in nearby lands that were unaffected by the bloodshed." "That sounds..." I trailed off, did he really carry the burden of these people? Garyd finished my sentence, "...like a blessing." I snapped out of my thoughts and looked at him. I smiled and nodded. He began to grin from ear to ear, "I could tell you more about Dravon at your convenience, but what is your relationship to Domarius?" "That's enough questions," Tyrion butted in, "We require a place to stay until he returns." The old man dully dropped his lids at him and continued walking forward without me. "Why do you have to be like that?" I asked. "I don't appreciate gossip about me," he grunted. "Oh?" I nudged him, "Was it because it is true that you're a big softie?" "And you're everything like Dravon was," he smirked. And I knew that was not the truth at all. Why did this man take a hit on bad-mouthing me? We entered the village and saw what Garyd meant about the remaining population. There were still women who have yet to bore their unborn children. Elder women and men, too weak to fight or defend themselves. And crying children... hungry and waiting for their next meal. "This is awful!" I whispered. "You're witnessing the aftermath," Tyrion corrected, "War is a lot uglier when in progress." I would not question that. Kenji had sliced through humans without any remorse. How were people able to carry on knowing that they've taken other's livelihoods? And I couldn't help but think, how many lives did my father have to take to maintain peace? Or Dom... The people were skeptical of Tyrion and I, but Garyd continued on, and we stopped in front of a thatched hut, "This will be your stay until things can recover. It's not much, but it's the last we have." "This will do," Tyrion confirmed. "Now it is your turn to give your end of the bargain," he reminded us. "You don't need introductions from me," Tyrion narrowed his eyes, "But this is Ryanna, daughter of Dravon, next in line for the Royal Throne of the Isles." I glared at him in disbelief, he just told Garyd my who title and business! But Garyd did his best to kneel, "Dravon's spirit lives in you, may you prosper and succeed into what is rightfully yours." I bowed my head and Garyd took off. "Hey!" I called out. Garyd turned around, I had to ask, "Where did he go hunting?" Garyd pointed to the East, "He should be back before sun down, but just a few miles out that way." Tyrion and I entered the hut and saw a straw bed with a nearby table and candle. He placed his egg near the candle and sat down to ponder. Before I could say anything he looked out the window, "You're going to try to find him huh?" "Yes," I nodded. "And you don't want me to follow," he added. "Correct," I answered. Tyrion sighed uncomfortably, "I've lost you before..." Huh? Was he being worried? He continued, "This time, if you don't return, I won't bother looking for you." There it is! I dropped my head in defeat and gathered some stuff. I cloaked myself in black clothing and flexible ninja gear Kenji gave to me. Tyrion circled his finger on top of the crow's egg, "Be back with him or don't come back at all. If you fail to return after 48 hours, I will put everyone here out of their misery and set sail back to the Isles." "You can't just threaten and end a whole country based on my failure!" I retorted. "I did it for less," he smirked, "So don't fail." Ughhh! I marched out angrily, but a part of his tone hid a sense of trust in my ability to find Dom. Whatever abilities that may be! I exited the East gate and felt an uncomfortable lingering in the shadows. I gulped down my nervousness and dashed into the field. The shrubs and plantation were wilted, but as I dashed in further, things began to appear more lush. I utilized my skills of running like a ninja. Always light on my feet, and never to cause unwanted vibrations of sounds. Do not be seen, do not be heard, do not be afraid! An hour went by, and I perched onto a tree. I heard a boar ruffling about and oinking through the bushes. It appeared below me, digging through the ground for grubs. I held my dagger close and loomed over it. It had no idea of my whereabouts! I leaped off the branch and landed on its back! The pig startled and began bucking and running in a frenzy! It slammed me against a tree, but I held on. I remounted its back and unsheathed my dagger with my teeth. The pig charged and weaved, trying to shake me off. I yelled and bore my blade against its throat! I dug in with all the strength I had and ripped its main artery from its flesh. The boar shrieked in pain and was on its last stance. I took the back of my dagger and jammed it against the back of its neck. The pig fell unconscious, and bled until its last breath. I felt my hands shaking. I just killed a boar! As proud as I was for my first catch, I was then breathless from all the adrenaline that returned to me. I quickly pounced on the pig and began to tie its legs with a bit of rope that I had. I then heard a rustle behind me! There was someone there! I turned and pounced with my back away from him. My eyes caught a glimpse of him. My heart beated out of sync for a few seconds. I wasn't sure what emotion over took my body, but there was a strong mixture. There he was! The man that defined strength in war. The scars that proved his earned title. The light stubbles of his freshly shaven beard lined along his jaw. His cold, piercing eyes preyed on me. I was about to crack a smile, but then he threw something at me! I dodge to the side and witnessed an axe fly past my cheek. What the hell?! Was he trying to kill me? "These hunting lands belong to the Eurotians, leave or die," he snarled. Not even a 'hi'? Before I could speak he threw another and I squeaked and dodged it once again! So he doesn't know it's me! I looked at my clothing for a split second and realized why! I wasn't exactly showing anything of my identity! But, I bit down on my teeth and felt combat adrenaline enter my blood stream. This might sound crazy, but I have a lot of unrelented emotions bottled up within me since the last time I saw him. If I was to be remotely Dravon's daughter, I had to prove it right here, right now! I stood up and faced him. His body was almost double my size, and I would be lying if I denied any fear against his intimidation. I threw my dagger on the ground, and repositioned myself into a fighting stance. "Oh?" he tilted his head in fascination, "Mutual combat? Don't mind if I do." Dom cracked his knuckles and his neck and bent his knees. His grin was eager for this fight to start. Okay! Maybe this was a bad idea! I pursed my lips behind my mask, and my legs were giving out. But, I can't be a coward. I can't be like Jerard! I have things to do, and one of them is to conquer my emotions for Dom. If I end up scarred, or even dead... I'd be okay with it being by his hands. Dom's glare did not leave mine and he lunged forward. I quickly dashed diagonally, like Kenji did back in Nihon. "So you're from Nihon," he chuckled, "It's nice to have prey come to me instead." Dammit! I gulped.