Claimed by the Enemy's Heir

Chapter Five

Wren and Kieran walked until the trees became really thin and turned into bushes. Wrens ankle did not hurt much as it did before. It was still sore. She was used to it by now. Kieran had not said a word in twenty minutes. Wren did not say anything either because she was not sure if she could talk without her voice shaking.

Then Wren smelled something. It was the smell of woodsmoke. It was not from a big fire. It was the kind of fire that someone makes to cook food. Wrens body reacted to the smell before she even thought about it. She felt something in her chest like a memory.

"That is not Voss " Wren said quietly.

Kieran stopped moving. Smelled the air. "No it is not."

They found the source of the smell in a valley below the hill. There was a shelter made of branches and rocks and smoke was coming from a fire pit. An old woman was sitting beside the fire with a knife in one hand and a rabbit in the other. She was looking at Wren and Kieran like she had been waiting for them.

"Greta," Wren. Her voice broke. She knew this woman. Greta was the healer from Wrens town. She had taken care of Wren when she was a child.

Greta looked at Wren. Then at Kieran. Her face changed,. Wren could not tell what she was thinking.

"Well " Greta said. "I did not think I would see you again with him."

Wrens legs felt weak. She almost fell down. "You are alive " she said. "I thought you were dead."

Greta put the rabbit aside. Looked at Kieran. "I ran away from the town just like you did " she said. ". I found a safe place sooner."

Wren walked to Greta. Hugged her. Greta felt solid and real. She smelled like home. Wren felt something in her chest like she was going to cry.. She did not cry, because she had told herself she would not cry until everything was okay.

Greta said, "You are traveling with a Voss."

Wren said, "It is complicated."

Greta said, "It is always dangerous with a Voss."

Greta looked at Wrens ankle and her clothes. She looked at Kieran. "You are his son " she said.

Kieran said, "I am."

Greta said, "You should be taking Wren to your father but you are not. That means you are either very loyal to Wren or you are a liar."

Kieran said, "Maybe both."

Greta looked at Kieran for a time. Then she said, "Sit down and eat something. You must be very hungry."

Wren sat down. Greta started to take care of her ankle. The warmth of the fire and Gretas hands felt good. Wren felt like everything was going to be okay at least for a while.

Then Wren asked Greta "What does the prophecy say? The one about my bloodline? I want to know the truth not what people are saying."

Greta stopped moving. Looked at Wren. She looked like she was thinking about something. Then she said, "We will talk about that tomorrow. You are too tired. Hurt to talk about it now.. I do not want to talk about it in front of him until I know what he is to you."

Wren said, "He is my mate."

Greta looked at Kieran and her face changed. She looked sad.

Greta said, "Then the moon goddess has a sense of timing."

Greta finished taking care of Wrens ankle. Sat back. "Rest tonight both of you. Tomorrow I will tell you what your blood is worth if I decide to trust you."

It was not the answer Wren wanted. It was a promise.. For now that was enough. Wren closed her eyes. Rested by the fire feeling safe for the first time, in days.