The Future King and the Commander's Daughter

Keep Moving Pt. 1

Astrid is Thirteen

Astrid was observing a group she wasn’t supposed to be following. Bjourn was going to spank my ass when he read this report, but I could feel something was going on. I had everything Titus and my dad needed to bust the supernatural’s selling drugs that were too big for humans to be using or dealing with. I should’ve gone home, but I decided to follow the guy from the last buy. I couldn’t exactly figure out why I had done that, but I knew that there was a reason deep inside me. He wasn’t a human, and he’d bought a lot of drugs. He was going to a shopping center. Just report this. Why am I following him? Just go home, Astrid.

As much as I tried to convince myself, I was still here watching him. Maybe he was a dealer and he was meeting clients I could give over. That could work for my reasons in the report I was going to give. I would still get a delicious spanking and I was definitely here for that. I couldn’t help but smile thinking of Bjourn. I’d never doubted that he was mine the moment I came back from my first mission.

I’d returned a woman and he’d worshiped me like one. I just knew we were mates as he always believed. Now, I didn’t try to shy away from that though. I’d always hoped before but I didn’t want to hope too hard because it would destroy me if we weren’t. We were though, and in three years it would all be sealed by the fates.

I toyed with the charm bracelet Bjourn had given me with a star and the world on it. I never took it off. He told me we’d add to the bracelet as our journey in life continued. I’d teased that he would have to add charms for our children. He’d attacked my mouth with a possessive fervor and told me I couldn't tease him about having kids. I wasn’t though. I was going to be off birth control for my sixteenth birthday. I wanted to start our family the second we saw each other on that day and the realm was aware of what we already knew. We were fated, we were forever.

I smiled absentmindedly, spinning the charm around. I stiffened when I saw Brandi Turks running into the shop the guy I was watching was in. What was going on here? I forced myself to calm down because Brandi came here a lot. What if they were watching her though? Was he waiting for her? Did Aesir guide my path here so I could save her? My parents were sending me their curiosity and Aaron was begging me to pull him to me. He wafted his desire to fight with me.

Wait, fight with me? I realized I was actually preparing to fight without even noticing it cognitively. My hand was on my weapon now and I was crouched low. The man I was watching came out with Brandi. She was observing the area around her looking for escape points. Ok, Aesir definitely guided me to follow my instinct here. I faded in and we locked eyes. Hers showed relief and she blinked three times. Damn it, she was in trouble! I nodded to her and observed a couple arguing near me.

She huffed, “I don’t know why you won’t just trade in that car for something better.” The guy said, “Because it runs and gets me from point A to point B. I don’t need something better.” I heard Brandi scoff, “I’m not dropping my frozen chocolate covered banana I have been craving it for two days. You don’t want to unlock the angry side of this pregnant woman more than you have. So, just lead the way to the garage.” Ok, so I did need a car to save her. She wasn’t wrong either. Hackura women were lethal when pregnant, but I don’t think this realm knew that.

I tapped my thigh letting her know the message was received. I should’ve been closer to the damn shop then I could’ve taken them on without the car. They were too far ahead of me. Damn it, Astrid! You should’ve been in the shop itself. I sent urgency to my family in our bond and the need for help. Which sent them into a panic.

The woman said, “It’s over twelve years old. Let’s just trade it in.” He said, “Then I’m carrying a car loan when I have a paid off car that runs. I’m not doing that for no good reason.” She huffed at him and I walked behind them and easily lifted his keys. I took off towards the parking lot when I heard Brandi groan in pain. If they hurt her I’d kill them in the parking garage and deal with the human authorities.

Someone gleefully said, “Her water broke. Get her in the van.” s**t! I took off running as the van peeled out of the spot. I hit the button on the car hoping it was on this level. It was. I don’t know why this woman was so upset about the man owning this car. It was perfect. He was right, he had no reason to get a new car. I winced thinking he was about to need one because I was stealing it and likely going to crash it. I’d make sure we somehow got him enough money or had him win a car in this realm.

I took off like a bat out of hell. My dad was now pleading with me to pull him to me. My adrenaline was flying. Aaron would be on his way to Bjourn. I wanted to wince because I was supposed to join him watching little Harper and Gunner. They were so cute together. It felt like what people must have watching Bjourn and I together when we were younger. They orbited each other and picked up on the other’s moods. It was freaking adorable and I loved spending time with them.

I looked around for anything to drop to signal to Bjourn which way I was going, but this car was so clean it was crazy. I wasn’t about to drop my bracelet so that was out. He’d just have to figure it out. I pulled a hard turn onto a service road. Good, they were getting out of sight for me. I could work with that. Plus, I was leaving tire marks all over the place. Bjourn could easily find that.

The van was stopped and two men were trying to pull Brandi from the car. I blared the horn and the van took off shutting the door. I clipped the back of the car and hit my head on the steering wheel. Brandi would know I was here and that she could act though. It’s why I honked. I chased down the two men attempting to outrun a car. Seriously? Two warlocks against a car? They weren’t even trying to use magic. Aaron sent his laughter over my disappointment. He wouldn't if he knew why I was disappointed. I kind of thought they’d give me more of a fight. Or at least have some critical thinking in a crisis.

I guess warlocks didn’t train like we did though. My brain was already coming up with plans for Brandi and me to hide or get out of here. Given her state, my plan was to open a portal and go. I crashed the car into a tree pinning one guy. I screamed as I felt the front end bend along with my leg. I looked down and evaluated it quickly. Dislocated not broken.

I took a deep break and put my knee back in place screaming. Aaron was sending strength along with my parents. I used it to fuel myself. I backed the car up and grabbed the guy I pinned, throwing him in the car. I had the other guy in two steps slamming his head onto the car.

I asked, “Why did you take her?” He told me, “You will never get her or her baby back.” I scoffed, “You can’t be serious. Do you understand how close I am to her? You’ll never get one of ours away from us like this. Her mate and family could always find their sibling and her.” He said, “The Ring will take you down. We already struck at you and you have no idea.” I incredulously replied, “You do know I’ve been on you from the moment you brought her out of the shop.” He was about to say something but then passed out. UGH!

It was probably a head wound. I opened his eyes and looked at his pupils. His right one was blown. Damn it. I needed Bjourn. I’d helped him study, but I wasn’t actually a doctor. Maybe I would get an EMT certification. I had several business degrees but that did not help me get more answers out of these guys. I huffed, “Yeah, well enjoy meeting my man. If he has time, he’ll torture you.” I shoved that guy unceremoniously into the car and took off running.

I trained with Bjourn every day we were home. When I wasn’t he had a schedule for me to follow for cardio. I’d complained about it every day for three years, but something told me by the end of today I’d thank him. I thought his cardio routines were excessive and unnecessary but given the terrain we were in big trouble. My leg throbbed, but I ignored that pain letting my dad’s strength push me to continue. Brandi and her child needed me. They were my people, and I wasn’t going to let them down.

I saw the van and pulled the knife in my shoe that Bjourn insisted I carry on me at all times. Damn the man for always being right. I threw it at the back tire and hit it dead center. I was proficient in so many weapons it was ridiculous. Being the commander’s daughter came with dangers that my parents made sure Aaron and I were ready for.

The van drove over a rock and the tire popped. They skidded to a stop and several jumped out. I had already pulled a dagger and quickly slit the throat of a demon before he could shimmer away. Demons and warlocks, that was a new alliance.

I didn’t have time to focus on it. Brandi had pulled a weapon and was fighting between contractions. Stay put little one, we had to get out of here. Several men took off and I pursued them. I got to one quickly slitting his throat. I’d killed three and Brandi had killed two. The rest had taken off yelling about getting to their back up.

I ran over, “Brandi?” She huffed, “Yeah, let’s not stick around for their backup. This little one has a touch of dramatics. It’s going to be a girl this time I’d bet. Thank you for coming for me.” I laughed, “We’ll see if you’re having a girl soon enough. I did what any of our people would do.” I tried to open a portal and nothing happened. Brandi sounded afraid, “Astrid?” I gritted my teeth but nothing was happening. Brandi tried to open one too. She asked, “What’s going on?”

I admitted, “I don’t know but we can’t waste more time trying to open a portal in the open we have to move.” Brandi winced, “I will slow you down.” I grabbed her arms, “I will not leave you behind. We will stand together until Bjourn gets to us. I know he’s already on the way. He’s coming and he won’t stop. Nothing will get in his way. We just have to hang on until he gets here.”

She cringed through a contraction. I picked her up and started to move. When it passed I put her down and helped her walk. After a few miles I dragged a branch over our footprints. Brandi huffed, “You should wipe them out.” I replied, “There’s no time. We have to keep moving.” Brandi said, “Astrid, you know you need to fight. They will come back and I’m a liability.”

I told her, “You’re not a liability. You are my sister in arms right now, and you are being a bad ass in labor. You killed two people back there to protect yourself, your child, and me. We will find a cave that I will defend and you will give birth.” She cringed, “Birth is loud.” I told her, “I bet you can do it as quietly as possible given the situation. You are a fighter, but even if you can’t, I will defend you. We will get out here and Bjourn will come for us. He might thank you for being loud because I haven’t been able to leave him the best trail to follow.” She cringed, “They said if my baby was a girl they were going to take her to some group. They would r**e and beat her…”

My eyes blazed as I promised, “That will NEVER happen. They won’t be getting either of you today or any other day.” Brandi took a deep breath. I grabbed her hands, “Look at me, Brandi.” She did and I told her, “It’s you and me out here until help comes. You are my sister in arms and if that baby is a girl she’s right there with us. We will get through this today because we will not go down to some random grouping of deviant supernatural’s.”

She agreed, “They are quite the odd group aren’t they?” I nodded emphatically. She whispered, “Let’s do this.” I nodded, “Ok, we are going for high ground and a cave. Keep an eye out.” She said, “They will expect us to go back to the road. I nodded, “I know that’s why we aren’t. They will be waiting at any point on the road. They must have known we couldn't open a portal. They will figure out eventually we didn’t go down towards the road. We will have to deal with stragglers, but those one the road will meet our backup.”

Brandi chuckled, “I’d feel bad for them coming across Bjourn, but I’m totally team the Crown Prince going for the jugular to get his to Stella Mea (My Star).” I smiled, “You know he will. Boden will come too.” Brandi sighed, “Given his anger and frustration at the moment he’s on lockdown in the realm.” Titus would do that to protect Boden if they didn’t have enough details and someone was already coming to help. I said, “Then you know Bjourn is here. Boden would only stay put if someone was coming.”

Brandi laughed, “Boden would only stay put if Bjourn was the one on our trail knowing how he feels about you. Boden knows that Bjourn will do whatever he has to in order to find you, which is what Boden would do to find me.” I nodded agreeing then held up a hand and pointed to a tree. I helped her climb it out of sight and threw up a rope for her to tie herself down with. Hoping and praying to Aesir a contraction wouldn’t knock her out of the tree if she was tied to it. A little more help here would be great.

Someone was coming. Someone I wanted to question, but I couldn’t because Brandi needed help. I wanted to scream, curse, and throw things. I hadn’t even checked her or asked where she felt she was in labor. She’d done this four times before now. She’d have a good idea of what was going on. I quickly gathered myself into a big pile of leaves.

A demon came into my line of sight. He called, “Come out wherever you are! You can’t hide from us.” Point of reference, I could hide from him and I was hiding from him. I could stay here and he’d never know that just wasn’t my plan. I jumped out and snapped his neck quickly. He didn’t even have time to scream. I quickly pulled out a phone, a pocketbook, and a usb from his pockets. I used my dagger and ran it down his back before I dragged his body across the snow where there was a pack of coyotes waiting. I threw the body and they feasted.

Brandi was working her way down. She studied the blood in the snow. She surmised, “You are leaving a trail for Bjourn to follow.” I nodded, “Yes, and I know he will follow it.” She smiled, “He’s yours, isn’t he?” I startled, “People don’t usually say that besides my friends, family, and his.” Brandi laughed, “My dear sweet girl, everyone says it. Some just hope it’s true while others don’t because…”

I interrupted her, “Because they want him.” She replied, “Or you. You’re quite the catch if you didn’t notice, but yes. I’ve never had the kind of confidence you do in him other than Boden. You know he’s going to come and follow your trail. That’s the confidence of a mate.” I nodded because she was right. I told her, “We’ve made good time.” She agreed, “I know.”

I took us higher up praying to Aesir for a cave to give us cover. I could protect her better there. I could have a trap at the point of entry and know when they were coming. That was much better than being out in the open like this.

Someone yelled, “Step away from her or get shot!” UGH! I blocked Brandi from view and watched a man jump down from the tree and snap his neck. He was wearing a mask, but I could tell he was smiling at me. He took off in the direction opposite of me. The way I knew most of those hunting us would go because they’d assume I’d go that way given where I left the last body. I wanted to say a million curse words because I was certain he was Benny Cambridge. I couldn’t call out to him or say anything in front of Brandi.

I huffed, “Let’s go.” She asked, “What happened to the shooter?” I answered, “I’m guessing someone is cutting ties.” She scoffed, “No loyalty amongst thieves.” Yeah, except that was one of our people and he was going to kill the majority of them. Which meant Benny knew enough to know that Bjourn was coming for me. Just how close was this man watching us all? I was frustrated on Bjourn’s behalf because I knew it bothered him that no one talked about Benny. I just knew that Benny better have a good reason that I’ve stuck up for him all this time. I appreciated his help though.

We found a cave further up and I sat Brandi down. I quickly pulled some string and rigged it so whoever walked in would get hit by some loose rocks and give me warning time. I took Brandi further into the cave and asked, “What are we looking at here?” She cringed, “Bjourn won’t make it before I give birth.” I wanted her to be wrong so I argued, “You don’t know that.” She admitted, “I do, because I need to push.” I checked her and admitted, “I do see the head. I have some good news for you. I did help Bjourn study for his doctorate. I was also there when he delivered Harper.”

She snorted, “Thank you for making me laugh.” Yeah, Harper’s delivery was a story for the books and Titus was probably going to lock Veronica down during her next pregnancy. They were adamant they were going to have one more, but Veronica said that one would be her last though.

The cave trap tripped. I gritted my teeth wanting to scream in frustration again. REALLY? NOW? My dad sent me all his strength and belief Bjourn was close. He had to be because I needed him. I told Brandi, “You push and I’ll be right back.” She grabbed a stick and put it in her mouth to clamp down on. I turned and met the man who had come in. He scoffed, “You really thought you could get away.” I shrugged, “I mean technically speaking I did get away. So, I don’t think I can get away. I did.” He gritted his teeth which cost him. I punched him in the face and put him into a headlock and snapped his neck. These assholes were pissing me off that I couldn't even take my time killing them for all the inconveniences they were causing me. I had to get it over with quickly.

I ran back to Brandi. She was grunting in pain, but the sound was muffled by the stick she was using. I told her, “You’re doing great! I see the shoulders now. Come on, Brandi. Give me another big push.” She grabbed my shoulder hard. She took the stick out, “Thank you.” I reiterated, “I’m doing what any of our people would do.” She bared down and the baby shot out. I caught the baby and quickly noticed it was a girl. Who started to twist her wrists around. This little one was about to let loose a wail.

I was yanked back and the baby was ripped away from me. Brandi started screaming as I was pulled away by my hair. Hair pulling? REALLY? Too bad for them Hackura women trained for this. I whipped my leg around and brought him crashing to the ground before I hit him hard on the inside of his elbow making his arm react instantly letting go. Brandi screamed for me to look out.

I instantly ducked as a rock sailed past my head. I grabbed one and slammed it down into his head. I started to run back to Brandi because a guy was picking her up. She demanded I go after the baby and pointed. They took the baby from her? That was cruel! They should’ve kept them together. Plus, who runs INSIDE the cave? Morons, I swear to god. Brandi must be the target. That’s the only thing that made sense. They wanted her over the baby.

I took off in the direction she pointed. If Bjourn hadn’t had me doing so much cardio my muscles would be burning by now. My legs were still fresh though. My man had a point about this whole doing all this cardio thing. Damn it. He was never going to relent. All his brothers would be doing more cardio when he read this report. I’d be damned if I said it out loud until he made me. I shoved those thoughts and the smile off my face thinking about how he’d do that.

I quickly caught the man. He chuckled, “The baby is dead. You failed.” What? The baby was turning blue, the cord was wrapped around her neck. I snapped his and set the baby down on the ground, loosening the cord, and quickly administering CPR. Bjourn had his doctorate, but what few knew was he was studying pediatrics and doing rounds in the human realm. He wanted to be able to treat everyone the way a specialist would. Which meant I knew exactly how to administer CPR to the baby because I’d helped him practice.

Aesir, please let me save her. She’s just a baby with a whole life ahead of her. I didn’t know how long it was before I heard running towards us. I wasn’t worried though, I knew that run. Bjourn was here. Relief filled me then the baby wailed. I would’ve laughed and teased Bjourn that even babies responded to his nature just by his mere presence but my adrenaline was fading. Which was bad, I tapped into my bond with my dad. He was still sending me strength. I sent him my feelings that we were going to be ok. Bjourn was here, and he’d know who had come for us without me being able to say the words Bjourn was here. His relief was instantaneous along with the rest of my family.

Bjourn moved to check on the baby while putting a hand on me. I didn’t even think he realized he did it. I looked back at Brandi who looked anxiously around us at her little girl. I knew the look on Bjourn’s face. The baby was fine, but he wanted her under observation in our realm. He said as much and I took my first full breath.

He moved into doctor mode. Damn, he needs to stop being so sexy right now. He was covered in mud, leaves, and blood. I shoved those feelings aside again because we didn’t have time for this right now. I held Brandi’s hand and we shared a look grateful she didn’t need a stick to ground out her screams. This birth story definitely wasn’t fair to her, but she was a champion for taking it all on the chin.

We shared a moment when everything was over. We had survived together. I was furious with myself for not realizing she’d injured her leg. When did that happen? She shot me a look telling me not to blame myself, but that was useless. I should’ve evaluated her before making her go up the mountain.

I watched with pride as Bjourn started to open a portal. Brandi said, “Well, I feel a little better that it's taking him so much effort to do it. He’s making progress though, thank god. I was not going to make it down that mountain. Boden was going to have to come with some sort of vehicle.” I nodded but I was worried. Bjourn was sweating, but I knew he was getting strength thrown at him from his family. I grinned when he managed it and picked up Brandi, who was still clutching her baby. I was ready to go the second there was a big enough opening.

I was through, but Bjourn wasn’t following me. I quickly put Brandi on a gurney. I turned to see the portal closing. I didn’t think so, not without my man. I yanked him through. He checked over me while doctors ran around checking Brandi. I pulled my family to me and knew I wasn’t the only one doing that.