Chapter 4 : No Longer Listening
2039 Words
*Briella*
I had such a mix of emotions as I stared into Kryzen Stormfall's gray eyes. The first emotion was shock. I wondered what the hell he was doing here of all places. He wasn't even in the right realm. The next sentiment was concern. He didn't look good. He looked like he could barely breathe, and he couldn't even stand.
“It's the spoiled Alpha's daughter."
And just like that, all my concern melted away. It was replaced fully by contempt. I couldn't believe he showed up out of nowhere and started to insult me.
The insufferable jerk just grinned at me as if pleased by the anger that flitted across my face. I gritted my teeth together and stood up.
“What are you doing here?" I demanded.
“Bri!" Kai scolded, kneeling next to Kryzen and checking him over. “He needs help."
I clenched my fists at my sides, trying to control my emotions, but they were raging out of control. Memories flooded my mind of Kryzen telling me not to waste my time trying to be a warrior. He insisted I should pursue magic like Kai or maybe be a teacher. He didn't think I was strong or brave enough to enter his field.
At first, he was just a boy I was forced to play with because our families were close, something about our families being intertwined and saving each other's lives or some crap. My parents warned me to be nice to Kryzen since we were little, and I did honestly do my best. He was the one who insisted on getting under my skin in the worst way.
“Bri, please help me with these two!"
I snapped out of the past and locked eyes with my brother. He knew very well that Kryzen and I hated each other's guts, but he also was sending me an almost stern look that said he knew I was going to do the right thing.
I groaned before getting on my knees and lifting Kryzen's muscled body, looping his arm over the back of my shoulders so that I could support him.
The jerk actually had the audacity to flinch at my touch. He glowered at me as we started to walk through the trees, with Kai dragging the other guy.
I glanced over, immediately recognizing the other young man as Prince Roy of Egoren, third in line for the throne. He visited us a couple of times with Kryzen's family. What in the world was going on to bring those two all the way here? Could this have something to do with the royal family's exile into Winter Forest? Were the Sons of Sebastian after them?
That was too terrifying of a thought. I pushed it away and focused on the task at hand.
Kryzen was in bad shape. I was supporting most of his weight as we walked through the trees. “What's wrong with them?" I asked Kai, who was a few paces in front of me.
“I'm not sure," Kai answered. “But they are struggling quite a bit. It could be hunger or severe thirst if they've been traveling for a while."
I mulled that over, eyeing Kryzen critically. I wondered if they had come there with no plan or supplies. They were dressed in expensive travel clothing.
It took me a moment to realize that he was glaring at me. His jaw was clenched as he fought to stay upright, but he failed multiple times.
I narrowed my eyes right back at him. “Is that any way to look at someone when they're trying to help you?" I demanded, my patience paper thin but then again, it always was when I was near Kryzen.
The prick managed to scoff and mumbled something under his breath that sounded like, “Looks like someone hasn't changed a bit since last time."
I resisted the urge to drop him but knew I wouldn't, even to my childhood rival. I was going to be the bigger person. Plus, there was some curiosity that I couldn't stamp down. Why would Kryzen be here of all places?
“Kryzen, you're not helping our cause," Prince Roy snapped tiredly. “We need Briella Black."
My head snapped over to the prince as I processed his words. I was confused as to why they would need me.
Kryzen mumbled something else but finally shut up as we continued toward the valley. It was difficult dragging a muscular guy like Kryzen through the forest, but it wasn't a real issue. I was thankful that Kai and I kept up with our physical training, or we might have had to leave them and call for help.
Lillian was waiting for us at the gates leading into the community, her blue eyes wide when she saw we had guests.
“I was worried sick," she said to us both, glancing at Kai as if to make sure he wasn't hurt. “I expected you both back before nightfall."
“Sorry, we got held up," Kai apologized. “Would you mind alerting Mathias and the other healers that we have guests that need immediate attention?"
Lillian nodded seriously and hurried off to do just that.
When we got to the healing center, Mathias was there, looking grave as he eyed Kryzen and Roy suspiciously.
“Our friends," Kai told him, always the peacemaker. I had to bite my tongue from arguing that they were just Kai's friends, not mine, although I never minded Roy, who was always kind to me.
Mathias nodded. He trusted us too much to question Kai's words. “Bring them in."
It seemed like in no time at all, the healers had Roy and Kryzen settled into comfortable rooms and were having them looked over. Kai and I lingered in the lobby, waiting to hear how they were doing.
“The reason for the two men's severe fatigue is due to them traveling between realms," he explained. “It is extremely difficult on the body due to the change in potent energies. We have our top healers conducting rituals over them, so I imagine they'll be back to full strength in no time at all."
“Thank you, Mathias," Kai said gratefully, nodding to the head priest and the man who had quickly become a mentor figure to us both.
Mathias furrowed his snowy white eyebrows in concern. “While I trust you both, I'm afraid that due to our current circumstances, we will still need to question the men as to why they've come."
“We understand," Kai said with an understanding nod. “Please leave that up to us as well, Mathias. We will figure out why they are here and maintain the safety of the valley."
I scoffed and cracked my knuckles menacingly. “They'll answer all of our questions, Mathias," I promised darkly.
Mathias blinked at me before chuckling. “I don't doubt that Briella," he said, patting my shoulder affectionately. “Thank you both."
A couple of hours later, the healers announced that Kryzen and Roy were well enough for visitors and would likely be on their feet later that day. I felt my expression harden as I stepped into their room. They were each sitting up in their respective beds, eyeing Kai and I kind of warily.
Before I could rattle off the questions I had to interrogate them with, Kai stepped forward, setting a comforting and restraining hand on my shoulder. “How are you both feeling?"
I felt my body relax at my brother's words and his hand on my shoulder.
It was Prince Roy who answered, offering us both a polite smile. “We are feeling well," he said. “We must thank you both for helping us out in the woods. We likely wouldn't have made it here without your aid." He threw a sharp glance Kryzen's way.
I looked at my rival expectantly and was shocked to find he was again glowering at me. I felt my temper flare. “Well? Aren't you going to thank us for saving you?"
Kryzen just continued to stare at me while I began to fume under his gaze. Those gray eyes of his never failed to make my skin prickle. There was a depth to them that caused something else to happen as well, something that I couldn't quite pinpoint. It was more intense than simple discomfort.
He shook his head in amazement. “I don't understand why the priests and priestesses would drain our energy like that without even hearing us out."
I felt my jaw drop, absolutely flabbergasted by his unfair accusation.
“Kryzen," Roy said in a hard voice.
Kryzen ignored him and continued to watch me.
I bristled under his intense stare. “They would never do such a thing," I said through my teeth. “And even if they had, it would have been justified, the way you two showed up out of nowhere. The people of the valley are good, just, and harmonious people."
Kryzen just smirked. “Your attitude and the way you just raised your voice at me speaks otherwise."
Kai had to hold me back from throttling the man. I had to chant in my head over and over the reminder that the insufferable bastard was still recovering, but he had just arrived and was already attempting to get a rise out of me.
He, unfortunately, didn't have to try that hard it seemed.
“Kryzen, you really aren't helping," Roy said, though his tone suggested he knew he was fighting a losing battle.
Kryzen glanced over at his friend, and the two shared a look. Finally, he growled low in his throat. The sound was frustrating. He looked right at me. “Has there been anything strange going on in the valley lately?"
Kai and I looked at each other. It was my brother who answered, his tone cautious. “We've had some fields of crops die quite suddenly."
Roy and Kryzen shared another look. “You need to let us help you figure out why," Kryzen said firmly.
“Like hell we do!" I snapped, annoyed by his attitude.
This was exactly what would happen when we were kids. As soon as I set out to do something or solve some problem, Kryzen would barge in and try to one-up me, trying to show me up. It wasn't going to happen this time. This wasn't just about the self-defense classes we took together as children. This was real. People's lives were at stake.
I wasn't going to let him get in the way. I had more important things to worry about than Kryzen showing me up.
Kryzen stood up from the bed and strode toward us, looking menacing, but I held my ground. I wasn't afraid of him.
Kai stepped forward, putting himself between me and Kryzen. “She's just worried about the valley," he said apologetically.
My face flushed with shame at having my little brother defending me. I stepped forward. “Yes, I am worried about the valley," I said, glaring up at Kryzen. “This is our home and we don't need your help protecting it."
Kryzen's gray eyes narrowed. “You don't know what you're saying," he said. “We could provide you with information and aid that you are unaware of. Have you ever stopped to wonder why we are here? Did you think we just decided a little vacation in another realm might be a good idea?"
“Don't talk to me like that!" I snapped, no longer able to take his sarcasm. “You know nothing about the valley. Just get out of here, Kryzen. We have enough to worry about without you showing up just to humiliate me."
Kryzen looked shocked by my outburst. He gaped before shaking himself out of the stupor and glowering at me. “This isn't just about your precious valley anymore, Briella. And this most certainly isn't about you. Why don't you just grow up and let us help?"
I gasped in outrage before turning on my heel and stomping out of the room, no longer willing to listen to his bullshit.
- Writer
