Kevin’s POV
I was getting worried. The second whistle was blown for Liam and Cephas to retreat but they weren’t out yet. I wondered what was stopping them and hoped that they were safe.
Liam was my second in command and I couldn’t afford lose him. I would be devastated if something happened to him.
I heard a loud thud few paces away from me and turned to see what that was.
“To your right, my lord.” Damien shouted, pointing at a spot in the distance.
I heaved a sigh of relief as I turned towards where he was pointing at and saw Liam and Cephas shifting back into their human form and walking towards us.
“Did we keep you waiting, my lord?” Liam asked as he got closer to us, dusting his hands.
“Not at all.” I smiled at him, wanting to pull the two of them into my embrace for making it out safely.
I looked at my men, my eyes roving over their bodies and checking for injuries. I was glad and exhaled in relief when I didn’t find any, not one that was serious.
My chest swelled with pride when I reminded myself of the scene where the count’s men were lying down in agony and nursing their injuries. We had done them a big one and it would take them a while before they were able to recover from it whereas my men were already recovering from where they had been hit.
The wounds from the slashes of the swords were already healing up and all that was left to be seen were blue and purple patches on their skins which would be gone in the next ten minutes.
I was glad that they were alright but I needed to confirm. “Are you all okay?”
“Yes.” They echoed in unison.
“Good. Let’s go.” I said and moved forward, taking Ella by the hand with me.
“I can walk fine on my own, Kevin.” She said.
“Not now, Ella.” I said, shaking my head at her.
She glanced at me and nodded when she realized that I was holding her hand for my sake, to feel reassurance that she was truly there with me and not because I was trying to be overbearing and dominant.
“I’m right here, Kevin.” She spoke softly, her voice a whisper and patted my which was joined to hers with the other one.
“I am never losing you again.” I promised her.
“I know you won’t.” She smiled at me, our eyes locked in a subtle embrace.
Dalsa walked silently behind me and Ella, her mouth open in astonishment and awe as she looked at everything and everywhere we passed. She had on her face a huge mask of happiness and I was proud of the lady I had her hand in mine, knowing she had done that.
For someone who had been lying down in the dungeon when we had found her, she seemed to be brimming excessive energy at the moment.
“This is beautiful,” she breathed, dancing on her feet as she walked.
Three of the men walked behind us-Liam standing guard closely to me-and the others flanked from behind, spreading out to form an arc around us.
“Were you able to get a citizen ID card for me?” Ella asked.
I shook my head and let out a sigh. “It’s not possible to do that. The count didn’t let go and give you your freedom so you are still registered as a slave in their system. I can’t get you a citizen ID card unless I have a certificate of transfer of ownership or freedom.”
She sighed. “I should have known it would be hard to get before making that request from you.”
“I’m sorry.” I sighed. “I wanted to get it for you.”
She shrugged. “Don’t worry about me. I am fine. Where are we going to pass?”
“There is a way that veers off the border that we can go through. We don’t have to go through the border and everyone would be safely home in no time.”
“Have you been through the road?” She asked, arching her eyebrows at me.
“I haven’t.” I blushed, knowing what she was driving at.
“How then do you know everyone would be safely back home in no time if you haven’t been through the road?”
“I am trying to offer everyone hope for the long journey.” I smiled.
Dalsa spoke for the first time since we had been walking, turning her eyes away from the admiration of nature she had been highly invested in.
“Who cares if we go through a longer journey? All that matters is freedom. The last thing I want is to be sniffed out as a slave at the border and taken back to the dungeon.” She said with a shudder.
“I also don’t want that.” Ella added. She didn’t shudder like Dalsa did but winced as she spoke.
I sighed. Ella was strong but I suspected that she was more affected about being taken as a slave than she let on.
Dalsa smiled, resuming back to looking around. “Moreover, I get to be with almost a dozen of handsome men.” She grinned at Ella. “I already excluded your man. I know he is off limits.”
I chuckled. “Are you trying to flatter my men and make them like you more?”
She smiled. “Is it working?”
“Check for yourself.” I laughed, knowing she would meet nothing but stony faces.
“Nope. Nothing.” She pouted, looking around.
“They just finished a fight. You can’t blame them for being in a bad mood.” Ella said to comfort her.
“I guess I will try again.” Dalsa said.
I chuckled. That would be fun to watch. Watching Dalsa tease my men would definitely be the highlight of our boring and long journey.
“Wait!” I stilled, raising a hand up to silence Dalsa as she was about to speak again.
I looked back at Liam and he nodded, conforming that I wasn’t the only one who had heard that sound.
I narrowed my eyes and saw them. The count’s guard were running after us and it seemed like he had gotten reinforcement.
“The bastard.” I groaned as I held Ella tightly by the hand. “Run!” I ordered and started running.