Free Broken Enchantment (Unbreakable Force Book 3) by Kara Jaynes Page A

Aaric sat down next to me. “Bran and I got to her just in time. Not before half the city saw the attempt though, based on the amount of people on the walls. Unless Grace can smooth things over, which I doubt she will, given the hysterical state she was in, we may get a war anyway.”
    He peered at me anxiously. “How are you feeling?” He put a hand on my forehead as if checking for fever. I pushed it away, smiling at his concern.
    “I feel fine, really.” He was now checking my pulse. “It was just a little magic. I only needed a night of rest. I’m feeling right as rainwater.”
    Aaric arched an eyebrow at me. “You were out for three days, Adaryn.”
    “What?” I goggled at him, completely surprised. I cast my mind back, remembering the magic slamming into my body, how I couldn’t move or talk. Sleeping for three days was definitely better than the alternative.
    Aaric’s face grew stern as he remembered too. “You are absolutely forbidden to do anything like that again, you know. Seeing you flopping around like a banked fish almost stopped my heart. I would have certainly rather been hit by the magic myself.”
    I smirked. “You’re welcome.”
    Aaric grinned, drawing me to him. I buried my face in his chest, breathing in his scent. “You’ve been drinking coffee again, haven’t you?”
    I could hear the smile in his voice. “Maybe.”
    “How much?” Aaric had an insatiable appetite when it came to coffee, and the man would literally stay up the entire night studying if he drank too much.
    “. . . A few cups. Or so.”
    I pulled away to give him a stern look of my own and he laughed at me.
    Any talk was cut short as a loud crack filled the air, followed by screams and shouts. Aaric and I stared at each other, frozen.
    Another crack ripped through the air, spurring me to my feet to run outside. “Oppressors!” The word stuck in my throat, my heart hammering in fear. Not again. Please heaven, not again.
    Outside of my sheltered little tent, I was greeted with chaos. Nomads rushed in every direction. Women ran with babies in their arms, surrounded by children. Tribesmen, armed with fire and summoned blades clashed with Oppressors, equipped with arc-bows and muskets. I clenched my jaw. Last time I ran. This time, I told myself, I would not. Seizing the magic, I ran toward a man locked in combat with my father. Aaric caught up to me in a moment, his sword clutched in his fist. “We need to get you somewhere safe.”
    I shook my head. I felt the earth shake. Bran was on the outskirts of the encampment where the fight was thickest. Men, nomads and Oppressors alike, were fighting. I frowned. I didn’t see any attempts to collar my people. Were they here to kill, to avenge Grace’s near death? I saw a flash of red, and Ember darted to stand in front of me. I gaped. Her scarlet hair was in wild disarray, her eyes wild with panic, but she didn’t wear a collar.
    “You’re free?” I gasped. “How?”
    “There’s no time to explain!” she shouted. “You need to leave. He’s here.”
    “Who?”
    “Kingsley!”
    I felt the blood drain from my face and my breath came in ragged gasps, body trembling. “Why is he here?” I already knew why, but I had to hear her say it.
    Ember’s face twisted with anguish. “For you. He’s here for you, Adaryn.”
    Another gunshot boomed and she jumped, looking over her shoulder. “I have to go.” Just as quickly, Ember disappeared.
    The world spun around me, trees blurred with earth and sky. Then Aaric was there, taking me by the arm. He steadied me and everything slid back into focus. I looked up at him. “He’s here, Aaric.” My voice cracked. “Kingsley’s here.”
    Still holding me by the arm, Aaric pulled me away from the fighting. “We’re leaving then.” He had to shout to be heard above the fighting. I nodded. I knew I was being a coward, not staying to fight, but I didn’t care.
    We ran through the camp, away from the fighting, away from the