WALL MEN: A Vow Broken (The Wall Men 2)

Reality is that half the kingdoms in Monsterland seek to tear down the wall for unbridled access to food, and the other half wants to refresh the Proxy Vow.

Neither will work.

We need a different solution, and I came up with one.

The only problem is I have to put my life on the line again, but what more do I have to lose at this point? I have no children, parents, or family. Bard has moved on. I’m the last Norfolk and married to a giant who probably doesn’t care if I live or die.

I’m not whining. Just stating the obvious.

Yeah, I heard what Tiago said about Alwar caring for me, but actions speak louder than words. The last time I saw my husband, he was shooting daggers with his eyes as his brother “consummated.” In short, I can afford to risk my life, and this plan is my one shot to have the world I want.

Mato, the king of the Mountain People, made sure I was brought back to camp alongside Alwar. Unfortunately, they had to drug him, and those rocks dragged him here. Since Alwar’s only wearing a loincloth, his back is going to be sore.

Or maybe he won’t notice. Alwar is bruised, cut up, and covered in dirt and dried blood. No doubt from the battle before he was captured. Perhaps Mato gave him a few fresh ones, too.

I stare at Alwar’s gigantic limp frame by the dwindling bonfire the War Women helped me build. Now that his deep amber hair, with streaks of red and black, is cropped short and his beard is gone, I can see his face clearly. He has the same high cheekbones and pillowy lips like his brothers, but Alwar’s jaw is more angular. His brow line is more pronounced, giving him a slightly more intimidating look. He’s definitely the best looking of the bunch, which says a lot. Even Tiago the Terrible is handsome.

Speaking of…

I glance behind me at Tiago, who’s hunched over and still chained to a tree, passed out. Looks like he got thumped on the head by one of the men.

Probably mouthing off. Tiago doesn’t know when to shut up, yet he accuses me of being a talkie woman.

The rest of our group is spread out around their fires, talking excitedly. How did I get Alwar back? The luck of the Norfolk. It’s a sign from the gods. Some are speaking about the fact that the No Ones did not take Tiago. I hear the panic in their voices. They know something’s up.

They’d be right. Even Master looks nervous.

“Alwar?” I glide my hand over his stubble-covered cheek. His head is enormous compared to mine, but I hope he’ll still feel my touch. “I need you to wake up. Are you okay?”

He doesn’t move, so I go for a more drastic measure. A hard slap that reverberates through my arm.

Alwar’s sapphire-blue eyes snap open, but he doesn’t speak.

“Hey. You okay?” I ask.

His gaze slowly moves to my face. “Where am I?”

“You’re safe. We’re near the ocean. I met with the Mountain People’s king, and he released you.”

Alwar slowly sits up, rubbing his face with his hands.

“They drugged you,” I say. “It’ll wear off soon.”

“You should not be here.”

“Well, I am.”

His eyes drift toward his brother Tiago behind me. “What happened?”

“He tried to kill me.”

“Why was he not taken? He swore to protect the Norfolks, as have we all.”

I’m not ready to answer that question yet. “Did you know that Bard is the new king of the No Ones?”

“I did.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I did not see the importance.”

Oh, it’s important. “You vowed never to lie to me, Alwar, so I’ll ask again. Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Fine. When I learned the news, you were very weak, and I feared it might hinder your recovery. I know that you two were close at one point.”

I think on his answer. He’s probably right. When he told me Bard was gone, I felt devastated. I’m not sure how I would have reacted to learn he’d been turned into a No One on top of that.

“Also,” he adds, “I feared you might turn against me. Bard was taken because he came to plead his case with me in person. He wanted that diamond for you so you could save your estate.”

“So why didn’t you give it to him before?”

Alwar shakes his head with regret. “I did not want him to win more favor with you.”

Oh God. It was a jealousy thing?

“Bard was a fool to throw away his life like that,” Alwar adds. “I was merely waiting for the opportunity to give it to you myself. Face-to-face. I never anticipated you would take so long to enter that room and learn the truth your grandmother hid from you.”

I was moving quickly to sell the house after Grandma Rain died. Bard was getting nervous that I’d succeed because the property can never fall into the wrong hands. The mansion was built around all the windows and bridges. I’m still unsure how they did it or what would happen if the main house burned down. Either way, it was constructed to support this alliance. Water for protection. I’m going to use that leverage after I win the Blood Battle.