MALAKAI’S POV

Kael rode in at the front, pulling his horse to a stop in the mud. The rest of the warriors fanned out around the bridge, their weapons drawn and eyes scanning the trees.

When Kael saw me standing there with Kaedryn wrapped tightly in my cloak, he let out a breath and dismounted quickly as he hurried over.

"Your plan worked," Kael said, looking at the boy before casting a glance at the two captors on the ground. "Thank the Goddess."

"Vance, Garret, bind that one," I ordered, pointing my chin toward the man I had knocked unconscious against the bridge. "And drag the dead one back too....