Chapter Five

“It’s Rae. And Amantha.” Braichad said disbelievingly from his position next to me. I probably looked equally as incredulous. What the hell were they doing here? The pig and the ninny…

A great couple they made. How did he stand her? Hell, how did she stand him? Okay, so on second thoughts, maybe they were perfect for one another…

“Who?” Jonathan asked quietly. I let Braichad reply, lest I insulted his brother in front of him. He could only handle the minor insults I hurled his brother’s way before he lapsed into disapproving loyal silence.

“My brother, and a girl from our town.”

“Where are your manners puppy? We should be greeting them!” Jonathan proclaimed, silently exiting the trees behind the two on horseback. “Hello there!”

Braichad and I exchanged pained looks before we followed him out. I knew what he was thinking, as I’d been thinking the same. This trip would go so much better without Raegan laying eyes on us.

Raegan was dismounting when we finally exited, leading our horses behind us. His eyes flicked from Jonathan to Braichad, and then to me.

“Who the bloody hell do you think you are?” He said angrily. To me. Blaming me for everything. As usual.

“These brothers aren’t half slow. I though you said you knew him?” Jonathan said, not quiet enough to have his words go unnoticed by said brothers. The man did not know when to quit.

Raegan ignored him, not even sparing him a glance, and turned to his brother.

“We are going home.”

“No, Rae.”

“You defy me?”

“I’m not a child anymore Rae, I can decide on things myself.”

“Well when you bloody make educated decisions, then we can talk. But this-”, he nodded in my direction, “is ridiculous.”

Braichad growled. Definitely a mannerism from his brother.

“Puppy can go home. I’ll continue with you.” Jonathan said quietly to me. I looked up at him. I didn’t know him that well, but I already mostly trusted him. And as much as I didn’t like Raegan, I could understand him. I was putting his brother in danger, and he didn’t need to be there now. As Jonathan said, I had him now.

I nodded. I’d trust him. After all, I was not without weapons and the knowledge of how to use them.

“It’s okay Braichad, Jonathan said he’d come with me. Go back with your brother.”

Braichad gave me a disbelieving look. Like I was the one being unreasonable.

“No Ria. You’re not taking him, you don’t know him, no offence Jonathan.”

“None taken.”

I rolled my eyes. Men.

“Well you’re not going!” Raegan yelled. I could see he was really starting to get to Braichad. Jonathan was finding it all a bit amusing. I shot a quick glance at Amantha. She looked tired and exasperated. No doubt annoyed she couldn’t have Raegan swooning over her.

What was she even doing here?

“I’m nineteen.” Braichad gritted out. “I am going. I am not a boy.”

“Just let him go Rae Rae, and we can go home.”

I smirked. Rae Rae? How sickenly sweet.

“Stay out of this Amantha.” Raegan growled, eyes still centered on his younger brother. Amantha started sulking in earnest.

I frowned, forgetting my earlier amusement. All of this arguing was not getting me any closer to my brother. And speed was important to my pursuit of him.

I turned to Jonathan.

“Come on, we’ll go.”

He nodded. I hadn’t taken a step before Braichad interrupted.

“Stay right where you are Ria!”

“Bloody hell!” Raegan yelled.

I felt like screaming. I did scream.

Everyone looked at me. Well at least now I had their attention. Be it good or bad, I had it. And I was determined to make the best of it.

“I. Need. To. Find. My. Brother.” I managed to grit out. No use dancing around the subject.