Read Online Broken Prince (The Broken Ones) by Jen Wylie - Free Book Online Page A

both relieved and happy. Of them all, Bo had been closest to
Cain.
    Speaking with your mind is much like using words.
Gather your thought and then release it.
    This is not easy!
    No need to shout, Bo. We’re right here.
    Aro smiled. It gets easier with practice, Bo.
Garen, how far does it work? Distance I mean?
    Quite far. Though the further away, the harder it is.
    If I was in Franua now could you hear me?
    It would be difficult, Garen admitted. Possibly not. Packs stay within
their territory and rarely are far apart. Our pack is small, and so has less
power. The king travels the forests and can speak to all, but he is much
stronger than all of us.
    Does he know? What we did?
    Garen remained silent for a long moment. Yes, he
thought finally.
    He didn’t say more. Aro didn’t ask any more questions.
She was afraid to find out how much trouble her impulsive actions had gotten
them into.
    She glanced over at Prince and a small smile tugged at
her lips. It was worth it.
    An occasional mental shout from Bo kept her smiling
while she worked.
    Kei listened in quietly while he gathered more wood. She
watched her family while puttering about the fire. Though for the time being
they were safe, she knew it probably wouldn't last.
    Worry gnawed at her stomach. Prince looked better than
he had in months, however he was very quiet. She didn't know how long the power
of the pack would sustain him. Hopefully it would be long enough to get him
home. Even so, she waited for him to start yelling at her for what she had
done. Certainly there would be consequences, she wasn't an idiot. He was an
elven prince now part of a pack of misfits.
    The sun eventually set and they ate silently around
the small dying fire. Though summer was drawing to a close the weather remained
warm enough they did not need its heat, even at night.
    Bo had finally gotten his volume under control.
    You’ve done well, all of you, Garen commented. You have been speaking with the
pack as a whole up to now. Let us work on sending thoughts to specific people.
    Bo groaned and put his head in his hands.
    It is not so difficult. Think of…ropes…connecting us.
Picture the person or persons you wish to speak to. Again, mind your volume!
    Bo and Kei both spoke to her and she practiced with
them for a while. Prince drifted off to sleep. She didn’t wake him for the
lessons. With his Elven heritage and mind speech so common she was certain he
knew what to do. Of course the looks of annoyance and distain he’d worn all
evening rather let her know, too.
    When weariness overcame her she moved to the pond to
do a better job at washing. Stripping down to her underclothes she slid in,
grimacing at the muddy bottom as it squished around her toes. She scrubbed
herself, her hair, and clothes as quickly as she could before returning to the
bank to work more on her shirt and pants. She knew the blood would permanently stain
her clothes, but at least wanted the worst of it out. The constant reminder of
where the blood came from hurt too much.
    She hung her wet clothes over a branch before
returning to the fire. The boys didn't stare. They'd seen her half-dressed too
many times to take notice any more.
    She'd forgotten about Garen however.
    Bo
laughed out loud. She always does that.
    She turned and saw the wolf staring at her. "What?"
    Nothing, Garen
said quickly.
    Putting her hands on her hips she shook her head. "Don't
look if it bothers you."
    He stood and walked off into the trees. Bother
isn't exactly the correct word...
    Her cheeks flushed suddenly and she ducked her head,
moving to sit with the others, pulling her knees up and wrapping her arms
around them. After a few tense moments of silence they all began to talk
quietly, making plans to head out the next day. Conversation quickly slowed
however; they did not have a lot they needed to plan.
    Garen returned quietly after a while and settled down
next to Bo.
    She yawned into her hand. "Good night, boys."
    A quiet chorus echoed her