Chapter 33
AUREN
The forest begins to thin as the sun sinks lower behind the mountains. We crossed into my kingdom a few hours ago. The scent of smoke drifts on the cool evening breeze as we approach the fortress town of Caer Aetheryn.
Vivienne shifts slightly in front of me on Vaelen’s back. She fell asleep before we reached the border. It’s been a long day of travel. I was worried we wouldn’t reach the town before dark, but we’ve made excellent time.
The outpost spreads out before us, nestled against the lower slopes of the Valdhir mountains. Fae lights illuminate the narrow streets, and the low murmur of voices drifts upward as people finish their evening meals.
Home. Or as close to it as one can come without stepping beneath the mountain itself.
Vaelen slows as we descend on the path. “Wake up,” I whisper in Vivienne’s ear. “We’re here.”
Her eyelids flutter open and then widen as she takes in her surroundings.
The trees are covered in heart-shaped leaves that glow luminescent purple. Gold and silver orbs of light move between the branches as Night Pixies dance upon the breeze.
She twists back to look up at me. “Where are we?”
“Caer Aetheryn.”
A patrol rider breaks away from the road below, riding toward us on his Dire wolf. A smile crests my face as I recognize him immediately. It’s Dain—my best friend and second-in-command.
When he reaches us, his gaze darts to Vivienne before turning to me. “Your Ma—”
“Dain,” I cut in smoothly before he can finish. “It’s good to see you again.”
I give him a pointed look, and he dips his chin in a subtle nod of understanding. “Auren,” he corrects easily. “I’m glad you’re well.” He looks at Vivienne. “It’s good to see you again, your Highness.”
“And you as well.” She smiles politely. “I remember you from our wedding.”
He appears just as surprised as I am that she remembers him, but he quickly recovers. “Yes, it was a… lovely ceremony.”
I hold back a laugh. Dain thought I was mad when I told him my plan to marry her. She was so angry at her father and annoyed with me that day that I half expected her to spit fire when she repeated our vows.
Dain turns his attention back to me. “There’ve been reports of Ogres nearby. We were beginning to worry.”
Vivienne tenses. “Ogres?”
“It’s alright, your Highness,” he reassures her. “Our warriors are patrolling the woods and the fortress is heavily armed.”
The tension leaves her body, and she sags back against me. I’m sure she’s hungry and tired. I look toward the fortress, rising in the distance. “If you could ride ahead and let the warriors know that we’ll be arriving.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Dain says. “Lyrea made dinner.” He looks at Vivienne. “My mate thought you might be more comfortable somewhere a bit quieter than the barracks, your Highness. So, I’d like to invite you to stay with us.”
“Thank you, Dain,” she says warmly. “That sounds lovely. And please, call me Vivienne.”
His gaze sweeps to me, uncertain, but I give him a quick nod. “Come.” He smiles. “Lyrea will be wondering what has delayed me.”
He leads us through the village streets. A few soldiers nod respectfully as we pass, their eyes lingering on me just long enough that I feel Vivienne’s attention sharpen. Thankfully, she says nothing.
Dain’s cottage sits near the edge of the settlement. A wooden fence surrounds their home with a small vegetable garden and a stable in the back for their wolves.
As soon as we walk through the gate, the front door opens and Lyrea steps outside, her long dark braid slung over her shoulder and her eyes bright with joy as she greets her mate. “Finally,” she says, pressing a kiss to Dain’s cheek. “You’re late.”
Her gaze shifts to me and Vivienne, and she starts to bow, but Dain subtly shakes his head and she quickly straightens again.
Their daughter—Ailyn—peeks out from behind Lyrea’s skirts, her eyes wide as she watches me help Vivienne dismount. She’s only five years old, and I suspect she’s never seen a human before now.
While I remove Vaelen’s harness, the little girl walks over to my wife.
Vivienne crouches down, lowering herself to Ailyn’s level. “Why, hello.” She smiles. “And who might you be?”
“I’m Ailyn,” she replies timidly.
“What a beautiful name.” Vivienne replies warmly. “I’m Vivienne.”
“Are you really a human?” Ailyn asks.
Vivienne laughs. “Yes, I am.”
The little girl smiles. “Do you want to meet my wolf?”
“Your wolf?” Vivienne’s brow creases in confusion. Before I can answer, Dain steps forward and proudly announces, “She bonded to one of Dalyr’s pups.”
“It’s the first bond,” Lyrea explains to my wife. “When a Dark Elf bonds to their Dire Wolf.”
As if the pup knows we’re talking about him, he comes running out of the cottage and straight to Ailyn, rolling playfully at her feet. She gathers him in her arms and hands him to Vivienne. “His name is Ollynor, but I call him Olly.”
“Hello, Olly,” Vivienne laughs as the pup licks her cheek, his tail wagging excitedly behind him.
As soon as she sets the wolf pup down, Vaelen walks over and nudges her side. “I didn’t forget about you,” she murmurs, stroking his fur. “You’re still my favorite.”
He lifts his chin and puffs out his chest, obviously pleased with her statement.
When we sit down to dinner, Vivienne smiles and laughs as we talk to Dain and his mate. She fits in so easily here. Ailyn crawls into her lap and Vivienne holds her, rocking her gently.
My throat tightens as I watch her, imagining her holding our own child someday.
After dinner, Vivienne bathes in the small washroom, and I step outside with Dain and Lyrea.
Dain doesn’t waste any time before he turns to me, his eyes wide. “You haven’t told her yet?”
I shake my head.
Lyrea gives me a pointed look. “You need to tell her before someone slips up and she finds out on her own.”
“I know,” I murmur, rubbing the back of my neck.
“You’re running out of time,” Dain adds.
They are my two closest friends. They grew up with my brother and me, and I value their counsel.
“I’m going to tell her before we leave for the mountain.” I look at Lyrea. “Do you think she’ll forgive me?”
“She’ll likely be mad at first,” she replies. “But… if she truly loves you, I believe she’ll find a way to forgive.”
I hope she’s right.
When we return inside, I take a bath while Vivienne spends time with Lyrea, Dain, and Ailyn, before we retire to the spare room.
It’s warm and cozy, with a fire burning in the hearth across the way and a large four-poster bed.
Thick quilts cover the mattress, and the faint scent of lavender lingers in the air.
Vivienne stands near the foot of the bed, looking around slowly, and I wonder if she’s disappointed, thinking this will be her life.
Dain and Lyrea’s home isn’t small by any means.
Unlike Vivienne’s father’s kingdom, a large portion of Valethryn’s treasury is spent on our people so they may live comfortable lives, but my mate is used to extravagant luxury, and I can’t help but wonder if she might be having second thoughts, believing she’s married to a soldier.
“It’s lovely,” she murmurs, surprising me.
“Lyrea told me the king provides housing for his soldiers and their families. Do you think he might give us a cottage here as well? She said Dain is the king’s top warrior,” she continues thoughtfully.
“That he travels with him, just like you said. They keep a home here, and another beneath the mountain. She and little Ailyn go with him so they’re never apart. ”
She cups my cheek. “I’d like to do the same, Auren. I don’t want to be separated from you.”
My heart stumbles in my chest. To think that my spoiled and stubborn princess loves me enough that she would easily accept a life so different from what she’s used to.
Before I can speak, she rises onto her toes. Wrapping her arms around my neck, she leans in and presses her lips to mine in a tender kiss.
She runs her fingers through my hair as her tongue finds mine, curling around it.
Pulling her closer, I deepen our kiss. I want her so much I fear I’ll go mad.
“Auren,” she whispers my name between kisses. “I love you so much.”
Everything inside me wants to claim her, but I force myself to pull back, every instinct in me fighting the decision.
She stares up at me, her lips red and swollen from our kisses, confusion flickering in her eyes. “Auren, what’s wrong?”
I drop my forehead to hers. “We must stop, Vivienne.”
“Why?” The hurt and confusion in her voice twists something in my chest, and I kiss her again, wanting only to reassure her.
“Because I cannot take you here, like this.” I cannot risk losing myself in her arms. Not until I’ve told her everything.
“You’re right,” she says, still a bit breathless from our kiss. “We’re guests here and it wouldn’t be proper to—” Her cheeks flush bright red as she clears her throat. “We should just go to sleep.”
When we settle into the bed, she rolls toward me, resting her head on my shoulder and her hand on my chest. I curl my arm around her as she nestles into my side.
“Goodnight, me’lira,” I whisper into her hair.
“Goodnight, my love,” she speaks softly in reply.
My love. The words are a dagger in my heart.
I listen as the sound of her breathing becomes soft and even as she drifts off to sleep.
Lying awake, I stare up at the ceiling in the darkness, wishing I could suspend this moment in time, relishing the feel of her against me. Closing my eyes, I think of how much she loves me… trusts me.
I have fought battles, led warriors, faced things that would break lesser men… and yet nothing unsettles me more than the thought of how she might react when she discovers the truth of my identity.