Chapter 13 #2
Clearing my throat, I glance over my shoulder. “How did you get Vaelen?”
“We were paired when I was a child. Vaelen’s sire was my mother’s Dire wolf.”
I raise a brow. “Paired?”
“Most Dark Elves are bonded to a Dire wolf when they’re young,” he explains. “It ensures a connection that lasts a lifetime.”
I’ve heard of war horses bonded to their riders, but this sounds like something even deeper than that. “That sounds… lovely,” I admit.
“It is a sacred bond,” Auren replies solemnly.
Still wanting to distract myself, I ask another question. One that has been on my mind since we were first wed. “Most of your people live under the mountain, but you said there are some above ground outposts in your kingdom. Which do you call home?”
He hesitates a beat before answering. “Part of the year, I live in the capital city of Elyrith, beneath the mountain. But the other half, I reside in Caer Aetheryn—an above ground fortress.”
“Because of your position?”
Auren pauses again before finally replying, “Yes.”
“I imagine it depends on where you’re posted, right?”
“Exactly.”
“And… what does that mean for me?”
“What do you mean?” he asks.
“My father’s knights and guards… most of them are unmarried,” I say carefully. “And the ones who do have families, they don’t always stay with them. Depending on their post, the knights can be gone for months at a time.”
“Our outposts have barracks not just for soldiers, but for their families. It’s up to them whether their family stays with them or not. And there is also additional housing in the towns and cities if they prefer to keep a separate, private residence nearby.”
I blink. That… wasn’t what I expected. “Why wouldn’t they stay together?”
His jaw tightens a fraction. “Some posts are more dangerous than others.”
“Like the border near the Ogre territories.”
“Yes.”
“Where exactly is Caer Aetheryn located?” I ask. “Is it safe?”
“Caer Aetheryn is unique. One side shares a border with your father’s kingdom—Aryndale—and the other with the Ogre territories.” He pauses. “The city is home to one of our largest fortresses, and the wall is heavily guarded.”
“And you’re posted there,” I say more to myself than to him.
Auren is a soldier, and I understand that such a life is hardly without risk, but for some reason, I dislike the idea of him being stationed in such a dangerous place.
“We’ll stop there for a few days before continuing on to Elyrith, under the Mountains of Valdhir.”
A gust of wind sweeps through the trees, and a shiver runs down my spine. I’m not sure if it’s from the cold or the thought of being so close to the Ogre territories. I’ve never seen one up close, but I’ve heard enough terrifying stories to know I don’t want to.
Immediately, Auren shifts behind me. He unfastens his cloak and drapes it around my shoulders. And something inside me softens before I can stop it.
“Are you warm enough?” he murmurs.
Heat rises to my cheeks. Why is he so thoughtful? I clear my throat and nod. “Yes.”
As the sun begins to set, Auren directs Vaelen off the road, guiding him deeper into the trees toward a riverbank.
I frown. “What are you doing?”
“Making camp.”
Worry prickles my flesh. I know we’ve already talked about this, but I’ll admit that part of me thought he was simply teasing me about camping tonight. I twist back to look at him. “You cannot be serious. We can’t just sleep out here.”
He frowns. “Why not?”
“Because it’s the woods!” I gesture at the forest around us. “The ground is uneven, it’s cold, and it’s uncomfortable.”
His lips twitch, and I realize he’s amused.
I glare at him. “This is not funny.”
He arches a brow. “It’s a little funny.”
I cross my arms. “There is no way I can sleep out here. I’m not a soldier, Auren. I’m a princess.”
He swings down from Vaelen and turns to lift me from the saddle. “Yes, but you’re also a princess married to a Dark Elf.”
His hands settle on my waist, and he helps me dismount, his grip strong but gentle, the heat of his body brushing against mine for just a fraction of a second too long before he sets me on the ground.
“And, as we discussed earlier,” he says with a grin, “it would be good for you to learn how to camp.”
I gape at him. “Does it have to be tonight?”
He nods but then tilts his head. “Unless… you think you can’t do it.”
I bristle, my face heating as his eyes sparkle with barely restrained mirth. He knows just how to goad me. And the worst part? I think he’s enjoying this.
“Of course I can do this.” I lift my chin. “If commoners can do it, it certainly cannot be that difficult.”
He snorts but quickly tries to cover it by clearing his throat. “Alright then. It’s settled.”
I scowl at his back as he removes the saddle from Vaelen.
“I can feel you glaring at me, my dear wife,” he says over his shoulder as he unpacks our supplies. “Unless I’m mistaken, and you’re gazing at me adoringly,” he teases. “And absolutely delighted by this whole experience.”
As much as I want to be furious, as much as I want to stomp my foot and demand a bed fit for a princess… I can’t ignore the way my lips twitch, because damn him, he is insufferable.
And worse? I don’t entirely mind it.