Chapter 40
AUREN
As I hold Vivienne in my arms, relief crashes through me so violently my vision blurs. “Gods above, Vivienne, you could have been killed.”
She winces as I shift her weight against my chest, tightening my hold instinctively, one arm supporting her back while the other goes up under her knees before I carefully lift her off the ground.
Around us, the camp is erupting into motion again.
Several of the warriors have already vanished toward the river to deal with the Goblins who only moments ago thought themselves clever.
Others are dragging the rune stones away from the clearing, muttering darkly about the trouble such magic could cause if left behind.
Beyond the firelight I can see Lyrea and the others emerging from the trees with the children, relief plain in every hurried step.
But my focus never leaves the woman in my arms as I carry her toward our tent, her eyes closed and her brow creased in pain.
The path feels longer than it should, each step careful so that the motion doesn’t jar her more than necessary. Vivienne is lighter than I remember, though perhaps that is simply because fear still sits heavily in my chest.
I almost lost her again. The thought hits me with brutal clarity. First the Ogre attack and now this.
What madness possessed her to walk into a camp full of armed Goblins with nothing but a clever tongue and an outraged expression?
A hiss of pain escapes through her teeth as I adjust my grip beneath her shoulders, the movement reminding me all too vividly that she is still recovering from the Ogre attack.
The healer follows us inside the tent. She kneels beside the bedroll immediately as I lower Vivienne onto the blankets.
“Is everyone alright?” Vivienne asks the healer, blinking against the lantern light. Her voice sounds clearer now, though still faint with the lingering shock of the magic. She looks at me. “Did your warriors take care of the Goblins?”
“You saved us.” I gently cup her cheek. “And the Goblins are being dealt with.”
She exhales slowly. “Oh. Good.” Her gaze shifts toward the tent entrance. “Everyone’s safe then?”
My heart clenches. Even now, after everything, her first concern is not for herself. It’s for our people.
Outside the tent I hear the faint shuffle of boots. Several of my warriors have gathered nearby under the pretense of securing the camp, though the shadows against the canvas tell me they are listening to every word. And I know they will remember it.
The healer moves her hands slowly above Vivienne’s ribs, faint threads of magic flickering between her fingers. “Does that feel better?”
Vivienne nods slightly. “Yes.”
She tries to push herself upright. The movement lasts all of half a second before she draws in a sharp breath and sinks back again, her hands flying instinctively to her side.
The healer frowns. “You should rest for at least another day before traveling.”
“I can ride.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
The healer turns toward me. “You should delay your departure.”
Before I can answer, Vivienne shakes her head stubbornly. “We can’t.”
The healer raises an eyebrow. “You injured yourself moving a rune stone. You’re lucky you’re still conscious,” she adds.
“I’ll be fine,” Vivienne replies, struggling to keep her voice even.
“You were reckless.” I purse my lips. “What were you thinking marching into a Goblin camp alone?”
She lifts one shoulder. “I had a plan.”
“You had a death wish.”
Her eyes flash. “I had a husband and two dozen of his warriors trapped in a magical snare. I couldn’t just leave you.”
The words strike harder than any blade. For a moment I cannot speak. “You could have been killed.”
“And you could have been killed if I did nothing.” Her eyes search mine, full of resolve. “I thought if we waited for reinforcements, it might have been too late.”
My jaw tightens. “You took a huge risk.”
Her gaze drifts toward the tent entrance where the soldiers linger. “Everyone else has families,” she murmurs. “Children. People who would miss them.” She looks down at her hands. “And your people need their king.”
Something twists painfully inside my chest. “Are you trying to say you believe you’re expendable?”
Her eyes snap to mine. “It just… I figured I was the most sensible option.”
“Gods, Vivienne.” I drag a hand roughly through my hair. “Do you have any idea how terrified I was when I saw you walk into that camp?”
The words leave me before I can stop them because they’re true. Watching her stride into that clearing with nothing but her pride and a reckless plan very nearly stopped my heart entirely.
“Auren, I’m fine. I—”
The tent flap lifts and Ailyn rushes inside, Lyrea close behind her with an apologetic look on her face.
“I’m sorry,” Lyrea murmurs to us as she reaches for her daughter, just as Dain enters the tent as well.
“Ailyn,” he says sharply. “We need to let Vivienne rest.”
“I just wanted to give her a hug,” she tells her mother.
Dain starts to reach for Ailyn, but Vivienne tells him it’s alright.
Vivienne bites back a wince as she embraces Ailyn warmly.
“I’m glad you’re alright,” Ailyn whispers.
As soon as they’re finished, Dain pulls Ailyn into his arms. He bows his head to Vivienne. “Thank you, my queen,” he says. “Your bravery saved us all.”
Before she can reply, Dain turns to me and dips his chin. “We’ll set up a watch around the camp.”
When they leave, Vaelen slips inside and lowers his enormous body beside Vivienne’s bedroll.
She smiles and immediately reaches out, her fingers sliding into the thick fur along his neck. “Hello, Vaelen,” she whispers. “I’m glad you’re alright.”
The wolf nudges her hand with surprising gentleness.
Watching them together warms something inside me.
She glances up at me. “I’m alright, Auren. You should see to your warriors.”
“They’re fine.” I sit down beside her.
She sighs. “Auren—”
“I’m not leaving.”
She studies me for a moment, before she finally nods. “Very well.” She lifts her chin. “If you insist upon staying, then you can fetch me a cup of tea. I asked the Goblins for one, but they weren’t very good hosts.” A hint of a grin curls her lips. “They had terrible manners.”
I bark out a laugh. Despite everything that has happened today, despite the fear that nearly crushed my heart when I thought I might lose her again, a smile pulls at the corner of my mouth.
Because even exhausted, injured, and upset with me… Vivienne still sounds unmistakably like herself.