Chapter 29
The creaking open of the door, coupled with blinding light, has me peeling open my eyes. My face is stuck between the pages of a book and I squint against the flood of light through the windows.
Lachlan stumbles into our room, yawning loudly. Bluish shadows are smudged under his eyes and his long locks are haphazardly tied up with a leather strap. But there’s a lightness to his shoulders, the tension not quite what it has been.
“Did ye read all night?” He eyes the book I pull my head out of.
I wipe the sleep from my eyes and grimace. “I guess so. Were you on duty?”
He stifles another yawn behind his hand and vanishes his wings away. The tattoos of their outline appear on his tanned skin. “Aye. Ramses deserved a break.”
“Ah, I see.” I rise from the chair and tiptoe over to the armoire. The marble is frigid against my bare feet. Stripping out of my nightclothes, I pull my leathers out.
Strong, warm arms wrap around my middle and pull me against his firm chest.
“I missed ye.” His words tickle my neck just below my ear.
I breathe in his cedar and rain scent, closing my eyes. “I missed you too.”
He places light kisses from my temple down to my neck and I lean back, savoring the bliss that quickens my breathing.
“Ye going to get breakfast?” He squeezes me tight.
“Mhm. Do I need to bring you anything?”
His arms slip from around my middle to pull off his boots.
“Nae. I’m going to grab a couple of hours of sleep before our training this afternoon.” Lachlan sinks onto the end of our bed and struggles to pull off his other boot.
I kneel in front of him and move his hands out of the way so I can tug loose the laces. He flops back on the bed.
“Do I need to arrange for someone to come wake you?”
“Nae…”
I remove both boots and stand. To find him already asleep. His chest rises and falls in deep, rhythmic breaths.
“Poor old man,” I whisper, checking to see if he’s truly asleep.
When he doesn’t make a face or grumble, I lean over his body to press my lips to his cheek.
“Goodnight, my love.”
My chest squeezes and I’m overcome with emotion, staring at his peaceful, sleeping face. He’s so relaxed in his sleep. No creased brows or glowering expressions. I’m relieved he’s getting rest.
Fear slithers its way through my veins. What if I lose him too? Like I’ve lost the rest of my family?
Lachlan twitches in his sleep, his brow puckers, and then relaxes. I head to the windows to draw them close, but look once more at him. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted. I draw the windows close and slip out the door.
My stomach rumbles as I make my way to the dining hall. The sounds of conversation and laughter reached my ears before the smell of food.
Luna, Evander, Mathilda, Tane, and Mina all sit at the high table. Mathilda leans over Tane’s plate to cut his meat. Everyone ignores the action at the table—except him. He stares at her with a quiet admiration and it softens the shelf of his brow.
“There she is! Our fair queen,” Mina cheers.
I roll my eyes, huffing a breath.
“I see you’ve been complaining,” I accuse Luna.
She crosses her arms over her chest, looking down her nose at Mina. “I was not.”
I take a seat at the end of the table and plates full of food are pushed in my direction.
“No sudden moves,” Evander teases. “She hasn’t eaten yet.”
I stick my tongue out at him before spearing a sausage and popping it into my mouth.
“Where’s Lachlan?” Tane asks, staring at the entryway behind me.
“Asleep. But don’t worry, he’ll be at training later.”
The table is silent for a few moments while I eat my breakfast and drink some juice. I’m finishing my second plate when the silence registers and I look up.
“What?” I ask, around a mouthful of fruit.
“What’s on the docket for today?” Mathilda asks.
“I need to go over the updated reports. Training this afternoon with our unit. Oh! Freya and Odr said they’d be available for questions about the war or other realms or anything else we’re lacking knowledge in, and…I think that’s it?”
Luna clears her throat.
“Oh, and Luna wants the healers to do some witchy stuff now instead of healing, since magic is restored.”
Evander freezes with a forkful of fruit almost to his mouth. “What?” His tone is sharp.
Luna drums her long nails against the table, priming for a reaction, but I answer for her.
“Well, since we no longer need the healers for healing, it would be nice to have scryers or seers looking at the future for the war, right?”
Evander glares at Luna. “And you didn’t think to tell me about this?”
My head bounces back and forth.
“You’re finding out now, like everyone else.”
“You couldn’t have told me about this plan last night?”
Last night? They were together last night?
Luna shrugs her shoulders and sips from her glass, avoiding his gaze.
Evander pushes roughly away from the table and strides quickly from the dining hall.
“What happened last night?”
“Nothing.” She rolls her eyes. “We were in the library reading. I didn’t realize I had to tell him every thought I have.”
My lips tug up at the corners as I study her innocent expression. “Evander hates reading.”
“Um, so training this afternoon?” Tane asks, hopefully. His head bobs as he stares down the table at everyone.
I shake my head, clearing thoughts of Luna and Evander from my mind. “Of course. I just need to go over a few things and check in with Freya and Odr.” Pushing my plate away, I stand. “I’ll see you all this afternoon!”
I find Freya and Odr on the terrace that overlooks the capital, the same place we had our talk a few days ago.
Their heads are pressed together and their eyes are closed.
I feel like I’m intruding. But the sound of my boots against the marble gives me away before I can turn around and head back into the Great Hall.
“Lena,” Freya calls. “Come join us.”
Spinning back around, I plaster a smile on my face. “I’m so sorry. Didn’t mean to intrude.”
Odr smiles. “Nonsense—this is your home.”
I plop down onto the bench in front of their chairs.
“We’re resuming our training today. Would you both be able to stick around and give some pointers?”
Freya stares at me, her mind a million miles away. Odr brushes a hand down her back as she focuses on me.
“Yes. We will help with that. Lena, have you learned to fly yet?” She eyes my absence of wings.
My cheeks redden and I look down at the hands clasped in my lap. “Not yet.”
“Who has been instructing you?”
“Lachlan has.”
“Ahh I see. You might need someone with a bit more flight knowledge. I’d be happy to instruct you.” She dips her chin stiffly, like that settles the matter.
“I’m sure you have more important things to attend to than teaching me how to fly.”
She nods, biting her lip. The action is so normal, so human. “That is true. But it is a necessity that you learn as quickly as possible. It is an invaluable skill—especially in battle.”
I purse my lips, my nostrils flaring. “Of course.”
“Did you have questions for us?” Odr asks, shifting forward in his seat.
“Uh yes! Actually—can you look over these reports and make sure we’re on track? I have no idea what I’m looking for. And we’re training after lunch today.”
I ease from my seat and head off to check on Evander.
My necklace turns cold against my skin and I stop in my tracks.
The shadow of a large bird streaks across the path in front of me, my eyes following its flight path.
The edges of my vision dim, much like it did in Badb’s temple. The memory swirls in my mind.
“Lena?” Freya’s voice pierces my thoughts. “Is everything alright?”
I turn back towards her. My shoulders almost touch my ears.
“I think I heard Babd once, in her temple. Before all of this happened. What could that mean?”
Silence reigns.
Freya and Odr share a look. The meaning is unreadable from my vantage point.
“When was this?” Freya asks.
“Before—when the imposter was on the throne and I hadn’t yet joined the rebellion.”
“What did she say?” Odr asks. His grip on the arms of the chair has his knuckles turning white.
“Come find us.” My words come out rough, laced with the fear I feel writhing under my skin.