Ravaryn was coming together.
We will stand a chance.
Taking Ara’s hand, we met Doran as he dropped from his horse and his eyes went straight to our interlocked hands. A broad grin stretched across his face.
“About damn time,” he said, clapping me on the back.
I laughed nonchalantly as if we had just come together by happenstance. As if she wasn’t the single greatest thing that had ever happened to me.
“Any word on the troops at the border?”
“No, nothing yet, but my spies are watching carefully. They are still there for now, but I highly doubt they’ll be staying much longer.”
I nodded in response, eyeing our growing army.
“We need to begin training as soon as possible,” he continued. “I would assume most of the warriors from Blackburn to Canyon will already be ready for battle, but I think the people from Nautia may be a little rusty. They’ve remained untouched by the humans, so they haven’t prepared or trained as much as the rest of the kingdom.”
“I agree. Give them all the day to set up the encampment, but we start at sunrise. And that includes you.” I nudged Ara with an elbow. “Weapons with Doran and magic with Alden.”
“And what about you?” she asked, cocking an eyebrow.
Leaning down to her ear, I whispered low enough for only her to hear, “Oh, I have other lessons in mind for you and me, little storm.”
Her breath caught as her cheeks flushed violently and the sweet scent of her arousal met my nose. Chuckling, I pulled back and she cleared her throat.
“Yes, I need to get back into a routine,” she said to Doran as he stifled a smile. “When I was in Auryna, I trained with swords and daggers every day without fail, but I obviously haven’t since I arrived.”
“Don’t worry,” Doran replied, patting her on the shoulder. “We’ll get you back in tip-top shape in no time.”
She swatted his arm away, scoffing.
“I haven’t been here that long. I still managed to beat him the last time we were in a sparring circle,” she said, hooking a thumb at me.
“I don’t think the same tactics will work on the others,” I said, not bothering to whisper anymore. “Or, on second thought,” I continued, letting my eyes lazily graze down her body, “maybe it would.”
Her eyes were as round as saucers and the flush in her cheeks deepened.
Goddess, I love the sight of that.
“Well, that’s my cue,” he replied, turning on his heel to rejoin his men.
“I’m going to go see Alden and Thana. I’ll meet with you later, alright?” Ara said as she turned to leave.
My face fell.
“Ara…” I stared after Doran. “Thana isn’t here. Neither is Delphia.”
“Where are they?” she asked cautiously.
“They left to rescue Thana’s family.”
She clenched her jaw, glaring at me with furious eyes before glancing at Doran.
“How could you not tell me? Does Doran know?” she stepped closer, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Delphia made me promise not to tell Doran and then, with everything… No, he doesn’t know yet,” I whispered in return, grabbing her hand and tugging her toward the door. “But they should be in Auryna by now. Come on, we need to send a letter.”
She nodded curtly, fuming as she followed.