Page 132 of Between Wrath and Mercy

Chapter 42

Iwokeuptoan empty bed once more. The other side was disturbed, and I vaguely remembered Rain kissing my forehead before he left at dawn. Still, I was annoyed, though I took some solace in the fact Rain couldn’t escape me tonight. Lying across the very end of the bed, I found a white robe made of thin white silk with a tiny pattern of purple embroidered flowers traveling up the side. The hot spring had been sulfuric and slightly oily, and I hadn’t bathed the night before, so I took the robe with me into the bathing chamber to tend to all of my needs. Once finished, I took some extra time drying and combing my hair, using some scented oils I recognized as Nana's work.

Absentmindedly adjusting the robe as I came out of the bathroom, I glanced up and couldn't help my shriek. Both Rain and Dewalt sat at the end of the bed, waiting, one of them with averted eyes and the other wearing a hungry expression.

“You scared the hell out of me!” Pulling my robe even tighter, my eyes widened. "What if I was naked?"

“It’s a good thing you’re not then, my bride.” Within a moment, he was on me, picking me up at the waist. I heard the door snick shut, thankful Dewalt had more sense than the man holding me in a death grip.

“What is going on with you?” I was exasperated. A small part of me had been worried he'd changed his mind or somehow finally realized I came to our pairing with very little, and he had doubts over it, explaining how little I'd seen him the past few days. An even larger part of me was terrified about getting married again in the first place, especially considering the outcome of the last. With him dead. The logical part of me knew I was overthinking, letting anxious thoughts get the better of me. He had been patient all these years, with no hope of ever seeing it through. We were twin flames, something he had fewer doubts about than I did. I was being ridiculous; I needed coffee, or perhaps something stronger.

“Oh, it is but a small thing.” He put me down, and I saw the corners of his mouth curl up. I couldn’t help mirroring the smile. “Today, I make you mine.” He leaned down and gave me a slow, perfect kiss, thoroughly casting aside my fears from only a moment before, and I put my hands on his chest, tugging him closer by his lapels before he pulled away. “But right now, you need to put some warmer clothing on. I have something to show you.”

“Oh?” I raised my brows as I walked into the closet, pulling out some thicker leggings and wiggling them up over my hips, feeling his eyes on me as I dressed.

“Your hair is different.” I turned toward him, noticing an impossibly soft-looking sweater on his side of the closet that I grabbed and pulled over my head.

“Just a small trim. The servant at the cabin, Ashra? She did it while I waited for your mother and sister. I didn't let her cut too much; I know how much you like it.” He grinned and grabbed me, pulling me into another deep, thorough kiss. He was in one of the best damned moods I’d ever seen him in, and it made my heart soar to know it was because of me. Once I was ready, he grabbed me by my hand, half-walking half-running out the door to the garden. Instead of meandering down the path we'd walked before, he turned sharply, following a smaller path through the plants running parallel to the house. It seemed as if we were heading for the stables, and I slowed down, forcing him to match my pace. I knew it was likely I'd be on my feet for most of the day, and I didn’t want to tire myself out prematurely.

“Are your legs hurting you?” I shook my head, ready to explain, but he cut me off by hoisting me into his arms.

“Rain! You need to calm down!” He chuckled but didn’t obey. I flung my head and arms back in dramatic fashion, not particularly enjoying being hoisted unceremoniously and carried around like a baby. Seeing his handsome smile though, I couldn’t be too aggrieved. “What is this even about?”

“It’s a surprise.” My eyes lit up.

“Put me down. I just need to go a bit slower. Is it your task?” His eyes gleamed, but he didn’t reply, just set me down gently before he took my hand in his. What could possibly be in the stables? I wondered exactly what his task was, not for the hundredth time. It clearly involved something physical, and I wondered if I was about to receive a cloak. After what Filenti made me do, I simultaneously hoped Rain's task was that simple while also being jealous he hadn't had to make the kind of choice I did. I cringed at the memory, and I refocused my attention on the stable. Did he get a horse? He couldn’t possibly be this excited about a horse. I couldn’t think of anything I’d be this excited about, save for Elora's return.

For a brief, painful second, I thought maybe, somehow, he’d gotten her back already, and that’s where he had been. I tried to let the thought disappear, knowing it was entirely unlikely. He wouldn’t hide her out in the stable; he would have brought her directly to me. But still, my mind knew no logic. At that moment, I had been briefly hopeful I’d find her waiting for me. I wanted to let go of the hurt blazing through me, but I couldn’t. She wasn't waiting in the stable. She wouldn't be here for today, arguably the most important day of my life after her birth. And when she did return, she would be different, affected by trauma untold and walking into a disparate life. I turned my head away, not wanting to ruin the day or Rain's mood with my tears. I took deep breaths, albeit shaky, and managed to calm down before he pulled me to a stop. He turned me, cupping my face in gentle hands while eyes of moss-green searched mine.

“What is it? I can’t fix it if you won’t tell me.” I could hear a small tremor of fear in his words, a vulnerability I'd rarely seen in him before. I reached out, listening to his heart race, and I realized he could have been worried about more than just why I was crying at this moment. Was he as anxious as I had been earlier?

“You can’t fix it. Not yet anyway.” I wiped my eyes, determined not to ruin his spectacularly happy mood with my somberness. He watched me for a moment longer before folding me into his arms, recognition on his face.

“Elora.”

“I—For a second, just a moment—” I backed away and inhaled a shaky breath before continuing. “I thought maybe she was here, and that was why you were so excited.” He made a low sound in his throat, and the sorrow in his eyes was palpable. He pulled me tight against him, and I sank into his warmth.

“I’m so sorry, dear heart. I wish that were the truth. I wish she were here to witness the promises I make you and hear the ones I have for her. I wish she could hear me promise to love you both to the best of my ability. But I gave you my word that we'd get her back, and I plan to keep it." He was grave as he continued, pulling me tighter as his voice lowered. "I wanted you to have my divinity before we went to the Cascade. To better protect you. But if you think we should wait for her to perform the ritual—I don’t know how much longer my father has, but we could try to wait.”

I pulled back from him and stared. We didn’t have time, his father could die any minute now, but he offered to wait to make things easier for us, forher. I knew he loved me and wanted to protect my daughter, but the fact he’d so willingly accepted and said he would love her surprised me. I thought back for a moment, searching my memories. Everything he’d ever said about her was from the perspective of a man who wanted to love her as his own, and my heart broke right in half. This man would never have done anything to hurt her as Faxon had. Rain would never betray us as Faxon did. He wouldn't have betrayedanyonelike that, let alone his own child or mine. She had seen me broken and cold with her father her entire life. She’d never seen me truly happy, never seen me love the man. I just had to hope she’d understand that performing the ritual with Rain, marrying him, was almost just as much for her as it was for me. I reached up and traced his lips with my fingertips, watching the corners of his mouth curl upwards. He lightly kissed them in return.

“I don’t want to wait, Rain. I think we’ve waited long enough, don’t you?” His answering smile was everything. I didn’t think I’d ever tire of it.

“We’re almost there. Come on.” He grabbed my hand, leading us around the corner of the house to the stables. One of the doors was open, and it took a minute for my eyes to adjust, but I saw three figures standing inside. Rain opened the other door, allowing light to flood into the room. They were dressing figures and on them was the most beautiful armor and weaponry I’d ever seen.

“I was asked to prove I could protect you—truly a throwaway task.” He chuckled. “I did a quick demonstration of what the Supreme wanted, but I didn’t think the gods would approve of leaving it at that.” I looked at him questioningly, wondering what he meant. “You don’t need me to protect you. The gods know it. I know it. And I thought this was one way to make sure our enemies know it.” I took a step forward to examine the figure in the middle. I’d never seen female armor like this before. Most of the soldiers I’d seen wore leather cuirasses at most, but this was something a knight would wear. Or a king leading his soldiers into battle.

Or a queen.

My eyes nearly glazed over as I took in the assorted pieces. Leg armor, arm guards, pauldrons, hip shields, a breastplate—all of it hammered and polished to perfection. The armor was made from beautiful, darkened steel, almost fading to black in some places. The piece which drew my attention the most was the breastplate. It had an intricate raised design of flowers across it, with detailed petals etched across its entirety. The other pieces had such accents as well, but nothing as complex as the breastplate. Vines, leaves, and petals tangled in a sinuous pattern across the face. I traced my fingertips over the designs, enamored.

“Rain, these are beautiful.” I smiled up at him, allowing it to spread across my face. Truly, he’d done so well. He picked out items for a queen. For his queen. He beamed, crooked smile spreading, before drawing my attention to the weaponry.

Between the other two figures, I found a new bow, a short sword, and two daggers, each attached to a thigh and ankle belt. Every weapon was more lovely and perfect than the last. The hilt on the sword was ornate but not so much as to impede my grip. A stone that matched my ring was inlaid on the pommel, while the guard had a beautiful design of flowers and vines on it. I unsheathed it and weighed it in my hands. The balance was perfect, the blade precise. I smiled when I saw the sword belt that came with it, remembering Rain scolding me about mine. I was thrilled about the ankle belt as well. With all the dresses I’d been wearing, I’d taken to using my thigh strap and wrapping it around double.

Rain had taken a few steps back to lean against the wall of the stable and watch me, and when I turned toward him, I was reminded again how lucky I was. He seemed enraptured, happy to watch my joy. As long as he loved me, I’d forever feel this way. I matched his smile as I approached him slowly. Looking over the long leg jutting out a bit in front of him, the trim waist, the crossed arms corded with muscle, my patience already wore thin. I wouldn’t be able to wait for the night to end. Gods, he was too much.

“You’ll need a squire for when we go into battle. And a second.”

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