Page 103 of Oath of War
Vahin spread his wings and leapt into the sky. I’d hurt him. He didn’t block our bond despite my harsh words, but more than those, it had hurt him that I pushed him away.
My eyes followed his silhouette until only a shadow was visible, gliding between the clouds.
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean ...’
Was I really trying to excuse myself? The painful void in my heart was no excuse for lashing out with such cruelty.
‘I know, Little Flame. Take your time and let me know when you need me to land,’ he said, leaving me alone in the field.
I stood there, staring into the distance, but I couldn’t escape my guilt. As I turned and walked back to my tent, I decided to use the short respite Vahin had given me to push forward. I helped pack my tent and belongings away before hiding in one of the supply wagons, nursing all the moonshine I could buy from the soldiers.
For all I cared, the world could freeze, burn, or carry on regardless, but I was done for the day. I emptied the first bottle before we even set off, and when the wagon wobbled, finally moving, I was already drifting off into welcome oblivion.
‘You’re telling me she’s been here the whole time? I searched high and low, sending dragons to scout the area, thinking she’d run away. Or, the gods forbid, kidnapped, and she was here, drunk in the blacksmith’s wagon?’ Orm’s raised voice broke through my stupor, and I stretched, feeling every bone in my body creak in protest.
The wagon no longer rocked on the uneven road, and I realised we must have stopped somewhere. The bustling voices around us meant camp was setting up for the night. My stomach rumbled, and I stumbled in the darkness, kicking the emptybottles as I tried to stand up. The world was still spinning on its axis when I pulled back the heavily waxed linen curtains.
‘Yes, I’m here. Marching with the army like a good soldier should, just in a more prone position. I didn’t feel like riding a horse ... or a dragon,’ I said, finding Orm’s stunned expression. He rushed forward as I took a step to exit my transport, catching me before I landed face-first in the mud.
‘Annika Diavellar, I am endlessly happy that you are safe, but didn’t it cross your mind to let me know? We are in enemy territory, and you didn’t mention your choice of transportation—’ He sighed, pressing me to his chest. ‘Let’s put that aside for now, Nivale. You look like something the dragon chewed up and spat out. I won’t mention what you smell like,’ he said before scooping me up and marching away.
‘Well, thank you, gentle lord. It’s not like you smell like roses, either,’ I grumbled. I wouldn’t admit it even if the enemy broke my bones, but a part of me craved this love and attention. Craved the knowledge that, despite my actions, he still loved me.
I didn’t know where he was carrying me to, but as my mind slowly cleared, I took in the world around me.
The stench of stale water was overpowering. We were in a swamp, or some kind of marshland, where the ground undulated beneath Orm’s feet, and all the jolting made me nauseous.
‘Put me down,’ I groaned, desperately trying to keep my mouth closed.
‘No, we are going to the healers,’ he answered with a stony expression.
‘Put ... me ... down,’ I snapped, hitting his shoulder, the moonshine threatening to decorate his armour. Understanding dawned in his eyes, and he hastily set me on my feet, catching my braid moments before I expelled whatever was sloshing around in my stomach.
‘I should have known better,’ he murmured, wiping the sweat off my forehead and pressing me to his chest the moment I was done.
‘Yes, you should have. It’s just a hangover. Not my first, and unlikely to be my last. I’ll live, just ... I need some water,’ I groaned, the burning in my throat subsiding.
‘Did you find her, Commander?’ Valaram’s voice from behind Orm made me roll my eyes. Of course, it had to be him.
‘Yes, he did, and now you have, too, so you can shake hands and point me to the nearest tent. I need water and a place to sleep. Where is Vahin?’ I asked before I remembered how poorly I had treated him. ‘You know what, never mind.’
I couldn’t stomach Valaram’s pity. He wasn’t Ari, and the more he cared, the more I felt as if he was trying to step into my fae’s shoes. I wiggled in Orm’s arms, trying to force him to release me, but he tightened his grip.
‘Let me make one thing clear, Nivale. I’m not a man you can just send away. I’m also not a man that would let you drink yourself sick in a fucking wagon. I will take care of you whether you want it or not,’ he stated, before turning to Valaram. ‘As you can see, Ani is safe. I appreciate your help, but I need to be alone with my woman.’
Valaram nodded stiffly, his gaze lingering on my face, waiting for my confirmation. At my nod, he walked away, frowning. Once he’d gone, Ormond’s attention returned to me.
‘I can’t believe you tried to send me away, or that you lied to me when I asked how you felt,’ he said, carrying me to a small tent at the edge of the camp.
‘You have soldiers and riders who depend on you,’ I said. ‘I can manage.’
He shook his head. ‘Ani, we have an empress, two kings, and a prince. Any one of them can replace me. Why wouldn’t I want to help you? I can see how much you’re hurting. Did you know thatVahin was blaming himself for your disappearance? He thought you’d locked him out because of your argument. No one thought you’d be passed out in a wagon.’
Orm paused, taking a deep, calming breath. ‘I’m not mad at you, my love ... well, only a little. I know Katja was special to you, and I should have known this calm was just a façade. I’m sorry I didn’t push to stay by your side. I should have known better.’
He sat on the bed, settling me onto his lap, and grabbed a canteen. ‘Here, drink this, then we’ll talk.’
‘I don’t want to talk. I just got drunk and didn’t realise I’d be out for so long,’ I said, pulling away. ‘I didn’t leave or expose myself to danger; you’re making a mountain out of a molehill.’
