Page 7 of Oath of War
I stepped closer, placing a hand on his shoulder. ‘Sometimes a lack of choice is the best thing that can happen. You can do it, Rey. If anyone can, it’s you. Though keeping those nobles in check? You might have to take the plunge and marry one of their daughters.’
He chuckled, shaking his head. ‘I’d rather put my cock on hot coals. No, I’ve managed this long without bowing to mother’s demands to “strengthen” the Erenhart name. Let’s keep it that way. But drop the subject, and I’ll share a goblet of wine with you and allow you to sing praises of my leadership until we pass out.’
‘I can’t,’ I said, smiling faintly. ‘I need to check on Alaric. He’s been out working with his spies, and when he’s here, he just locks himself in the guest room. Ani means the world to him, and he’s been struggling since she’s been taken. But this stubborn bastard won’t ask for help.’
Reynard’s expression softened. ‘Just like you. Always taking on the world alone, even when the situation is so dire that it needs an army to fix. I know we couldn’t grow up together, but we are brothers, Ormond. Remember that. I’m here when you need me.’
He pulled me into a rib-crushing hug, and I let myself exhale, the weight of it all easing ever so slightly as I patted his back. It had never occurred to me, but being the head of the family was a solitary burden. I should have spent more time with him, even if my own duties made that difficult.
‘I’ll head off now,’ I said when he released me. ‘But we’ll have that drink, I promise.’
He nodded, his voice quieter now. ‘I understand. Take care of your mage, Orm. I hope everything works out for all of you.’
With that I left, heading straight for Ari’s room.
1.Olgoi worm/pron:ol-g{oi}/— a giant, blind earthworm with rows of serrated teeth, known for drilling tunnels in the dirt and rocks. They rarely hunt sentient beings, but during starvation periods, can move to the surface to hunt for warm-blooded prey.
The final blush of sunset faded into shadow as I passed through the long portrait gallery, its light retreating from the works of art lining the walls. I hadn’t realised it had grown so late. The war room had no windows and only one entrance, and the entire space was so heavily warded to prevent eavesdropping that the outside world was completely shut out.
Pausing by a crystalline window, I let the moonlight wash over me, time slipping by unnoticed until the deepening darkness pulled me out of my reflections. I straightened and continued to Alaric’s quarters.
‘Ari?’ I called, knocking on the door.
I should have come sooner, but part of me was afraid of what my own emotions might reveal. The embrace we’d shared in the forge earlier lingered in my thoughts, igniting questions I wasn’t ready to face.
Have I been blind all these years we’ve lived at the fortress?I questioned, trying to recall whether I had missed the quietyearning Alaric’s gaze when he’d healed me or soothed my headaches in the past. Standing under the moon’s pale light, so reminiscent of Ari’s iridescent skin, I realised how much I had ignored the feelings his touch had awakened—curious and confusing as they were.
I heard cursing, and a soft scraping before the door creaked open a sliver. My jaw dropped at the sight of the dishevelled fae, his bloodshot eyes peering myopically through the gap.
‘Leave me alone, Orm,’ he rasped, his voice so rough I wondered if he’d been screaming all night. ‘Hrae.1 Please. Just go.’
‘The fuck I am,’ I said, pushing the door open.
His lips quirked in a bitter semblance of humour that worried me as he stepped back. ‘Wine?’ he asked, shuffling towards the table before he winced, grasping its edge and stumbling mid-step. I’d moved before I knew it, grabbing his shoulders and steadying him as he clutched his chest.
‘For gods’ sake, talk to me! What’s going on? Are you hurt?’
My fear for him had made me snap, and I instantly regretted it, seeing how he flinched at the tone of my voice. From the corner of my eye, I saw the white bed linen covered with bloody glyphs before the hand patting mine distracted me.
‘The Lich King is relentless,’ Alaric admitted, his voice brittle. ‘The bastard keeps trying to worm his way into my mind, promising to keep Annika safe if I deliver her to him.’ He laughed sharply, the sound ending with a splatter of blood on my shirt. ‘Like I’d ever give him my Domina.’
‘You should have told me,’ I sighed.
‘What would it change?’ he asked, his shoulders slumping. ‘Only Annika could help, and she’s still out there, alone. Just let it go. Come on, have a drink with me. If I numb myself with enough wine, his voice sounds more like the ravings of a drunk mind.’
Instead of answering, I stepped closer, a memory of Annika’s words flickering in my mind. Sliding a hand beneath his shirt, I pressed my palm to his chest, over the faint glow of his marks. Ari froze, his eyes widening.
‘What are you doing?’ he asked, though he didn’t pull away.
‘Helping you. Or trying to, at least,’ I murmured. ‘It’s just a hunch, but I can’t let you go through this alone. Is it working? The piece of Ani’s soul inside me, is it enough?’
‘Of course, no . . . erm, yes?’ he said after a moment’s hesitation. ‘I can still hear him, but it doesn’t turn my insides into molten agony. Ha! I can ignore his damn voice.’ He barked a brief laugh before looking at me. ‘What made you think to try that?’
‘I remembered something Ani said and, well . . . I carry a shard of her soul. I figured it couldn’t hurt to try.’
Alaric stepped back and peeled off his shirt, his movements tentative. Standing before me in only a pair of dark spider-silk trousers, he trembled as he approached again. This time, there was no hesitation as I placed my hand over his heart once more. Relief softened his features, and his eyes drifted closed.
‘Thank you,’ he whispered, the words laden with an unfamiliar vulnerability. ‘I know this isn’t something you’d normally do. I—thank you.’
