Page 144 of Silver & Smoke
‘Just getting one last thing,’ Torj called back, staring at the kitten. The little beast glared back at him, and he laughed. ‘You’re the one.’
At long last, the cottage came into view. Around it, structures were being built for the new academy, but it was a damn sight better than the chaos of Dorinth. It was made better still by the sight of Wren emerging from the nearby forest, a basket hanging from the crook of her elbow, full of silvertide roses.
Sensing him, she looked up, a broad smile breaking across her face.
You’re home, she murmured into his mind as he jumped down from his saddle and strode towards her.
‘I’m home,’ he said aloud, crushing his mouth to hers.
There was a loud meow of protest as she sagged against him, and Wren jumped back in surprise. ‘What was that?’
Torj shook his head, loosening the buttons of his jerkin, where a furry black head peeked out. ‘I brought you something.’
The kitten leapt from his chest and landed gracefully on the grass, instantly winding itself around Wren’s ankles.
She stared at it. ‘I thought you didn’t like cats?’ she breathed, crouching down and scratching it behind the ears. The damn thing purred.
‘I like anything that makes you happy, Embers,’ Torj replied, drinking in the unbridled joy on her face.
‘What’s his name?’ she asked.
Torj laughed. ‘Trouble. Monster. Menace. Mini Bloodletter... Take your pick. Though he seems to love you already.’
Gods, she was so beautiful, so fierce. Standing, Wren cocked a brow at him. ‘Any more surprises?’
‘Just one,’ Torj replied, dropping to a knee.
Wren’s hand went to her chest, her eyes widening as he took the ring from the chain around his neck, where he’d kept it for all this time. His mother’s ring.
‘Elwren Embervale...’ he said, his voice low. ‘I know we said our vows to each other aboardTheFuries’ Will, but I want to say them for all the world to hear. I don’t want to spend another moment without the midrealms knowing that you are my wife. So I’m asking...’ He drew a trembling breath. ‘Will you marry me again, Embers?’
EPILOGUE
Wren
Six weeks later
THE ALCHEMY CONFLICTof the midrealms became known as the War of Silver and Smoke. Just like the shadow war that had come before, it had left an indelible mark on the midrealms and its people. Not a day went by that Wren didn’t think of it, but it was different this time. Instead of mourning what she had lost, she was grateful for all that she had gained.
As she woke each morning, that was what she felt: gratitude. Gratitude for the opportunity to make Delmira something more, for the chances she’d been given, for the solid weight of the muscular arm tucked around her waist.
‘It’s too early to be thinking that hard, Embers,’ Torj’s husky voice murmured against her neck.
‘I was thinking how lucky I am to have you,’ she replied with a roll of her hips, feeling the hard length of him against her backside.
‘Is that so?’ he said gruffly, tugging her tighter against him. ‘Do you need a physical demonstration?’
She laughed. ‘What I need is to get up and get ready. You’re the one who insisted on this wedding party.’
‘I take it back.’ His words were still thick with sleep. ‘Don’t need it. Just need you. In bed. Now.’
‘I don’t think so, Bear Slayer,’ she said, batting his hands away and hauling herself from the warmth of their bed. ‘The next time you fuck me, I’ll be wearing your ring.’
A low rumble of need sounded behind her. ‘I do like the sound of that...’
Wren leaned down and pressed a kiss to his lips, careful not to linger too long and allow herself to be dragged back to bed. ‘Until the altar, then.’
Wren found herself getting ready with Thea and Dessa in a small marquee they had set up for the occasion. Dessa lined her eyes with kohl and applied colour to her lips while they drank sparkling wine from the bottle and teased Wren about her beginnings with the Warsword.
