Page 65 of Silver & Smoke
His tumbling words washed over Wren as she took him deep in her throat, her heart clenching at the raw note in his voice. He gave her everything – his vulnerability, his strength, his complete devotion. She moaned around him, trying to pour all her feelings into the way she pleasured him, into the bond that linked them. How many more times would she hear those words? How many more dawns would they share? The poison flowing through Torj’s veins haunted her waking moments – an hourglass counting down their remaining time together. They only had the moments they stole for themselves, and when each hour felt like sand slipping through her fingers, she would take advantage of every single one.
A low rumble of need escaped Torj, and the sound had her spreading her legs beneath her, increasing the pressure on her clit at the same time, the sensation building from the base of her spine and rippling through her entire being.
‘I’m going to come, Embers, I’m—’ Torj’s words were cut short as he shuddered, gripping her hair by the roots and emptying into her throat.
Wren moaned, swallowing the Warsword’s climax down and seeing stars as her own orgasm hit her. With the taste of him on her lips, she cried out, not quite completely sated, because what she longed for most was to have him inside her, filling her, claiming her—
Torj eased himself from her mouth, panting as he tucked himself away and helped her to her feet, shaking his head in wonderment. ‘You are something else, Embers...’
‘I’myours,’ she told him fiercely as she turned back to the fortress. ‘And don’t you dare forget it.’
CHAPTER 35
Torj
‘The archives of every kingdom tell the same story: war ends only long enough for the banners to change, and for its people to forget the scars of their forefathers’
– The Midrealms Chronicles
WAR WAITED FORno one, which meant as dawn broke over Thezmarr, their company was saddled and ready to depart. The morning air was brisk, the dew-kissed grass surrounding the corral sparkled beneath the early morning sun and, for a moment, Torj was reminded of a far simpler time. A time when he woke at the same hour every day, when he trained until his shirt was drenched in sweat, when he tended to horses in that same corral and ran through drills with shieldbearers over and over. There had been a rhythm to life back then, one that he missed in the face of all this unknown.
Talemir grasped his hand in a firm shake, his wings spread behind him, ready to take flight. ‘I’ll see you in Delmira, Bear Slayer. I’m sorry I can’t offer more support.’
‘You’re doing everything you can, Tal. You’ve given so much already. We’re lucky to have you at all,’ Torj replied. ‘Fly safe.’
The Shadow Prince nodded. ‘Send me your position as soon as you have it.’
‘Will do.’
A second later, a powerful gust of wind blasted through their ranks as Talemir took to the skies, his large wings casting shadows along the cliffs.
Audra brought her horse up alongside Torj’s stallion. ‘You’re in command,’ she told him, with no room for compromise in her tone. ‘I want you to set up garrisons along the way, establish patrol routes—’
‘We don’t have the numbers to do that,’ Torj replied. ‘If we leave behind units to oversee the crossroads and create defence perimeters, we won’t have enough in our core force.’
Audra folded her arms over her chest. ‘We’re yet to be joined by Aveum, Harenth and Tver’s armies.’
Torj shook his head. ‘Something tells me the aid we receive from King Leiko will be underwhelming. From what I understand, he’s not pleased with the recent turn of events...’ He glanced at Wren and Darian, who were mounting their own horses.
‘His Majesty forgets he owes his life and crown to Elwren. And before her, to the Warswords and Guardians of Thezmarr coming to his defence during the attack on his castle. I’ll make sure he remembers,’ Audra said. ‘I’ll rejoin you in Delmira. Send word to Harenth when you establish a stronghold.’
Torj nodded stiffly. ‘We intend to gather at Wren’s old cottage and wait for the rest of the Devereux connections and rulers’ armies to answer our call there. It’s where the supply of silvertide roses is, and Wren knows the lie of the land well there.’
‘What then?’ Audra asked.
‘Once all our forces are joined and we have accurate reports on Silas’s movements, we’ll march on the capital.’
Audra studied him for a moment before she said quietly, ‘I don’t need to remind you that you’re the unofficial queen’s guard, do I?’
‘Queen or not, I’ll always protect her,’ he told the Guild Master.
‘Good. Then you know what to do.’ With that, Audra turned her horse to address the company that had gathered in their wake. ‘Warsword Torj Elderbrock will be leading this campaign,’ she called out, her voice echoing down the ranks. ‘He has the full weight of Thezmarr behind him as we attack to unseat the usurper, Silas the Kingsbane, and return the Delmirian throne to its rightful heir, Elwren Embervale. Our loyalty is to the midrealms,always. We will not see another tyrant drag us into darkness. Ride well, Thezmarrians. Do our guild proud.’
A cheer erupted from the throng as Audra pressed three fingers to her shoulder and dipped her head to Torj.
‘See you in Delmira, Elderbrock,’ she said, before urging her horse towards the Mourner’s Trail.
Wilder and Thea approached him on horseback, matching silver bands adorning their fourth fingers.
