Page 118 of Silver & Smoke
‘Then what do we do?’ he asked.
Wren’s heart ached for him. She knew how much he was struggling with needing help. But she lifted his chin so that his eyes locked with hers as she said, ‘We defeat Silas. We save youandthe rest of the world.’
Torj gave a weak laugh. ‘Is that all?’
‘That’s all there is, Bear Slayer.’
‘Need a hand?’ Torj offered back in her private tent, as she reached for the breastplate that lay waiting for her.
Wren turned to give him access to the straps. ‘It’s strange... you’re usually taking my clothes off, not putting them on.’
‘That’s definitely my preference,’ he replied, fastening the buckles over her shoulders.
As much as Wren wanted to haul his mouth back to hers and claim her husband again for the evening, she knew that they were out of time. ‘Take me to the command tent?’
‘Only if you eat something on the way,’ he replied, rummaging through a bag and producing a squashed pastry.
Gratitude surged through Wren. Whenwasthe last time she’d eaten? ‘Thank you for thinking of me,’ she told him.
Torj huffed a laugh. ‘Always, Embers. Can’t have that gorgeous ass of yours shrinking.’ He gave it a playful slap as she lifted the canvas flap and she jumped, batting his hand away.
‘Not the time or place, Bear Slayer.’ But she couldn’t keep the smile from her voice.
Wren knew she’d have some explaining to do as she and Torj emerged and found their friends waiting in the command tent.
‘Is it true?’ her sister demanded.
Kipp, Cal, Thea, Wilder, Dessa and Zavier stared back at her, all of their faces astounded.
Wren returned her gaze to Thea, hiding a wince. ‘It’s true.’
Thea shook her head in disbelief. ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’
‘That’sthe issue here?’ Wren asked, stunned.
‘One of many,’ Wilder interjected, his tone stern as his eyes swept to Torj. ‘You could have given us a heads-up before you threw our main patron through a fucking tent wall.’
‘It was made ofcanvas, Hawthorne. He survived just fine.’
But Thea elbowed Wren, snatching her attention back. ‘How did this happen?Whendid this happen? And again,why didn’t you tell me?’
‘I was going to – at Thezmarr. But then you told me that Wilderhad proposed and that you were getting married. I didn’t want to steal your thunder – so to speak.’
Thea stared at her for a moment longer before she burst out laughing and threw her arms around Wren. ‘Congratulations, sister. Don’t think you’re getting away without having a wedding party.’
‘Yes, congratulations, Wren.’ Kipp surged forwards, wrapping her in a hug as well. ‘I’m sure the men of the midrealms will be devastated.’
As her friends hugged her and wished her well, Wren knew that behind closed doors, people were talking, spreading the word about her deceit and likely drawing into question her suitability as queen. But she also knew that the true test of her confession was not amid her friends and family... It would be with those who had already rallied to the promise of a joint banner between the royal Embervale family and the noble house of Devereux.
Even so, the weight that had sat atop her chest like an anvil had lightened.
‘Well, that was unexpected,’ Wilder said as he embraced her.
‘It was necessary,’ she replied.
‘Agreed. It’s about time.’
Wren smiled. ‘I know.’
