Page 120 of Silver & Smoke
‘But?’ she prompted.
‘But we’re not done. You know that, don’t you?’ He spoke the words carefully, not wanting to burst her bubble.
‘It’s not my first war, Bear Slayer,’ she replied, her arms looping around his waist. ‘But I know to celebrate the wins when we have them, and while our warriors are gathering the prisoners and setting up our headquarters, I choose to celebrate... with you.’
Over the top of Wren’s head, Torj saw Dessa and Zavier talking with Kipp at the back of the makeshift shelter. ‘Is that so, Embers?’ he said, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple. ‘I think you’ll find that war camps offer little privacy.’
‘Who said anything about the camp?’ she replied, peering up at him through her lashes.
He squeezed her, trying to share his warmth with her. ‘There are things to do...’
‘I know. There always are.’ She sighed, her whole body sagging against him. ‘A girl can dream, can’t she?’
‘Who’s going to stop you?’ he murmured, giving her an extra squeeze as he echoed Thea’s words from earlier.
As the sun rose higher, the sky a crisp shade of blue after the storm, he and Wren joined the others gathered around the table in the command tent, all of them weary and soaked through. The aches in his body were made worse by the cold, and he could feel the tender spots where bruises were blooming beneath his armour. He’d taken a few hits to the kidneys that were the main culprits, but he hid his grimace as he took a seat beside Wren.
‘We need to decide what to do with the prisoners,’ Kipp said without preamble.
‘How many are there?’ Thea asked.
‘Five dozen, or more. Some of the Guardians are still doingfinal checks,’ Cal replied, testing out his injured shoulder with a wince.
‘There’s a cellar down by the bell tower,’ Wren told Kipp. ‘You can put them in there for now. But make sure they have plenty of water and food if we have it. I don’t want them being mistreated.’
The strategist nodded. ‘That can be arranged. I’ll set up a watch as well.’
‘Speaking of watches...’ Torj shifted in his seat, sending a bolt of pain down his side that he barely concealed. He glanced at Zavier and Dessa to see if they’d noticed, but they were poring over the map of the capital. He forged on. ‘We need to reinforce all the perimeters as best we can. They’ll know the weak points. We need patrols on constant rotation.’
‘Couldn’t agree more,’ Kipp replied. ‘I get the sense there’s something else you need, Bear Slayer?’
His gaze slid pointedly to the alchemists. But it wasn’t Torj’s need for a strengthening potion that saw him rise from his chair.
‘There is,’ he told them. ‘Wren needs to be crowned queen. Tonight.’
CHAPTER 62
Wren
‘The histories of even the greatest rulers are marred by decisions they would unmake’
– Elwren Embervale’s notes and observations
‘HAVE YOU LOSTyour mind?’ Wren hissed, scowling at the Bear Slayer as he stood before their friends, their council, and told them that they needed to host a coronation during the chaos of war.
‘Far from it, Embers. It’s the most sense I’ve made in days,’ he replied evenly.
‘What good in all the midrealms do you think that would do?’ She was on her feet as well, her hands planted firmly on her hips.
‘I think it would make you a legitimate ruler of the midrealms, one that any usurper would have more difficulty overthrowing, at least from a customary standpoint. You’ve got nobles out there claiming that you’re not queen until you wear a crown, nobles who won’t honour their oaths until they see a queen on the throne. This is your chance to take what’s yours.’
The hum of the bond between them told Wren that there was something more to Torj’s words, that there was another reason hewas pushing this, but he tore his gaze away from her and addressed their friends.
‘What is the point of risking lives and meeting Silas on the battlefield if the question of succession is raised afterwards? With a crown on Wren’s head, it’s far harder to contest who should govern Delmira,’ he argued passionately.
‘I agree,’ Kipp declared. ‘It’s the most logical thing to do—’
‘Do you think anyone will support me doing this while people are dying around us?’ Wren countered.
