Page 40 of Claimed By Stone
“I have to attend a meeting with Frema and the warrior captains,” he said softly in my ear.
“Oh, alright,” I said with feigned cheerfulness, nibbling at a piece of fruit.
“It’s necessary,” he said, then softened. “But I don’t like the idea of leaving you alone.”
“You’re not.” Callie chimed in from across the table. “I’m taking her to see the village and to collect some winterberries for the healers.”
I blinked. “You’re what?”
“There’s a meadow just beyond the lower ridge. It’s perfect for clearing your head and sneaking off from all the testosterone and weapons.” She shot Thavros a look. “Don’t worry. I’m very resourceful.”
“I don’t like it,” Thavros muttered.
“They’ll have guards,” Khuldruk said with a grin as he drained his mug. “You think I’d let my mate go frolicking unguarded with things on edge with the Westerly Clan?”
“I wouldn’t call it frolicking,” Callie said, offended.
“I would,” Khuldruk replied smugly.
The love they had for each other was written all over their faces. It was enough to make me yearn for a love like that. The idea that I could have something as pure as the love they seemed to share with Thavros was everything. Just thinking about it was enough to bring a tear to my eye, but I quickly blew it away.
I couldn't think that way. There was still so much to figure out, and I never could shake the feeling that I wouldn't like the answer I found there.
Thavros sighed and leaned close to me, his fingers brushing mine beneath the table. “If you’re not comfortable, you don’t have to go.”
“I want to,” I said honestly. “Fresh air sounds nice. And... I’d like to get to know her better.”
His jaw clenched like it physically pained him to let me out of his sight.
“Alright,” he said at last. “But if anything feels off, anything at all, you come straight back.”
“I’ll guard her with my life,” Callie said solemnly. Then ruined it with a wink.
Khuldruk stood and clapped Thavros on the back. “Come on, brother. Frema’s waiting, and if we’re late, she'll lecture us about how her troops have more discipline than we do.”
Thavros groaned.
As they finished their breakfast, Thavros and Khuldruk stood to make their way to the war room, but not before he held my hand and took me in with a calculating gaze. "If you need anything, the guards will come find me."
I nodded as they walked away. And once again, I felt like crying at the breakfast table. What was wrong with me? I was only going to be without him for a couple of hours, but it felt like we were about to be separated for months.
I glanced over at Callie, who gave me a warm smile. Something about that smile told me she knew exactly what I was thinking.
"Come on," she said as she took my arm and laced it through hers. "Let's go."
The mountain air was crisp and smelled faintly of pine and smoke. It filled my lungs in a way that made me feel… present. Real. I pulled my cloak around me to guard from the cool air, but the sun on my skin, even in this chill, felt amazing.
Callie walked beside me, curls bouncing as she chatted with the guards like they were old drinking buddies. The moment we stepped beyond the stone archway of the inner keep, she turned to me and grinned.
"See? Not so scary. And you didn’t even need a battle axe," she called to the two towering orcs following behind us.
"I don’t know," I murmured. "Could be useful."
She laughed and tugged me down a gentle slope toward a patch of sun-drenched meadow. For a moment, I just stood there and let the sunlight warm my face.
"It feels good to get out, doesn’t it?"
"It really does," I agreed.
