Page 188 of The Kingdom's Reckoning
Since the skirmish ended, Rian, Kallie, Graeson, and a few others had been arguing back and forth about the best course of action. With no knowledge of war strategy, Myra had sat away from the fire, not wanting to get in the way. She had expected Laurince to stay with the others and offer his own input, but found him taking a seat in front of her instead. As she plucked the glass from his wings, she couldn’t help but listen to the conversation transpiring.
When Kallie had revealed that she and Graeson had killed Domitius, Myra froze in utter shock. Laurince had peered back at her, a question in his gaze. But Myra ignored it, choosing to focus on the glass instead. For her entire life, Domitius seemed untouchable, always three steps ahead. It was hard to imagine him meeting his end. She struggled to believe it. Myra wanted to press Kallie for more details, just to be certain, but she couldn’t. Especially not when she took in Kallie’s somber expression. Domitius might not have been her blood, but he had raised Kallie. Her feelings were bound to be complicated.
The topic quickly changed, and the discussion of plans took over. Even though Domitius was dead, Sebastian seemed to be set on moving forward with their plans to take over the seven kingdoms. He had already pushed Rian out of the capital.
As the conversation progressed, Myra had never seen Rian act so stubborn. Anything Graeson or Kallie proposed, Riandismissed immediately, his resentment toward them apparent. The exchange was borderline hostile, the personalities and histories clashing.
Myra shifted away from Laurince. When they were traveling, Laurince had always been a source of reasoning. He balanced Rian.
Laurince bunched his brows. "What?" he asked, as if sensing her confusion.
"As captain of Rian’s guard, shouldn’t you be with them?"
Laurince scoffed. "There are too many co—I mean heads in that conversation already. Rian can come find me if and when he needs me."
"But they’ve only been arguing. Shouldn’t you?—"
He tipped her chin up with his knuckles. "I’m right where I want to be. My input is not needed right now. Trust me."
Her eyes flitted over his face. "Are you certain?"
Laurince nodded, tucking her against him once more. "Anyway," he said, his breath kissing the top of her head, "I’m not Rian’s favorite person right now. Not after I practically dragged him away from the fight."
Myra drew aimless shapes on Laurince’s thigh. "Deep down, I’m sure he’s glad you did. If you hadn’t, who knows what would have happened?"
"His Majesty does not see it that way, at least not right now," Laurince said, failing to hide his frustration. Myra could practically hear his eye-roll. He shrugged. "But that is neither here nor there. What’s done is done. He is alive. Bax and my cousin Han are alive. I cannot say the same for many of my brothers who fought with us."
The group that had returned with Laurince and Rian was smaller than any would have liked. While they didn’t know how many had died, the number of those who survived, escaped, and were on their side of the civil dispute was fewer than desired.
"Do you think the reinforcements will come in time?" Myra whispered.
Laurince’s lack of response was answer enough. His hope, like so many others, was fading rapidly, like the embers of a fire that had long since been extinguished. They all wanted to believe the aid from Pontia and Tetria would make it in time, but most weren’t foolish enough to put their faith in the slim chance.
"We’re at least safe for the night," he said, holding her tighter.
"You don’t think they’ll attack?"
Laurince shook his head. "While there is always a chance, they’re as tired as we are. The drakonises were called back before we retreated. They’ve closed the city gates. I think we can take that as a small sign of relief."
Myra nodded and peered at the treetops. Because of the smoke, she couldn’t make out a single star.
Laurince brushed the tip of his knuckles across her jawline, and Myra closed her eyes. "Let’s save the worries. For now, we are together. We should take that as a blessing."
She knew he was right. When she had left Laurince, she hadn’t known if she would see him again. Now, sitting beside him, seeing the trace of the battle marking his body and clothes, a flurry of emotions rose within her.
Laurince’s arm fell from her side. He leaned away from her. Before she could voice a complaint, he brought his hand to her cheek. His thumb skated across her skin, the touch soothing. He stared at her, his deep brown eyes soaking her in as if he was memorizing every detail.
He offered her a small smile. "Thank you," he whispered.
"For what?"
"For leaving when I asked." He swallowed, the bump in his throat dipping. "Knowing you were safe made a difference."
As Myra took him in, she realized just how much he meant to her. She had never meant to catch feelings for the captain. Although she wasn’t surprised. She always did fall easily and quickly. It was something Kallie had frequently teased her about.
But with Laurince, it was different. It felt bigger. More.
And it scared her to her very bones. Come morning, the battle would begin again, and Myra knew that when the others raised their swords, Laurince would too.
