Tane shakes his head lightly. “But it doesn’t matter. I’ll never be worthy of her.”
My brow furrows, and disagreement is on the tip of my tongue when Lachlan walks through the archway.
“I thought I’d find ye guys here,” he calls out to us.
I wave but glance over my shoulder at Tane. “You’re wrong, you know?You are worthy.”
He smiles sadly at me.
“You guys finished already?” Lachlan asks us.
“Aye, I think she’s had enough of me,” Tane jokes.
But his words still weigh heavily on my thoughts. It’s not my place to tell Mathilda, but Idesperatelywant to. I know she feels the same way about him, and in the chaos of our world, more love couldn’t hurt.
Lachlan stares quizzically at me, and my own feelings towards him bubble to the surface.
“I could do some more sparring if you’re game?” I ask him.
His grin is wicked. “I’ve just finished meeting the blacksmiths, and the new arrows have me itching to fire some. Want to do some target practice?”
I bite my lip, knowing I’ve outshot him every time we’ve practiced so far.
“Of course,” I reply. From checking on our weapons supply, population logistics, and even tents for the healers, Lachlan has been a godsend. I don’t know if I would have gotten anything done without him.
“How’re the councilors settling in? Do you have any new information?” Tane asks.
The information we’ve gathered from the new arrivals has been troubling. Odessa and Julius spin more lies, claiming that the ill omens are, in fact, signs that I will bring about the destruction of our realm.
Cynane, Boudicca, Leif, and Satiah have officially joined our ranks. Joan was one of the last to arrive, and with even worsenews. The Idir tree in the middle of the old square is rapidly dropping leaves, and limbs have begun crashing down onto the surrounding garden.
If the tales are correct, that means the Fomorians have gathered a rather impressive army. Flocks of birds have also been spotted dropping dead mid-flight, freak storms pop up over the capital, and skirmishes between clans are occurring more frequently.
The civil unrest has been one of the angles we have worked in our favor to bring warriors here. Offering them an outlet for rising tensions and a variety of training grounds was exactly what they needed.
“No news, and everyone seems to be getting along well. It’s amazing what people can do when they’re united under a similar cause,” Lachlan replies.
His gaze is heavy on my fledgling wings. Initially, we had assumed the silvery hue was just because they were new, but they’re only getting darker.
They aren’t the iridescent white of the other Valkyries, but a unique silver.
The color resembles the sun reflecting off the North Sea we once crossed together. We walk towards the archery area at the far end of the training grounds, but our steps falter when two large shadows spear across our path.
Elowen and Mina dive from the sky, slamming into the ground just mere feet from us. The look of sheer anger blazing from their eyes sets my teeth on edge.
Before I can even ask, Elowen speaks first, “I have news from Odessa?—”
Mina cuts her off, agitation bristling from her, and her wings flare. “Not news,a summons. She requests your presence at the Great Hall.”
Lachlan snorts while rolling his eyes. “She can summon all she wants, but Lena is the queen, so she can decide not toanswer if she wants.”
He crosses his arms as if that solves the matter, and my lips twitch at his support.
Elowen sighs, impatience flickering across her eyes. “She found out I’m behind the mass exodus of citizens who fled from the capital. I can’t go back.”
Shit.
“Well, that was bound to happen. It’s fine. Those who haven’t left probably made up their minds, anyway. But I’m not going back, not yet. We’re not ready.” Elowen’s face is filled with relief at my response. “Actually, this is perfect. Now that you’re here, we can begin training as a unit,” I reply, looking from Elowen to Tane and Lachlan.
