“Poor old man,” I whisper, checking to see if he’s truly asleep.
When he doesn’t make a face or grumble, I lean over his body to press my lips to his cheek.
“Goodnight, my love.”
My chest squeezes and I’m overcome with emotion, staring at his peaceful, sleeping face. He’s so relaxed in his sleep. No creased brows or glowering expressions. I’m relieved he’s getting rest.
Fear slithers its way through my veins. What if I lose him too? Like I’ve lost the rest of my family?
Lachlan twitches in his sleep, his brow puckers, and then relaxes. I head to the windows to draw them close, but lookonce more at him.He’s everything I’ve ever wanted.I draw the windows close and slip out the door.
My stomach rumbles as I make my way to the dining hall. The sounds of conversation and laughter reached my ears before the smell of food.
Luna, Evander, Mathilda, Tane, and Mina all sit at the high table. Mathilda leans over Tane’s plate to cut his meat. Everyone ignores the action at the table—except him. He stares at her with a quiet admiration and it softens the shelf of his brow.
“There she is! Ourfairqueen,” Mina cheers.
I roll my eyes, huffing a breath.
“I see you’ve been complaining,” I accuse Luna.
She crosses her arms over her chest, looking down her nose at Mina. “I was not.”
I take a seat at the end of the table and plates full of food are pushed in my direction.
“No sudden moves,” Evander teases. “She hasn’t eaten yet.”
I stick my tongue out at him before spearing a sausage and popping it into my mouth.
“Where’s Lachlan?” Tane asks, staring at the entryway behind me.
“Asleep. But don’t worry, he’ll be at training later.”
The table is silent for a few moments while I eat my breakfast and drink some juice. I’m finishing my second plate when the silence registers and I look up.
“What?” I ask, around a mouthful of fruit.
“What’s on the docket for today?” Mathilda asks.
“I need to go over the updated reports. Training this afternoon with our unit. Oh! Freya and Odr said they’d be available for questions about the war or other realms or anything else we’re lacking knowledge in, and…I think that’s it?”
Luna clears her throat.
“Oh, and Luna wants the healers to do some witchy stuff now instead of healing, since magic is restored.”
Evander freezes with a forkful of fruit almost to his mouth. “What?” His tone is sharp.
Luna drums her long nails against the table, priming for a reaction, but I answer for her.
“Well, since we no longer need the healers for healing, it would be nice to have scryers or seers looking at the future for the war, right?”
Evander glares at Luna. “And you didn’t think to tell me about this?”
My head bounces back and forth.
“You’re finding out now, like everyone else.”
“You couldn’t have told me about this plan last night?”
