Just as I’m breaching the doors and into the throne room, the rune on the floor flares.
Someone is coming.
A flash of blinding light has us covering our eyes before Freya steps through in silver armor flanked by Odr.
“We’re out of time,” she pants. Her eyes alight with fury. “The Fomorians are attacking Tuadanaan. We must gonow.”
I whip my head to Lachlan. His jaw flexes as he mirrors my own thoughts. We’re nowhere close to being ready.
“But—we’re not ready?”
“It’s too late. We have to go now, or their realm will fall.” Her brilliant green eyes are piercing in a shaft of sunlight. I force a swallow and nod before turning to my court.
“You have five minutes. Don your armor, grab your weapons, and meet back here. Move!”
Tane and Mathilda peel off first, heading to their rooms. Evander nods and races towards the guards’ barracks.
Luna travels. Wisps of black smoke are all that is left from her departure. Mina gives a curt nod before racing off to her room.
Which leaves Lachlan standing with his hand stretched out for me.
“My queen,” he whispers. My stomach sinks.
I take his hand, the familiar callouses scraping against mine, as we head off to our room. He flings the door open, kicking it shut behind him.
“Where’s your?—”
“Armor is in the closet,” I answer for him.
He heads off in that direction and I stand still for a moment, trying to catch my breath. The clang of metal reverberates through the bathroom and into my room. I look up to see him heaving the chests of armor into the middle of the room.
His and hers.
Lachlan opens the chest closest to him, pulling his helmet and chest plate out. I grab it from him and he stands upright. Strapping on all the plates and cinching them up tight, I work in silence.
I take his hand and pull him to the bed. A crooked smile softens his face, and he chuckles.
“Not that, you idiot.” I giggle. “Sit—I’ll braid your hair.”
He sits before me and I braid his hair back. A long, single plait. The strands of his hair are soft and silken through my fingers. I focus on them to slow my breathing.
Tension knots my shoulders as the upcoming battle looms like a monster in the dark.
When I’ve finished his braid, I pat the top of his shoulders before kissing the side of his head. Lachlan stands and heads to open the chest that contains my armor.
I’m rooted to the bed.
Watching him move with ease in his armor. The strong cut of his jaw flexes as he pulls out the silver, poppy-engraved chest plate that once belonged to my mother. A small gouging scar still raked across it from our last battle.
His attention swings to me. “Come here.”
With trembling knees, I walk to him. My eyes never leave his face as I memorize every line. A strong nose, masculine brow, and the most extraordinary green eyes.
His lips press together like he’s fighting to hold the words back.
The sounds of leather cinching seem loud as he fastens mychest and shoulder plates on me. As he finishes, he spins me around, separating my hair into two sections, and begins braiding it back and out of my face.
I can see his reflection in the mirror and even though I would rather close my eyes and enjoy his hands on my scalp, I force my eyes to remain open.To memorize every second.
