I drew a deep breath, lowering my eyes to Nienna. Her eyelids fluttered, brows knit in a fleeting frown. I rubbed a thumb between them, and a soft moan escaped her lips; she curled closer.
What would I do with her? How could I balance this need to protect her while still requiring her to manage the dragons and her brother?
“Morning.” Her mumble was thick with sleep, hair spilling over my arm as she pressed against my chest.
“I’m not sure we’ve passed the night,” I whispered. Darkness blanketed the camp, lanterns flickering along tent posts.
“You’re not sleeping,” she complained, draping a leg over my hip, tugging me closer.
I kissed her flaxen waves, inhaling the sea and water lilies. “I rested.”
“How is your beautiful mind supposed to maintain its brilliance without sleep?” She cupped my cheek, fingers playing in the short hair near my temples.
A chuckle rumbled through me, and I pressed my lips to her palm. “I’ll manage. But now I need to check on the men.”
Her eyes danced in the dim light. “And Fallione?”
I hummed my agreement.
“You all never sleep,” she grumbled.
“But you did.”
“Will you hold it against me?” She laughed, releasing me. “I can’t help it—you’re too comfortable.”
Greaves snorted, tugging his tunic over his head, and she twisted to grin at him as he tightened his belt.
His brows raised, smirk angled my way. “Told you—you’re getting soft.”
That drew a laugh from my wife, and I grunted, rising to my feet.
We dressed in easy silence, canvas trapping our quiet happiness in a small bubble. Nienna fastened the chains of my mantle, pulled me down for a fierce kiss, then I pushed aside the tent flap and stepped into the camp.
Fires burned low, embers dotting paths between humble tents. Men packed down dried grass, moving to relieve themselves or seek their first meal. I stayed quiet, sparing them disturbance before the sun rose. They needed every scrap of rest they could get.
“Advisor or food?” Greaves muttered beside me.
“Fallione. I’ll send for a meal.”
“Best keep thatbeautiful, brilliantmind fed.”
I whipped a glance at him, catching his amused smirk as he studied our surroundings, content to ignore my glare.
“Jealous?”
He scoffed, rolling his shoulders. “Not a chance. In fact, I might take an oath of celibacy.”
“It wouldn’t change anything.”
If he ever shared a bed, it happened when he snuck off to eat or I sent him away. And aside from the privacy I’d demanded with Eldeiade and the solitude I craved with Nienna—I could count those moments on one hand.
“I’ve managed quite well on my own. Besides, who would watch over you? These young bucks?” He shook his head. “I’ve got my hands full enough with you both.”
I bit back a chuckle. With the soldiers nearby, it wouldn’t be right for them to hear me laugh. I agreed with him—to an extent. He would never find love at my side. Unless he took up with Nienna’s maids. He was bound to me—and that’s where he would stay. He didn’t want a woman to complicate things. Nienna had managed that well enough.
Daybreak came and went; my morning was split between Fallione and checking on the army. The generals had arranged it in near-perfect formation, spread across the plains, facing Sol. My advisor requested that the catapults be brought and assembled, keeping men busy while we prepared for a siege.
All the while, we awaited the Harvesters’ return.
