And as they settled in to sleep in one another’s arms, Evylin whispered her promise once more, “I will not let you fail, my love.”
Deckard pressed his forehead against hers. His muscles were still tight and rigid, and she could tell he was fighting the urges within him. But a gentle wash of love swept between them as he replied, “I know.”
CHAPTER FORTY
12TH OF RADIA, 1574
The past forty-eight hours had worn immensely on Ethenn. He was proud of himself for withholding his emotions. Through every moment, he’d been present for Ilain, offering her support no matter how ready he was to collapse and break apart himself.
Of course, he didn’t grieve like she did. He’d hardly considered Auden a friend, let alone a brother. The Day Mage’s missing presence was oddly draining, but he didn’tfeelthe loss.
No, it wasn’t mourning that caused Ethenn such internal discomfort. It was the memories that formed the agitation currently rising in his chest like a burr under a saddle.
Ethenn shut them out as best he could, only accessing what personal experience he possessed as a means of helping Ilain through these first unbearable days. He knew the pain of loss just as he knew that the best way to get through it was not to coddle or smother her with care. Ilain didn’t need him to babysit her. She needed him to trust her, support her, and let her live.
As the sun faded to a yellow-orange glow on the horizon, they neared the town of Kesgrave. They pulled to an early stop by a grove of trees. The settlement’s buildings awaited them down the road, shops and homes all clustered together. He eyed them longingly. Ethenn was weary of constant travel. He’dgrown up going on long trips through the forest, but none of them had lasted for over three months. After his time with the Third Volunteer Company and then joining the mission for the Alliance, he was ready for an extended stay in one place.
“We’ll stop here for training,” Deckard announced, and Ilain shifted in her saddle beside Ethenn. “Thom, Rafferty, and Vayden, you can spar together, then go into town early to get us a place.”
The three men nodded, dismounting to lead their horses into the trees.
Deckard continued giving his orders. “Ilain and Isla, I’ll need your help while Brea continues to train Evylin and Ethenn.”
“No,” Ilain said flatly.
Everyone turned to her in surprise. At the edge of the woods, Vayden looked back, his brow furrowed. “Lainy—”
“No,” she repeated, facing him this time.
“I’m sorry,” Deckard said, leaning toward Ilain with a confused expression. “I don’t understand what the problem is.”
Ilain turned back to Deckard with an imperious stare, and Ethenn’s jaw tensed, somehow already knowing what was coming. “Ethenn will not be training with Breata anymore,” she stated firmly.
Grinding his teeth, Ethenn fought the urge to snap at her. It was ridiculous. It was childish. It was petty. Of course, he was going to train with Brea. He didn’t have a choice. If he wanted to be a better Warrior—one who could defend Ilain and become the man that she needed by her side—then hehadto train.
But he shoved down his rising anger, even as the heat crept along his spine. “Ilain,” he said softly, “my training is necessary.”
“I don’t disagree,” Ilain said. “That doesn’t mean you have to train with her.”
A scoff slipped out of him. “Who would you like to train me?”
“Evylin was doing a splendid job of it a few weeks ago.”
“It wasn’t enough.”
The troop watched them, frozen in silence, eyes darting between the couple. Ethenn’s neck grew hotter. Ilain’s expression grew harder.
“We’ll discuss this later,” he said, preparing to dismount and follow Evylin and Brea into the woods.
Ilain’s hand snapped out and clutched his wrist. “We’ll discuss it now.”
A long, painful silence stretched.
Thom cleared his throat and gave Deckard a pointed look. With a sigh, Deckard nodded, and Thom tugged Rafferty with him into the trees. Vayden met Isla’s stare, looked between Ilain and Ethenn, and then he departed too.
“Evylin, Brea, go ahead,” Deckard said. “Isla, if you don’t mind....”
“Not at all,” Isla replied, but she urged her horse to Ilain’s side. She whispered something in Schonese. Ilain pursed her lips, and then Isla followed Deckard farther down the road to where the trees thickened in the distance.
