Page 128 of A Thread of Breath and Bone

At this, Vaeric grins. “I look forward to kicking your ass again tomorrow.” He dips his chin to Riven before disappearing into the trees.

Raea looks exhausted, but she’d have my ass if I picked her up. “I think it’s fair to say that being human on a Fae warrior course sucks.”

Riven shakes his head with a faint smile, brushing back the long raven strands of hair. “You did well, Raea. Tomorrow is another day.”

The eight of us are soaking in one of the private pools after eating the largest dinner I’ve seen in a while. Raea had eaten like she had a bottomless pit and then glowered at Tate when he made a joke about her eating for two.

I had nearly inhaled my mead and began choking on it, which only made Raea glare at me instead. She had informed them all in a not-so-polite tone that she had used a bunch of energy and that she was not carrying a child, announcing to everyone that she was on a prevention serum.

After that first time I’d taken her to bed, we both knew it was the right choice. While a baby might be a blessing for future us…a child being brought into this war would be unfair. Plus, it would only put her at further risk.

Our friends had grown silent after that. Then Aolyn asked if we still planned on getting married. It’s been a question I’ve been asking myself, too. With Raea seated on my lap, I’ve been toying with her ring—back on the correct finger—while everyone exchanges stories about today.

Raea animatedly tells them about the obstacle course. She can’t make it past the rock overhang. She gets some more time to practice tomorrow before we all shuffle again. Kellan claims that the Fae swords are made from a metal he’s never seen or heard of, making it a point to say that it’s very sharp.

Kellan’s arm is completely healed now.

Ciara speaks, and the pool quiets around her. I’ve never seen anyone move the way she did today. “Kai’laina’s Elyndorai,” Ciara says. “Elyndorai are winged Elven warriors.”

Kamden asks what we’re all thinking. “Are you from that line?”

Ciara shrugs. “Kai’laina says I’ve got a natural affinity for fighting in the air. But until my awakening, we won’t know. The trait passes through the female line, generation after generation.” She laughs softly. “Which is funny, considering my mother’s terrified of heights.”

“Well, when you all get to the dark forest, just be ready.” Tate sighs. “All I had to do today was try to find Morek in the dark, and that asshole would tap me on the shoulder and dart away. I spent hours playing the stupidest game of hide and seek except he was hiding right in front of me.” Tate scoffs. “Being human definitely sucks. I’m ready for the awakening. Then we’ll see how he likes it when I scare the shit out of him.”

Everyone grins, hiding their faces so we don’t egg him on. Unfortunately, he doesn’t stop there.

“And you know what else?” Tate slaps the water like a petulant child throwing a tantrum. “Morek says I’ll still die because of my posture. The amount of times he slapped my back or my feet in the dark was maddening. My posture is fine.”

“You’re slow on your feet.” Trysten sighs apathetically, leaning back to rest his head against the rock.

Tate shakes his head. “There are times when I can be quick on my feet, but why waste the energy when it’s unnecessary. I walk at exactly the right pace to enjoy life.”

Raea giggles. “Right…” She drags out the word. “You should listen to him. Not about the dying part.” She waves her hand like she’s brushing away the thought. “Just the other parts. We need to learn whatever we can from them. We’d be wise to remember that there’s a war and we are the ones at a disadvantage. If we want to save our family and friends, we have to take this seriously.”

Trysten mutters an agreement, followed by the others.

After a few long minutes of comfortable silence, Kamden says, “Well, I need sleep. Moving boulders from one side of the field to another is boring as shit, but exhausting.”

As he says this, all three women yawn.

“Yeah, okay,” Aolyn says, eyeing the distance to her robe before Kamden jumps out, grabs it, and tosses it at her.

With everyone shuffling out of the pools, I whisper, “Ready for bed?”

Raea’s head is resting on my shoulder, her nose buried in my neck, while I run my thumb up and down her spine. I can tell she’s tired because she doesn’t even move when she hums, nodding subtly.

A teasing laugh escapes as I stand with her in my arms, the warm water draining off us. “Am I carrying you?”At that, she unfolds herself, suddenly awake enough to walk out of the pool and up to our room.

While Raea rinses off in the shower, I check on Clara. She’s already asleep, but she ate with us at dinner. Even though she’s the only child among us, I can’t help but notice how much happier she’s been. I hate saying that, but at home she was always so quiet and starving for attention.

Here, she’s been smiling and laughing. She loves to tell all of us stories of her days spent with other kids, learning about the different Fae and the history of the Fae people. We haven’t been here but a few days, and she’s already stopped asking to go home. She knows we can’t, and maybe that’s part of it, but I think she’s scared to go home, too.

Raea slips into the room. Her silk nightrobe is wet where her hair sits. She leans down, brushing Clara’s hair out of her face, and kisses her goodnight.

I don’t think I’ll ever tire of watching her with Clara. My two favorite people. I’d go to Umbrith and back to protect them. I’d steal the power of the suns if it kept them safe. I’ve never realized how vulnerable we are, but now more than ever, I need my magic.

It might be the only thing that keeps them safe if my body isn’t enough.