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It was not that long ago that he barely cracked a smile. I swallow against the lump in my throat as I study him, trying to take in every detail of his face as he talks to me over breakfast.
I do my best to eat, but my stomach is in knots, and I can barely finish half my plate.
“You need to eat more,” he insists, pushing my plate closer to me. “You need your strength.”
He’s right. I’ll need every bit of strength if I am going to save him today. My nerves are running rampant with worry as I think about the shade stone, praying its magic will hold long enough to do what we need.
As I think back on when it failed Aurdyn, I try to comfort myself with the fact that he had it on for at least half an hour before its magic faded, revealing his true form.
When we’re finished eating, I gesture to the trunk. I’ve been so nervous about the day, I completely forgot about it until now. “What is that?”
“Open it.”
His eyes shine with anticipation as I stand from the table and walk toward it. Carefully, I open the trunk and my mouth drifts open when I see the brand new set of armor laid out inside.
Sunlight glints on the polished silver metal as I pull it from the trunk. I study the scrolling patterns etched into the plating, complete with an image of a Dragon in the middle. It’s the most beautiful set of armor I’ve ever seen. I’m in complete awe of how light it is.
“Where did you get this?” I ask.
“I asked the Dwarf King to make it for you,” he explains. “It is pure L’omhara.”
I inhale sharply. This set of armor is worth more than the entire treasury of Ruhaen. “It’s too much,” I whisper. “I cannot—”
“I would have you safe,” I tell her. “Besides, if you are worried about cost… it was one of the things I demanded from the Dwarf King for our alliance.”
“What was the other?”
“I made him promise to never make another black arrow ever again. I’ll not have his kind making weapons that are able to kill Dragons.”
I’m glad he did this. At least I know no more arrows will be made that could hurt him after I’m gone.
Aurdyn helps me into the armor, and I marvel at how light it is. Most armor feels bulky, making it a bit awkward to wield a weapon as efficiently as one would without it. But this is so comfortable, I barely notice I have it on.
Quickly, I braid my long, red hair, twisting it up and tucking it in at the nape of my neck so it will not show beneath my helmet. When I’m finished, I stand before the floor-length mirror and my heart swells with pride.
I wish my mother were alive to see me right now, for I am sure that it would make her proud to know her daughter followed in her steps and became a shield-maiden.
Emotions swirl deep within, but I push them back down, comforting myself in the knowledge that if I die in battle, my ancestors will greet me with open arms into their great halls, and I will have made them proud.
CHAPTER61
FREYJA
It is early, but we must reach our position at least a few hours before the Mages and the army of Ruhaen arrives.
Our warriors gather outside the inn, near the tents. Each of them in their Dragon forms and standing in formation before us. King Davin’s army lines up on either side. They appear strong in their own right, but next to an army of Dragons, they pale in comparison.
Davin walks up beside us as Aurdyn addresses our warriors.
“Today we will show the Order of Mages what it means to provoke a Dragon’s wrath,” he yells out. “Today, they will know that we are the death that comes for them. The last thing they will see is Dragon’s fire as we burn them all to ash!”
His men release a battle cry that echoes loudly through the city.
I notice Olmar and his father are standing near the front of one of the Dwarf line, dressed and ready for battle. It seems there are no civilians, only warriors here today.
King Davin gives a rallying speech and his army cheers. When he is done, he gives the order to march and then he turns to Aurdyn. He dips his chin. “Are you ready?”
“Of course, we are.” Aurdyn’s gaze slides to his, and he gives him that arrogant look that I know so well. “We are Dragons. And Dragons are always ready for battle.” He narrows his eyes. “Try to stay out of our way.”
