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With a heavy sigh, I say, “I’m sorry for what I said.”
“No apology needed. You were right. We should have been more careful.”
I grimace. “No. You couldn’t have known the vampires would attack.”
“Even so. I wish I would have gone with her.” Orlena adjusts the strap around her waist.
“You look like a warrior.”
“Thank you.” She glances at Father who is twenty paces aheadbecause he’s still the kingand then looks at me. “Is provoking him the smartest idea?”
I shrug. “I’m tired of worrying what’ll set him off. I need all the help I can get with the vampires. You remember what I taught you about them?”
“I remember you sparring with me until I nearly died.”
“Orlena,” I growl.
“Relax, big brother. I remember. Never drop your guard. Fight like death is coming for you. Keep an eye out for the shimmer of movement at the edge of your vision or you’ll miss when they come in for the kill.”
I shouldn’t have asked her to come. Our mom will be pissed if she gets hurt and I’ll never forgive myself. I was always bothered that no one let Orlena join up with our protective forces, but maybe my parents were right with that regard. At least back at the castle she’d be safe. At least there her life wouldn’t be in my hands.
“Not you too,” she mutters. “I’m perfectly capable of protecting myself and our lands. You’ve trained me yourself. You know how good I am.”
“Yes, but you’ve never been in a real fight and I’m wondering if this is too dangerous for your first taste of battle.” Clouds are gathering on the horizon, but we march on. Rain won’t stop us. It’ll take two days for the entirety of our forces to get to the borderlands. We’ll push through until the stars come out and then we’ll sleep. A tired army is a dead army.
“I’m not scared.”
“And that,” I give her my full attention, “is precisely what you should be.”
She sucks in a breath and glances away, color filling her cheeks. My sister is right, she is good, but she’s also too cocky. Years of sparring with me and Maddox gave her a big head. I’m not going to send her back. She only needs to understand that this isn’t going to be easy.
“Keep your head. Don’t be overconfident. There won’t be breaks and tap outs. Monsters and vampires will die all around you. You don’t stop fighting, you don’t focus on anything but surviving until you hear me shouting your name. Understood?”
Pressing her lips together, she narrows her eyes and nods.
“Good. I’m honored to fight by your side.”
“And I with you.” She falls back a few paces, lost in her own thoughts, and Maddox takes her place.
“A little harsh,” he says under his breath.
“She needs to be ready.” And I’m worried she’s still not.
He glances over his shoulder and I don’t have to look to know who he’s checking on. Maddox is my oldest friend, which is the only reason I haven’t ripped his head from his body. He’s broken more monster hearts than I can count. There’s no way he’s setting his sights on my sister.
“Don’t even think about it,” I growl for only him to hear.
He whips around. “What are you talking about?”
“You know what I mean. She’s not a toy for you to play with.”
“I would never play with her.”
I side-eye him. “I’m not kidding. You so much as think about flirting with her, I’ll kill you myself.”
He places his hand on his chest like I’ve physically wounded him. “I thought we were friends.”
“We are and that’s why it’s not allowed. I know what you do.” I scowl at my father’s back. The snake is beside him now and I don’t like that they’re whispering.
