My throat tightened. I remembered how she’d always looked east when we were traveling. How she said her heart could barely recognize love when it was standing in front of her.
She’d wanted a life of love, but never let herself have it.
“I’m sorry,” I said again, the words feeling paltry.
He drew in a deep breath and straightened his shoulders, the air of a warrior returning to him. “Perhaps when my soul joins hers, I won’t have to chase her anymore.”
I brushed my fingers over his arm. “Not too soon, Jek. We need you here. We need you for the battle ahead.”
He looked down at me. “I’ll be there. I have one score left to settle on her behalf.”
Renwell.
“She believed in you,” he said gently. “She read people’s hearts, and I think she saw the warrior in you.”
My nose stung as I tried to hold back a fresh wave of tears. “Then I hope she was right.”
“I see it, too. And I pray you do not have to give everything as she did.”
I bit my lip. I prayed for that, too.
Jek nodded to the woodpile. “For Arduen’s Night in five nights’ time.”
My brow furrowed. “I’ve heard you perform a special dance around a fire, but I’ve never celebrated that way.” The closest I came was dancing in Asher’s ballroom.
A faint smile quirked Jek’s mouth. “You’ll enjoy it.”
Five nights. And then I would ride for Aquinon.
Chapter 52
Kiera
The next fivedays passed too quickly.
Aiden was busy with healing. Ruru and Daire went back to the ships to make repairs and restock supplies. Yarina and Sigrid spent every waking moment with Maz and their long-lost Yargoth friends and relatives and the Dags from other clans.
I told Maz the story of Calimber’s collapse after he begged a few more times. He wept again for Nikella, but was awestruck when I told him of the storm.
I also spent a great deal of time with Helene and Isabel, caring for the freed prisoners. It brought me joy and pain to listen to their stories and stoke their hope of reunion with their friends and families.
I met Isabel’s rabbit and helped her tend the horses, missing Ozlow. I hoped Frieda wouldn’t mind lending me another for my journey.
But I had yet to say anything of my plan to anyone.
The shadows in Aiden’s eyes always melted away when he saw me. He’d give me a warm smile and a lingering kiss as we went about our days. At night, we collapsed into bed together. I felt a growing need for him in other ways, but we were taking our time with each other, savoring every moment we had.
I didn’t have the heart to tell him I was determined to go back to Aquinon this time. He’d hated the idea before. He hadn’t even wanted Nikella to do it. But someone had to, and I was the best choice.
The selfish, cowardly part of my heart wanted to enjoy these few days of peace before we had to go back to war.
The morning of Arduen’s Night, Aiden woke early and dressed.
“Where are you going?” I asked, barely able to keep my eyes open.
“To check on the ships’ progress,” he said, bending down to give me a gentle kiss. “I’ll be back before the festivities start. But before I go... I have something for you.”
I perked up and scooted to the edge of the bed while he dug something out of a sack he’d set on the floor before we’d gone to sleep.
