She was sitting on the edge of a wooden bench
near the forge, rolling the stiffness from her shoulders when
he approached. Without a word, he handed her a small box, a deep blue ribbon tied neatly around it.
Sorcha blinked at it, then at him. “What’s this?” “Just open it, don’t think I forgot your birthday,”
Eirin said, his voice softer than usual.
Sorcha smirked as tugged at the ends of the ribbon, letting it fall away before lifting the lid. Inside, resting on soft cloth, were four intricately carved bracelets made of silver, each one etched with runes of protection. She traced a finger over the delicate engravings. The weight of them was solid, grounding.
“I wanted you to have something on you at all times that could protect you,” Eirin said. “I had two made for each wrist.”
She looked up at him. His smile wasn’t the usual smirk, nor the warm, easy grin she had grown used to.
There was a sadness behind it. Unspoken words lingered between them. It wasn’t until Kyron saw the exchange that a sharp pang of jealousy flared in his chest. The way Eirin looked at her, the way she looked back, it burned throughhim. He had known from the moment they met that he had feelings for Sorcha. And he knew, perhaps, that Eirin loved her too. But she had feelings for him as well, he was sure of it. He clenched his fists at his sides, heat crawling up his spine. He would prove himself. He would show her that she was meant for him, not Eirin. He just had to make her see it.
Lost in thought, he didn’t realize he had been staring until a voice cut through the moment.
Cat cleared his throat. “Cat got your tongue?” Kyron snapped his gaze to him, his glare ice cold.
Cat grinned, unbothered. “Ooooh, I think we’ve struck a nerve.”
The tavern was warm, filled with the scent of spiced cider, roasted meat, and the low hum of conversation. But beneath the comfortable noise, tension curled at the edges of the room like a slow building storm. Sorcha sat at their usual table, absentmindedly running her fingers over the rim of her cup, her mind already milesahead on the path they would take, on the Veil, on what lay beyond it.
Commander Nethran cleared his throat, breaking the lull in conversation. “Let’s go over the plan one last time.” His gaze settled on Sorcha. “We ride at dawn. It’ll take nearly a full day to reach the outskirts of Cailleach’s Keep with the horses imbued with magic. Once you’re there, you’ll be escorted to the Veil.”
Sorcha nodded. “No one else should follow. Kyron and Cat will go with me. The rest of you stay behind.”
Eirin, who had been quiet for most of the night, finally spoke. “That’s a mistake.”
Sorcha sighed. “Eirin—”
“You shouldn’t go in with just them,” he pressed, leaning forward, his voice edged with frustration. “You’ll need another fighter. Someone who can watch your back”
“I can watch my own back.”
His teeth clenched. “That’s not the point.”
Before she could argue, Cat stretched lazily from where he perched on the table, tail flicking like he had been waiting for this moment.
“Oh, Eirin,” he purred, silver eyes gleaming. “You’re one of Lumora’s elite. If anything happens, you’re the best chance they have at defending the city. And, more importantly…” He tilted his head toward Sorcha. “You and Kyron don’t exactly bringneutralenergy to the mission, do you?”
Eirin’s expression darkened, his fists clenching at his sides.
Sorcha stiffened, but she couldn’t argue. Cat wasn’t wrong. If Eirin and Kyron went with her, there would be too muchunsaidlingering between them.
She needed someone who wouldn’t complicate things. She swallowed, choosing her words carefully. “If I had to take someone else, it would be Drystan or Rhosyn.”
Drystan, who had been listening with mild interest, grinned. “I’m available.”
Rhosyn rolled her eyes. “No one asked you.”
Sorcha ignored them, looking back at Eirin. “But I won’t risk you, or anyone else, for this. You’re needed here, we just need some of you to ride with us and make sure we make it across.”
Eirin’s gaze burned into hers, but he didn’t argue.
She didn’t know what he wanted to say, whathe would have saidif they weren’t in a room full of people but after a long moment, leaned back in his chair.
