My eyes grew wide, and I turned to look at him. He was wearing a fresh tan tunic with a dark brown vest and matching trousers. His hair had been slicked back, and his beard was trimmed. He looked elegant and regal, although I did yearn for the musky, wild hunter I’d grown accustomed to.
“Theron,” I said again, my voice urgent. “What happened? How long was I asleep?”
“You resurrected Stella.” His voice was sharp. “You almostkilledyourself, Eira.”
I squeezed his hand, gritting my teeth against my impatience. “Answer the damn question, hunter.”
He sighed. “You’ve been unconscious for three days. Stella is fine. So is Kendra. Your recently appointed courtiers are managing state affairs quite well.”
I arched an eyebrow, full of doubt. “Really?”
He huffed. “They are doing as well as they can. No civil wars yet, although there have been several riots, but they’ve been quelled. Word has spread of Calista’s deception, and many of her forces have shifted loyalties. To you.”
To me.Blood and ice, I couldn’t believe it. My mouth opened and closed, and a swell of dizziness overtook me. I leaned back against the pillows, gasping for breath. My tired gaze shifted to Theron, who looked at me with worry etched into his face.
“I’m fine,” I said. “I’m just… still a bit weak.”
“That was reckless and stupid, Eira.”
I nodded feebly. “I know.”
He groaned and ran a hand down his face. “I can’t protect you from everything.”
“You don’t have to. I can protect myself.”
A smile twitched at the corners of his lips. “I know that. Iwantto protect you from everything. But I can’t. It’s something I must come to terms with.”
Warmth crept up my throat as I looked at him, drinking in his features and memorizing every inch of him, from the faint scar above his eyebrow to the tanned skin of his forearms. “I almost lost you.” My voice broke on the words.
Theron sobered and leaned closer to the bed, clutching both my hands now. “But you didn’t.”
“Talk about stupid and reckless, Theron, what thehellwere you?—”
“You were dying,” he said simply, as if this explained everything.
“But your magic…”
A sad smile played at his lips. “You did more with my magic in five minutes than I did in an entire lifetime. You wield it far better than I ever did, Eira. It’s foryou.” He clutched my hand in his, his thumb stroking along my knuckles. “Do you still have it? The necromancy power?”
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes for a moment, trying to sense that presence within me. When I opened them, the faintest flicker of blue thread ignited in the air next to Theron. In a flash, it was gone.
“It’s still there,” I said softly. “But it’s weak.”
Theron sighed and nodded, focusing on our interlocked fingers.
“Theron, you weredead.” My words caught, and heat stung my eyes. The thought of losing him?—
Sorrow weighed heavily on his expression. “This kingdom needs you more than it needs me.”
He had said that before, and the words made my chest ache. Resolve coursed through me, and I found the strength to lean forward and meet his gaze. “This kingdom needsyou, too. It needs more men like you who are willing to risk everything for their people.”
He smiled. “I risked everything for my queen. It was all foryou, Eira.”
Moisture tickled my eyes, and I nodded. “I know.” I inhaled, my breath shaky. “I want you by my side, Theron. I want you to rule this court with me.”
His eyes grew wide. “I—asking?” When I nodded again, he said weakly, “Eira…”
“I can’t do this alone. You know that.”
