“Yes. He’s young, but he will carry out my orders. Even if I’m dead.”
“Please don’t say that,” I said, my voice sounding strangled.
“Believe me, I don’t intend to die tomorrow. I will guard you with my life,” he said. “I only wanted you to know that Shazeera will be taken care of in any scenario.”
I nodded. “Thank you for doing that,” I managed to get out, glancing at Shazeera.
Tell him I appreciate his concern—for both of us,Shazeera said.
I relayed that to Talon, and he bowed his head toward Shazeera before turning back to me. “I want to speak to Emperor Altair before we carry out this mission. I want to gauge his mental state and make sure he hasn’t completely succumbed to Lord Heron’s influence.”
“Or the Devourer’s,” I added with a grimace.
“I’ll escort you back to your room, and I’ll have Zamir stand guard inside.”
His words only reminded me that I needed a constant guard now. And even if we succeeded in the morning, likely the threats against me would only increase. I doubted Lord Heron would accept defeat.
I turned back to Shazeera and placed both hands on her cheeks. Our foreheads touched as both of us closed our eyes. She smelled like grass and earth and home.I love you. As soon as I can, I’ll come back here.
I love you more than life—just come back to me alive. Everything else we can deal with as it comes.
Be ready for anything,I told her.Even if we manage to defeat the Devourer, Emperor Altair likely won’t take it well. It’s a very real possibility we’ll have to break the treaty and flee.
She dipped her head in acknowledgment. I hugged her once more before finally forcing myself to walk away. My heart felt like lead in my chest.
Talon stayed close to my side as we walked out of the pasture, and I glanced back at Shazeera, praying it wasn’t the last time.
32
Zara
I awoke to a still-dark room, my head on Talon’s firm chest. At some point in the night, he had returned and relieved Zamir of guard duty. I vaguely remembered inviting him into bed with me, but I had slept like the dead we would soon face.
“I’m sorry to wake you,” Talon said quietly, his voice a pleasant rumble beneath my ear. “It’s just before dawn.”
I stretched my legs out where they had been tucked close to him for warmth, and when I looked at him again, his gaze was full of heat. He turned to his side, propping himself up on one arm, bicep bulging. With his other arm, he pulled me closer so I was practically underneath him. I let out a sigh of desire as he captured my mouth with his, his tongue stroking over mine expertly. He ran his hand from my hip to my thigh with gentle pressure, building a fire within me.
I tilted my head back to give him access to my neck and throat, and he rewarded me by trailing kisses on the sensitive skin, his thumb brushing over my nipple. I let out a groan and pulled him closer to me, kissing him again until we were both becoming increasingly desperate.
A knock sounded at the door, and we broke apart, panting.
“Who is it?” Talon called.
“Zamir, Commander,” she said quietly from the other side of the thick door. “It’s nearly dawn.”
“We will join you in a moment,” he said.
I looked around in surprise. While we had become distracted by each other, the sun began its ascent, lightening the room. Reality hit me hard. Soon, we would face the Devourer.
Talon seemed to be thinking the same. “As much as I would like to keep doing that—and more—we must go now,” he said, his expression pained. “The others are waiting.”
Reluctantly, we both got out of bed, and I hurried to my dressing room to change. I chose the same clothing as yesterday because it was easy to move in: leather leggings and boots, a formfitting leather bodice, and my wool cloak for warmth. Fingers moving quickly, I braided my hair out of my face and kept the rest long. Last, I fastened my sword around my waist.
Talon gave me an appreciative look when I came back into the room. “You look far too sexy to be going into battle. Maybe you should stay here.”
“Nice try,” I said with a scoff.
He shot me a shameless grin before nodding toward the blade at my hip. “How is your swordplay?”
