She is choosing a life with me. And I will spend every breath I have making sure she never has reason to choose anything else.
After a quick breakfast, she helps me pack up our camp. The morning air is crisp and cool as I help her onto Vaelen’s back before swinging up behind her. The Dire wolf sets off at an easy pace through the trees, his stride smooth and powerful beneath us.
Vivienne settles against me without hesitation. Not long ago she would have sat stiffly in front of me, determined to keep distance between us. Now she leans back into my chest as though it is the most natural thing in the world.
I love the feel of her in my arms as I slide them around her waist to steady her. She curls her fingers around my wrist,squeezing gently. “You’re quiet this morning,” she muses. “What are you thinking about?”
“You.” I nuzzle her hair. “Always you.”
She huffs a quiet laugh. A moment later she twists back and presses a quick kiss to the corner of my mouth.
The gesture is so unexpected that I nearly forget to breathe.
“Well, I’m thinking about you too,” she says, smiling up at me before she turns back in her seat to face forward again.
My chest constricts as she rests her hand on my arm around her waist. She trusts me. I don’t know how I’ll bear it when she learns the truth… when she looks at me with betrayal instead of warmth.
I nuzzle her hair. We only have just a little longer in this borrowed happiness before it shatters.
CHAPTER 33
AUREN
The forest begins to thin as the sun sinks lower behind the mountains. We crossed into my kingdom a few hours ago. The scent of smoke drifts on the cool evening breeze as we approach the fortress town of Caer Aetheryn.
Vivienne shifts slightly in front of me on Vaelen’s back. She fell asleep before we reached the border. It’s been a long day of travel. I was worried we wouldn’t reach the town before dark, but we’ve made excellent time.
The outpost spreads out before us, nestled against the lower slopes of the Valdhir mountains. Fae lights illuminate the narrow streets, and the low murmur of voices drifts upward as people finish their evening meals.
Home. Or as close to it as one can come without stepping beneath the mountain itself.
Vaelen slows as we descend on the path. “Wake up,” I whisper in Vivienne’s ear. “We’re here.”
Her eyelids flutter open and then widen as she takes in her surroundings.
The trees are covered in heart-shaped leaves that glow luminescent purple. Gold and silver orbs of light move between the branches as Night Pixies dance upon the breeze.
She twists back to look up at me. “Where are we?”
“Caer Aetheryn.”
A patrol rider breaks away from the road below, riding toward us on his Dire wolf. A smile crests my face as I recognize him immediately. It’s Dain—my best friend and second-in-command.
When he reaches us, his gaze darts to Vivienne before turning to me. “Your Ma—”
“Dain,” I cut in smoothly before he can finish. “It’s good to see you again.”
I give him a pointed look, and he dips his chin in a subtle nod of understanding. “Auren,” he corrects easily. “I’m glad you’re well.” He looks at Vivienne. “It’s good to see you again, your Highness.”
“And you as well.” She smiles politely. “I remember you from our wedding.”
He appears just as surprised as I am that she remembers him, but he quickly recovers. “Yes, it was a… lovely ceremony.”
I hold back a laugh. Dain thought I was mad when I told him my plan to marry her. She was so angry at her father and annoyed with me that day that I half expected her to spit fire when she repeated our vows.
Dain turns his attention back to me. “There’ve been reports of Ogres nearby. We were beginning to worry.”
Vivienne tenses. “Ogres?”
