“It’s alright, your Highness,” he reassures her. “Our warriors are patrolling the woods and the fortress is heavily armed.”
The tension leaves her body, and she sags back against me. I’m sure she’s hungry and tired. I look toward the fortress, risingin the distance. “If you could ride ahead and let the warriors know that we’ll be arriving.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Dain says. “Lyrea made dinner.” He looks at Vivienne. “My mate thought you might be more comfortable somewhere a bit quieter than the barracks, your Highness. So, I’d like to invite you to stay with us.”
“Thank you, Dain,” she says warmly. “That sounds lovely. And please, call me Vivienne.”
His gaze sweeps to me, uncertain, but I give him a quick nod. “Come.” He smiles. “Lyrea will be wondering what has delayed me.”
He leads us through the village streets. A few soldiers nod respectfully as we pass, their eyes lingering on me just long enough that I feel Vivienne’s attention sharpen. Thankfully, she says nothing.
Dain’s cottage sits near the edge of the settlement. A wooden fence surrounds their home with a small vegetable garden and a stable in the back for their wolves.
As soon as we walk through the gate, the front door opens and Lyrea steps outside, her long dark braid slung over her shoulder and her eyes bright with joy as she greets her mate. “Finally,” she says, pressing a kiss to Dain’s cheek. “You’re late.”
Her gaze shifts to me and Vivienne, and she starts to bow, but Dain subtly shakes his head and she quickly straightens again.
Their daughter—Ailyn—peeks out from behind Lyrea’s skirts, her eyes wide as she watches me help Vivienne dismount. She’s only five years old, and I suspect she’s never seen a human before now.
While I remove Vaelen’s harness, the little girl walks over to my wife.
Vivienne crouches down, lowering herself to Ailyn’s level. “Why, hello.” She smiles. “And who might you be?”
“I’m Ailyn,” she replies timidly.
“What a beautiful name.” Vivienne replies warmly. “I’m Vivienne.”
“Are you really a human?” Ailyn asks.
Vivienne laughs. “Yes, I am.”
The little girl smiles. “Do you want to meet my wolf?”
“Your wolf?” Vivienne’s brow creases in confusion. Before I can answer, Dain steps forward and proudly announces, “She bonded to one of Dalyr’s pups.”
“It’s the first bond,” Lyrea explains to my wife. “When a Dark Elf bonds to their Dire Wolf.”
As if the pup knows we’re talking about him, he comes running out of the cottage and straight to Ailyn, rolling playfully at her feet. She gathers him in her arms and hands him to Vivienne. “His name is Ollynor, but I call him Olly.”
“Hello, Olly,” Vivienne laughs as the pup licks her cheek, his tail wagging excitedly behind him.
As soon as she sets the wolf pup down, Vaelen walks over and nudges her side. “I didn’t forget about you,” she murmurs, stroking his fur. “You’re still my favorite.”
He lifts his chin and puffs out his chest, obviously pleased with her statement.
When we sit down to dinner, Vivienne smiles and laughs as we talk to Dain and his mate. She fits in so easily here. Ailyn crawls into her lap and Vivienne holds her, rocking her gently.
My throat tightens as I watch her, imagining her holding our own child someday.
After dinner, Vivienne bathes in the small washroom, and I step outside with Dain and Lyrea.
Dain doesn’t waste any time before he turns to me, his eyes wide. “You haven’t told her yet?”
I shake my head.
Lyrea gives me a pointed look. “You need to tell her before someone slips up and she finds out on her own.”
“I know,” I murmur, rubbing the back of my neck.
