Before I can think better of it, I rush to greet him. Rising up on my toes, I wrap my arms around his neck and smile up at him. “You’re back.”
He laughs, his hands sliding around my waist as his mouth curves in a handsome grin. “Did you miss me already?”
“Yes.”
His expression softens in that quiet way that always makes my heart stumble. But then something shifts. The warmth fades from his eyes, replaced by something serious. Something… troubled.
“Vivienne,” he says quietly. “We need to talk.”
Cold steals through me as I recall how he stopped me last night when I kissed him, and I wonder if I’ve misread everything. Maybe he’s decided he doesn’t want me after all. “What is it?” I ask carefully, searching his face.
His jaw tightens, and worry spikes through my veins. Whatever it is, it must be terrible, because he looks like he’d rather be doing anything else in this moment besides standing here before me.
“Auren, what is it? Tell me.”
He turns to Dain and Lyrea. “Could we have a moment alone, please?”
They both exchange a look before Dain gathers Ailyn and they go outside, leaving us alone in the kitchen.
This cannot be good. Worry tightens my chest as my pulse pounds in my ears. Auren cautiously takes my hand, but instead of looking at me, he averts his gaze.
“What is it?” I demand, trying to keep my voice even despite my growing dread.
He lifts his gaze to mine, something akin to sorrow reflecting in his eyes. “There is something I must tell you, Vivienne.”
Drawing in a deep breath, I brace myself, waiting for whatever terrible thing it is that he has to say. Because from the way he’s looking at me, it cannot be anything good.
A bell rings outside, the hollow clang echoing loudly.
Auren’s head jerks toward the window, and for a heartbeat we remain completely still, straining to listen.
A cacophony of bells rings out across the town, filling the air with frantic peals of alarm, sending a flock of birds exploding from the trees.
Every muscle in Auren’s body goes rigid. Dain bursts through the entry, slamming the door against the wall.
“Ogres!” he shouts. “They’ve breached the outer defenses!”
CHAPTER 35
VIVIENNE
My pulse pounds in my ears as a thunderous roar fills the air, followed by the sounds of distant screams. Dain rushes to his wife and child, speaking in hurried and hushed tones.
“Dain and I must go,” Auren says, gripping my shoulders. “Stay here with Lyrea and Ailyn.”
Panic trips my heart. “You can’t go out there, Auren. It’s too dangerous. You—”
“I’m awarrior, Vivienne. I must protect our people.” He presses a hurried kiss to my forehead. “I’ll come back as soon as I can.”
Outside, the bells continue to ring, the sound rolling across the town in frantic waves. Somewhere beyond the cottage walls, people are shouting. I hear the distant crash of something breaking and the unmistakable sound of more terrified cries.
Before I can protest, he’s rushing to the door with Dain, their swords already drawn.
“Auren!” I call out, desperate to keep him here.
His head whips toward me, his eyes blazing. “Please, Vivienne, stay here where it’s safer. I’ll come back for you. I promise!”
With that, he rushes outside to Vaelen. Before the door swings closed, a Dire wolf bursts through the entryway.
