Questions I’ve already considered.
I’ve seen firsthand how careful Thyra is, how deeply she reflects on every choice she makes, and how much she abhors death. She asked me to spare the Iron King’s life, an inconceivable request, but she made it, anyway. In the Alak-Teah, she convinced me to put down my blades. When the shapeshifters attacked, she stopped the bloodshed before itcould begin. She even bore bone-deep exhaustion so that Lilis could make it home safely.
Lilis asked if I was prepared for what she was training Thyra to become and I know the answer because she’s training Thyra to become a warrior who can defend herself. A warrior strong enough to know when to exert force and when to withhold it.
With absolute certainty, I say, “I am.”
Lilis’s eyes widen before she straightens herself. “Well, then, she’s ready to go out on patrol. If you want her to stand at your side, she should understand how our defense systems work, including how the towers operate.”
It’s a far cry from a training room to a Frost Tower. The risks to Thyra will increase a hundredfold, but I remind myself that I’ll be with her. “Very well.”
Lilis backs away, but she suddenly looks flustered, her forehead puckering. “If I may, Lord, can I have two days off from training her, instead of one?”
“Why, Lilis?”
“Because I’m fucking exhausted.” She twitches backward, her heartbeat revealing her sudden fear.
Probably something to do with my narrowed eyes and the ice building across my hands.
Clearly, I’ve allowed her to speak her mind for too long.
Before I can deny her request, she adds, “I have other duties I’ve been neglecting. The report from one of the Frost Towers was incomplete this morning, and I need to personally inspect the troops in the north.”
She isn’t exaggerating. She’s been squeezing in her regular duties around training Thyra.
“We’ll see you the day after tomorrow.”
At my approval, Lilis doesn’t waste anothermoment. She disappears back into the building, where she snaps at Thyra to leave.
Thyra makes her way quietly outside. She hasn’t yet donned her cloak, giving me the chance to consider her form more carefully than I have on previous days.
The muscles on her arms and legs are more visibly defined beneath her suit and she walks with greater power, her movements more agile, near prowling down the path.
Her heartbeats are strong, and her breathing is even.
She glances back at Lilis. “Is everything okay?”
“Lilis wants my permission to take you out on patrol.”
Thyra’s quick inhalation betrays her willingness. “Did you give it?”
“I did.”
“Good.” With a smile, she ascends easily onto Nara’s back, and, without a hint of exhaustion, extends her hand to me. “The sun will set soon. And for once, I don’t desperately need the bathing room.”
Nara gives me a soft growl and I shake myself into action, slipping neatly behind Thyra.
Within minutes, we’ve returned to the Rose Room, where Thyra steps inside, leaving the door open behind her. For the past five days, Thyra has disappeared down the hallway, nearly immediately drawing herself a bath.
I’m the one who closed the door between us each day.
Now she pauses only a few steps inside the main room and turns back to me, the final rays of sunlight shining across her face.
Her forehead puckers in the way it does when she’s trying to avoid asking for help.
Or…perhaps that wasn’t why she hesitated…
“Eat dinner with me.” Her command is firm, spoken with her head high,challenging me to defy her wishes.
