I tracked the shadow of beard growth on his jaw, his usually clean-shaven face scruffy.
“At least Lyvia has returned. Evony will want to know…” He trailed off, his tired eyes lost in thought.
“The Celestyn Bone,” I continued. “We need to find it as soon as possible.”
“We’ve scouted.” Ronan shook his head, bringing his gaze back to me. Gods, he looked tired. Was he still watching over the little prince at night? Owyn would be almost one. He likely still had a nursemaid…
“We have no idea where the Stone Witch’s little army went after they warned us about the forces marching north before wetook Aedrialis,” Ronan explained, pulling my attention back as he crossed his arms in front of his broad chest.
“Has Evony tried to find them?” I asked, poking at the thin slice of pork on my plate. When was the last time I’d had an appetite?
Ronan nodded. “She has. And we’ve come up empty. Plus, I need her help here. She’s splitting her time between ward duties and training the newest recruits. I really can’t send her off again. She’s one of the best archers we have.”
I nodded, but my brows narrowed, concern growing for the young archer. Responsibilities like that were meant for warriors twice her age.
“And why have you released Vienah?” I asked, a muscle in my jaw twitching despite the indifference I forced into my face.
“She served seven months in that cell. We need her power,” Ronan explained.
I bristled, and he turned toward me.
“Lord Pavel was right when he said you needed an army,” Kresida interjected, her voice hoarse. “But we need the Celestyn Bone just as badly, if not more. We need to close the gate.”
Ronan ran a hand over his face, and my senses tingled at his somber look as he pulled it away.
“Gates.”
My frown deepened as the word registered.
“There are multiple gates into the Realm of Vael?” I asked, mind spinning.
He gave a defeated nod.
“Even more reason to find it,” Kresida urged. “And we need to prepare to face Ganmira and Renova. If they’re strong enough to kill one of the most gifted mystics in the realm, we’re not ready.”
Ronan’s gaze slid to the War Slayer. His brows tilted up before he cut his eyes to mine. I resisted the urge to pull mine away as his face softened.
“I know,” he murmured. “And I’m sorry to hear about Carina.”
Kresida stiffened before she dragged her gaze from the dagger and whetting stone on her lap. She held his stare momentarily before slapping it back to the blade in her hand and slicing it across the stone.
“We should go,” I finally said. “We need to let Bayne know about Mount Telum’s rubelline and the armies. Find another way to communicate through long distances now that the orb won’t work here.”
Kresida stood, sheathing her blade and slipping the stone in her pack. I moved to follow her out the door when Ronan’s hand appeared on my arm.
“Stay, Nerissa,” he murmured, his lips suddenly at my ear.
I stilled, his sandalwood and citrus scent hitting me as the familiar scrape of his calluses brushed against the wolf tattoo on my shoulder. The door hissed shut after Kresida, and an aching regret pushed against the years-long resentment I forced between the ex-queensguard and myself.
“We need to get back?—”
“Aquila needs the rest,” he cut in, his body shifting closer to mine. He paused, lightening the grip on my arm, allowing me an out.
My eyes dropped to the stone floor.
“Nissy,” he breathed, the heat from his body suddenly melting into my back as he moved closer. “Please.”
A choking desire to surrender to his touch reared forward, my eyes closing as his thumb drew an arc along my bare arm. My body stilled, and for a moment, the scars of time and the burdens of memory disappeared with the touch of his breath.
