He didn’t realise how tired he was until her warmth settled into him completely. Until the quiet finally felt like it wasn’t a threat. They were hidden well enough. His sword was close. The woman he loved was safe in his arms. Sleep, for once, came easy.
DAYBREAK
THORNE TERRITORY
Renn had been in Vallenna for weeks now.
He had made his way into Thorne territory. Quietly. Unseen. Mapping their forces, patrol routes, guard rotations. Assessing their strength. The supply route from Sorrel was key. Block that, and within weeks Thorne would starve. If that didn’t work, the cliffs to the east were barely defended; Thorne didn’t expect an enemy to climb them. But his people were no Ice Landers. And better to take them by surprise if they could – Thorne were well trained. That was undeniable. The crimson warriors took swordwork seriously. But they were currently distracted. Hunting their own commander whilst he hid in their borders.
It hadn’t taken long for word to reach him. The boy had stolen Arcanth Shards. Was running from his Council. Had only yesterday snatched a Hale healer from her execution. It was all Vallenna was talking about. The Thorne knew of their invasion. Word had spread fast – the girl had said so in her trial. That had been unwelcome news. But ultimately it had changed nothing. Their Council hadn’t believed a word she’d said. No one in Vallenna did, it seemed. Terrified children, the lot of them.
The boy really thought uniting the Arcanth would stop them.
He’d almost laughed.
It would not.
They were all fools.
But soon they’d be dead fools.
CHAPTER 29
PEACE AND PLANS
Ask any sailor where to start over. They’ll point south. More than thirty islands and a belief in second chances.
–Common Vallennan saying
The warm morning sunlight streamed through the broken beams overhead, settling across the pile of cloaks and tangled limbs in the hay.
Kara stirred.
She hadn’t moved an inch in the night. Her entire body was tucked against Sebastian’s side – there wasn’t a breath of space between them. Legs intertwined. Her hand resting on his bare chest like it belonged there.
She blinked groggily, squinting in the sunlight. It took a few seconds for her to realise where she was. Who she was lying on. And how completely pressed against him she was. Her lips were practically touching his throat. Heat radiated off him – his arm hooked around her waist – protective, possessive, even in sleep.
She didn’t move. She lay there, breathing him in. Letting the reality settle.
I’m with Sebastian Thorne.
He loves me.
He’s alive. Safe.
Mine.
She tilted her head up, hoping to catch a glimpse of him asleep, unguarded for once. But she found him already awake, watching her intently. Her cheeks flushed.
“Hi,” she said.
“Good morning.” He traced a thumb across her cheekbone, gentle and tender.
“Did you sleep?” she asked.
“Some,” he replied. “How are you feeling?”
The question was simple but weighted. They both knew what he was really asking.
