Page 141 of Her Ivory Flame

Quickly she twisted her hair into long twin braids that fell well past her breast and looked to Kaden for her final armor pieces, herheaddress, the steel crown with wings on either side. The sapphire jewel pulsed as she touched it, the twin to her blade. When she placed it on her head, she felt a shift in her power.

Another large crack in her power formed, and she had to steady herself from the impact.

She could do this; she had to save her people.

Glancing at Kaden, she saw his eyes glassed over with a stunned expression on his face. His features still as stone and she could feel their bond humming violently between them.

“What?” she sighed.

“You look ready to fight,” he said casually.

“Good, because I’m about to give them one.”

“Glad to hear it,my Queen.”

She paused at his words, the full weight of everything sinking in around her and was thankful Kaden was there to help steady her.

It was time for her people to know their queen, whether she was fully able to protect them or not. She hid away and lost sight of who she was or what she was supposed to be.

Not today.

The humming of her sword called to her, the two sapphire jewels brought together. When her hand wrapped around her sword's hilt, she smirked.

A recharge in her power surged through her, only the amount she had fought to get back in the recent months, but it was enough to calm her nerves that had been causing her grief.

“We need to protect all sides of the village,” she said, her back to her mate. “I’m going to head down there now and help evacuate, looks like you still need to get changed and I will meet you down there.”

Metal lightly clanked as she turned to walk towards her mate, her free hand reaching for his face and grazed the side of it gently. He dipped his head in response, his lips soft like their first time and she could feel what little magic she had pulse.

There was no need to rip each other's clothes off from the inferno of heat that tried to submerge her. It was just them, calm and in the moment like they had been many times.

When he pulled away, she leaned into his touch and took in a deep breath, he himself mimicking her and they both emptied their lungs at the same time.

“Ready?” he asked.

“As much as I can be.”

Chapter 55

Entering the village was harder than she thought, her people scattering through the streets in a hurry to grab whatever belongings they held dear to them.

She saw Zuri being attached to a cart, her eyes wide and glanced at Kaden for an explanation.

“We got the horses back here soon after we arrived. It’s not easy but it can be done.” he shrugged.

Instantly, her pace quickened to the gray mare and heard a small grunt in acknowledgment. She looked over the mare, her hand stroking down her neck and could see the people around her finishing connecting her to the cart.

“Make sure to let her go once this cart is unloaded.” she voiced to the villager tightening the last strap. “She deserves a chance to survive.”

The male nodded to her, and she gave the mare one last pat before turning back to Kaden.

Finnley, Boone, and Xander all joined him, wings splayed out and she gawked in amazement. These were her men, her fighters that she knew would follow her into battle to save her people, their people.

“Titus and Raine are up at the caves, she still has your axe.” Boone stated.

“I pray she doesn’t have to use it.” she sighed.

“Xander will stay close to you here in the main village.” Kaden stared at her. “I will take the far west and Finnley and Boone the east.”