Page 57 of Her Ivory Flame

She shook her head, the yearning for Silas itching at her skin even though she knew she didn’t want to feel it and laid back down on her pillow.

The silence was welcoming, and she fell asleep with the image of Kaden’s first smile lulling her into sleep.

Chapter 22

The next few days consisted of border planning and assigning patrols in Emris’s chamber.

Protecting the city was the first priority at the moment and they had to send for soldiers to return in order to fulfill the requirements.

To her displeasure, that meant also taking lawmen from small towns and now Thron stood in front of her with wide eyes.

“Youare the Queen of Mydalsa?” he asked in a quivering tone.

“Yes,” she replied back.

“Your name isn’t Allie, then, is it?”

Kaden coughed next to her, his attempt at trying not to laugh but failed miserably.

“It’s Alyra.” she muttered, elbowing Kaden simultaneously.

He had been more outgoing since their first nightmare encounter but still had more grumpy moments than not. He woke her nightly from her screams and would sit with her until she calmed, but that was the extent of his affection. Each time he would avoid touching her after waking her up, and oddly she started to think she maybe wanted his physical comfort.

“We need you stationed at the gate. You don’t have any real combat history so you are in charge of helping others into the city if we are attacked again.” Kaden demanded towards Thron, who seemed to be irritated by the orders.

“Yes commander.” Thron replied through gritted teeth.

They all nodded to each other and she followed Kaden out to the hall heading towards the throne room.

“How do you know him?” Kaden asked.

“He is from the village I lived in all these past years.” She shrugged. “He insisted I be his girlfriend after one afternoon of mediocre talk and hasn’t left me alone since.”

Kaden’s shoulders tensed next to her and she just laughed.

“I of course said no.”

“Obviously.” he muttered and they stepped into the large familiar throne room, Emris and Declan both glancing their direction.

She glared towards Declan before looking at Emris with an annoyed look plastered on her face. He had been very unpleasant to work with the last few days, though if her kingdom had been attacked, she supposed she would be too.

“How many have arrived so far?” Emris barked.

“Three hundred arrived this morning and have all been assigned.” Kaden replied.

“How many more are still coming?” Declan asked, his eyes going to her but she didn’t meet his gaze.

“We could only spare another hundred from the border.” Kaden’s voice was calm but she could tell from his body he was anything but. “If we pull anymore then the rest of the kingdom will be vulnerable.”

“You.” Emris glared in her direction. “Get your power under control so you can defend this city!”

He moved towards her but she held up her hand, the white flame burning around her entire palm.

“It’s not my job to defend your city.” she snarled. “That is the job of its king.”

“You are my ally!” he yelled again. “You are to do as I say.”

Her power burned brighter, her rage chipping another piece of her wall down and she let it release around Emris.