“What are you going to do?” Theo called. “Detach your arm and beat the enemy with it in an act of revenge?” He snickered, and I cut him a reprimanding look. Theo shrugged, a smile on his lips as Julian stepped into Theo’s sight.
“I am capable of fighting, Theo,” Julian snapped and raised an arm as if he were about to prove just that, his hand beginning to glow, but I stepped in front of him making his magic sputter out.
What has gotten into him?
“Julian, we know you're capable, but you're not healed yet,” I stated, glancing pointedly at his arm. He scowled, but I cut him off before he could speak. “You and Gunnar are our most skilled Weavers. We need you here.” Julian attempted to interrupt again, but I wouldn't let him. “What good is winning if everyone we care about is gone? I'm not sure what you're trying to prove, but it's not necessary. We all know you'd be a tremendous asset out there if you were healed, but even so, I'd still want and need you here, helping with the healing. Working alongside Gunnar. You can save more lives here today than you could fighting out there.”
Julian glared at me and turned sharply, storming away back through the camp, not uttering a word. I sighed, shaking my head, and Theo’s hand fell onto my shoulder. “He’ll be fine, once the battle starts he will be too busy to remember why he is even mad.”
A silky voice interrupted us on my right.
“Was it just me or did he look really weird without his glasses?”
My focus locked onto Zara as she emerged from a nearby tent. I swallowed hard, my gaze tracing the lines of her perfectly sculpted body. She was clad in brown leather that clung to her like a second skin, daggers strapped to her sides and thighs, and a sword resting on her back. Memories of the previous night flooded my mind, and I almost lunged at her, eager to relive every moment again.
A throat cleared, and I snarled at Theo. He raised his palms defensively and took a few cautious, necessary steps back. But wait…
“Who let you have weapons?” I hissed, narrowing my eyes at her. I'd given strict instructions that she wasn't to have any, and the small smile that spread across her lips made my heart pound.
“They were just in my tent when I woke up,” she shrugged. “Someone must have gotten the wrong orders.”
“I doubt that,” I muttered, my gaze scanning past her. “Where are the guards, Zara?” My blood heated, and I focused on her tent, muffled cries sounding from within. Zara's smile widened, and she batted her eyes innocently at me, as if she didn’t hear a thing.
“Theo,” I gritted out, and I watched him move past me toward the entrance.
“On it!”
A moment passed, and Theo’s chuckling laughter sounded as Zara’s eyes flashed with amusement.
“She hog-tied them and put an apple in their mouth!” he called out laughing as the muffled cries turned into angry shouting.
“You did what?”
Fates this woman was going to be the death of me.
“Oh, please, they are fine,” Zara said, scoffing and crossing her arms. “Bunch of babies, you all are. Can’t take a joke.”
I stalked toward her, my shadow casting over her, and she turned her head, refusing to meet my eye.I don’t think so.I grabbed onto her chin, pulling it toward me sharply so that her gaze slammed into mine.
“You donothurt my people,” I commanded, and she rolled her fucking eyes at me.
“They aren’t hurt—well, maybe their ego’s,” she muttered, chuckling as she glanced at the two guards who were red faced and stumbling out of the tent. “Between you and me, they could use some more training.”
Her eyes held mine, and I didn’t know if I wanted to kiss her or punish her.
“Nice knot work though,” Theo’s lighthearted laugh sounded. “Had to cut them free, they were so tight.”
“Weapons. Now,” I growled. For a moment, it looked like she was going to fight me, but she just huffed, rolled her eyes, and started tossing them at my feet, one by one. Heat licked down my spine, my nerves igniting as I watched as I made my mate defenseless.
I glanced over and saw the guards who had exited the tent glaring at her. I directed my anger toward them, a snarl leaving my lips as shadows appeared at my shoulders. The guards quickly looked away, and I had to remind myself that she was the one who had harmed them, not the other way around. They eyed me nervously, deciding to come back for their weapons later as they rubbed their wrists and stalked away.
“Donotdo that again,” I warned, but I couldn’t help the small smile from creeping onto my face.
Zara winked, as she took a measured step back. “Of course, Your Majesty.” She gave me a mocking curtsy, a challenge glinting in her gaze.
Muffled laughter sounded behind me, and I stepped toward her to do what? I wasn’t sure, but as I did, a massive horn erupted, echoing through the camp.
Zara flinched, and the camp fell silent. It was nearly time.
