He sat up, and Maeve came with him, tugging the blanket up over her body. She knew just as well as he did that their time together was up.
“Come in,” Tiernan called.
The door slowly opened, and Merrick stepped into the room in full armor.
“My lord.” He ducked his head. “My lady. The Summer Legion is ready and awaiting your orders.”
Beneath the covers, Maeve reached for his hand, interlacing their fingers together.
Tiernan nodded and Merrick retreated, closing the door soundly behind him.
Maeve slipped from the bed, a soft sigh escaping her. Tiernan followed, then pulled her into his arms one more time. He kissed her then. Soft. Like a promise. He grabbed her hand and placed it on top of his heart.
“Armor up,moh Ríenna.” Tiernan removed her hand, then placed another kiss in the center of her palm. “It’s time to save the world.”
Chapter Thirty
Midnight cloaked everything.
Maeve caught herself looking up at the stars peeking out from behind wisps of inky clouds, wondering if Casimir was up there, and hoping he found his way. Perhaps Dubhan would come to collect him, and then Casimir could join the ranks of the Wild Hunt as one of their esteemed eternal warriors.
If he belonged anywhere, it was among them.
By the time Maevefadedinto the foothills of the Pass of Veils, just within the Spring Court, the war camp was nearly ready for the night. Tents were set up in orderly rows and small fires burned to stave off the chill lingering in the air. Warriors of the Summer Legion milled about the camp. Some of them shared rations of dried meat and fruits, while others sat in small groups, honing the blades of their weapons.
Brynn and Saoirse stood with a group of archers, their faint laughter quietly drowning out the murmured conversations echoing through the camp. Ceridwen was seated outside of one of the tents, her hair braided into a crown of gold, her gaze trained on the nearly moonless sky. Tiernan was with Lir and Merrick, surrounded by at least fifty warriors, each of them withtheir swords hoisted above their heads. She watched as Tiernan moved into the center of the circle, power emanating from him.
He was shirtless, his golden tattoos swirled from his neck, across his carved body, then dipped beneath the band of leather armor pants slung low across his waist. The corner of her mouth curved. She knew where those tattoos ended.
Tiernan raised his arm high, his hand splayed open. Violet lightning ricocheted down from the dark sky as energy and magic collided. The hypnotizing bolts crackled around his body, intensifying and illuminating the bronze of his skin. She stared in awe as he wielded the storm, as streaks of lightning splintered from him, imbuing the lifted swords with the strength of his magic. Each blade burned bright with a rich purple hue, charged with the storm of their king.
Tiernan was magnificent, and he was hers.
Hersirra.
Her mate.
Her High King.
A rousing cheer exploded from the warriors with their newly crafted weapons, drawing the gaze of everyone in the war camp.
Except for one.
Rowan sat on an overturned log in front of one of the fires, his back to Tiernan’s powerful display. He held the Astralstone in his hand and ran one finger down its seamlessly sharpened edge.
Maeve glanced back over at Tiernan. He was still engulfed in the fervor of his warriors, of Summer Court fae who would undoubtedly lay down their lives for him—and her—tomorrow. So, she walked over and joined Rowan by the fire.
Half of his face was highlighted by the flickering flames, the rest of him was doused in shadows. Though whether or not they were of his own making, she couldn’t be sure.
He didn’t look up when she sat down beside him.
“Hey, Princess.” His voice was softer than she expected, lacking its usual charm and arrogance.
She crossed her arms and leaned over, propping her elbows up on her knees. “Rowan.”
He stole a glance at her then, his eyes tracking to her neck. His jaw ticked, but he said nothing.
She rubbed her lips together as the preparations continued around them, and for a fleeting moment, she felt slightly useless. “I feel like I should be doing something to help.”
