Page 95 of An Empress of Earth & Darkness

He needed to banish these thoughts before the ceremony.

“Stryker, Coldwell, Limebode, Wellholme! Scout out the perimeter before helping the rest set up. I will take the north with Stryker, and I want the rest of you to comb the east and west regions.”

“Baxgroll,” he called over to the wolf, “and Gideon, can you take the south?”

“On it,” she said, and he quickly wondered if she would shift to cover more ground in less time.

They had come in from the south, but he wanted to make sure no one had been trailing them.

“Leave no stone unturned before the ceremony.” His powerful voice reached out to them all, and he was surprised at how official he sounded.

He gave Emara a quick wink and she shot him a smile back. Everything had moved very fast since Kellen’s vision, but she had assured him back at the Tower that she wanted this.

Artem jogged beside him as Torin turned to secure the north perimeter.

It was a few minutes before Artem spoke. “I was thinking—”

“Actually, I wanted to catch you on your own,” Torin said. He turned to see his friend slowing down, interested in what he had to say. “I know we have joked around about this more times than I can count, but—”

Artem ground to a halt. “Torin, my man, are you about to ask me to be your best man?”

Torin let out a sigh, trying to pull back any amusement that had already leaked through. “Not my best man, Artem. I have two brothers I would consider for that position before you.”

Artem’s face fell. “The deceit.”

“However, we do need someone who is versed in hunting marital vows.”

Artem’s eyes lit up. “You want me to be your officiant?”

Torin placed a hand on Artem’s sturdy shoulder. “You’re as good as anyone here, Stryker. We have been through a lot together, you and I.” Torin cleared his throat before any real emotion worked its way out from his heart. “Plus, you looked after Emara when I didn’t. And though she would never admit it, I know she loves you. I appreciate what you have done for her more than you will ever know. I owe you.”

“Don’t mention it.” Artem coughed down his own emotion, but it lingered longer on his face than the Stryker Clan normally allowed. “You know I would do anything for you both.”

He liked that Artem had a secret depth to him. He was less fond of how he’d let Emara do as she pleased, like going to the pits, but that was a conversation for another day.

Torin cleared his throat. “So how do you feel about it?”

“Is this why you paired yourself with me, so we could have this wonderful moment together in the woods?” The most Artem-Stryker grin pulled across his face.

Torin didn’t hide his eye roll. “Stryker, you have three more seconds to answer me before I change my mind and ask Marcus. We all know he is the better choice.”

“Of course I will, brother.” He leaned over to pat his shoulder. “I would be honoured. And over my favourite tattoos is Marcus the better choice; I have more star qualities than him.”

“Good.” Torin cleared his throat, keeping his eyes on the greenery ahead as he stalked through the forest. “I am glad you can finally put your star qualities to good use.”

“I brought a clean tunic just in case you asked me.” He sniggered.

Torin laughed as they powered through the trees. “You really are a dick.”

“Aw, stop fighting the fact that you love me.”

Torin huffed a laugh as his eyes roamed the land around them. There was a silence between them as they settled into a jog, his legs already heavy from how much they had walked today.

“Tell me something, Blacksteel,” Artem said, sounding surprisingly serious. “What does it feel like when you meet the one you want to spend the rest of your life with?”

“What a fucking question, brother.” Torin shook his head.

“I know it’s a big one, but how will I know if I have found something special?”

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