Page 80 of A Sun Scorched Bloom

"You have to go now, don’t you?" Lea questioned reluctantly.

"Unfortunately, I do," he agreed. "The only thing that could get me out of this bed this morning is making sure that the Lonely Death doesn’t spread further into the kingdom. King Tanad is very powerful. With both of our magic combined, I believe we can make the barriers strong enough to delay the Lonely Death breaking through, if not stop it completely."

"What more could your father want? Why spread the disease to another kingdom? He doesn’t even use the power he has now. Not really," Lea said.

"Absolute control. He wants the world to fear him. And he’s getting his wish."

"Then I guess you should go." Lea sat up. Scrunching her nose again, Lea grabbed his hands. Gray felt a tug at the bond, something taking root in his consciousness. He tilted his head, waiting.

But I’ll be checking in,she finally said in his mind. She beamed, and Gray couldn’t help it. He had to kiss her, to feel that smile against his lips and cement it into his memory.

I’d expect nothing less,he answered.

Lea started to get up with Gray, but he gently pushed her back down. "Rest. We didn’t get much last night. Erik will be training with you today, and you’ll need your strength," he said. It didn’t take much convincing for Lea to lie back down, closing her eyes and glowing with contentment in the early morning sun.

Gray quickly washed himself under the rain shower ceiling and grabbed his weapons, adding a second sword across his back. With only one thing left to do—check in with Erik and inform him he wished for the girls to start their training today—he left the room and knocked on his door, but there was no answer.

He knocked once more, louder. But all that met him was complete silence.

Where could he possibly be? Unless…Turning on his heel, Gray walked directly to Janelle’s room, pounding his fist against the golden entrance. "You better be in there, Erik!" he shouted, leaning against the doorframe.

A shuffling sounded behind the door. "Give me a minute!" Erik’s booming voice called before the door swung open, his body blocking the room behind him. Every other time Gray had ever knocked, Erik invited him in without hesitation. Gray smiled cockily. "I guess we have a guest?" Gray leaned to the side, trying to see into the room. "Or actually,youare the guest?"

"This better be important," Erik grumbled as he took a small step sideways, blocking Gray’s view once again.

"It is. But before I tell you why I’m here, I’m going to warn you. Treat her well. If you mess this up, or hurt Janelle in any way, my mate is going to be furious. And I’d rather not disturb her after the long night we had." Gray pulled the collar of his shirt aside, showing the moonflower mark on his chest.

Erik almost glowed with joy, and Gray didn’t think that his friend would be happier even if he had found his own mate.

"Congratulations, Brother," he said, with a nod before embracing him firmly and slapping him on the back several times.

Gray used the opportunity of Erik’s distraction to peek into the room, and was pleased when he saw a blonde and purple head peeking out from underneath the thick comforter.

Erik pulled back and shook Gray’s hand. "It’s about time you listened to me. What changed your mind?"

"Lea was hurting, and I realized I could help take away her pain," Gray stated matter-of-factly. "I’m ashamed I didn’t do it sooner."

"It came from a good place." Erik shrugged.

Gray turned serious, his smile fading. "I’m leaving with Tanad to help reinforce his magic at the border. I trust that I don’t have to tell you that you're in charge of Azalea’s safety while I’m gone."

"That goes without saying." Erik crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"In addition, I’d like you to begin her training. And it wouldn’t hurt for Janelle and Emma to train as well. Noah should train with Tanad’s men."

"Got it. Anything specific you’d like me to focus on?" Erik asked.

"Controlling her magic. Lea’s willingness to use her shadows, as well as physical strengthening and hand to hand combat. They all need to get stronger and learn how to use weaponry effectively. Also, shielding and competency on a horse. As soon as the borders are reinforced and King Tanad and I agree on the best strategy to prepare to fight my father, and as soon as Eudora will see us so I can learn how to reverse the spell I asked her to perform, we will return to the rebels in Bearswillow. I’d like them to be as prepared as possible before we make that journey back."

"I understand. Anything else?"

"No. That will be all," Gray said curtly, with a firm nod before he turned to walk away. The door had started to close when Gray stopped abruptly and turned around.

"Erik?" Gray said warmly. "I’m happy for you."

Chapter 53

Erik

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