Page 75 of A Petal in the Crown

Gray shared a look with Lea, understanding passing silently between them.

“That’s fine,” Lea said, her voice steady, and Thomas visibly relaxed, his shoulders easing as a sigh of relief escaped his lips.

“Thank you. I’ll work from here. Continue to strengthen our weapons and make sure our army is as prepared as possible.”

Lea nodded, her determination shining through her fear. “That leaves Vincent, Tanad, Erik, Gray, and myself. What are our options?”

“What are your thoughts, Tanad?” Gray asked.

“There were a few places Eudora was particularly fond of within Desia. Maybe there’s an outpost close by? What are the nearest towns to Alaric’s army?”

“Longdal, Wolfpine, Pontor, Alnwick,” Erik chimed in, his eyes narrowed as if picturing a map of Desia in his mind.

Janelle sucked in a sharp breath, her hand coming up to her chest. Waves of apprehension washed over her, making Emma’s stomachchurn. Erik leaned down, whispering in her ear. She only nodded, and his eyes turned fiery with resolve. “If there are no objections, we will go to Alnwick,” he said.

Gray’s eyes flicked to Tanad. “I don’t know that name. I think it’s safe to say Eudora would be more likely in Pontor. She’s mentioned it before.”

“Then we’ll take Pontor,” Gray said. “The sooner Lea can get to him, the better.”

Emma felt Lea’s disappointment, there and gone in a second. She tried to meet her eye, but Lea continued on without missing a beat.

“That leaves Longdal to Vincent,” she said.

Gray put a hand on Lea’s shoulder. “Then we’re all in agreement?” Gray asked.

“I think each group should take a few soldiers with them. Safety in numbers. I’d like to bring Henry, Daniel, Patrick, and Cole.” Lea said firmly, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. Gray tilted his head, and Emma could feel his confusion at her choices, but he didn’t argue.

“Okay. Everyone choose your men, and let them know that we’ll leave in the morning. Rest tonight,” Gray ordered. “Who knows when we’ll get the chance again.”

Everyone nodded, the mood growing somber now that the plan had been put into place. All except for Lea. Yes, there was a sorrow within her, a heavy weight pressing down on her heart. But mixed with it was a powerful sense of relief and unwavering resolve. Emma stared at her for a moment too long, until Lea’s eyes flicked up, meeting Emma's gaze. She shook her head, almost imperceptibly, but Emma knew exactly what she was saying:I know you feel what I’m feeling. But please, don’t say a word.

So, Emma simply turned, grabbing Thomas's hand to lead him from the room. But as Emma walked away, the uncertainty of what lay ahead gnawed at her insides, leaving her feeling hollow and yet, somehow, hopeful.

Chapter 47

Lea

Lea wasted no time stripping out of her dress the moment they returned to their quarters to sleep. She knew he didn’t blame her; the heat was absolutely stifling. Lea almost longed for the sun to set as much as she longed for Alaric's demise. She put on a thin shift before turning around. Her heart raced as she met Gray’s eyes, silently begging him to hold her. To make her forget everything that was happening, just for a few moments.

She stepped forward into his arms, and he placed his chin on the crown of her head, inhaling deeply. Eight petals remained. She was certain he was counting them, calculating how long they had before the gods' threat came true, but it was no use. The petals fell as they pleased, without any distinguishable pattern or timeframe. Did they have days left? A week? Surely, they weren't out of time yet. The thought made Lea’s shadows expand and her lungs squeeze.

“Are you okay?” Gray asked, as if sensing the turmoil inside her. She was sure it was an echo of his own, that they were both terrified of what would happen next.

“Fine. As good as I can be, I guess,” Lea said, and Gray squeezed her tighter. She wished he could keep his arms around her forever, holding her together in the way only he seemed to be able to do. If she asked, shewas certain he’d do it. Simply hold her until they found Alaric and ended this whole cursed war.

“We should rest,” Gray said, stroking her hair. Always trying to take care of her, even when it wasn’t what his body wanted. She knew what he needed—could feel his yearning for her thick and hard against her stomach as they embraced.

“We will,” Lea said, slowly trailing a hand up his chest. She cupped his cheek and met his eyes again. The longing and devotion inside them made Lea breathless. Nearly weightless. He wouldn’t deny her what she was asking for, even if they needed to sleep—needed their strength for what lay ahead. Because they needed this just as much.

Gray led her by the hand to the bed, pulling her nightgown over her head and pulling back the covers. Lea slid in, the cool kiss of soft sheets awakening her body. Lea heard the rough scratch of a zipper, the heavy thud as Gray’s sword belt dropped to the floor. He climbed in behind her, tucking her firmly against his front, his warm body cocooning her from behind.

Lea wiggled backward against him, and he grabbed her hip, his thumb caressing the arch of the bone as his fingers crept closer to her center. “Are you sure you don't want to sleep?” Gray asked. Lea didn't answer, instead grabbing his hand and sliding it up to cup her breasts. Her skin was on fire, her flesh craving his closeness, and her shadows sneaking out and wrapping around them like a cocoon. Gray had dipped down to her neck, and he pressed soft kisses against the hollow of her throat, his fingers dancing across her nipples, moving from one to the other with a reverence that made her core turn molten.

Reaching back, Lea cupped the back of his head as she enjoyed the sensation of his strong fingers teasing her, his lithe muscles supporting her, and the magnitude of his love wrapping around her. His handdipped between her legs, and he slipped a finger inside, but Lea needed more. Needed to be as close to him as possible.

“I need to feel you inside me,” she begged, her voice a low whisper of need.

Gray’s chest rumbled as he bent her knees further, lining himself up with her entrance and slowly pushing inside. He filled her immediately, and Lea moaned his name. His fingers trailed up her leg, slowly, until he reached her hip and held her in place, steadily increasing his pace as he pumped in and out, their pleasure slowly building

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