Page 112 of An Honored Vow

Vrail stood as Riven stepped around my chair.

“Absolutely not,” they echoed together.

I rubbed my brow, already tired from the arguments I knew were coming. I addressed Vrail first. “You are a skilled warrior, one I would happily have fighting alongside me.” Vrail’s back straightened at the compliment, her eyes disappearing between her full-cheeked smile. “But”—Vrail’s smile fell flat—“your gifts are too precious to risk on the field of battle.”

Vrail crossed her arms. “That is not an excuse—”

The flames in the hearth flared and Vrail stopped mid-ramble. One of my hands spewed crimson flames while the other was frozen into a chunk of ice. I took a deep breath and calmed myself.

“We have no way of knowing how many we will lose tomorrow.” I looked around the room. “We have already lost so much. Elverath knew that we would need a way to connect the new generation with those of old. A bridge from the past to the future we wish to build.” My throat tightened as I looked at the wondrous beauty that was my friend. She had no idea how much of a gift she was. “That bridge is you, Vrail. I will not give Damien the chance to smash it.”

“And me?” Riven held up his arm with the sleeve and bolt Nikolai had fitted for him. “Have I not proven myself able to fight?”

I gritted my teeth. “We have already given Damien two targets with Gerarda and me on the battlefield. Giving him a third will only make the fight more dangerous for everyone.”

“Damien does not care about me. He already—”

“He cut off your arm!” My face was only inches from Riven’s. “He cut off your arm with absolute glee just because he could. Just because he knew it would hurt me. He is yourbrother, Riven, ofcourse he will take notice the moment you step forward to face him.” I cleared my throat. “You will do us all a favor by staying in that tent.”

“Diizra, let me be a soldier,” he whispered. It broke my heart to see the pride melt from his face, but my decision was made.

“If we are able to handle theshirak, then you may fight as much as you like, but until then your only job will be to tend to the wounded and protect Rheih with all your strength.” My brows furrowed. The reasons I gave were enough, but there was more to it. Everything had stopped in that moment when Damien cut Riven’s arm. I wasn’t watching the battle, I wasn’t protecting the others. And Damien had seen it. Riven was a distraction. Damien would use that to his advantage unless we took it off the table.

Riven understood the dismissal for what it was. He straightened and nodded. “As you wish,diizra.”

My back eased at the addition of his special name for me. Even though he disagreed, even though he yearned to join the fight, Riven would not hold it against me.

Nikolai plopped another nut into his mouth. “What do we do now?”

“Prepare the Elverin for war.” I placed my palms flat against the table. “I want every willing person holding a weapon in each hand and a third strung along their back.”

CHAPTERFORTY-THREE

RIVEN FOUND ME AT THE WEAPONS TENT,inspecting the edges of the swords with the tips of my fingernails. He leaned against one of towering piles of crates and watched as I finished.

“There is nothing more that you can do,” he said, his gravel voice soft but firm. “You must rest,diizra.”

I shook my head. “I cannot rest here. There are too many tasks to be done. Too many things to inspect.”

“Then we will leave.” Riven closed the distance between us.

I scoffed. “The glamour concealing our ranks could break. Damien would be foolish to let us attack at dawn, which means I need to be alert and ready the entire night. I can’t leave the scouts—”

“You can and you will.” Riven clasped his hand around mine. “You cannot lead the Elverin into battle unless you are rested. And you just said that will not happen here.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but Riven’s finger pressed against my lips. “Syrra and Feron will be here to receive the scouts’ reports. They will call us if anything happens.”

“Us?” I mumbled through Riven’s finger.

Dynara cleared her throat behind him. She stood at the entrance of the tent, her fingers already glowing.

“No.” I stepped back. “You’re not portaling me away on the eve of battle.” My voice cracked. I reached for the table to my left and grabbed a blade.

Riven grabbed my wrist and pulled it away from the swords. “Even your magic has its limits,diizra.Taking the night to recover could mean the difference between life or death. Yours or others.”

My breath stopped. Riven’s mouth curved into a knowing grin. He had me.

I leaned around him, staring Dynara down. “You will portal us back themomentanything goes awry.”

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