Page 59 of Three Scorched Kingdoms

“Preparing for war.” She shakes her head, all traces of humor gone. “If I don’t make it… It would be better this way, for him not to know.”

“You should tell him that you love him at the very least,” I say. “Before the battle.”

She shakes her head. “In case I die?—”

“You won’t!”

“Paige, it’s my choice.

I sigh. She’s right. “Fine. But you’re telling him after. Promise me. You deserve happiness, Blossom. You both do. Promise me you’ll tell him the truth and live happily ever after together.”

“I’m not one of your romance novels, you know,” she says darkly.

“Oh, you’re way more badass than those romance heroines.” I lower my voice to a whisper before adding, “Besides, I’ve had mate sex, and it’s honestly so much better than the books let on.”

15

ARIES

After doing a quick flyover, I return to the ground and watch the army set up camp following my orders. No talking, no fires, no loud noises. The only space big enough for camp is the hillside that overlooks the village from the south. It’s more exposed than I’d like but anything farther, and we won’t have the access we need to be ready for them in the morning.

Directly north, on the other side of the valley, the orcs approach. From the looks of it, they will attack at first light, though I haven’t dismissed the possibility of a midnight assault. None of our scouts are capable of getting close enough to know for sure. Not without risking detection.

We’ll just have to be ready for anything.

Leo appears at my tent, his sword buckled to his hip. “Camp is set,” he says. “We’re doing cold rations tonight and tomorrow morning. Anything else?”

“The men need to be battle-ready,” I say. “They sleep with their weapons and armor beside them.”

“You think the horde will attack before dawn?”

“I think we should be ready just in case.”

He nods and starts for the door. “Leo,” I call.

He turns back.

“Whatever happens tomorrow?—”

“Don’t.” His expression hardens, and he shakes his head. “We’re not doing goodbye, brother. It’s just one battle.”

I nod, my throat tight because, despite the logic of his words, I can’t shake Mag’s earlier prediction: that this battle could be it. Win or lose, this battle will determine our future—and our survival.

But Leo’s expression is unmoved.

“All right then,” I say hoarsely. “Sleep well, brother.”

“And you,” he says, and then he’s gone, leaving me to track down my mate. Paige has kept her distance lately—but then, so have I. And I refuse to let things remain this way if we’re to march to battle in a few hours—regardless of Leo’s claim that this isn’t goodbye.

I find her helping to distribute cold rations.

I wait patiently, watching her interact easily with the soldiers. It’s clear from their easy way with her that they’ve already accepted her as one of us. Seeing it makes my heart swell with gratitude.

When this is over, she’ll be their queen. But she’s already their leader in all the ways that count.

Finally, she finishes up and catches my eye, approaching slowly. I can’t blame her. I’d be wary, too, after how we left things.

“Do you need me for another task?” she asks.

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