Page 60 of Three Scorched Kingdoms

I step closer, reaching out to tuck her hair behind her ear. “I always need you, love.”

My words and touch are soft, but she doesn’t relax. This will be harder than I thought. “I’m going over tomorrow’s strategy one last time. Join me?”

She frowns, unmoved.

I sigh. “I’m sorry. For how I behaved before. The thought of you in harm’s way terrified me, and I reacted badly.”

“I understand being scared. I worry about you too,” she says. “But we can’t avoid risk. Constantine is coming whether we want to face it or not.”

“I agree. Sooner rather than later, I’m afraid.”

Worry lines crease her forehead. “Do you think he’ll show up? Tomorrow, I mean.”

“He thrives on chaos, and I think he’s had his hand in this since the beginning, so I think we need to be ready for that possibility. It’s why I want to go over things with you.”

She bites her lip, nodding. “Okay.”

We return to our tent, neither one of us speaking until the flap closes behind us.

Inside the tent, the air feels heavy with the weight of unspoken words. The flickering light from a single lantern casts shadows across the canvas walls, creating an intimate atmosphere despite the impending battle.

I spread the map out on the table between us, pointing to the positions we’ve set.

“Here,” I say, tapping the area where the orc forces are likely to strike first. “This is the most vulnerable point. We’ve dug ditches all the way around this area so the orcs won’t be able to bring their guns close enough to assault the village itself, but if their soldiers break through our line, it could split our forces and cut off any retreat.”

Paige nods, her focus sharpening as she leans closer to study the map. “We’ll need to reinforce this area,” she says, her voice steady. “Maybe move some of the archers here, behind the front lines, to provide cover.”

“I agree,” I say, tracing a line with my finger. “And if Constantine does show up…”

“We’ll need a plan to deal with him,” she finishes for me.

“We don’t have enough men to fight two enemies,” I say, voicing the thing that’s worried me all along. Not to mention Astronian soldiers don’t stand a chance against a creature like Constantine.

Paige’s expression tightens with worry. “If anything happens, I can create a portal to get the others out of here.”

“What about you?” I can’t help but ask.

The moment the words are out, I brace myself for her anger. She’s tired of me trying to shield her, yet here I am doing it again. But her eyes soften, and she reaches out to take my hand, her touch grounding me in a way nothing else can.

“I want to show you something,” she says.

It’s not what I’m expecting.

She releases my hand, stepping back a bit. There’s a beat of silence where nothing happens. A second later, a stone wall appears between us nearly as tall as our heads.

I stare at it, stunned. “What…”

Paige laughs. “Touch it.”

I press my palm to its surface and find it solid. Not a glamour or trick then.

“How?” I ask.

In answer, the stones separate from one another, cleaving away from the mortar that holds them together. Before my eyes, they explode into dust. I step back, shielding myself from the small explosions, but there’s no need. The stone wall vanishes again, leaving only empty space.

Paige shrugs at me. “I’ve been practicing.”

She takes a step toward me, her eyes shining. “I can protect myself, Aries. And others, if it comes to that.”

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