Page 156 of Feathers of Ash and Hope

“You know what they say: pests are hard to kill.” I make light of the situation, but it doesn’t have the desired effect.

“It was pretty close this time, little sparrow. And not the first time, from what I heard.” His gaze wanders over my head before coming back to mine. “I want you to come home with me.”

I wriggle out of his hold at that, huffing out a breath and taking a step back to get some space between us before he simply throws me over his shoulder and takes off.

“I don’t want to go home yet, and it’s not like I can either. I made the vow, Dar.” He waves away my argument like it’s nothing.

“I’m serious,” I insist.

He shakes his head. “You know I can solve that problem in a heartbeat. I want you home. I want you safe.”

“And what about what I want?” I ask. When he shakes his head in exasperation, I feel like a child all over. “You can’t make me, Dar.” I realize I chose my words poorly as soon as his face hardens. He hates being told he can’t do something as much as I do, and in the heat of the argument, I forgot something important: he’s the commanding general, and I’m a rider, part of his forces now. So he has total command over me.

“Oh, you will soon realize I can make you do a lot of things,” he says, a clear warning ringing in his voice. Dammit.

“I’m sorry, Dar.” I wrap my arms around him, and he stiffens for a second before he relaxes and his arms come around me. I push to my tiptoes and kiss his cheek.

“How about you arrange for me to have a few days off, and I come home with you so we can talk about everything in peace?” I suggest. “Giving both of us time to cool down a little. We could even have a family meeting about it.”

I know I have him when he sighs at that. Of course, he jumps at the chance to hear everyone’s input before making a decision.

“Okay.” A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.

“That sounds actually like a very grown-up suggestion.” He pauses. “I’m impressed. We will leave in three days. I have a few things I have to take care of first.” He takes my face in his hands and bends down to kiss my brow.

“I’ll clear everything with Legatus Janus. Now rest, little sparrow.” He looks behind me. “Preferably in your bed. And I will see you in three days.”

I nod.

He sends a warning look over my shoulder at Tate, whose presence hovers two steps behind me, then nods at Jared and leaves the room.

I release my breath in a sigh.

“Impressive,” Jared comments. “I did hold my breath there for a second.” He smiles, his eyes flying to Tate and then back to me. “I’ll leave you to…talk things through. Glad you are fine, Ara.” He gives me a wink before he leaves the room, too.

I’m painfully aware of Tate behind me, but something in the tense silence makes me almost afraid to turn and face him.

What is he thinking? Has he taken my offer of coming home for a break as giving in? Does he think it’s that easy for me to walk away from him?

Strong arms wrap around me, pulling me into his chest, and I melt into him, drinking in his strength before I turn in his arms.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know how else—” His lips stop my apology, ghosting over mine in a featherlight kiss.

“I know, sunshine. You did everything you could.” His lips meet mine again, more demanding this time. “I thought I lost you today,” he breathes. “The moment I realized you were in that inferno.” I crinkle my brow in confusion.Inferno?

“Which reminds me. I need a name?” he growls.

“What are you talking about?”

He frames my face with his hands, all serious now.

“Someone attacked you, hurt you. And in case that person survived the fire, I need a name to remedy that.”

He watches me, waits for an answer, and I rack my brain, but there is nothing.There has to be something.

“I … I don’t know.” I stare at him, and he must see the panic, the helplessness in my eyes because he pulls me into his chest, holding me tight.

“Shh, it’s fine. Give it time. It’ll come back to you.”

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