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“I am.” Lara glanced back at Cailean. “Report back to me later.”

The chief-enforcer nodded.

With a sigh, Bree handed her reins to one of the High Queen’s escort. “We won’t be long.”

Lara waved her away. “Go.”

They went—the warrior druid and the warder walking side by side—with Skaal silently following in their wake.

Watching them, Lara smiled. Cailean and Bree were a formidable team. She liked knowing they were at her side, that she could depend on them.

Turning, Lara caught Roth’s eye. “Come, Captain … let’s see to our mounts.”

“One of your warriors can take care of that, My Queen,” he replied.

“I think not.” She liked to unsaddle and rub down her own horse. Bracken was a sturdy bay mare who’d carried her well these past few days. Tending to the horse at the end of each day relaxed Lara and gave her a little time with her own thoughts.

The captain huffed a sigh. He knew better than to argue. Turning, they led their horses toward the enclosure that was being erected on the southern edge of the camp. A dark wall of pines reared up just a few yards distant, shadowy and brooding in the grey dusk. The rain had finally ceased, yet the air was thick and heavy with the fragrance of conifers.

Tying Bracken up to the railing, Lara then set about unsaddling the mare.

Roth did the same with his heavy-set bay stallion. Working back-to-back, they had to be careful not to knock elbows or stand on each other’s feet. Meanwhile, two lads appeared bearing nets stuffed full of hay—carted with the baggage train at the back of the army.

Bracken started to snatch mouthfuls of hay, and Lara smiled. “You’ve been waiting all day for this, haven’t you?”

Behind her, the captain snorted. “It’s the nosebag of oats she’ll be after.”

“Aye … and she’s earned it.”

Twisting a large handful of hay into a knot, Lara used it to rub Bracken down in long, firm strokes. The mare gave a gentle huff. She enjoyed this ritual as much as her rider did. One of the ladsreturned with hog bristle brushes then. Taking one, she started to groom her horse.

She worked silently, while around her the rise and fall of gruff voices drifted through the camp, punctuated by the thud of iron tent pegs being driven into damp soil. The swiftness with which the warriors put up the tents, built enclosures for the horses, and lit cookfires always took her by surprise. They’d only recently stopped for the day, and already, a small village surrounded her. The scent of woodsmoke permeated the air.

But as Lara groomed Bracken, nervousness twisted under her ribcage. After days of travel, she was about to conduct her first siege. So much depended on her success. Albia’s future hung in the balance. If she didn’t push the Shee back, the Raven Queen would one day rule both Sheehallion and Albia. Lara and those who protected her would be put to the sword.

“Are your warriors ready for tomorrow, Captain?” she asked finally as she knelt to brush the feathers on Bracken’s heavy feet.

“Aye, My Queen.”

“How is morale?”

“Good. They are eager to fight for you … as am I.”

Something in his voice made her stiffen. Straightening up, she glanced over her shoulder. To her surprise, Roth had turned—and was right behind her. The captain stood well over six feet. She turned too and had to step back to meet his eye properly. When she did, she marked the intensity of his gaze.

Warmth rolled over her. He shouldn’t stare at her like that. It occurred to her then that they were alone here, hemmed in by their horses. It was the only time she and Roth had ever been on their own together.

Embarrassed, she cleared her throat. “Captain—”

“I would ride through the stones into Sheehallion, if you asked it,” he said, his voice low and intimate now.

“Then you would die,” she replied crisply, irritation flaring. What was this nonsense?

“Maybe,” he said, the edges of his lips lifting in his usual arrogance. “But for you, I’d do it.” His gaze roamed over her face. “I know you refuse to take a husband, Lara … but a lover isn’t forbidden to you.”

Her breathing caught.Lara?Bree was the only one she permitted to speak to her so informally. Shades, she should have seen this coming, for she’d noted the way Captain mac Tav looked at her sometimes. She could take him to her furs—the man was certainly attractive enough—but she wouldn’t.

Seemingly oblivious to the indignance that rose within her, Roth moved closer, bridging the gap between them once more.