Page 53 of To Forge a Hollow Crown

Gavril snorted, running his hand over his scruffy facial hair. “Haven’t even been awake an hour and you’re ready to head out.”

“Don’t worry, love. We’re not going anywhere without you.”

“I don’t think the soldiers would want to even if they had the opportunity,” Haemir put it, his voice soft and amused.

“What do you mean?” I asked, grimacing after I drank some of the medication. It tasted sharp and bitter, but the pain was already lessening.

“It would be like going into battle without a sword,” Gavril began. He shook his head in wonder and continued, “I’ve never seen anything like it. To think that you could tear apart the ground like that...” He shook his head again. “You saved us. …it was incredible.” He blew out a breath, still looking awed at the memory.

“No one has seen a Sálfar in battle in centuries. You were a sight to behold.” Theron’s gaze heated, and he reached for my hand, squeezing it gently. “None of the soldiers would fight without their warrior queen leading them.”

My cheeks flushed under the intensity of his stare. I cleared my throat. “Well, I guess that’s settled then.”

Gavril chuckled. “Yes, it is. I should go tell Roza and Raenisa that you’re awake. They’re liable to cut my sac off if I don’t.”

I laughed, then winced as my stomach twisted.

Haemir’s brows drew down in a worried frown. “Are you alright? Do you want more medication?”

I shook my head. “I’m good. Just moving too fast.”

“You need more rest. I’ll go with him and give you more time to sleep.” He brushed a comforting kiss on my forehead. “Love you, kiddo.”

I swallowed–a lump in my throat threatening to turn into a sob. “Love you too, Dad.”

He clasped my mate on the shoulder as he left, and a pulse of longing echoed down our bond. Theron had been without a father longer than Haemir had been alive, but that wouldn’t stop him from taking him under his wing. That was just how Haemir was, ready to protect and nurture those who needed him. Theron’s shoulders slumped once it was just us, his exhaustion taking over.

“When was the last time you slept?” I murmured, reaching up to tuck one of the loose locks framing his face behind his ear. He cupped my hand, holding it to his cheek before pressing a kiss to my palm.

“It doesn’t matter.”

I managed a glare. “It does to me.”

His laugh choked off into a sob. “Gods,Sihaya.I was so scared that I’d lost you. That I’d never see you glower at me like that again.”

I pulled him close, wrapping my arms around his neck. I closed my eyes and inhaled his scent, relishing the safety he provided. “You want me to glare at you?”

“You can scowl at me all you want, just never leave me again,” he said against the skin of my throat.

I let out a breathy laugh before pulling away to look into his eyes. His gaze was so intense and filled with love, that it made my heart ache almost as much as my wound. He pressed a soft kiss to my mouth before murmuring against it, “Never.”

“Never,” I promised.

My lips curved up into a small smile as I looked away, overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment. “What did you do while I was out? Just watch over me?”

He hummed in his throat. “Among other things. Heard a lot about your childhood antics from Haemir. Which was enlightening.” I could hear the smile in his voice and turned back to look at him.

“What did he tell you?” I demanded in mock worry.

He raised a brow. “That you were a little hellion. And that he hopes our children are just like you so you can experience his pain.”

My eyes widened and heat flooded my cheeks. I had never given much thought to having children, assuming that with the rebellion, I wouldn’t be able to give them a good life. But if we won the war…

“Is that something you want?” I asked quietly, not daring to meet his eye. “Children?”

Theron sighed and ran a hand through his unwashed hair. “I’ve never planned on it before, but…” He paused and lifted my chin with his fingers, so our gazes met. His eyes were bright with emotion as he whispered, “With you? Yes.”

I sucked in a breath, unable to look away. “And if I didn’t want children?”

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