The troops returned all at once. There was an enormous clatter of metal as men and women stomped through the camp to return to their tents. Yesterday, they had come back in waves, sounding like a din of percussion for hours. Today, however, it sounded like an explosion, like the battle was finding its way to the camp, far from the battlefield.I stuck my head out of the tent to watch the silvery army march back. Horses and foot soldiers tromped between tents, dodging fire pits and livestock pens. There was a strong smell of sweat, both human and animal, with camp attendants scampering around to attend to soldiers and animals alike. I wasn't sure what I liked better, the peace of the camp after everyone left for the battlefield, or victorious chatter as they returned.Taking a quick glance at the bruises on my arms and legs, I realized they had faded enough at this point that they definitely wouldn't be noticeable. Thank whatever gods ruled this realm. I didn't want Fynn to catch on
The following night, Fynn came back from battle heavier than he had since we had been here. According to the others, they won again, but Fynn was clearly already growing weary. Maybe he just needed to get back into the swing of going to battle every day, or maybe something deeper was going on, but he didn't say much at all today.Ronan made some sort of rice dish that filled me up quickly, and Fynn went to bed without more than a few words to anyone. I felt uneasy at his demeanor, but he was asleep by the time I finished my dinner, so I didn't have the chance to talk with him.Just after sunset, there was a bird singing outside the tent. A huge bird with an intricately braided beard and tattoos all the way up his arms and neck.I did my best to whistle back a similar tune, but it was a weak attempt at best. Still, it seemed to get the message across because I could hear Ragnar chuckling as he crashed through the underbrush outside the tent.Slipping out of the tent as quietly a
I was beginning to develop a routine at this point. During the day, with my riding practice, I was finally able to start unsheathing the sword. I was too afraid to try swinging it just yet because I didn't want to decapitate my beloved pony. I had decided to name him Enbarr after the horse from Celtic myth, hoping that might bring him some speed and good luck.Getting ready for my riding exercises, I was fastening my boots when I heard a noise behind me in the tent. Ragnar's lessons were paying off. I whirled on my heels and had the intruder pinned to the bed in an instant.Sean snapped his fingers and was across the room instantly. I fell to the bed, off balance from his sudden absence. I jumped back to my feet, unwilling to let him catch me off guard for too long."What do you want?" I demanded."Ugh, awfully cranky today, are we? It doesn't suit you," he dismissed, pacing a few feet away. Maybe my newly learned abilities had surprised him. I hoped they did. That might teach
*Fynn*The battlefield was empty now. This wasn't a battle of casualties. There were few injured, and no dead to be removed from the battlefield. This was basically war games. Water Court was biding their time until the curse was fulfilled and they would gain everything that mattered to me.I had been unfaithful to Evangeline. This was my punishment. I had let a night of fae wine and her absence lead me to make unforgivable choices. She had felt the appropriate response was to spend her nights with anyone who caught her fancy, whether it was me or someone else.At first, I thought I deserved it. Eventually, though, I realized that it was a horribly toxic arrangement, and so I broke things off. Our marriage was supposed to join our Courts, strengthen them both. But Evangeline was a vengeful witch, and she cursed me for what she considered to be not keeping my word.A hundred years.I had a hundred years to find my true mate. It was clear we weren't mates, and she insisted that
*Sage*Fynn brought supper back to the tent. I should have gone out with him, sat with the others around the fire, and talked about battle or the weather, or whatever they liked to talk about. I didn't though. I stayed collapsed on the bed for a little while longer, wondering what in the world I was really doing."Whose turn was it to make dinner tonight?" I asked as Fynn handed me another bowl of stew. Today, at least, there was bread to go with it. That was a rarity."Ronan. He's not a great cook, I'll warn you," Fynn informed me with a smile."I'm sure it will do the job," I chuckled back, taking the bowl and using it to warm my hands.I sipped at the broth. It wasn't as flavorful as I was used to, but it reminded me a lot of food from home. The flavors just weren't as intense or as vivid as I was used to now. While Fynn seemed to be struggling through his, I ate mine just fine. I hoped they wouldn't make me cook anytime soon. They would be more than disappointed."I'm t
I waited all day for Fynn to come back. He had made it out of the tent this morning without waking me at all, which was evidence of how hard I trained last night. I wondered if that clued him in that something was different.It made me anxious to think he might have clued in, but I had to risk it. It might even be fun to try to take him in a fight. I mean, there was no way I would win a fight like that, but it might be worth it to try, just to see if he would even engage with me.I was practically pacing by the time I heard the other soldiers start to return. I started searching for a place to hide so I could surprise Fynn. I knew it was entirely possible that he could be gone for a long time. Sometimes it took him hours to come back from the battlefield.Luckily, tonight was not one of those nights. Fynn's casual yet authoritative stroll was easily identifiable outside. Those broad shoulders and heavy muscling of his made him just heavy enough to have loud footsteps.Diving ne
*Fynn*Sage held open the tent flaps. I ducked my head out, looking for any signs that someone might see us. Not that I was afraid to be seen with Sage, but rather, I was afraid someone might catch me slipping down to the creek to take a bath. It seemed somehow unbecoming of a commander. I mean, everyone should bathe from time to time. In the evenings before bed, I usually washed in the wash basin in the tent, but I knew I should get a full bath.I just preferred to avoid bodies of water these days.I turned to look back at Sage. I noticed then that the vine that climbed the central tent pole was now covered in delicate blue day flowers, ironic because it was early evening and this was the first time I'd seen them bloom."Go. You stink," Sage commanded, giving me a little nudge.I rolled my eyes and stomped out into the dark. There were a couple of little purple birds sitting at the entrance to the tent, staring at me with heads tipped to the side. They were waiting expectant
"Well, that's a rather rude greeting," Sean purred, reminding me of an orange tabby cat I once had as a child. It used to preen itself and purr, enticing people to get closer before it swiped out at them. It was just a mean old cat, satisfied with causing pain."I've told you plenty of times that I'm not interested in dealing with you. Take your business elsewhere," I warned."You haven't even heard what I have to say," Sean rebuffed."And I don't intend to," I retorted. "I'm only standing here to make sure you leave my camp. I don't want you stirring up trouble with any of my men either.""I wouldn't dream of it. Although, that pretty little captive you keep tucked away is an awfully tempting treat," he chuckled darkly.I grabbed him by his sooty black collar, dragging him closer. If I wasn't so furious, I'd be impressed at myself with how fast I was able to grab him. The old bastard was surprisingly slippery most of the time. Maybe he was losing his touch. I could hope at l