“Horses are probably a touch different from dark unicorns.”
I forced myself not to freak out. I had to help her be brave. “Four legs. Hooves. So they have a horn. Big whoop.”
Lucus looked at the ground, then up at me through his thick lashes. “They have an unseelie magic of their own.”
“And you’re going to tell her all about how to use that to her advantage.”
“Of course. Hekla, the animals are bloodthirsty, but they don’t hunger for human flesh.”
“Bonus,” Hekla whispered.
“The animals will attempt to gore one another.”
“Oh,” I said, “they use their horns like lances.”
“Yes, but the riders will also be outfitted with the weapon. And I doubt the unseelie’s lances will break like ours did during the seelie jousts. They want to hurt. They thrive on pain. If I had to guess, I would say their lances will be crafted to hold up against a hit and to unseat the opposing rider.”
I shook Hekla’s shoulder gently. “You’ve been tossed before. You learned the proper way to fall in Titus’s self-defense class. You were great at keeping your chin tucked while rolling back.”
She smiled weakly. “I am so much better than you at the falling thing.”
“You really are.”
Hekla’s smile grew, but then it fled, and she bent to vomit. As I spoke comforting nonsense into her ear, Lucus discussed the game with the Binder and Nora.
We returned to the mages’ camp to wash at the nearby stream and eat. Hekla went to help Nora put the remnants of our quick meal away while the Binder rummaged around his chamber.
At the campfire, Lucus stood and held out an arm. “Walk with me.”
I took his arm, marveling at the peace that wove through me. “I’d love a long stroll and talk, but are you sure we have the time?”
“We won’t go far.”
Newer saplings stretched toward the sky between ancient oaks in the forest that bordered the mages’ camp. The sounds of the Binder’s mutterings and Nora and Hekla’s conversation faded as we followed a deer path through bushes covered in berries that sparkled like gemstones.
“Coren, I want you to know I trust you. Fully.”
“Really? What changed your mind?”
“When Corliss attacked, something inside me snapped. I can’t explain it… My heart trusts you, and I will follow its lead.”
I let go of his arm and instead wove my fingers through his. My own quiet laugh surprised me as I realized I trusted him too. I wasn’t sure when that switch had flipped, but I was more sure about him than anyone, save Hekla of course. “I trust you, too.” Of course, I hadn’t been at war with his kind like he had been with mine, so my trust had been won more easily.
Lucus stopped and turned to face me, tucking our linked hands between his chest and mine. “Tell me what you’re thinking. You’re outspoken, but you seem to keep your dearest thoughts to yourself.”
I laughed. “Maybe. I’m not good at this kind of thing.” My cheeks went hot. I was afraid of saying too much and not having the feelings returned on the same level. “This whole thing with us has moved so quickly. It feels ridiculous to say this, but I feel super solid about you. I’m incredibly thankful you’re the one who realized I’m a mage and you’re here to help me figure that out. Someone else might have taken advantage of how clueless I was about the magical side of the world. You always put others’ needs before yours, and you’ve been doing so consistently here, helping me first like a true partner.” I swallowed, feeling like an idiot. “We have some incredibly awful tasks coming up, and I couldn’t be more thankful you’ve got my back—and Hekla’s, too. And that you’re here if we get a chance for a happy ending.”
A smile tugged at one side of his full lips. “You’ve handled yourself admirably. I can’t imagine what it would be like to discover the world was nothing like you had thought it was. You’ve learned of magic, wars, and new creatures, and you’ve been thrust into deadly scenarios. Through it all, you’ve been brave as a lion, my love.”
“Just call me the magical honey badger.”
He chuckled, confusion twisting his features. “Honey badger?”
“They’re underrated, let me tell you. They eat freaking cobras.”
“Indeed?”
“Seriously. And I—”
Lucus pressed his lips to mine, his mouth simultaneously soft and strong. I gave up my badger lesson and leaned into the moment. We might or might not get our happy ending, but life was made up of moments. I was sure I’d read that on a chocolate wrapper at some point. I was going to enjoy this one moment of happy and tuck it away for safekeeping. I would need all the happy I could muster to get through Hekla’s ordeal and Lucus’s duel.
Arleigh was no joke, and this was her kingdom, filled with all her loyal subjects. There was no way she would play fair if Lucus got the upper hand during a battle between them.
Fear shunting through me, I tightened my hold on Lucus and kissed him harder. I whirled around and threw him against a tree, my lips devouring his.
Would this be our last moment alone?
Like he sensed what I was feeling, he leaned into the kiss, no longer gentle, but urgent now. He pulled my shirt out of my belt, his hot hands riding up my sides. I did the same, yanking his tunic out of the way, circling his trim waist with my arms and drawing him against me. His mouth on mine was demanding, his tongue sweeping over mine. I gasped as his teeth grazed my upper lip and his hand slid into my pants. With a grip on my ass, he growled and pressed his body against mine.
“I must claim you, my mate.”
I sucked his pointed ear as I worked his trousers past his hips. “How barbaric,” I said, teasing.
“Now, Coren.”
My body fully responded to his demand even though
