Page 107 of The Crowned Queen

“It’s morning now,” Loren answered, turning a strand of her hair between his fingers.

Araya frowned, pushing up to her elbow to look at him properly. There were still dark shadows beneath his eyes and a tension in his jaw that had no place there after everything they’d done last night.

“Loren.” She covered his hand with hers, stilling it. “What’s wrong?”

He looked at her for a long moment, his jaw working. Without speaking, he raised his other hand, tracing his fingers across her cheek, the curve of her jaw, the sensitive scarred edge of her ear. His eyes followed, filled with an intensity that made Araya’s chest tighten.

“I had a dream,” he said finally. “About the forest.” He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “It’s…unnerving.”

Araya sat up, pulling the blanket over her chest. “What did it say?”

“Nothing we didn’t already know.” Loren’s hands stroked down her arms, his thumbs tracing slow circles against her skin. “I think it’s time for us to go in.”

Araya nodded. But her heart pounded, cold sweat breaking out on her palms. She’d thought they would have more time. They were supposed to have had more time. They—she wasn’t ready. Not yet.

“We have to go back to the others,” Loren said gently. “They’re probably already looking for us.”

Araya closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves. “Right,” she said. “You’re right.”

She threw back the blankets, grabbing her clothes from the various corners of the room where they had landed last night. Loren had already pulled on his pants and shirt, the sword from beside the wardrobe hanging at his side. Gods, had it really only been hours ago that they’d been so wrapped up in each other that she’d forgotten what they were doing here?

Loren caught her by the wrist just as she was buckling her belt, pulling her gently toward him. Araya looked up at him, her heart in her throat as he stared down at her like he could memorize her face.

“I love you.” He squeezed her hand, his green eyes soft. “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me,” he continued. “And whatever happens⁠—”

“No.” Araya jabbed a finger into his chest, silencing him. “No goodbyes. We’re fighting to win, Lorendrael. Promise me.”

Something flashed across his face, too fast for her to read without the bond. But he leaned down, dragging her into a kiss that threatened to sweep her up and make her forget everything she’d ever worried about.

“I promise,” he murmured against her lips.

“Good.” Araya stepped back, her lips tingling and her knees weak. “And I love you too.” She turned for the door before her resolve could desert her entirely. “Now come on before I change my mind about leaving this room.”

Loren took them back through the main hall this time, navigating the maze of corridors and staircases as if he’d been here just yesterday. Araya trailed a step behind him, unable to keep herself from gaping at the faded tapestries that adorned the walls. So many of them depicted stories she’d never heard, history that the Arcanum had erased. When this was over, she’d make Loren tell her the story behind every single one. After all, they’d have time. They were going to have a lifetime together.

They found Caela sitting cross-legged outside the sitting room where the others had made camp. She held an arrow across her lap, nimble fingers flying as she bound feathers to the shaft. She glanced up as they approached, a wide grin spreading across her face.

“Well, look who finally decided to rejoin us,” she said. “Did the two of you have a restful night?”

Araya flushed, heat rising all the way to the tips of her ears. “I’m sorry. We shouldn’t have left⁠—”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Caela laughed, dropping the completed arrow into her quiver. “I don’t think anyone actually slept here last night. Everyone snuck off.”

Loren didn’t laugh. “I’m going to find Finn,” he said, dropping a quick kiss to the top of Araya’s head.

Caela scowled after him. “He’s awfully sour for someone who just spent the night alone with his mate,” she commented, turning back to Araya. “Just because we might all die here doesn’t mean we have to act like it⁠—”

“Don’t say things like that,” Araya snapped.

Caela’s laugh died on her lips. “Did something happen?”

Araya swallowed hard, brushing her hand against the little shadow coiled around her wrist. “I think we’re running out of time,” she admitted. “We’re going into the grove.”

Caela whistled softly. “Better you than me,” she muttered.

Araya nodded, sinking to the ground beside her friend. “I’m scared,” she admitted. “Coming here was my idea. Whatever happens—it’s all on me.”

“It isn’t.” Caela frowned, putting aside her fletching. “You didn’t drag anyone here against their will. We all agreed to follow you—because we believe in you and Loren.”