Chapter 35

T hey reached the outskirts of Lake Rhiannon a few hours before sunset the next day. The forest's canopy was the only reprieve from the summer's sun during the day, and they had tried to keep in the shade during their vigorous hike. Weapons and tents were carried between the men, and the women had taken the food and medical supplies. But even at dusk the air was so thick and moist with heat; he had perspiration in places he didn't even sweat after a full day of Viktir's training.

Viktir Blacksteel.

His father's name rang through him like a temple bell, buzzing and vibrating in his heart. He didn't want to give his father much thought, especially not on this day, but the time would come when he would need to face him and deliver his punishment fully. He was still considering what role he would have him play in the clan.

Boot scrubber.

Weapon polisher.

Personal ass-kisser to the commander.

Maybe mucking out the stables was a kind role to give a man who had ruined a big part of the goodness you had held as a child.

He was supposed to punish the men who chose his father over him too. Torin did not blame them for choosing Viktir. He understood that no one liked change, and some struggled more than others to accept it.

However, there were other pressing matters at hand. Like the fact that he would be wed to Emara Clearwater at dusk.

The pulse in his neck was hammering as he thought of her being his wife. Hope swelled in his chest where he always tried to balance it with reality. But today, he couldn't. She was going to be his wife. Emara Clearwater, the girl from Mossgrave who had turned out to mean more to the kingdom than anyone would have ever thought, was to be intertwined with his soul, his and hers combined for eternity.

He would forever be grateful that his path had led him to her.

He knew the nuptials wouldn't last as long as they normally did—usually taking days—as they had to make their way to the Temple of the Gods. But he could make that up to her in other ways. He could spend the rest of their lives making it up to her. He wasn't going to think of a single thing that involved demon hunting or the Dark Army tonight.

He would be present, absorbing every moment. He would enjoy all of her and cherish this night, and no one or no thing would change that. Even Thorin knew not to interfere with his life today. For so many long, torturous years, he couldn't even imagine having what he had now. Emara Clearwater had given him hope, a chance at a future that was full of things that were real and raw, things that made his heart full. They could spend long nights exploring each other until dawn split the trees. They could exchange gifts at winter solstice. Thorin's tradition dictated he gift her weapons, but he would give her so much more; he wanted to spoil her with everything she ever wanted. On clan birthdays and weddings, they would stand together. They would have dinners with everyone that would bring joy and quiet evenings alone that would bring solace. He could watch her read, dream, and practice magic. They would have so many moments together that no one else would share.

Torin had a future with her, a true partnership.

But Torin knew he would never be Emara's equal; she was superior in every way. But she had chosen him back anyway.

Something jumped in his heart at the thought of it all.

He turned around, looking behind himself to see a weary clan with the same sticky skin he had. Emara walked just behind him with Breighly and Sybil on either side; they were chatting about a book Sybil had read. All of them had perspiration in their hairlines and a flush on their cheeks. But they were keeping pace, and he was proud of them for it. Gideon was scouting the area with his bow in his hand. Kellen, to his surprise, was just behind Emara and engaged in conversation with Arlo, his eyes shining bright. His mother and Emara's maids walked in the middle of the formation, and all the remaining hunters surrounded them as a coat of protection.

But he could see the exhaustion in their eyes, the heat of the sun draining their energy.

"Halt," he yelled, loud enough to scare birds from their perches overhead "This is the spot. We will stop here. Get yourselves hydrated and cooled down."

Just around the treeline to the left was Lake Rhiannon, and Torin could see the glimmer of her waters through the gaps in the branches. Already, his magical blood sang Rhiannon's song, her mystical aura calling to him. The magic of the grounds was already whisking through the clan in a summer breeze, refreshing them.

Torin remembered the last time he had been at a God's hallowed place, the Waterfall of Uttara, where he first kissed Emara. The stars had truly exploded above them to form other galaxies as he claimed her mouth. He would remember that first kiss for the rest of his existence.

He shook the memory out of his mind and the excitement out of his leathers as he realised all eyes were on him, his clan still waiting on a command. "Rest up after the camp is set." He glanced over at Emara. "And I will see you before sundown."

How could someone look so fucking sensual in plain training gear? The material hugged the curves of her breasts and hips. And praise Thorin that he couldn't see her from behind; her ass was perfection, especially in tight black leggings.

He needed to banish these thoughts before the ceremony.

"Stryker, Coldwell, Limebode, Wellholme! Scout out the perimeter before helping the rest set up. I will take the north with Stryker, and I want the rest of you to comb the east and west regions."

"Baxgroll," he called over to the wolf, "and Gideon, can you take the south?"

"On it," she said, and he quickly wondered if she would shift to cover more ground in less time.

They had come in from the south, but he wanted to make sure no one had been trailing them.

"Leave no stone unturned before the ceremony." His powerful voice reached out to them all, and he was surprised at how official he sounded.

He gave Emara a quick wink and she shot him a smile back. Everything had moved very fast since Kellen's vision, but she had assured him back at the Tower that she wanted this.

Artem jogged beside him as Torin turned to secure the north perimeter.

It was a few minutes before Artem spoke. "I was thinking—"

"Actually, I wanted to catch you on your own," Torin said. He turned to see his friend slowing down, interested in what he had to say. "I know we have joked around about this more times than I can count, but—"

Artem ground to a halt. "Torin, my man, are you about to ask me to be your best man?"

Torin let out a sigh, trying to pull back any amusement that had already leaked through. "Not my best man, Artem. I have two brothers I would consider for that position before you."

Artem's face fell. "The deceit."

"However, we do need someone who is versed in hunting marital vows."

Artem's eyes lit up. "You want me to be your officiant?"

Torin placed a hand on Artem's sturdy shoulder. "You're as good as anyone here, Stryker. We have been through a lot together, you and I." Torin cleared his throat before any real emotion worked its way out from his heart. "Plus, you looked after Emara when I didn't. And though she would never admit it, I know she loves you. I appreciate what you have done for her more than you will ever know. I owe you."

"Don't mention it." Artem coughed down his own emotion, but it lingered longer on his face than the Stryker Clan normally allowed. "You know I would do anything for you both."

He liked that Artem had a secret depth to him. He was less fond of how he'd let Emara do as she pleased, like going to the pits, but that was a conversation for another day.

Torin cleared his throat. "So how do you feel about it?"

"Is this why you paired yourself with me, so we could have this wonderful moment together in the woods?" The most Artem-Stryker grin pulled across his face.

Torin didn't hide his eye roll. "Stryker, you have three more seconds to answer me before I change my mind and ask Marcus. We all know he is the better choice."

"Of course I will, brother." He leaned over to pat his shoulder. "I would be honoured. And over my favourite tattoos is Marcus the better choice; I have more star qualities than him."

"Good." Torin cleared his throat, keeping his eyes on the greenery ahead as he stalked through the forest. "I am glad you can finally put your star qualities to good use."

"I brought a clean tunic just in case you asked me." He sniggered.

Torin laughed as they powered through the trees. "You really are a dick."

"Aw, stop fighting the fact that you love me."

Torin huffed a laugh as his eyes roamed the land around them. There was a silence between them as they settled into a jog, his legs already heavy from how much they had walked today.

"Tell me something, Blacksteel," Artem said, sounding surprisingly serious. "What does it feel like when you meet the one you want to spend the rest of your life with?"

"What a fucking question, brother." Torin shook his head.

"I know it's a big one, but how will I know if I have found something special?"

Torin thought about how much Artem had been losing his shit over Breighly. "You just know. You can feel it somewhere deeper than your heart. It's not your heart that is ruling your emotions, but your soul." Torin swallowed. "It's not as fickle as your heart's feelings; it's more like your soul wrapping around someone else's. It's something that the stars will know before you do."

Artem hummed before letting out a sigh. "That's beautiful, Tori-boy. I always knew you had a poet's heart."

Torin scoffed. "Fuck off, Stryker. My heart is pure warrior through and through."

"I am serious." Artem pushed away a huge branch that was in their way. "I think we hunters struggle with being emotional. Eventually, I want to have what you and Emara have. And I can't see how it's possible if I think about marriage being for nothing more than power. I want it to be about feeling, you know?"

Torin's dark heart wavered, and he risked a side glance to see Artem's brows pulled down over his golden eyes. "You will get there, brother."

"I know." He sighed. Torin could see Artem contemplating something serious before he noticed him watching. "Okay, I don't know about you, but I am itching to get back so that I can wind up Emara about how I will be conducting the vows at the ceremony."

Torin's brow lifted. "You do realise that she could emerge as the Supreme of this kingdom at any time but you still want to go back and fuck with her before one of the biggest moments of her life?"

"Of course I do." His gilded eyes sparkled. "We are best friends. She won't harm me."

"You're a braver man than me, Stryker."