21. Twenty-One

Twenty-One

The first light of dawn filtered through the trees, casting a soft glow across the room. I stirred, the remnants of sleep slowly giving way to consciousness. Blinking my eyes open, I stretched my arms and looked down at wrists that now had a thick scar on their surface, and became acutely aware of the warmth beside me.

There, in the gentle calm of the morning light, lay Landers, sleeping peacefully.

His features, usually defined by strength and resolve, were softened by the tranquility of sleep. The lines that etched his face were momentarily smoothed with a stillness painted across his expression. The sight sent flutters of electricity over my skin.

I sat there as a profound calmness settled over me, realizing that sleeping next to Landers, had given me the best rest I had experienced in months. The anxieties that had plagued and haunted my nights seemed to fade away in the warmth of his presence.

He opened his eyes with a slow morning laze, adjusting to the morning light, and met my gaze as a soft smile grew on his lips.

“Morning,” I whispered, my voice delicate—blending with the quiet ambiance of the room. He responded with a subtle nod and I shifted to sit on the edge of the bed. The warmth of his gaze lingered on me as I twisted a curl between my fingers

“I’m going to grab some breakfast,” I said, the words sounding harsh against the stillness. “Would you like me to bring you something?”

Landers’ eyes crinkled at the corners as he offered a half-smile. “I’ll join you in a while, there are a few things I need to take care of.”

I nodded, but before I could rise from the bed, he took my hand in his, holding it for a moment as his thumb caressed my knuckles.

“You look beautiful in the morning, Hyacinth.”

A flush of warmth spread across my cheeks, as I met his gaze. “Thank you.”

It was such a simple exchange, but it poured happiness into me.

With a final, lingering glance, I slid my hand from his, leaving the room in a state of quiet anticipation for what the day held for us.

I descended the stairs as the smell of breakfast grew stronger, guiding me to the sitting room and kitchen, where my friends gathered. Pri and Wren were engrossed at the stove, hot coals warming the room as they prepared breakfast—their morning ritual. Their soft laughter and shared glances pulled at the corner of my lips. I smiled as I took in the scene before me.

“Ardan, pass me the salt, will you?” Pri called out, not missing a beat as she stirred a wooden spoon in the pot.

“You know, eventually, with all this food you cook, I’m not going to be able to lift my sword. Wren, tell her we should go for a morning run instead.” Ardan lifted his shirt, examining his incredibly chiseled abs, then pushed his stomach out to make his point. Wren chuckled, his arms encircling Pri from behind as he responded.

“I am gonna have to agree with Pri on this one, I’d rather eat.” Ardan rolled his eyes, stealing a pastry from the counter as Pri slapped his hand away.

Ata’s head turned toward me and she leapt from her chair at the table. She pulled me into a tight hug before pushing my body away to examine.

“How are you feeling? Is there any pain?”

I had missed her these last few days. Her lips were pressed into a tight line as she inspected me from head to toe. Taking a seat, I smiled up at her, pulling her hand into mine and squeezing. “I feel good, thanks to Andrues.” I looked over at him, sitting quietly on the couch with a book in hand.

A humble smile caressed his lips at my words, but only nodded as he continued on with his book. He reminded me of Ata, engrossed in a book and away from the noise, sitting in his own quiet solitude. Ata smirked at him then looked back to me.

“So, you are all right then?”

I presented my wrists to her so she could see the healed wounds.

“You’re a hard one to kill, Cin,” Ardan quipped, leaning against the kitchen table. His gaze lingered softly on Ata.

Ata snapped back at Ardan as she ran her fingers over my scars. “Unlike you. I could take you out without missing a line in my novel.” She smiled over her shoulder in Ardan’s direction.

“None of the men in this house would be very hard to kill,” Pri crooned, setting a large plate of baked goods in the center of the table. Ata laughed as Wren threw a playful glare her way and Ardan gasped in mock offense.

I had missed so much in just a few short days.

The banter and laughter continued as we settled around the table. The smell of our meal filled the air as we dug into our food, complimenting Pri on her cooking and teasing Wren about his supporting role in the kitchen.

Landers sauntered down the stairs as we finished our last bites. As he took a seat, there was a shared glance between us, a subtle exchange that only Ata, with her keen perceptiveness, seemed to notice. She smirked and I forced my face to stay neutral.

Breakfast drew to a close too soon and as the conversation died down, Landers turned his attention to me and the room grew quiet as he said, “While you were healing, a third ward fell.”

I could feel the blood drain from my skin.

Three.

There were only three wards left.

“Taft . . . where is he?” I asked, my eyes shooting to Ardan frantically.

“He is safe. He made camp not far from here and Landers placed a ward around him so he will not be harmed,” Ardan said as relief flooded back into my chest. I nodded, tucking a curl behind my ear.

“What happens now?” I asked, pinning my eyes on the scars wrapped around my wrists.

“Are you well enough to train?” Andrues asked and I nodded my head.

“Good,” Landers cut in. “Then we will take whatever time we have left to finish your training and when the fourth ward falls, we will leave Redelvtum.”

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. Redelvtum was on the brink of a full invasion and we were still fleeing. Sucking in a deep breath I closed my eyes and exhaled slowly.

As I opened my eyes again, I looked at Landers and said, “I want to start training today.”