Fires of War (War and Deceit #4) - Erin O'Kane Page 0,107

you.”

I wish Eldrin were here to hear this.

“We love you too,” Tor replies, his tone suggesting it was a given, but he’s frowning as he leans forward, cupping my cheek with his large hand. “But you can’t speak like this.” His voice takes on a harsher, more urgent note that I’m not used to hearing from him, at least not when he’s talking to me. “You sound like you’re saying goodbye.”

I wince at the accusation in his tone, unable to meet their eyes. I know what they want me to say—that I’ll come out of there alive, that I’ll best the king. The Great Mother is on my side, but there is evil at work here and the king is cunning. “Well, I couldn’t go in there without saying—”

A growl cuts me off, and relief floods me as I instantly recognise the timbre. He came back. I don’t know where he went, and at this moment, I don’t care, all that matters is he’s here now.

“Don’t you dare say goodbye,” Eldrin growls from behind the others. Parting, Vaeril and Grayson let him through, and the elf stalks towards me. He’s practically vibrating with anger. “If you say that, then he’s already won.” Eldrin’s voice is so low, it’s almost a snarl, his eyes intense as he comes to a stop directly in front of me. He releases a deep breath, and that anger seems to leave his body, only to be replaced with desperation and a hint of fear. Reaching out, he grasps my shoulders, exploring my face like he’s trying to remember every inch of me. “We’ve only just found each other. You need to promise you are coming back to me.” His voice breaks, and it would be a sweet moment if Vaeril didn’t snarl softly behind him, reminding him he’s not the only male in my life. “To us,” he amends reluctantly, bringing a small smile to my face.

Grayson sighs, drawing my attention. When I meet his gaze, I expect him to smile, but he’s uncharacteristically serious. “I hate to agree with the elf, but he’s right.”

“You have to promise us, Clarissa,” Vaeril says, stepping forward and taking Eldrin’s place as the other elf moves back to make room for his friend. Placing his hand on my chin, he lifts my face and presses his forehead against mine. “Even if you have to come back kicking and screaming. You come back to us.” Each word is forceful and precise, he’s very clear about what he wants me to do. He knows doing that would start a war, one he would fight to get me back. Also, he may not say it, but I know if it came down to my life or Jacob’s, he would want me to leave the prince behind.

“And we will be fighting for you on the other side,” Tor vows as the four of them share a look. They may not like each other, some of them are even enemies, yet for me, they are united and would work together.

The idea that they may try to fight their way through all of the king’s guards to get to me is terrifying. I need to make sure I return to them so they don’t try anything.

“I promise.” My voice is somber as I meet their eyes.

We don’t say anything else or hug and kiss, we don’t need to. I know the strength of their love from the heat in their eyes. The king doesn’t deserve to witness our affection.

They part to let me through, and I stop when I see Naril leaning against the wall by the alcove, guarding our backs while we were speaking. His expression is set in his usual smirk, but his eyes are alert as they scan the ballroom. When they land on me, something on my face must alarm him, because the smirk drops and he pushes away from the wall, coming to stand before me. Glancing briefly at the males still in the alcove behind me, I return my attention to Naril. “Look after them for me while I’m gone?”

He knows what I’m asking. We both know that as soon as I leave this room, the four of them are going to struggle with their protective instincts, particularly Eldrin, who doesn’t have a constant link to me like the others do. I’m worried about Grayson too, and as I stare into Naril’s eyes, I know he will do what he can to protect Grayson, even from himself, despite