Fires of War (War and Deceit #4) - Erin O'Kane Page 0,16

so he’s facing me. “What was it like to be possessed by a goddess?”

There’s a second where I feel Tor stiffen next to me, and I wonder if he’s going to try and hit the elf for his insensitive question, but I snort another laugh, and I feel him relax. “Shut up.” Rolling my eyes at the elf, I lean back into the tribesman as Vaeril just shakes his head at his friend. I know what Naril’s doing. His obnoxious behaviour and rude questions are a front, and he knew I was losing it, so he was trying to bring me back.

Sighing, I shift my weight on the bench, and Vaeril turns his attention back to me. He doesn’t insult me by asking if I’m okay or telling me not to do this, he knows I have to, he can feel it through our connection, but that also means I can feel his concern. Leaning forward, I press my forehead against his, letting him know without saying a single word how much his regard and care means to me. With Tor’s hand still on my back and Vaeril at my front, all I’m missing is my mage. Almost as if he knew I needed him, a wave of his love reaches me once again, strengthening me despite the distance keeping us apart. Closing my eyes, I take slow steady breaths, listening to my mates next to me, synchronising our breathing, and it’s like Grayson is here with us, the four of us connected together. There’s a slight weakness in our connection, and that’s Tor, not through any fault of his own, but because we have yet to seal our bond, something I plan on righting soon.

When I open my eyes, I feel Grayson fade from my consciousness, and look at the two who are still here with me. They appear surprised but refreshed, and to my shock, so do I. My arm still hurts from where I was attacked, and as I glance down, I see it’s still seeping and will need cleaning and dressing, but I don’t feel the bone-weary tiredness anymore. At least I feel strong enough to finish the ceremony.

Naril has been watching us this whole time, and he throws his hands towards me with a ‘well?’ gesture. “No, seriously, I want to know.”

Shaking my head, I just ignore him and try to push aside the ache in my heart at the fact Eldrin never came back. I hoped after he stormed out he’d return to see the rest of the ceremony, but I guess that’s not going to happen now. Shoving the pain away and choosing not to look too deeply into why it hurts so much, I push up from the bench and brush down my dress.

“Let’s get this over with.”

This time when I exit the tent, I have Tor on my right and Vaeril on my left, with Naril following close behind us. I refused to leave the tent without them, not caring if that made me look weak. After what just happened and what the goddess revealed to them all, I think it’s better to show a united front. I can’t do this alone, and I’m not stupid or naïve enough to believe I can.

Everyone is silent, their eyes on us, and the only sound I can hear is the crackling of the fire in the center of the pillars that stand proudly before me. Revna and the other chiefs are waiting for us, except this time Ragnar is standing with them. His face is carefully blank as he watches me approach, but I can almost feel his simmering frustration. I’ll need to watch out for him. Men like Ragnar can be dangerous, especially when embarrassed in front of his peers. I just have to hope his faith for his goddess is greater than his hatred for me, a half-breed.

Taking my place before the high chief, I can’t help but scan the crowd briefly for Eldrin, forcing aside my disappointment when I don’t see him. I shouldn’t be surprised. With the way he’s been behaving the last couple of days, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Tor and Vaeril stop just a step behind me, and when Revna fixes her eyes on me, I give her the slightest nod of my head to signal that I’m ready for her to begin.

“Clarissa has been returned to us,” she begins, using the same wording from before, and my gut clenches with nerves. Although I