Vows & Ruins (The Legends of Thezmarr, #2)

by Helen Scheuerer

He could feel the eyes of their fellow warriors on them, watching where they were joined, how they moved together. He could sense the undercurrent of their fascination, their recognition. Let them see, Wilder thought irrationally. Let them see that she belongs with me.

‘You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. There’s no coming back from you, no end to this wanting…’

Wilder chuckled. ‘Says my self-proclaimed friend.’ ‘You saying I’m not your friend, Warsword?’ A deep laugh burst from him then. ‘I’d say you’re probably my best friend, Apprentice.’

Wilder’s voice went low, nearly a growl. ‘What do you mean?’ But Thea merely shrugged. ‘He thought me ridiculous. Dressed in boys’ clothes, trying to be a warrior. He wanted nothing to do with me once he knew what I wanted to do. I think I embarrassed him.’ Wilder shifted, his face completely serious as he said, ‘Shall I kill him for you?’ Thea burst out laughing. ‘I don’t think that’s necessary…’ Wilder’s nostrils flared. ‘I didn’t like the look of him.’

Thea kept stealing glances at Wilder across the fire, at the stoic warrior she was slowly coming to know more deeply, more intricately. It was with a mixture of longing and regret that she savoured these moments with him, realising with a resounding grief that she would never come to know him as deeply as she wished to.

He rubbed his sternum, as though the movement might ease the ache there. It didn’t. And so he simply rode on, for that was all he had ever done in the face of such pain.

Her Warsword started for the castle, but he hesitated, half turning back to her. ‘You’re ready, you know.’ ‘Ready?’ ‘For the Great Rite. When you feel its call, you go. Drop everything and go. You will emerge a Warsword. The very best of us.’ Thea’s mouth fell open. But by the time anything resembling words was on her tongue, he had gone.