Page 146 of Silver & Smoke

Thank you, she mouthed to him.

The strategist offered a salute.

It wasn’t long before Torj introduced her to the woman who’d raised him, who’d set him on the path to being one of Thezmarr’s legendary warriors.

‘Vara, this is my wife, Elwren Embervale, Queen of Delmira,’ Torj said, pulling Wren to his side.

‘Call me Wren,’ she added, hoping that there would be no unnecessary formalities between family.

‘Well, Wren,’ Grandmother Vara said, ‘you’re the most persistent individual I’ve ever come across.’

Torj frowned. ‘What do you mean?’

‘It was your wife here who tracked me down, with the help of a charming young fellow who kept offering me sour mead,’ Vara replied.

Torj turned to Wren, brows raised. ‘This is what you made a deal with Kipp for?’

Wren smiled. ‘Yes. We’ve been tracking Vara down since I started novice training at Drevenor.’

Grandmother Vara reached for Wren and pulled her into a warm embrace. ‘Thank you for reuniting us,’ she said, before turning back to Torj. ‘And imagine that... After all this time, you marry a healer. Your mother would be so proud.’

Wren’s chest swelled. It meant more than she could say. Not only that Vara would think Torj’s mother would be proud of who he’d chosen to marry, but that she had been called a healer, not a queen.

Grandmother Vara patted Torj’s arm with a warm smile. ‘There will be plenty of time for us tomorrow, grandson. But tonight is for you and your wife.’

As Vara peeled away, Wren felt Torj’s gaze on her. She looked up to find him drinking her in, his eyes tracing over her face, her body, as his fingers laced through hers. ‘Gods, I love you,’ he said fiercely.

‘And I love you,’ she replied, pushing up onto her tip-toes to brush a kiss to his lips.

Torj groaned, cupping the back of her head and deepening the kiss before breaking away. ‘Do you want to get out of here, wife?’

‘More than anything,’ she murmured.

They didn’t say farewell to their guests. Torj simply scooped herup in his arms and strode from the marquee, grinning at the cheers that echoed in their wake.

He didn’t take her to the cottage, as she expected; instead, he carried her into the forest, to where the silvertide roses had blossomed tenfold. There, lanterns lit the way to a beautiful canvas dome that awaited.

‘What is this?’ Wren asked as her Bear Slayer set her down on the ground.

Torj huffed a laugh. ‘The bridal suite.’

Wren answered with a wicked grin. ‘Is that so, husband? Are you going to ruin me?’

‘It’s you who’s ruined me, Embers. And you did that long ago.’

Inside, the tent had been adorned with cushions and throws and hanging lanterns. A small table to the side boasted a tray of fruit and cheese and a bottle of wine.

When they had settled inside, Wren reached for Torj, guiding his face to hers, claiming his mouth in a deep, passionate kiss. He moaned as she straddled his lap.

His husky voice skittered along her bones and lit her ablaze. ‘Tell me what you want, Embers...’

‘You,’ the Queen of Delmira told the Bear Slayer. ‘It’s always been you.’