Chapter 425 Next Six Days
Chapter 425 Next Six Days
AUDREY
I bounced Am gently on my hip, listening carefully. “Any word on Anthony yet?”
Darius’s jaw tightened. “The guards found traces of his magic near the eastern alleys, but he vanished like smoke. He’s clever. We need to stay vigilant while I’m gone.”
I met his eyes across the table. “I’ll be careful. Cordelia and the Oracle will be here too. Between us, we’ll keep the palace secure.”
The meeting stretched for over an hour as they discussed supply wagons, scouting parties, and emergency signals. I contributed where I could, suggesting ways my own emerging powers might help strengthen the palace wards. Darius listened attentively, his hand occasionally finding mine under the table, small squeezes that grounded us both.
By midday, the sun was high and warm. Darius took me and the twins for a short walk in the private royal gardens. Stone pathways wound between blooming nightshade flowers and ancient oak trees. Guards stood discreetly at the entrances, but for a while it felt almost peaceful.
Darius walked beside me, one arm around my waist while I pushed the ornate wooden pram carrying the twins. Am had dozed off, but Tia watched the leaves above with fascination.
“I keep thinking about last night,” Darius said quietly, his voice low so only I could hear. “The way you looked at me when you teased me about another child…” He shook his head with a small smile. “It made me want to cancel the whole journey and stay in bed with you for days.”
I laughed softly and leaned into him. “And here I thought you were the serious one. I was only trying to make you blush for once.”
He stopped walking and turned me to face him, his hands on my waist. “You succeeded. But know this, Audrey” His expression grew earnest, eyes searching mine. “If the goddess does bless us again, I would welcome it with all my heart. Another little one in our arms, I’ll be able to take care of you properly this time… it would make every battle worth it.”
My throat tightened with emotion. I rose on my toes and kissed him softly. “Then come back safely so we can find out together.”
We stayed in the garden until the twins began to fuss for feeding. Back in the chambers, I nursed them while Darius watched from the doorway, a soft look on his face. The quiet domestic pattern felt like armor against the coming storm.
As evening approached, Darius left to oversee the first wave of knights arriving at the gates. I stood at the window, watching him stride across the courtyard, tall, commanding, every inch the king. My heart ached already, even though he was still here.
The next six days would be busy with preparations, but I was determined to make every moment count.
~
The six days had passed in a blur of frantic preparations. Messengers rode in and out of the palace gates at all hours. Blacksmiths worked through the night forging extra armor and sharpening blades. Wagons loaded with supplies creaked across the courtyard, while knights in gleaming chainmail drilled in formation under Ryker’s watchful eye.
The air hummed with tension and purpose.
Now, on the morning of departure, the royal courtyard was alive with activity. Horses stamped and snorted, their breath visible in the crisp dawn air. Banners bearing the royal wolf crest snapped in the early breeze.
Darius stood beside his great black warhorse, checking the saddlebags one final time.
His dark cloak hung from his broad shoulders, fastened with a silver wolf pin. The leather of his boots and gloves creaked as he moved.
I stood on the wide stone steps leading down to the courtyard, Am cradled against my chest and Tia held securely in my other arm. The twins were bundled in warm woolen cloaks embroidered with protective runes.
My heart felt heavy, like a stone lodged behind my ribs. Six days had not been nearly enough.
Darius turned away from his horse and walked toward me, his steps deliberate. His jaw was set, but his eyes softened when they landed on us. He reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair from my face, his calloused thumb lingering on my cheek.
“You look like you haven’t slept,” he murmured, concern etching lines between his brows.
“I didn’t. Not much,” I admitted, leaning into his touch. “Every time I closed my eyes, I kept seeing you riding away.”
He exhaled slowly and pulled me closer, careful of the babies between us. His free arm wrapped around my waist, strong and steady. “I hate this as much as you do. Leaving you and them…” His gaze dropped to Am and Tia.
Am made a small gurgling sound, reaching a tiny hand toward his father’s tunic. Darius caught the little fist gently and brought it to his lips.
“I’ll be back before you know it,” he said, though his voice was rough. “Allistair and I will set the wards. Then I’ll wait in the caves until the Blood Moon. You stay safe inside the palace. No risks. Promise me.”
I nodded, but my throat felt tight. “I promise. But you know I’ll come if you need me. The goddess chose me for this. Don’t shut me out when the time comes.”
Darius’s jaw clenched. For a moment I thought he might argue again, but instead he pressed his forehead to mine. “I know. We do this together. Just… survive until then. For them.” He kissed Am’s forehead, then Tia’s. Tia blinked up at him sleepily, her little mouth curving into a faint smile.