Renee brought five women to Esme, who looked them over, spoke to them, and asked if they were prepared for what had been asked of them. They agreed, and Gianna, Vera, Cynthia, Bianca, and Pire joined the ranks of the sentinels. They were immediately fitted with armor and taken to the field for pell training. It was better than nothing and, with hope, the new women could become backup for the six who were well-trained. If they had eleven to defend the castle, that was at least as many as The Forsaken’s fighters. On the off chance they all made it to the citadel and the True-Sworn were not there, the sentinels would stand a chance.
At least, that was what Esme told herself, and she prayed it was the truth. There was nothing she wanted more than to protect her people and her family, but with the unknown out there waiting to make their move, there was only so much she could do. Arming more women in the community and strenuously training her warriors was the smartest choice.
By the time they gathered for the midday meal, they'd already put in several hours of training. Esme studied each of their faces, realizing everyone appeared exhausted. She was unintentionally running them into the ground in her need to be positive they were at peak physical condition. The one thing she could be happy with was her decree that the attendants train on a regular basis, meaning Edward and Garrett weren't so far behind her warriors as to be a nuisance in a fight. They’d shown great improvement with each new session, and she remained positive they could defend their mates when the time came.
Esme took another look around the room, her gaze coming to rest on her own mate. When had they last spent a few hours by themselves? Decision made, she stood. “After we eat, I want everyone to rest for the remainder of the day.”
They all looked up in surprise at their leader’s announcement.
“Aye, you heard me correctly. Rest. Enjoy your mates. We need to be mentally and emotionally prepared as much as we are physically.”
Edward rejoiced at the thought of taking Isabella back to their chambers for some time alone. They’d had a bath after training and gone straight to the dining hall, too hungry to even fool around. It was a cycle he was not fond of, despite knowing it was a necessity.
When they’d finished eating, they walked hand in hand toward their chambers. Edward recalled a time not so long ago when they weren’t allowed to touch, though they’d tested those boundaries. So much had changed so fast, and he would be forever grateful for what he’d been given. He raised Isabella’s hand and kissed her knuckles, giving her a smile in return for the one she offered him.
He stopped at their door while she unlocked it. “How are you feeling?”
She waited until they were inside to answer him. “Exhausted.”
He hummed, thinking about how he could make her comfortable. “Why don’t you lie down?”
“I could.” She stared up into his eyes. “Is that what you want?”
He knew she would never rest if she thought he wanted to do more than that, so he kissed her forehead and ushered her into their bedchamber. “Aye.”
She’d left her hair loose after her earlier bath, so Edward merely assisted her with pulling her tunic over her head. She stood before him in her shift, and he had a hard time not simply pushing her onto the bed to slake the thirst which constantly bubbled under the surface. Her dark tresses waved to her waist, her large eyes were focused on him, and he could see her hardened nipples from beneath the thin cloth draping her figure. He swallowed with difficulty, knowing he would have to wait for what he wanted.
When she was curled up on her side on top of the bedcovers, Edward stretched out behind her and pulled her close. He ran his fingertips over her temple, down her cheek, and under her jaw, keeping his hips angled away from her.
“Do you know how long I will love you?”
Isabella shifted her head to gaze at him. “As long as I will love you; for all of eternity.”
He kissed the side of her mouth. “Until the sun turns black in the sky.”
She blinked sluggishly. “Mm. You’ve said that before.”
“Aye.” He rubbed her shoulders, stroked her arms, and ran his fingers through her hair. “I mean it.”
“That feels nice,” she murmured.
Her eyes drifted closed, and he kissed her temple. “Sleep, my love.”
She drifted off in his arms, and Edward thought about the battle they would soon face. They were immortal, something he had yet to become accustomed to, but he worried. He assumed he would always be concerned about her well-being, but he supposed the idea that he healed faster now wouldn’t sink in until the first time he was truly injured.
If he spent too much time thinking about it, he felt a deep fear the likes of which he’d never before encountered. He knew only that The Forsaken were tall and formidable, but nothing else of value. It was speculation and not first-hand accounts which gave them this information. There remained an icy stone in the pit of his stomach, a premonition of what was to come.
He used to think he was brave. That changed when he was given the gift of marrying his true love and then told they were riding into battle. He had yet to reconcile these fears with the facts of her strength and immortality.
Hours passed before she stirred. Edward squeezed her closer and breathed in the sweet scent of her hair. “Better?”
She nodded and yawned, turning in his arms. “Better.”
Isabella snuggled into his chest, shifting her legs to tangle with his. She kissed the sliver of skin exposed at the top of his shirt and tugged on the fabric.
“You’re wearing too much clothing,” she complained.
His skin was alight with fire at her touch; patience was its own reward. “I apologize for my oversight.”
Edward rolled away and stood from the bed, removing his clothes while watching his wife do the same. They met at the foot of the bed, Edward taking her face in his hands to kiss her. She sighed, accepting the sweep of his tongue in her mouth, exploring every nook and cranny. His hardened cock pressed into her belly, and he groaned at the friction when she moved against him.
Isabella looked up at him with blazing eyes. “I want you inside me.”
There was nothing he wanted more, either, so he guided her down on the chest and pushed inside her in one swift movement. She cried out when he thrust into her again and again, taking what he needed. Love for her swelled when his cock did, and he knew he would be done too soon.
He touched her, swirling his thumb over her hardened bud until she shuddered and clenched around him, drawing his release from him in turn. He held tight to her body and pulled her to a sitting position.
Finally catching his breath and his bearings, he helped her stand. “I can’t bear the thought of losing you.”
Isabella clutched him to her. “You can never lose me. All will be well.”
When she looked up into his eyes with such earnestness, he wanted to believe her. “I love you, Isabella.”
She caressed his face. “And I love you.”
The feeling in his gut tightened.
They made their way back to the hall for the evening meal, but Edward found he couldn't eat. The feeling of foreboding was too great; he couldn't shake it. He endeavored to put food in his mouth whenever Isabella was watching him, but it took a massive effort.
When they were all mostly done, the chieftess rose. “We meet in the war room this night.”
Edward caught his breath. This was what he’d been waiting for; the moment of reckoning had arrived.
He remained by his wife's side as they walked down the hall. He had nothing to say when they entered the room; nothing that would make a difference, at any rate. When all had gathered and the door was shut, Esme raised her hands to gain their attention.
“We ride out tonight.”
Her declaration was met with resounding silence wherein Edward heard nothing but the beating of his own heart in his ears.
“We have intelligence which suggests The Forsaken are making a move, and we believe it is more reliable than what we’ve previously been given.”
His fear heightened, Edward held fast to Isabella’s hand as Esme continued. “We will go through Winter Forest and camp on the other side tonight. We must prepare now; night will fall soon, and we’d best be through the other side of that damned place before it gets too dark.”
He breathed steadily in and out, needing to be calm enough to make ready for the inevitable. They headed back to their chambers to put on their armor and pack.
“It’s going to be different this time, you'll see.”
He didn't agree with Isabella’s reassurances, but he knew they came from a place of authenticity. He attempted to play along. “For one, I won’t be begging you to stay.”
“And I won’t do what I did.” As she thought of how bold she’d acted, she glanced around. “It worked out for us, didn’t it?”
“Aye.”
Aye, it had worked out, and now they were on the verge of losing it all.
They arrived in their rooms and assisted one another with armor: cops and braces, pauldrons, kidney belts, and shields. Isabella began braiding her hair, and Edward helped her. Many nights he’d wanted to do it for her, so now that he had the chance, he was going to take it. He made several plaits from smaller sections and let them trail over her shoulders so she could take three braids and weave them together. By the time they were finished, they had scant minutes left to throw a few days’ worth of belongings in a bag and meet the others at the stables.
“Edward, you haven't yet met the wolves. They’ll be riding out with us.”
He looked around, but didn't see any wolves. “All right.”
“Just there.” She pointed, and his brows went up. He knew they had them, but had never spent much time thinking about them. They were massive; at least shoulder height when next to an average woman.
“They are Akira, Ferrick, Lyra, and Meeka. They belong to Wild-Claw, Storm-Heart, Venom-Tongue, and Rogue-Blood.”
“I did not know they’re so large,” he murmured.
“We keep them outside, but the warriors play with them constantly, as much as they train them. It’s a symbiotic relationship.”
“I’m impressed.”
They mounted their horses, and Edward recalled how long it had been since he’d been on one. He remembered what to do almost as if it were muscle memory, and soon they headed for the front gates. This time there was no one begging anyone to stay, no stolen kisses or daring words. The line formed in order of hierarchy, and he saw his brother riding several places behind him, the wolves pulling up the rear. No wonder he’d always missed them in the past. He thought of the tale of how Jasper had won over Alise and wondered if it was a full-grown wolf he’d fought off.
Edward’s nerves were riding on the surface of his skin. His soul walked outside his body. His heart beat in triple time.
That night and the next day would determine their fate for eternity.
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