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“You’ll be magnificent,” Cole murmurs, smirking.

I smile at him, thinking that he probably honestly thinks that. He has a great deal of faith in my skills which I have not earned.

And I am anxious – but not for me. Instead, my mind turns to all the people I know are going to get hurt tonight. And the poor civilians that the Children of Solace are holding…god, they’re going to be terrified. I feel a physical tension in my chest at the thought.

I distract myself from it by looking again at Cole, taking in the steady, calm lines of him. He’s a very peaceful presence, isn’t he?

“What about you?” I ask softly. “Do you wish you were fighting tonight instead of guarding?”

He keeps his eyes on his work, though I can tell by his frown that he’s truly considering my question. “Part of me does,” he says, his words hardly above a whisper, certainly not audible to the rest of our group as they continue to chat behind me. “I’m aware that I could help, do more if I were on the front lines. But…this is the job I took. I’m glad to be here.”

My mouth twists to the side. I know he took this job just to protect me…

Maybe he should be at the front.

Cole lifts his gaze, looking to me like he’s heard or intuited my thoughts. “This job is important too, Nadia. I’m not sad that I’m here.”

I give him a tiny smile, happiness blooming in me at his presence.

Because if hewasat the front…

God, I’d be terrified.

“Here,” Cole says, holding out the little carving. My eyes go wide as I see what he got done in the past like…twominutes.

I gasp, cupping my hands to accept the little tiny wooden wolf that Cole places there. It’ssosmall – a quarter of the size of my palm, really – and yetsodetailed. The little wolf has fur, and deep rounded eyes, and even a littletonguepoking out between its fangs!

“Cole!” I whisper, delighted, looking between it and him. “How did youdothis?”

He shrugs, bashful but pleased at the praise. “It’s just a hobby.”

“It’s so detailed!” I say, laughing, turning it over in my hand.

“Let me see!” Shayne says, reaching for it.

I gasp and snatch it away. “My tiny wolf!”

“No, I want to seeeee!”

“You want tograb.”

“Here, I’ll hold her back,” Greg says, taking the opportunity to wrap his arms tight around Shayne so she can’t lift her hands. She bursts out laughing, and he grins, taking the opportunity to press a kiss to her shoulder.

I smirk, thinking that theyarevery cute, even if I’m still rooting for Tommy. I hold the little wolf out for them all to see. Grace and Shayne gasp as Greg and Tommy admire in a more masculine fashion, murmuring their appreciation.

“Cole, make me one too!” Shayne says, beaming at him. “But I want a pony! Or a chipmunk! Or a tiny child spy!”

“I’mgetting you the pony,” Greg growls.

Shay grins and turns her head to him. “I can havetwo.”

He snarls and snaps his teeth at her, making her laugh again.

“Hey Tommy,” Grace says, standing and reaching her hand for him. “Can you help me? I have to move a bed in the medical tent.”

“Absolutely,” Tommy says, jumping to his feet, looking quite pleased to have an excuse to get out of here.

Cole and I watch them go, waving a little as Greg and Shayne turn their attention to each other.