Page 44

I swallowed hard, trying to focus on whisking the eggs. “Someone has to make sure you don't slice your fingers off.”

“Oh? Do you like my fingers?” he asked, his tone heavy with suggestion.

Before I could respond, there was a softpopand Mrs. Crumble appeared in the kitchen.

“Oh my!” she said, glancing between us, no doubt noticing the color on my cheeks and Vorgath’s mischievous half-grin. “Am I interrupting something?”

I jumped back from Vorgath, nearly dropping the bowl of eggs. “Mrs. Crumble! I, uh, we were just making breakfast.”

“Mmhmm,” she hummed. “Well, I'm just here to make sure everything's ready for your big day.” Her knowing gaze swept over us. “I'm sure you've been preparing diligently,” she added with a wink.

I busied myself with the eggs, hoping my face wasn't as red as it felt. “Since you're here, do you want to get Elias up for me?” I asked, refusing to make eye contact with the brownie.

As Mrs. Crumble bustled off to wake Elias, I turned back to the stove, determined to focus on breakfast. But Vorgath's presence behind me was impossible to ignore. His warmth radiated against my back, and I could feel his gaze on me.

“You're nervous about today,” he pointed out in a low voice.

I sighed, my shoulders slumping slightly. “Is it that obvious?”

His large hand came to rest on my shoulder, a comforting weight. “Only to me,” he assured me.

I turned to face him, looking up into those deep, understanding eyes. “What if Thorne refuses to let me reopen the forge? What if he convinces the guild I'm not worthy?”

Vorgath's expression hardened slightly at the mention of the guildmaster. “He won't,” he said with a confidence I wish I felt. “He cannot. That is why there is a guild.”

“A guild that he's in charge of,” I reminded him.

“A guild that values skill and honor above all else,” Vorgath countered. “They will see that in you.”

His words warmed me more than the stove ever could. I leaned into him, resting my forehead against his broad chest for just a moment. “Thank you,” I murmured.

A few moments later, Elias joined us for breakfast. We sat around the kitchen table, elbows too close together, dishes and cups shoved to the edges to make room for everyone. Elias was bubbling about a new history lesson—the battle between the fae queen and the first Alderwood Guardian, narrated with his signature flair and enough sound effects to give the kitchen a reenactment.

“...and then the Guardian roared, holding up his staff like this!” Elias leaped into his chair, clutching an imaginary weapon.

“Careful,” Vorgath said, reaching out to steady Elias as he wobbled on his chair. “Save some of that energy for after school.”

Elias beamed at Vorgath, clearly basking in the attention. “Will you teach me more orc fighting moves later?” he asked eagerly.

I raised an eyebrow at Vorgath. “Orc fighting moves?”

Vorgath had the decency to look slightly sheepish. “Just some basic stances,” he explained.

“Uh-huh,” I muttered, but I couldn't hide my smile.

As we finished breakfast, I made my way to the door, Elias bouncing ahead excitedly, and Vorgath bringing up the rear. The morning air was crisp as we stepped outside, the streets of Everwood just beginning to stir with life.

Elias skipped between us, one hand in mine, the other reaching up to grasp Vorgath's fingers. Seeing my son's small hand engulfed by Vorgath's big green one made my heart flutter. Moments like these made everything else—the uncertainty, the judgment from others—fade away.

“Remember,” I said to Elias as we neared the school, “Mrs. Crumble will pick you up today. I have that... meeting.”

Elias nodded solemnly. “The big forge meeting, right? Are you gonna show them how good you are?”

I squeezed his hand. “I'm going to try my best.”

“You'll do great, Mama,” he said with all the confidence of a seven-year-old. Then, turning to Vorgath, he added, “You'll make sure they see how awesome she is, right?”

Vorgath nodded, his expression serious. “Of course.”