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Someone cleared their throat at the tavern’s main door. Wilder looked up to find Commander Sylas Yarrow in their midst, flushing deeply.

‘What is it?’ Wilder said coldly. He wished he’d pummelled the bastard even harder after the way he’d spoken about Thea in the war camp. Yarrow was lucky he was still able to stand.

But it was to Thea that the commander looked, regret shining in his eyes as he approached and slowly unsheathed his sword. He knelt before her, offering the blade. ‘The Warsword was right.’ His voice was stripped of all contempt. ‘You are owed my apologies, and my allegiance. It was an honour to fight on the same field as you, Warsword Embervale. And I would do so again in a heartbeat. My sword is yours.’

A smug sense of satisfaction washed over Wilder. Commander Yarrow was not the first to be taught a lesson or put in his place by Althea Embervale, and nor would he be the last.

Wilder noted the subtle flush creeping up Thea’s neck as all eyes in the room latched onto her. ‘Perhaps you can share that sentiment with the rest of the camp,’ she said.

‘I have,’ Yarrow answered, his head still bowed. ‘I don’t have many men left, but they are ready and yours to command.’

Thea blinked at him, and Wilder squeezed her tensed thigh under the table.

‘Thank you,’ she managed, with a glance to Esyllt. ‘Our weapons master can give you the details. All weapons will need to be treated again with what’s left of the sun orchid essence.’

Flushing, Commander Yarrow scrambled to his feet, lifting three fingers to his left shoulder in a Warsword salute before Esyllt ushered him away.

Thea’s leg bounced beneath Wilder’s grip and she wriggled in her seat, scanning the faces before them. ‘Still no word from Audra?’

Wilder knew Thea had been asking after her former warden to no avail. Even now, Farissa shook her head in response.

‘Not that I know of.’

Thea made a noise of frustration. ‘Something is wrong. She wouldn’t miss this – not a chance to defend the midrealms, to fight for Thezmarr.’

‘There is nothing we can do,’ Wilder told her gently, squeezing her leg again. ‘We have no spare units to send to look for her. We can only focus on the battle ahead. Audra thought she was doing the right thing in Aveum, but none of us can change that now.’

Thea merely grimaced, toying with her fate stone.

They kept talking, until at last Talemir sat back in his chair, looking as exhausted as Wilder felt. ‘So it’s settled?’ he said. ‘We’ll send Artos to Vios’ dungeons, and then make our final stand tomorrow at sundown?’

Murmurs of agreement sounded around the table.

‘There’s no point in delaying any longer than that,’ Wilder said. ‘We only risk giving the reapers more time to rally, or having them move on the midrealms early.’

‘Two hundred men…’ Vernich muttered with a shake of his head.

‘And women,’ Thea corrected him.

Vernich dipped his head in apology. ‘And women.’

‘I don’t know about you, Bloodletter,’ Thea said. ‘But I’ve always relished beating the odds.’

Wilder pressed a kiss to her temple. ‘That you have.’

He had no notion of the hour when the company retired and Thea led him to the same room they’d shared last time. Memories came flooding back as the door opened. Someone had left the fire burning in the hearth, illuminating the modest space beyond. During their previous stay, they’d fucked on nearly every surface, and Thea’s magic, which had been dormant for a year, had come surging back.

Now, his storm wielder looked longingly at the empty tub in the corner. ‘I think it’ll be a long while until we enjoy such luxuries again…’

‘I think you might be right.’

She sighed. ‘Nothing has ever beaten those hot springs in Tver, anyway.’

‘Not the bath aboard the Furies’ Will?’

‘Not even that. Those hot springs were something else.’

Wilder smiled. ‘One day I’ll take you back there.’