A Kingdom of Venom and Vows (Stars and Shadows #3)(60)

I would protect them at all costs. I would protect everyone in this room, in this kingdom, and I would do so without hesitation.

“What can I do to help?” Adara turned toward my mother, and I could see the wheels turning in her mind. “I’ll do whatever they need.”

There was a flash in my mother’s eyes, a respect for Adara that was growing, and she looked down to Thalia. “Thalia and I are going to head that way to make sure that everyone is settled and don’t need anything. You are welcome to join us.”

“Of course.” Adara made to stand, but I pulled her back down to me.

“Kiss me first,” I growled playfully, and she rolled her eyes. But she still brought her mouth down against mine, and I held her there until I was forced to let her go.

I didn’t want to face this war. I didn’t want to face anything other than my new wife, but we would face this together.

“I love you,” I murmured against her mouth, and she laughed.

“And I you, husband.”

Then she left the room to help the people of our kingdom.





CHAPTER 22





ADARA





I closed my eyes as I counted, and if I wasn’t careful, I was liable to fall asleep.

“Ready or not, here I come.” I opened my eyes and was met with a stream of laughter from throughout the room.

“Now where could you be?” I tapped my chin as I stood and looked around.

There was a set of blond curls poking out from behind the chair and ten little toes sticking out from one of the beds.

“You all are too good at this game.” I moved around the room, and every time I came close to either of them, their laughter would ring out around me.

I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. We had been in the west wing of the palace for hours, and the queen and Thalia were still working with the other women to make sure everyone had a space to sleep and food available.

We weren’t sure Gavril would bring the war to us, but we wanted to be prepared for whatever came. And as I watched Queen Veda care for her people, I felt a sense of respect for her that I had never felt before.

But it was there now.

I had been put on the duty of entertaining some of the children whose fathers had stayed in the kingdom, and I took my role seriously. Even if they had run me ragged with their games.

“Is there anyone in here?” I tore the door to the small closet open, and I was met with more giggles when I found no one. “You all are sneaky.” I huffed and closed the closet again.

The little blond that had been hiding behind the chair was now scurrying beneath the bed with his friend, and I smiled as I watched his little kicking legs scoot him farther under the bed.

“Got you.” I gripped his tiny foot in my hand, and they both screamed in laughter as I gently pulled him from the bed.

“The monster’s got me!” he yelled, and his friend reached out for his hand to help save him.

But I grabbed him too. I pulled them both out from under the bed, and their laughter was infectious.

“You all just thought you could get away from me.” I dropped to my knees and pulled both of their little bodies in front of me as I tickled them.

They snorted in laughter and fought against my hold until I finally let up.

I leaned back away from them and looked up in the doorway. Evren stood there, leaning against the doorframe, and he was watching me carefully. There was a softness in his gaze that made my chest ache.

“How long have you been standing there?” I pushed off the ground, but he didn’t get a chance to answer me.

Both boys were running toward him, and the little blond one wrapped his arms around Evren’s leg.

“Prince Evren!” They squealed in delight at seeing their prince, and I grumbled even though my stomach tightened at the sight.

“How come he gets to be Prince Evren, but I’m the monster?”

Both boys squealed harder. “Save us from the monster, Prince Evren!”

I rolled my eyes playfully, and the smile on Evren’s face only grew. He squatted down until he was eye level with the boys, and he spoke to them both quietly. “I’ll tell you what. You two run off and get a snack before bed. I’ll make sure to take care of this monster for you.”

Both boys did as he said immediately, and Evren stood back to his full height. He smiled at me again, but it did little to hide the worry that was swimming in his dark eyes.

“Did something happen?” I straightened out my shirt and pushed my hair behind my back.

“Come here.” He beckoned me forward, and I went to him immediately. He pulled me into his arms. His hands slid into my hair, and his nose brushed against my cheek as he placed a soft kiss there. “I missed you.”

I wrapped my arms around him, my fingers gripping the back of his shirt. “It’s only been a few hours at most.”

“And that’s a few hours too long.” He moved his lips to my forehead.

“I’ve missed you too.” I sighed and peered up at him.

That same dark cloud of worry clouded over his face, and I tensed in his arms. “What is it?”

“One of the scouts has returned from the forest edge.”

My breath rushed out of me as I searched his face. “And?”