Movement stirred me awake. I opened my eyes to see Wairen setting a tray down on the bed, raising a finger to their lips as to say 'stay quiet'. 

I opened my eyes wider, remembering just where it was that I fell asleep. Thain's bed was big, soft, and warm. At some point, the blankets had been placed over me as I slept. And next to the bed, still in the armchair, was a rare sight indeed. 

Thain was fast asleep, his head lulled to the side in the most vulnerable position I had ever seen him in. Even when we had to camp on the road he wasn't this relaxed. His chest rose and fell softly in sleep.

I bit my lower lip, almost reaching out to wake him but stopping short. If he was this tired he probably needed it. I began to draw back when Thain's hand reached out and quickly grabbed mine. 

It startled me and I took in a sharp breath at first. When Thain opened his eyes he grunted, then his sight fell down to our hands. His hand around my wrist, to be precise.

He dropped it immediately. "Sorry, I... you startled me."

A grin played on my lips. "Always the alert warrior, even in your sleep."

A ghost of a smile fell on his lips as well and I sat up in the bed.

"What time is it?" I asked, stretching.

Thain stood from his seat, moving the chair back where it usually sat by the wardrobe. When I stretched my legs, my foot bumped the tray Wairen had left us.

I pulled my leg back and pulled the tray closer. 

"It can't be that late," Thain commented. "If it's still morning tea and honey tarts."

Yawning, I looked to the balcony.

The light outside his balcony door told me it was daytime but cloudy, possibly drizzling outside considering the rainy nature of Thanantholl. I hoped Puko was somewhere dry, possibly back downstairs in my room. 

"I should go see if we have any messages from the king," Thain said, grabbing a tart form the tray and walking to his wardrobe. 

I pulled a cup of tea to my lips, the warmth comforting in my hands and the mild flavors rolling down my tongue. I smiled, Wairen still remembered my favorite kind.

Picking up a tart, I glanced over to see Thain moving behind an open door of the wardrobe. The top of his head and his fee were all I could see from the bed, and when a pair of breeches fell to the floor I blushed and turned away.

My tea, focus on my tea.

A moment later, Thain stepped out in a fresh set of clothing. All black, of course, but in his hands was a brilliant red shirt that he tucked into his belt for later.

"I'll be right back up, you eat breakfast," Thain said.

"Okay," I replied, and he left through the door.

With a sigh, I laid back against the headboard of the bed. Now alone, my cheeks flushed at the idea that I had fallen asleep here, and still I lay where Thain should have slept. My eyes flickered to the armchair he spent his rest in.

Moving the covers off of me, I took my cup of tea and my honey tart and walked barefoot to the char. Curling up in it, I sipped my tea slowly and ate my tart in a few quick bites. I hadn't realized how much I missed Wairen's pastries. 

When the door opened again, Thain looked at the bed puzzled before looking around and finding my new seat. He smiled, walking over to the bed and sitting on the edge of it, facing me.

"We leave at dawn. The rest of the day is ours to prepare," Thain said softly.

"I should pack then," I murmured.

Taking a deep drink of the last of my tea, Thain leaned forward and handed me the other cup, taking the empty one and placing it on the tray.

"This is yours," I protested.

He shook his head, his fangs flashing in a rare smile that I was beginning to see more and more of since last night.

"You drink it. I would have rather you got the chance at a restful morning, you didn't have to leave the bed you know." Thain's near unblinking stare waited for my reaction. It was so intense I had to look away, flustered.

"I can't believe I fell asleep in your bed," I mumbled. "You should have been the one to sleep there."

"I like it," Thain said warmly. "Your scent lingers in here now, it will be nice to come home to after this is over."

A smile played on my lips, and I hid it by taking a sip of the new cup of tea. Thain looked pleased with my reaction, and then his face fell more serious.

"Are you prepared for the battle ahead?" he asked. "What of your magic? I could go to Pearl street and get you any supplies."

I shook my head. "I haven't mastered enough for that kind of forethought. My best weapon is my fire and the only thing I need for that is myself."

Thain inclined his head, accepting my answer and moving on. "Schula tells me the warlock can defend from magic attacks. Do you still practice your physical skills with her?" 

I flustered. "Yes! We ran in the desert, we meditate and... and we also..."

Thain's face was unreadable and my cheeks tinted pink with embarrassment. "Not really. I have my magic though, and the whole army will be with us."

"I will be with you," Thain said calmly. "And Eberon, and the others. We will not let you fall, but Wren, when there is a moment for it I think you should consider having more tools at your disposal."

I frowned, taking another sip of tea. 

"Schula has magic and is quite adept at hand to hand arts," Thain continued. "Spaulder seems adept enough physically, though I don't know what his magic prowess entails. Still, he is as fluid and adaptive in battle as me or any other fae of age and power. I just want you to be as prepared as the rest of us."

"I know." I sighed, putting down the cup. "There just hasn't been much time. And I'm still trying to learn what I can about my own magic. It's rather... unusual. The combination of witchcraft with an inate fire element from my elven half. My father said that it's rare enough for elves to have magic as the fae do, but that my mother's side likely drew it to the surface. It's all just so much to figure out."

Thain stood from the bed, leaning close to me as he hovered over my chair. My eyes widened and my heart sped up as he leaned down and planted a soft kiss on my head.

"And we will figure it out together," he said. "I won't continue to bother you about your training, but the moment you ask it of me, I will help you."

I swallowed slowly, taking a deep breath and buying time before I answered. "Thank you, Thain."

That brought a smile to his lips and he reached out a hand to trace a finger over the thin chain that never left my neck. He gently pulled it up until the dark pendant with silver specks lifted from my gown and he could hold it in his palm.

"I missed you," I said quietly.

"And I you," he replied, not taking his eyes off the pendant for a moment before sliding them up to meet mine. "The next time you leave the Wyldes, I want to come with you."

I smiled. "I'd like that. I think you would like Eidelhein, and I met the most interesting riders in the desert, and the witches. I don't know if they will still be gathered when this is all over, but maybe someday you could at least meet my friends Mila and Gilly."

My face fell, remembering. "Oh."

Thain stilled. "What is it?"

My promise to Purda. To return as her successor.

"I... was just remembering the strain between Eidelhein and the fae. Maybe that wouldn't be a good idea." I covered my expression by taking another drink of tea.

"Wren." Thain's voice demanded I look at him. "You don't have to lie to me."

I sighed, biting my lower lip. "When I was in the valley of the witches... I had to make a promise in order to get what I needed for the barrier."

He raised an eyebrow. Leaning down, he took the arms of the chair and began to scoot it towards the bed with me still in it. I squeaked, holding tight to the tea in my hands. Once the chair was by the bed again, he sat on it and faced me. Silently watching, waiting for me to continue.

I nodded. "The witches rely on a master of healing magic to continue the knowledge among their society. Purda is old, Thain. And in order to access the books I've brought with me, I was named her successor. I have a year to return to her to accept my duties."

His  face was unreadable, and for a moment he didn't move. When he finally reached out for my hand, I gave it to him freely.

"So you won't remain in the Wyldes?" he asked.

"I want to," I said desperately. "I just don't know when I will be able to. I made a promise and I intend to keep it. I won't let my mother's people down."

He nodded. "You are too good, Wren. We don't deserve you. You've been met with nothing but trouble and yet you still sacrifice for our borders."

I let off a soft laugh. "If it weren't for you I wouldn't be here. And I wouldn't feel at home in the Wyldes because I was too afraid to set foot in them."

He chuckled, a low, comfortable sound. 

And then a knock at the door had both of us snapping our heads to see who it was.

"Come in," Thain said.

The door opened to Schula and Spaulder. The dragon with a calm expression of mild interest and the ice fae grinning from ear to ear.

"What is this?" she teased. "I hope we're not interrupting anything."

Thain's expression darkened as he stood from the bed. I rolled my eyes as Schula laughed. 

"What did you need, Schula?" Thain asked.

She smiled, crossing her arms over her chest as she leaned back against Spaulder. "You've hogged our triquetram for too long, Thainalan. I'm taking Spaulder to see Pearl street and we're taking our beloved Wren with us."

I shook my head, smiling and standing from the chair. "Let me get dressed properly first."

Schula clapped her hands in front of her, keeping them together as she beamed. "Great! There are just so many things I need to buy, and Spaulder has never had roasted pecans."

I gasped, feigning indignation. "How is that possible? We need to rectify this immediately."

Spaulder chuckled. "Lead on, snowey one. Witchling. Show me this Thanantholl you love."

I looked to Thain with an apologetic expression, and his face softened.

"Go on then." He chuckled. "I'll see you tonight."

And with that, Schula practically dragged the witch of the Wyldes and an ancient dragon behind her. Out the door and to Pearl street.