rely slept that night. When morning came I dressed quickly in the riding clothes that Victoria brought me. My hands shook a little as I tied

commanding in his dark armor. When his eyes found me, the bond pull

said in a low voice. "Stay c

gaze. "I can take care of m

elt darker than usual. Trees blocked most of the sunlight, and the air carried a heavy feeling. I kept my magic re

to mine. His voice was quiet so only I could hear. "About las

Neither do I. But we have bigger problems right now. Hawtho

"You are different from what I expected, Ele

ut fear does not stop me. My mother

hing about him, the way he sat on his horse, the strength in his hands holding the reins, the way he scanned the trees for

sed his hand. "Track

nd. I felt it before I saw anything. A cold whisper

I said quickly. "

n his horse. "Weapons r

owed with red light and their claws looked like they could cut through stone. The warriors shouted and drew their swords. Al

eral shadows and they screamed as they dissolved. But more kept coming. One creature leaped toward me. I

on his armor, but none of it was his. He kept looking back at me, making sure I was sa

d I nearly fell. Strong arms caught me before I hit the ground. Alexander pulled me on

," he growled

ther naturally. The bond made our fighting feel almost like a dance moonlig

of our men had injuries, but no one was lost. Alexander held me a little longer than nec

hurt?"

y magic took a

gently. "You were in

fade. I wanted him to kiss me again. H

e found s

ay a piece of cloth with strange symbols. It carried dark ene

is using it to guide the shadows towa

get back to the keep and prepare. The wedding

against him, feeling the steady beat of his heart

lers. She took one look at me and pulled me inside to r

ferently now. The whole pac

me felt happy. Another part felt sca

handsome and strong. We sat by the fire and talked for a long time. He told me stories about his child

ut as night fell a new howl echoed

d up quickly.

Whatever comes, we

something deep in h

ulders. Our wedding was only a few days away. The shadows were getting smarter. Hawth