Page 45 of Stolen Thorn Bride
But neither had they ever chosen a target so deep in enemy territory before. They advanced by degrees, creeping slowly over the land, swallowing it up over months and years.
So the elves could not rely on what they knew, or what they had learned in the past. This was a new battle, with new rules, and they could not afford to be complacent.
“Understood.” Garvan whispered to his second, who began selecting the warriors who would join them in striking directly at the swarm.
“I’m coming,” Dechlan said quietly, for Garvan’s ears alone.
“With all respect, my lord, you’re not,” Garvan said firmly.
Dechlan fixed his stubborn captain with an icy gaze. “This is not for you to determine.”
Garvan stepped closer and gave glare for glare. “And if you fall?” he growled. “The Northwatch needs you. Needs a steady hand if it is to survive this. You are the only one who can hold it together.”
“I have chosen an heir,” Dechlan returned calmly, drawing a surprised glance from Garvan.
“Not…”
It took only a fraction of a second to interpret the captain’s surprise, and another fraction to feel a surge of anger.
“No,” he ground out. “My bondmate is not yet ready for that responsibility. But make no mistake. She is your Riene, whether I live or die.”
Garvan had the decency to look ashamed. “But my lord, if you die…”
“She will live,” Dechlan said firmly. “The human cannot feel the bond. She should not be injured in any way by my passing.”
“Nevertheless”—his captain’s gaze was compassionate but obdurate—“I beg you to reconsider.”
But Dechlan shook his head. “I can understand your concern. But there are only a handful here who have ever faced a wraith, and many are still recovering from their time at the front. How many can feint with a swarm and live to defend these walls?”
Defeated, Garvan turned to his wolf, adjusted the harness, and swung into the saddle. “Be it as you say, my lord. We will defend you as we are able.”
“Not me, Garvan,” Dechlan returned fiercely. “We defend the Northwatch! We defend the lives of those we love, and the future of all elves along with them. If you defend me alone, this battle is lost before it is begun.”
Garvan nodded, and as his gaze swept the bailey, it snagged briefly on the far side. “Does your bondmate know what is happening?” he asked carefully.
Kasia. She would be lost and confused in all this bustle, but Dechlan could not pause to explain.
“She will be safe. Tiernan…”
“Is our swiftest rider,” Garvan reminded him. “He must be a part of our sortie.”
No time. There was no time to plan…
He caught a glimpse through the crowd and called out.
“Fionn!”
His auburn-haired retainer materialized at his side in moments. “What is it, my lord?”
“You will guard the Riene,” Dechlan commanded. “You, Callum, and Nuala. I don’t care if you like it, nor do I care how you feel about her. You will guard her with your lives.”
“But… the walls. The defenses! We will be needed!”
Dechlan stepped up and took the young elf’s shoulder in a punishing grip. “And if my bondmate dies, what do you think will become of our defenses?”
“It is not a true bond,” Fionn insisted doggedly.
Rage and frustration began to build in Dechlan’s chest. Why was Fionn so hard-headed about this? He’d been the one to bring it about in the first place!