Page 88 of Mastering their Maiden

“You can wear it on your back with your bow,” he said, and when I shook my head, he cupped his hand around my jaw. “Keep that one. I’ll find another.”

“You made this one for yourself just yesterday.”

He grinned at me mischievously. “Did I?”

I scoffed, and Umber moved in, putting his hands on my waist. “Indre has armor and a tunic for you of course, but I’ve got light ring mail we give to trainees. You can wear it underneath that.”

“You have your own?” I demanded, smiling when he grinned in reply. “Dex?”

Dex was already reaching in his pocket and grabbing satchels of herbs wrapped in cloth. “For energy. Injury. And if you shove this in someone’s face it will blind them for a bit,” he explained with each package. “They should fit in your pockets.”

“You have plenty for others?”

“I’m offended you’d ask me that.”

I laughed, accepting another kiss from my healer before turning back to Kaiden. He traced the bow in my hands, pursing his lips before lifting his eyes to mine.

“You ready for this, Princess?”

I hitched the bow on my back, on top of Zander’s spear, and leaned in to kiss him soundly on the mouth. “I’ve been ready to fight a Kavari man for years. I’m finally going to get the chance.”

Dex, Umber, and Zander all laughed, and Kaiden grinned before leaning in to set his forehead against mine.

“That’s my girl,” he said softly, and I closed my eyes.

I was. I was their girl; they were my men. And together, with an army at our back, we were going to reclaim their city.

So all of us could finally be free.

The End