"Oh," she breathed. "It's beautiful."
Thornak had led Lara along a quiet woodland path to a wide, slow-moving river, its banks lined with willows that swayed gently in the breeze.
Beneath one such tree, a thick blanket lay spread upon the grass, set with fresh fruit, warm bread, a pot of tea, and two porcelain cups.
"I thought you might like it." Thornak said with quiet satisfaction.
"That is most thoughtful of you, Your Majesty. I am honored." She dipped into a graceful curtsey.
"You're welcome, Lara." His gaze lingered on her a beat longer than necessary. "And out here… you don't have to call me that."
She hesitated, then smiled gently.
He then gestured her toward the blanket, and they sat. As she poured them both tea, she cast him a sidelong glance.
"I don't think anyone's ever done something quite like this for me."
"I hope it won't be the last," he said simply.
She flushed, lowering her gaze to the cup in her hands. "You're making me feel very... special."
He reached over, brushing his fingers lightly across her cheek. Thornak's gaze held hers.
"You are."
The morning air was crisp and sweet, laced with the scent of blooming wildflowers and dew-covered grass.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Lara felt the warmth of him seep into her, chasing away a chill she hadn't known she carried.
At last, he said. For a long moment, neither spoke.
Lara felt the warmth of him seep into her, chasing away a chill she hadn't known she carried.
At last, he turned his gaze to the river and said, "Peace is a rare thing in these lands… and rarer still in my life."
Lara followed his gaze, the water catching the sunlight in shifting silver.
"Then we should hold on to it while we can," she murmured.
A faint smile touched his lips.
Remembering what Dain had told him earlier, Thornak turned to her.
"I am told you watch my men each morning," he said. "Would you wish to be out there yourself, training with them?"
Lara glanced at him, surprised. "You mean… fight?"
"Train," he corrected, a hint of a smile playing at the corner of his mouth. "Fight, if you choose to. I could train you myself, if that's something you'd want."
She hesitated, eyes searching his face. "You'd take the time to teach me?"
"If you're willing," he said simply. "You fight better than some of them anyway."
Lara's lips curved faintly. "I am willing."
A hint of pride flickered in Thornak's eyes as he gave a short nod. He took a step closer, lowering his voice. "Then we begin at dawn. Wear something you can move in."
Her pulse quickened—not from fear, but anticipation. The thought of matching him move for move stirred something fierce within her. She met his gaze steadily. "I'll be there."
"Good," he said, the smile now full. "Don't expect me to go easy on you, and don't hold back either. I want to see what you're truly capable of."
She nodded happily.
After a time, a low rumble rolled across the sky. Lara tilted her head, catching the scent of rain on the breeze just as the first cool drop touched her cheek.
Thornak's gaze flicked upward.
"Of all times…" he muttered, then caught her hand in his. "Come."
She barely had time to react before he was tugging her gently but firmly, and they broke into a run just as the rain began to fall in earnest.
Laughter bubbled up in her throat, light and unrestrained, as they darted through the downpour toward a small wooden shed nestled among the trees.
By the time they slipped inside, both were drenched and breathless.
Lara pushed her wet hair back from her face, cheeks warm despite the cool rain. A laugh, soft and unguarded, slipped from her lips as she wrapped her arms around herself.
Then she felt his gaze on her. Her laughter faded, and her heart thudded, not from the run, but from the way he was looking at her, like she was the only thing worth seeing. She couldn't look away, her heart pounding in her chest like a drum.
"You're…" his voice dropped to a hushed warmth. "You look beautiful."
She blinked, suddenly aware of how close they stood in the quiet, dim space. The storm drummed gently against the roof, but inside, everything felt still.
Their eyes met. His fingers, curled lightly around hers, tightened ever so slightly.
Then, as if drawn by something neither of them could name, he leaned in and pressed a soft, tentative kiss to her lips.
It wasn't demanding or fierce, just warm, reverent, like a question offered in silence.
When he pulled back, his eyes searched hers. "I've been wanting to do that since the first time I saw you."
Lara's cheeks flushed a soft pink, and she looked down. This was the first time she had been kissed by a man, much less someone like him.
Thornak gently tipped her chin back up with two fingers, his gaze unwavering. "I'm done pretending I don't want to be near you."
She swallowed hard, her heart fluttering wildly in her chest. His thumb brushed lightly along her mouth, which sent shivers down her spine, and she felt herself leaning into his touch, craving more.
"Thornak," she whispered, her voice barely audible. Her eyes fluttered closed as Thornak's lips brushed against hers again, this time softer, more gentle.
The world around her melted away, leaving only the two of them, lost in the magic of the moment. Cold rain fell softly around them, but neither seemed to notice, lost entirely in each other's warmth and the moment they shared.
As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, Lara felt a sense of belonging she had never experienced before, as if she had finally found a piece of herself she didn't know was missing. In that quiet embrace, nothing else mattered, only him, only now.