I’m actually surprised that he cares about my well-being. I’d have thought he would want me gone so he could—
He places a hand on my shoulder and meets my gaze evenly. “I can see the wheels spinning in your mind, and I know what you’re thinking.”
I arch a brow. “Oh, so now Dwarves are mind readers, are they?”
He shakes his head. “No, but if I were you, I’d be thinking the same. Just so you know… as long as she’s happy, so am I. And I’d like to keep it that way.”
I stare at him in astonishment, not sure how to respond.
“Before you say anything, Elf, this does not make us friends.”
Despite his words, I notice the slight quirk of his lips at the edges. “Of course not,” I reply. “But, thank you, nonetheless.”
He dips his chin in a subtle nod.
Bran leads us deeper into the mountain. I’m still astonished by how bright it is in here. Before we came here the first time, I had never been inside a Dwarf stronghold. I always assumed their homes were dark and damp, but I was wrong. Glowing gemstones embedded in the walls light up the spaces as brightly as if there were windows allowing in the sun.
I marvel at how precisely carved each stone is within these halls. All of it master craftsmanship. The Dwarves are able to whisper to stones to position them as they wish, but these intricate carvings are all done by hand.
He leads us to a forge. A dwarf hammers at a sword before carefully lifting it with tongs and plunging it into a bucket of cold water. Soot streaks his leather apron and brawny forearms, while his forehead drips with sweat.
As we approach, a bright smile lights his face and he drops everything to rush to Lyana. He lifts her up, spinning her around in a hug that stirs irrational jealousy deep within me. These Dwarves are far more familiar with my mate than I like.
When he sets her back down, she introduces us. “Tomys, this is my husband, Caelen. Caelen, Tomys.”
Tomys’s face falls and he narrows his eyes. “This is the Elf you wed?”
She nods.
He steps closer, his eyes locked on mine. Only now do I see the resemblance. He looks so much like Bran, I would have known they are brothers without being told. “I didn’t get a good look at you when you were here last,” he grumbles as he studies me with a piercing gaze. After a moment, he turns to Lyana. “Are you happy with this one?” He gestures to me as if I were not even here.
A smile tilts her lips. “More than I could have ever imagined.”
All my anger disappears at her words, but it quickly returns when Tomys looks to me. “I’ll let him live then, and I’ll pray the old gods look favorably upon you when your children are born that they take after their mother.”
A growl rises in my throat, but I stop when Lyana takes my hand and flashes a gorgeous smile at me. “Oh, Caelen, he’s merely teasing, my love.”
One look at the Dwarf tells me his words were not entirely made in jest, but I decide to let it go. These Dwarves are protective of my mate and I cannot fault them for their devotion to her.
“They need their armor strengthened,” Bran says, changing the subject.
I hand him two bags with our armor.
He rummages through it and holds up a breastplate, studying it intently. “It’s actually not too bad,” he admits.
High praise from a Dwarf.
He continues. “Just a bit of reinforcing should do the trick.”
“Will you have to melt it down?” I ask, wondering how long this process will take. Tomorrow, Rivenyl’s army will arrive at Eryadon castle. We do not have much time.
He shakes his head and carries the pieces to a cauldron where molten metal bubbles. I suck in a quick breath as he throws the armor in and begins to whisper words that must be enchantments.
When he finishes, he carefully fishes the components out with tongs and lays them on the table. The shape and engravings appear the same, but the metal has a bit of a grayish tinge to it, instead of the green that marks the armor of my people. “What did you do?”
“We do not simply whisper to stones, Elf Prince. Metal listens to us too.”
I blink several times, astonished. I’d never heard the Dwarves were able to do this.
I pick up a greave, surprised that the weight has somehow not changed despite the new reinforcing. “Magic,” I whisper, more to myself than to him.
“More like an agreement between us and the earth,” he says.
He hands the pieces to Lyana, asking her to try them on. She puts them over her clothing and he speaks additional words of enchantment. I watch as it conforms to her perfectly. Next, he hands her an expertly crafted bow.
She takes it in her hands, testing the weight. She pulls back the drawstring and then smiles brightly at him. “Thank you, Tomys. Everything is perfect.”
His cheeks flush bright red as she gives him a quick peck on the cheek. He turns his attention to me as I extend my arm and he takes it. “Thank you,” I tell him. “Truly.”
“Just keep her safe,” he says. “That’s all that we ask.”
My gaze sweeps over him and the rest of the Dwarves that have gathered around us, each studying me intently. “With my life,” I vow.
