Her Graceful War Song

The next day, the young couple set out. Rafael pretended to ask Violet if she wanted to join them,

Violet shot him a puzzled glance. He had already said last night that he was taking Carissa out for the day. He also specifically said they would be going alone and leaving everyone behind, even Dylan. Wasn’t it a bit fake to ask her now?

Even if Rafael hadn’t mentioned it, Violet wouldn’t have gone. She had her hands full dealing with the embroidery workshop, which was still under renovation It made sense for her to keep an eye on things, Besides, if her supervision wasn’t needed, she could always accompany Helen out to a coffeehouse and indulge in some shopping and dining. After all, there were lovely places like Glimmering Tower and The Golden Tower to explore.

Why venture out into the cold and face the biting mountain winds when there was so much to enjoy right here?

At Glimmering Tower, Rafael ordered a selection of dishes. They were all staple dishes and nothing extravagant, but Glimmering Tower had a knack for elevating the simplest meals to perfection. Since they would be climbing a mountain soon and the weather was chilly, he also ordered a bottle of mulled wine. The private room they were in was cozy, warmed by a charcoal fire.

Carissa let her husband take charge. Today, he made all the decisions while she simply admired how handsome he looked.

His white fox fur coat was draped over a nearby rack, Rafael was dressed in a blue brocade coat adorned with cloud and wave patterns, its narrow sleeves and high collar framing his face beautifully. His skin had lost its sun–kissed hue, looking much fairer now, giving him an elegant, scholarly air. Only the sharpness of his dashing brows reminded people that he was a military general.

Suddenly, Carissa recalled the first time she saw him on the battlefield, looking like a wild man with his unkempt beard. During strategy meetings, she often found herself staring at it, wondering if the ends would split when it grew long enough.

A laugh escaped her lips. “I really can’t understand how the man you are now is the same one I knew at

the Southern Frontier.”

“I looked better back then,” Rafael replied, a grin tugging at his lips. “A man needs that kind of grit to have a presence.”

“You looked fine then, and you also look fine now,” Carissa said, reaching out to stroke his face. Her fingers glided over his skin, which no longer felt rough and rugged.

Rafael gazed at his wife, surprised at her rare display of affection. Feeling the heat of her palm against his cheek, his heart swelled with warmth.

It was clear that spending time alone together was necessary for their relationship to flourish. Lately, they had both been so busy. When Carissa returned home, she practically collapsed into bed. Even if Rafael wanted to do something for her, he wouldn’t dare disturb her rest.

He leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss on her face. The fragrance of her clothes mingled with his, both carrying a light, deep water scent. Though he had the same scent, hers intoxicated him in a way that

made his heart flutter.

Once they finished their meal, the couple set off toward the mountains. There was still some snow at the base, but it wasn’t deep. The path was fairly easy to navigate, allowing the horses to manage well.

Not long into their journey, however, the trail began to deteriorate. The biting wind stung their cheeks as the weather took a turn for the worse.

Rafael began to doubt himself. Was this outing really a good idea?

But they had already come this far, and Thomas had raved about the breathtaking scenery. With the added snow, the mountain views would be even more stunning.

His spirits lifted at the thought, and he said, “Let’s tie up the horses here and walk the rest of the way. If you can’t keep up, I’ll carry you.”

“I can walk just fine,” Carissa replied.

She felt that it wouldn’t be a problem to tie the horses here. Given the weather, it was unlikely anyone else would be heading up the mountain. Even if someone did, Lightning and Rafael’s horse, Skyhawk, weren’t horses anyone could just lead away.

Once they secured the horses, they took each other’s hands and ventured up the mountain. The trail was indeed challenging. It was narrow, covered in thick snow, and obstructed by many dry thorny vines.

Several times, the thorns snagged Carissa’s clothing, prompting Rafael to awkwardly explain, “This mountain doesn’t see many visitors, so the paths aren’t well–kept. But trust me, once we get higher, the views will be worth it.”

“Of course, I trust you,” Carissa replied with a smile, her cheeks flushed from the cold.