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“It’s better. I’m better now, wildcat. I promise.”

17

Prisca

Transitioning from the best day of my life to the reality of war was a shock—even knowing it was coming. First, Madinia and Rythos left. Madinia submitted to my hug, and for some reason, her compliance made my stomach twist.

Rythos pressed a kiss to my cheek. “I’ll see you soon, Pris,” he vowed.

There was nothing left to say. And I refused to send my friends away with tears streaming down my cheeks. So, I forced a smile, clutching Lorian’s hand as they said their goodbyes to the others before getting into the waiting carriage.

The carriage would take them to the dock, where they would board a ship south to Quorith.

Please let Verdion listen for once. Please let him ally with us.

Natan approached next. He’d already spoken to Demos, and I’d agreed to talk to him now, with no one else around. While he’d given Lorian one long-suffering look, Natan seemed to accept that he could be trusted.

“What is it that you’re doing?” I asked.

He gave me a faint smile. “We’reinfiltrating Regner’s ranks. Our people may be human, but that’s what will make us the most dangerous. We’ll do whatever we can to slow him down.” His eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow and pride.

Reaching out, I took his hand. Looking into his eyes, I acknowledged the sacrifice Natan and his people were making. The sacrifice they would have to live with after this war was over.

The sacrifice that would no doubt haunt them.

It was one thing to kill your own people in defense.

It was another to sleep next to them, to train with them, to eat with them, and then turn on them.

Of all of us, Natan’s role in this war might be the hardest. And yet it was one of the most important.

“Thank you.”

“You don’t have to—”

“I know. Your people. You have to live on this continent. But thank you, Natan.”

His eyes softened as he nodded, and I was once again forced to acknowledge just how much this war had already changed him.

“Goodbye, Prisca.”

“Goodbye, Natan.”

Lorian and Natan nodded at each other. And then he was gone.

Swallowing around the lump in my throat, I held it together until it was time for Demos and Asinia to leave. Demos slapped Tibris on the back as Asinia hugged me. “Be careful,” I told them, swallowing a sob. “Look after each other.”

Asinia glanced at Demos, and some of the tensiondrained from her face. “You know we will,” she said. “We’re going to find the amulet, Pris. We’ll see you soon.”

And then they, too, were gone, traveling north to the Lyrishade mine.

I stood in Rekja’s courtyard long after they were gone, as still as the statues surrounding me.

My chest was raw, as if I’d been flayed open. Lorian didn’t say a word, just stood by my side, a silent support.

Early this morning, I’d received a note from Conreth’s wife, Emara. It had been impossible to tell if she knew what had happened between Lorian and Conreth, who was still mostly a silent presence whenever we gathered. In her message, Emara had congratulated us on our wedding. And she’d said she had plans for after the war. Plans that involved opening their borders to humans and hybrids. Those who wanted to study, to explore, to live side by side with the fae.

This was what I needed to focus on. The things that would come after the blood and death.