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After what feels like hours, we reach a small cavern where the air is cooler and the ground mercifully flat. My ribs, wrist, and ankle all ache. Each breath is a sharp reminder of our recent ordeals.

“We should rest,” I suggest, my voice barely above a whisper.

Z’leni nods curtly, kneeling to inspect the area. Ryatuv remains standing, his arms crossed over his chest, eyes scanning the darkness. As we settle, the silence becomes unbearable. The weight of unspoken words presses in and if I know anything it’s that we can’t let this fester.

“We need to talk,” I say, keeping my tone carefully neutral, but leaving no room for argument.

Z’leni looks over, slightly narrowing his eyes. Ryatuv’s gaze flicks to me, then away.

“About what?” Z’leni asks, though I am certain he knows exactly what I mean.

I try to take a full breath, but the pain hits and I wince, cutting it short.

“Mmph,” I grunt, returning to shallow breaths and waiting for the pain to pass. When I open my eyes they are both focused on me. I shake my head as I hold up a hand. There’s nothing to be done, but I appreciate seeing how much they care. “Look, this tension between you two. We can’t afford divisions, not now. It’s dangerous.”

A muscle jumps in Ryatuv’s jaw. Z’leni’s eyes narrow, his fists curling at his sides. The air sharpens, crackling with old hatred.

“I don’t trust him,” Ryatuv says, nodding at Z’leni. “His kind has been our enemy for generations. They are sneaky by nature. Untrustworthy. Leaving traps in their wake.”

Z’leni’s eyes flash with anger and he growls, rising to his feet. His hands ball into fists as he steps up to the taller Ryatuv without hesitation.

“And your kind has done even worse. Killing, indiscriminately. No matter how much we retreat it is never enough for you cold-blooded monsters. You hunt us. Chasing after us. Yet here we are, forced to work together.”

“Forced?” Ryatuv challenges, stepping closer. “No one forced you to come.”

Z’leni rises to his full height, the air between them crackles with animosity.

“I came because I see the bigger picture. Something you are clearly incapable of.”

“Enough!” I snap, stepping between them before the past can swallow the present whole. The proximity of their bodies sends a shiver down my spine, but I focus, and hold my ground. “This isn’t about history or grudges. It’s about survival. The Paluga is waking. If we don’t stand together, we’re all doomed.”

The two of them shift their looks to me and the fire in their eyes dims. Slightly.

“Do you think I don’t have my own reservations?” I continue, my voice trembling with emotion. “But I’ve seen enough, lived long enough, to know that trust isn’t given; it’s earned. And right now, we need to earn each other’s.”

Z’leni’s gaze softens, and then he nods, slowly. Ryatuv exhales sharply, his posture relaxing, just a fraction.

“I’m not asking you to forget the past,” I say, pleading. “I’m asking you to fight for a future.”

A heavy silence follows, but it feels different now, less hostile, and more contemplative.

“We should rest,” Z’leni finally says, his voice quieter. “We still have a long journey.”

I nod, grateful for the respite. As we settle, I find myself between them once more. Exhaustion feels like a heavy blanket, tugging me downwards, but sleep remains elusive.

After a long silence, something brushes my hand—a tentative, almost shy touch. I glance and see Ryatuv’s scaled fingers brushing against mine. His eyes are closed, his breathing steady, but there is no mistaking he’s awake and that the contact is deliberate.

On my other side, Z’leni shifts closer, his warmth seeping into me. His arm presses lightly against mine, a silent offering of comfort.

My heart pounds, hard. The boundaries between fear, longing, and hope are blurring. In this moment, the world outside the cavern fades away, leaving only the three of us and the fragile connections we’re forging.

I close my eyes, allowing myself to savor the fleeting moment of peace, knowing that new challenges are ahead, but for now, in this small pocket of time, we are together. And that is, for the moment, enough.

I drift into sleep, but it can’t be more than a few minutes when there is a distant rumble echoing through the tunnels. A stark reminder that the Paluga’s awakening is imminent. I startle and sit up. My boys are close in on either side, also sitting upright. My sleepy thoughts take a moment to process the fact that they both have their hands on my back, one above the other. It only takes a microsecond for me to realize how much I like it.

“We need to move,” Z’leni says urgently, all but jumping to his feet.

Ryatuv helps me up, his touch lingering for a moment longer than necessary. I meet his gaze and I see not just a warrior, but a man grappling with his own fears and desires.