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I scoffed, the reeking darkness closing in around us. “Are you forgetting the fact that I can shoot literal fucking flame and wind from my hands?”

“And how much control do you have over that?”

I opened my mouth, quickly closing it when I realized I wouldn’t like my own answer. “Fucking prick,” I muttered. “This is all your fault.”

“I’m aware.”

“You’re a dick, you know.” I hadn’t really meant to say it out loud, but there it was.

“I’m aware.”

I eyed the wound on his arm through the torn leather, the gash just visible in the low light. The veil I’d wrapped around it was gone, and the wound wasn’t nearly as bad as it had looked. Blood had been gushing from it in the tunnels, and–

The noise in the camp quieted slightly, the sound of more swords ringing through the air. My chest began to burn, the familiar white hot feeling — mypower— beginning to flare, my ribcage beginning to heat from the inside out.

“Archers at the ready!” a voice yelled. I held my breath. I think Miles held his too. “Aim!”

There was an eternity between each heartbeat, the air thick with fear and sweat.

“At ease!”

Miles let out a heavy breath. “What is it?” I whispered. “Who is it?”

“It’s not Kauvras, and it’s not his men. Stay here.” He swung the door open and was gone within seconds.

I sat in stunned silence for only a moment before Tomkin rushed back in, his features relaxed in relief. “If the men who just arrived are to be believed,” he said, extending a hand to help me from the wardrobe, “you’re going to have quite the army.”

? ? ?

I felt dozens of pairs of eyes on me as I emerged. The energy was different — lighter, calmer, but there was still an air of obvious tension. Three men, only one of them masked, rested on bent knees, fists on their chests in a fashion I was growing rather sick of seeing. And of course, the chant.

“Daughter of Katia.”

“Stop,” I said firmly. “Please.”

The three soldiers rose as Miles leaned in. “Don’t tell them not to,” he whispered harshly into my ear. “You need to inspire respect.”

“I don’t need to doshit,” I spat back to him quietly, turning to the newcomers. He was right, but I didn’t want him to be.

I recognized one man from the throne room, the man who’d told Miles to get me out, that he’d hold off Kauvras’ men. He looked to be about twenty years older than me, his dark face rugged and war-weathered. But something about him was soft, and maybe that was because I had known from the moment he spoke to Miles in the throne room that he believed in me.

He stepped forward, the movement echoing extensive military training. “I am Commander Olion Summercut. My allegiance lies with you, Daughter of Katia.”

I didn’t correct him, instead clenching and unclenching my fists as the next man stepped forward.You are the Daughter of Katia,I thought to myself.Stop resisting it.This man was younger and looked more like the unranked soldiers that stood behind me. His dark brown hair was shorn close to his scalp, his eyes the same color. “I’m Sentos Whitley, and my allegiance lies with you, Daughter of Katia.”

I nodded as the last man stepped forward, a tarnished silver wolf mask on his head. He was significantly shorter than the other two, probably three or four inches shorter than me. His build was slighter too, the armor seeming to swallow his body. He reached up to remove the mask, a curtain of black hair falling over thin shoulders, the slightly upturned eyes of a strikingly beautiful woman looking back at me.

“Shit,” I whispered, my hand flying over my mouth at the flicker of my past tactless self.

She lowered her head slowly. “My name is Enella Augen, and my allegiance lies with you, Daughter of Katia.” I stood in stunned silence. I had never seen a female soldier before, and I knew it was rude to stare, but I couldn’t keep myself from gawking. She looked…like a fucking badass.

I stepped toward her, the Saints damned wedding gown dragging behind me, and surveyed her more closely. Her skin was a rich brown, a slight bump in the middle of her nose. She almost looked like Wrena. Same age, same thick dark hair, same warmth radiating from her. I swallowed back the painful memory of my friend as I thought of what to say.

“I’m sorry,” I began. “I… I’ve never seen a female soldier before. Females weren’t allowed in the Eserenian army.”

“They’re not allowed in the Cabillian army either,” someone called from behind, their tone full of light humor, breaking the pressure that had settled over the Outpost. The corners of her lips quirked up as she fought back a smile.

“She’s kicked more asses than you have and she’d easily kick yours,” another person shouted, a chuckle moving through the crowd.