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Evelina

Sometimes, you have an idea about what your future will be, and then fate steps in to ruin your carefully laid plans. Evelina never saw herself as someone in the spotlight, never considered herself to be a leader like Carwyn or a skilled warrior like Ren. She didn’t even consider herself to be an easy-to-love personality like Lyria.

Her mother was one of the only ones who saw her; who chose her as a formidable healer to be stationed on the border.

But her mother wasn’t here.

Now that her light had presented in such an undeniable way, Evelina had been made the center of attention. The people who had overlooked her presence for years were now arguing about what to do with her.

She stood outside of the throne room, her body still weak. Her strength was just starting to return after sleeping the entire previous day and late into the night.

“We need to make an offensive push into the Zenovia Mountains.” Carwyn’s voice was steady, already sounding like a queen. “I’ve already sent Daimon, Brielle, Aster, and Gloriana back to the border to prepare.”

Evelina gripped the fabric of her dress between her hands. He was already gone.

“Once Evelina has recovered, she’ll fly back with the rest of the unit as both healer and warrior?—”

She shoved open the doors to the throne room, and the council’s heads all swiveled to face her. As she stepped into the room, she fought to keep her chin up, to not look as nervous as she felt.

“Am I to be a warrior now?” Evelina asked the council, her eyes on Carwyn. Her lip wobbled as her confidence faded. “I thought I was to be a weapon, used as someone else saw fit.”

In the corner of her eye, she could see Seretha watching her with curiosity.

“Your newfound magic could help tip the scales back in our favor,” Carwyn said slowly.

“Do I have a say in this?” Evelina asked.

Carwyn held her gaze, her eyes revealing nothing. She didn’t respond, which was answer enough.

“Then I want to hear the plan.”

Carwyn cleared her throat. “We may not know of a light affinity working in this way, but it has to be a sign from Eurydice, a blessing that she’s brought to us so we can end this war once and for all.”

“You would be joining us as we advance past the mountains,” Keir explained. “With Furies in the mix, we’re going to need you with us up in the air.”

“When would we leave?” Evelina asked.

“As soon as you’ve regained your strength,” Keir replied.

She could already feel her strength returning. But it was too soon. She couldn’t leave her mother in the state she was in. She grew more fragile by the day.

“You’ll be with Daimon at all times,” added Keir. “It’ll be just like the patrols as usual. Only this time, you’ll be our biggest weapon—and the focus of all of our defense. ”

“So he’s to be my guard?” Evelina swallowed, uncertainty eating at her. Things were happening so quickly.

“Consider it a mutual defense. You protect our commander, and the commander protects you,” Keir said with a shrug.

Evelina thought of Daimon’s skill in battle, of Zephyr’s imposing power. “I don’t think he needs it,” she said, almost under her breath.

Keir gave her a reproachful look. “You know why we ride in pairs, Princess Evelina? Because even the strongest of warriors need backup.”

Evelina closed her eyes, the wind hitting her face as Codax flew through the sky.

She had said her goodbyes to Lyria and Carwyn the day after she learned she had to go back to the border. Annora hugged her so long she thought she might never let go. And she made Ren promise to stay safe as they prepared to head back to the coast.

Every other moment had been spent with her mother, telling her about her newfound magic and needing to leave for the border. Evelina held onto the memory of her—of holding her hand and hugging her more times than she could count. She didn’t want to consider the possibility of it being the last time she ever saw her.

The camp was quiet when they returned that night. Gloriana ran out to meet her, eager to see how she was feeling after the flight. Evelina told her about the plan for her to join the Alpha Fleet as more than a healer. About how they wanted her to be their shield—more, if need be.

Gloriana gasped. “But you’ve hardly used this magic.”

Evelina nodded, her body tired and numb. She couldn’t help but wonder if what happened in Baile was a one-time burst of magic, or even an uncontrollable side she wouldn’t be able to use long enough to keep others safe. But she had to try.

“Both a shield and a weapon—it’s exactly what we need to have the upper hand,” she said quietly.

They walked back to the cabin, a heaviness weighing on her shoulders. She felt like she couldn’t breathe, like the world was caving in on her. It was as if the last few days were a fever dream and she was finally waking up.

Everything was catching up to her. Her mother was dying, and she couldn’t be with her because she suddenly had a pivotal role to play in this war. She was scared, uncertain—her power was a fluke at best, and now everybody would be relying on her to somehow create a miracle again.

“I need some time to think,” she said abruptly, stopping at the threshold of their cabin.

“I’m here if you need me,” Gloriana said softly.

Evelina drifted, walking until the camp was obstructed from view by the forest and she had room to breathe. She followed a stream, stopping once she heard the rushing of a waterfall. Her heart thrummed, a shred of relief forming in her heart.

She was world-weary and tired, but she was still a healer. And if she had learned anything these past twenty years, it was that there was nothing a good bath couldn’t fix.