Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Alcaros weaving through the crowd, two cups in hand and a tentative look on his face. He stopped at a corner table where Leywani and Lecne sat side by side, both looking restored after days of rest in the village.
Relief eased through her—Leywani’s colour had returned, her strength no longer shadowed by exhaustion. Being in a foreign land, surrounded by unfamiliar customs and faces, had to feel disorienting. Despite that, she’d agreed to stay safe with Damona and Lug and care for Kaixo, while Lecne had requested to fight in the upcoming battle.
After a brief exchange, Alcaros lowered himself into the seat beside Leywani—only to slosh half his drink down his front with an awkward grin. Lecne scowled, but Leywani’s lips twitched despite herself. She tried to smother the smile, yet her gaze lingered a beat too long on Alcaros, and something in it caught.
Alena’s heart lifted at the sight.
The sky darkened, blushing gold and rose, and she drifted to the edge of the field, just beyond the laughter and music. The wind shifted, and Leukos’ cloak, which he’d insisted she wear as the evening grew colder, billowed around her legs, heavy with his scent.
Her limbs were light with wine and dancing. The air hummed with joy, and her wedding would forever be one of the happiest days of her life.
And yet, she couldn’t shake the guilt that came with it.
Katell should’ve been celebrating with her. Instead, her sister was still out there, in the clutches of the Rasennans, doing terrible, unforgivable things in the Emperor’s name.
The wind carried the echo of drums and laughter, but Alena didn’t turn back.
“You’re missing your own wedding feast, Red.”
She glanced over her shoulder to find Nik striding towards her, a cup in one hand and a crooked grin on his face.
“I’m not missing anything,” she whispered, wrapping the cloak tighter around herself. “I’m just… taking a break. If one more Westerner pulls me into a dance, I swear my feet will fall off.”
Nik chuckled and lifted his cup for a sip. But when his eyes settled on her, the smile slipped from his face. “I know that look. Something’s weighing on you.”
Alena glanced down, her toes curling in the cool grass. She shrugged half-heartedly, trying to reassure him, but the words were stuck in her throat.
He seemed to hear them anyway.
“She’d be proud of you, Alena,” Nik said gently. “You know she would.”
“I wish she were here,” Alena murmured. “It probably sounds silly, but I wish Kat had seen this—Leukos and I… I wish she’d given us her blessing.”
Nik’s gaze softened. “She will,” he said, his quiet certainty matching the steady confidence in his eyes. “When she’s herself again, she’ll be happy for you.”
A lump rose in Alena’s throat, and she fought against the tightness that threatened to choke her.
“We have to save her, Nik,” she whispered, voice catching. “I don’t care what the Rasennans did to her, I don’t care how far they’ve twisted her—she’s still in there. I know it.”
Nik opened his mouth, but before he could reply, a familiar presence approached.
Leukos appeared at her side, his hand wrapping around her waist. His eyes met hers with unwavering resolve. “And we will. I promised you I would help you save her, and I intend to keep that promise.”
Alena’s heart thudded in her chest. “There’s something else you need to know.”
She still hadn’t told them what the White Mare had revealed about Katell.
Nik raised a hand, already pivoting with a shake of his head. “Save it for tomorrow, Red,” he said with a grin, walking back towards the firelight. “Tonight”—he lifted his cup high and winked—“we celebrate and drink!”
He vanished into the crowd, tambourines and laughter rising in his wake.
Alena watched him go, her smile fading. “I’m worried about him,” she whispered. “We still don’t have a plan to break his deal with the North Wind. I think he’s starting to believe there isn’t one.”
“At least his Mark no longer reacts to my magic.” Leukos’ expression sobered. “Don’t worry. Theo will watch over him tonight. And we haven’t run out of time—not yet. Volcos was right about one thing—the Emperor’s not moving from Kisra anytime soon.”
Alena glanced at him, her thoughts already racing ahead. “So if we want to end this… we’ll have to go to Kisra ourselves.” Her voice dipped. “How are we supposed to get past all fourteen legions?”
Leukos smirked. “Only thirteen now, remember?” He stepped in close, slipping his arms around her waist and pulling her gently against him. “Don’t lose yourself to tomorrow, love,” he murmured, lips brushing her ear. “Let the world and the war wait. Tonight is ours.”
