Ariana turned to Willis once more. “Clause said I could bring no one with me, but he meant Bavadrin or Lysian. A wolf, on the other hand-” By her demeanor, it was evident that she saw this as a long shot and a hope. Though how would taking an animal be helpful?
“Of course. You will take Shay.” Willis agreed at once.
Ariana shook her head. “She is your alpha I could not-”
“She is the smartest and strongest. Plus, she has bonded with you more than any of the others. She will go with you.” His words were final, and Ariana responded with a small smile that never reached her eyes.
“The wolf?” I asked to ensure I was following the conversation correctly.
“Yes.” Willis turned to me. “I can communicate with the wolves. I will need to spread the pack out across the land, butwhatever Ariana learns, she can share with Shay, who will pass it along to the others and ultimately to me.”
So, from the first trip bringing Ariana back to her home, when the wolf joined us, she communicated with Ariana’s now second-in-command. Apparently, the Bavadrins always had more up their sleeve than I ever imagined. The stories always told of their conjuring gifts and how they often differed from the Lysians. Never had I heard of someone communicating with animals.
“How far of a distance can you communicate?” I thought back to when that wolf greeted us the first time.
Willis sighed. “Far enough, and with some more practice, perhaps even farther.” He looked drained, as if sleep eluded him completely even before Ariana’s return. Though he attempted to put on a solid and stern front, it was clear that sadness wrapped itself around him, likely squeezing the energy from him with every passing moment. Yet, he appeared determined to not allow it to hold him back from his duties. I had to give it to him, for losing someone so close and being able to sit in a meeting such as this. He had more grit than I gave him credit for.
“How did Landin die?” Kiora’s attention shifted between Willis and Ariana.
Silence spilled through the room before Ariana answered, turning to her friend. “The Sidhe King touched him, and his heart stopped.”
Kiora released a hiss of a breath, leaning back in her seat as though Ariana’s words had blown her back. “One touch, that is all it took.” Her attention cut to Ariana. “And I do not doubt that you lashed out. What did that do to the great Sidhe King? You hurt him?” Kiora pressed, despite knowing the pain such questions were causing.
“No conjuring can touch him,” Ariana answered.
Kiora scoffed. “And you expect us to just fall in line and watch you walk into that monster’s home? Would you let me just go off on my own doing the same thing if the roles were reversed?”
“Careful child, you should not be questioning your Leader Superior in such a manner.” Edda’s raspy voice only added to the growing tension in the room.
“I am not questioning the Leader Superior,” Kiora snapped. Her attention shifted to Edda before returning to Ariana. “I am talking to my friend right now. You would never let me act so recklessly with my life. Please, let me fight for you.” The Bavadrin’s words resonated with me, for they echoed the thoughts in my mind. I wished for the same thing.
Ariana shook her head, her gaze dipping to the table. Licking her lips, she looked up once more, a fire in her eyes. “Don’t you see? You are fighting for me. Clause is terrifyingly powerful, unlike anything I have ever seen. Yet I do not think he invited me there to hurt me. I need all of you to be safe while I am gone and to prepare for what is to come. All that I am doing is buying us time. I plan to return, but I need something to return to. Which is why we cannot act rashly.” No one responded to her words. “I cannot lose anyone else by my irresponsibility.”
She blamed herself for Landin’s death.
“I do not support this plan and do not care for your words.” Though Kiora’s tone was harsh, tears lined her eyes. “You care to protect your heart, but what of ours?”
“Kiora,” Willis stated her name in warning, like a whip smacking the air.
She turned to him with fury. “Of everyone in this room, you should agree with me. You just lost your partner, and now youwant to have Ariana walk into the arms of the monster who took his life? You truly think she will be safe there?”
Willis did not flinch at her words, did not raise his voice or show any sign of anger when he said, “I feel the same concerns as you. But she is our Superior. This decision is hers.”
“Unbelievable.” Kiora looked around the small room before turning to Ariana. “If you do not survive this, then I will kill you. I will find you in the Spirit realm, and I swear that I will make you regret this decision.”
“I know you will,” Ariana said, and it felt as though the tension finally broke in the room.
Kiora deflated and leaned back in her chair once more.
Ariana then addressed the room. “Thank you all for coming today. If you wish, you can stay to share thoughts on my training now.” She turned to her second. “Willis, you do not have to be here for this.” She tried to spare him, to give him time to begin healing from his wounded heart.
“I would rather stay and help.” There was a glimmer of desperation in his golden eyes. He needed to remain. Needed a distraction, and what better one than to prepare for war?
Ariana nodded, rising to her feet. “I will see you all again tomorrow morning for Landin’s departure.” Her gaze briefly met with mine before she left.
I was torn, partially wishing to follow her, to talk to her alone. However, she did not want it. I knew that much. At that point, it was best to remain in the room and discuss the plans for her training, though I did not know how much could be crammed into such a short time.
Everyone seemed eager for the same distraction. The room busied itself with plans as soon as Ariana stepped out. Not all of us agreed on the strategy to train her, causing several arguments to break out but ultimately, we found our way to asomewhat cohesive plan. Until Willis and Kiora began arguing where it would be best for the archers to be in the training.
