‘I know you can,’ he said, his voice softening, ‘but sometimes… sometimes it’s good to know there are others willing to fight beside you. That you’re not alone in this.’
For a heartbeat, her eyes glistened, bright with unshed emotion, but she turned away and blinked it back, wiping at her face as though swatting away an unwanted thought. She stepped out of his grasp, and Kai let his hands drop, empty and cold at his sides.
Dawn parted her lips to speak, but the chamber doors swung open. No servants carrying water, only Alina, striding in with hands clasped neatly behind her back, her brown eyes narrowed and unblinking. She halted in the centre of the room, her focus sharp, unwavering. ‘How’s the leg?’
‘Better,’ Dawn replied.
‘Good.’ Alina’s gaze slid to Kai, cutting and calm. ‘King Siroc has sent word to Mareena. He wants my head.’
Kai stiffened, but Alina waved a hand, dismissing his tension. ‘Do not fret. We depart soon.’
‘And go where?’
‘To speak with the king, of course.’
Kai stared at her, disbelief furrowing his brow. ‘Alina, that’s madness.’
‘Is it?’ she countered, tilting her head, her smile edged like a blade. ‘I only wish to speak with him, to make him see the threat rotting beneath his very nose.’
‘And why would he believe you?’
Alina shrugged, casual, almost bored. ‘Well, that’s his problem, isn’t it?’ She glanced down at her nails as though she had all the time in the world. ‘We’ll ride the dragons. That should make the message clear enough.’
‘And what message is that?’ Kai asked, his voice taut.
Alina paused at the threshold, glancing over her shoulder,her expression deceptively sweet. ‘That the Fire Princess is ready to burn them all to the ground.’ Her attention lingered on Dawn. ‘Bring the witch. We may need her magic.’
And with that, she swept out, never once looking back.
How cruel this world is, that it sings the praises of uniqueness, yet makes no space for those who dare to be truly different. We are told that our differences make us special but the moment we stray too far from the mold, we are cast out, labelled other. Unwelcome.
Be different, they say, but not too different.
Be unique, but not so much that your existence unsettles theirs.
Ask for help, but never ask too often.
Embrace what sets you apart, but do not let it shine too brightly.
Do not be like everyone else, but heavens forbid you stand out so much that you become a threat.
Tabitha Wysteria
Ash sat beside Adriana and Keir, shoulders heavy with fatigue after a morning spent labouring in the fields, coaxing life from the wounded earth. The warmth of the fire lulled him into a rare moment of stillness, until movement on the horizon drew his attention.
Bryn Wynter emerged from the distance, his silhouette sharp against the pale sky, a small band of wolverians trailing in his wake.
‘Back so soon?’ Adriana called, her voice laced with faint surprise as Bryn motioned for his men to disperse beforestriding towards them. He accepted the drink she offered, crouching in that fluid hunter’s stance unique to his kind, so poised and ready to spring.
‘Most of da land is ruined,’ Bryn said, his tone clipped but calm. ‘We may set out south in a few days, see what remains worth taking there.’ He pulled a rabbit from the cord at his hip and passed it into Adriana’s waiting hands.
‘Ah, perfect,’ she said brightly. ‘We could make a good stew from this.’
‘I don’t like rabbit,’ Keir muttered, already frowning.
Adriana jabbed him lightly in the ribs. ‘You’ll eat what I make you!’
‘I don’t like it in stew, Adriana! Roast it instead!’
