Morning comes too bright. The fire burned out hours ago, but the air still smells like smoke. Mist rolls low across the ground, throwing bits of light through the air. It’s quiet, just the sound of horses shifting and someone snoring near the wagon.
Frankie’s asleep beside me. I listen to her quiet snore and try to imagine that this peace could last. It won’t, but I let myself believe it anyway.
The Light Realm’s strange. Too open. Too perfect. I’ve spent my whole life in a place that burns and breaks everything it touches, and here everything grows. Even the air feels alive. It’s the kind of place that could change you if you stayed long enough.
Maybe this is what safety looks like, well, other than the burning portal corrupting everything around it. Other than that, it's a place where you could raise kids without teaching them how to fight before they can even walk. I picture our twins running through grass instead of hard rock, growing up under a real sun instead of firelight.
I glance toward the falkyrie camped near the edge of the clearing. They’re still asleep, their armor piled neatly beside them. Disciplined, loyal, strong. I could fight beside them. Maybe even live among them. But not without Ronin. Not without the others.
A low vibration rumbles under my boots. The faint glow of the portal bleeds through the misty horizon. It’s not going to be a peaceful day.
We break camp after sunrise. Nobody talks much. Kara helps Rhea hitch the horses to the wagon, her movements slower than usual. Frankie checks on Jess, who still looks pale.
She mumbles a couple times. “Dante.” The name slips from her lips. Frankie looks at me, eyes wide, but I shake my head.
“She’s just dreaming,” I say, but I don’t believe it. It seems like every time the portal surges, the potion weakens. Graven’s magic used to calm her in seconds, but now it takes longer and leaves him weaker than he’ll ever admit.
The falkyrie fall quiet as we reach higher ground. By late afternoon, the light changes. The portal burns against the sky. Fire turns inside the smoke, the ground pulsing under our feet.
“We need to stop,” Rhea says. “Your wound is bleeding through the bandage.”
“We’re close,” Kara says. “Another hour.”
Rhea’s eyes plead for me to do something. “If we don’t stop, you’ll collapse before we get there.”
Kara rolls her eyes. “If I collapse, just drag me the rest of the way.”
No one laughs.
I tighten my grip on the reins and glance back at the wagon. “You guys ready for a break?”
Frankie’s holding Jess’ hand, whispering something I can’t hear. Jess’ head rolls to the side.
Frankie opens her mouth to answer, but the air suddenly vibrates around us. The horses spook, jerking against their harnesses. “Shit!” she yells as the next surge begins.
The ground jumps before the sound even hits. A low rumble rolls through the air as the sky explodes red, a blinding flash searing through the haze. I turn away from the light, looking behind me. Graven’s got both girls in his arms, braced against the boards, his magic flickering over his hands.
Jess screams, her voice raw. “He’s coming!”
At the same time, Rhea shouts, her voice laced with panic. “Kara!”
Kara’s on the ground, gripping her arm. I’m not sure if she fell or jumped down, but either way, her face is clenched in pain. The bandage glows through her fingers, like it’s bleeding light.
Then, as fast as it started, it stops. The glow on the horizon dies back to a faint shimmer. Everything goes still, even the horses freeze.
Rhea’s on the ground beside Kara, pulling at her bandage. “It’s fine,” Kara says, voice rough. “It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not! Let me look at it,” Rhea demands.
I hop down and walk to the back of the wagon, reaching my arms out for my mate. “Are you okay?”
She nods, crawling toward me, her face pale. “It felt like it was inside me,” she whispers as she drapes her arms around my neck. “Like it knew me.”
“I’ve got you, baby. I’m here. I won’t let it hurt you.” I hold her tight, kissing the top of her head.
“Did you hear Jess?” She looks up, her eyes frantically searching mine. “She said ‘he’s coming.’ Who’s coming? Dante? I’m scared, Zarreth. What if we don’t make it in time?”
I don’t know what to say. There’s nothing to say, so I just hold her, feeling fucking helpless.
