The fire snaps, a sharp little pop that makes me flinch. It’s the only thing making a sound as we all sit, shoulders hunched, staring at the flames. I pull the blanket a little higher around Jess’ neck, though I doubt she feels it. Her breathing is uneven, but at least she stopped groaning in pain after the surge stopped.
I peer over at Rhea. She’s sitting off to the side with her back to us. Kara’s horse lies in front of her, her mane dull, absent of any color. I make my way over to them, not wanting to intrude but also wanting Rhea to know we’re here for her.
“Hey,” I say tentatively. “Mind if I sit?”
She sniffles, wiping her eyes. “I can’t get Solera to eat. It’s like she knows…” She doesn’t finish her sentence. She doesn’t need to. “Her mark is fading. The one Kara swore was from Theia.”
I stay quiet, running my hand over the horse’s coat. A charm sits in Rea’s hand, a faint light pulsing in the center. “It’s beautiful.”
Rhea swallows, wiping at her eyes again. “It’s a part of her,” she whispers. “Every falkyrie can bind a piece of their light—their essence—into something, but they can only do it once. Kara made this. I found it in her bag.”
A lump forms in my throat, but I manage to push it down. “She really loved you.”
Rhea turns the charm over in her palm then holds it out. “Can you…?” her voice breaks.
I nod. “Yeah.”
She lifts her hair, and I help her fasten the charm around her neck. It lays against her collarbone, pulsing with Kara’s magic.
A laugh drifts over from the fire. We both look up.
“She really said that?” Zarreth asks, a faint smile on his lips when he shakes his head.
“Hell yeah, she did.” Graven smirks, nudging the fire with a stick. “Do you remember the night of the feast? Kara actually snuck us some mead while the healer stepped out. Said no one should have to miss out on a falkyrie feast just because they were laid up.”
Rhea smiles and we make our way back to the fire as Graven goes on. “When the healer came back in, she didn’t even flinch. Just raised her cup and said, ‘Relax, it’s for medicinal purposes.’The healer didn’t buy it for one minute, but she still got away with it.”
Zarreth grins. “I never thought I’d say this, but I’m actually gonna miss the nicknamefirefly.”
He goes quiet for a moment, staring into the flames. “I didn’t know her long, but she was the only one who wasn’t afraid to talk to me.”
A silent tear rolls down Rhea’s cheek. “She always made sure everyone felt like they belonged. She was a pain in the ass, but she had the biggest heart.”
Rhea’s lip trembles. “What am I supposed to do without her?” Her voice breaks, raw and helpless.
Her words cut right through me. I don’t let myself go there…the idea of losing Zarreth. But, it crawls up anyway, and it hurts.
“You’ve done more than enough, Rhea. For all of us.” Zarreth’s gaze meets hers. “Don’t think you have to go any farther.”
She shakes her head, wiping at her face. “Kara wouldn’t stop. Neither will I.” Her voice steadies, the firelight reflecting in her eyes. “If that portal wants a fight, it’s gonna get one.”
Zarreth’s mouth tightens, but there’s respect in his eyes. He nods once, looking toward the horizon. “Then we wait. The surges seem to come in pairs, going silent after the second one ends. That’s when you go, Frankie.”
The shift settles over the group, grief giving way to grim focus. No one says much after that. The fire burns low, throwing soft orange light across the circle as everyone drifts into silence.
Graven places another blanket on top of Jess, then focuses on sharpening his blade. Rhea’s staring into the flames, fingers gripping the charm around her neck.
I stay where I am, close enough to feel Zarreth’s heat beside me. His elbows rest on his knees, head bowed, eyes locked on the distant glow pulsing beyond the ridge.
“It won’t hurt me,” I remind him. “Theia said the portal can’t.”
He keeps his eyes to the ground. “If she’s wrong…if it does…” Firelight flickers in his eyes when he finally looks at me. “I’ll be right behind you.”
I squeeze his hand. I think he meant to make me feel better, but I can’t imagine a world where he isn’t in it. How could it keep going? How could anything keep going without his strength, his honor?
He reaches up, brushing his thumb across my cheek, and for a second, the fear eases. I lean into his touch, taking him in, memorizing the warmth of his palms. I wish we could stay this way. I wish I could sayFuck it, leave it for someone else to handle, but I don’t. Even if I could pass this burden to someone else, I wouldn’t.
I close my eyes and try to focus on his touch instead of the death trap waiting for me. It’s going to be okay, it has to be.
