“Probably didn’t want to be bested by a woman.” Rynna sat up, pushing the hair from her face with one blood-smeared hand.
“Yeah... that tracks.” Kaelric tilted his head, rubbing his chin. “No offense.”
“None taken, tiny,” she said. “You’re just mad you didn’t get your shot.”
“I’ve never seen a man that big!” he agreed. “Nowthatwould’ve been fun.”
“It was a good win.” Malekar stepped in close, his hand settling on Rynna’s shoulder. Then, his voice dropped low, almost lost in the quiet. “I’m glad you took him. I think he would’ve given me trouble.”
Heat rolled through her, lighting behind her ribs, and traveling lower, winding as if waiting for permission. Her eyes met his, and something passed between them—silent, weighty, and edged with promise.
For a moment, she almost moved. Her fingers twitched, aching to catch his wrist, to pull him with her behind the shattered walls nearby. There was still blood on her lips, still fire in her bones.
But then—
“Malekar!” Daziel’s voice drove them apart. “Why don’t you whisper sweet nothings inmyear?”
“Yes!” Vorian chimed in. “When will it be my turn?!”
“Screw you,” Rynna muttered, the haze fully broken now, reality dragging her back by the collar.
Kaelric didn’t miss a beat. “Yes, that’s the whole point, isn’t it?”
The snort jumped out of her before she could stop it, followed by a laugh. The others joined in, and just like that, they were whole again. Arm in arm with Malekar, Rynna and the Four Horsemen made their way toward the boundary of the village. Their boots squished through the ruined ground, the wreckage fading as they walked.
The horses stood waiting—massive, silent, flanks streaked with drying gore. The raiders were gone. As always, it ended with just the five of them.
Rynna mounted Empty Night in quiet motion, her nerves still tingling from the Devouring. Settled in, she exhaled once and glanced at the others as they climbed on their mounts.
“Do you think anyone will find the children?” she asked.
Vorian scoffed. “Who cares? If they’re found—fine. More fodder for legend. If not…” He shrugged. “That’s fine too.”
She didn’t answer. But as she adjusted her grip on the reins, her jaw worked slightly, biting back the taste his words left behind. Her thoughts drifted to one of the children the giant had been guarding—a girl with golden curls and wide, brave eyes who peeked out even as the flames washed over her world.
Rynna didn’t tell anyone, but she hoped the girl survived.
Malekar maneuvered his horse beside her. Then, he reached out and squeezed her hand gently.
“Camp soon,” he murmured softly. “Once we’re far enough upwind.”
She nodded, letting the peace he offered spread through her.
The afternoon’s work behind them, moonlight bled across the landscape in muted blues and ghostly gray. Shadows stretched long through the clearing as they resumed their journey, the high of battle fading into familiar fatigue.
When they found a sheltered spot among the trees, Malekar gave the signal to halt. The location was ideal, shielded from wind yet offering a clear view of the surrounding terrain. The earlier banter dwindled, replaced by the practiced silence of experienced warriors setting up camp. Sparks leapt to life in the central fire pit, and each Horseman moved toward their respective shelters, leaving Malekar and Rynna in their own shared tent.
Inside, the sudden quiet hit harder than expected. The canvas walls muted the noise outside, and for a heartbeat, it felt like the world had paused.
Rynna pushed a tangle of dark brown hair out of her face, wind-knotted and damp with sweat.
Useless to try fixing it now. She twisted a strand around her finger.
Malekar stepped in behind her.
He didn’t say a word, just moved closer until his presence soaked through the space between them. The soft glow from the lantern caught along his cheek, casting the sharp angles of his face into shadow. She reached for him without thinking, fingertips tracing the coarse line of his cheek, then along his jaw. Rough skin met hers, his lips still flecked with dried blood.
“Rynna.” Her name was on his lips as her palm found his throat.
