In the distance, the plumes of smoke rise from beyond the defensive line, marking successful Astreonan incursions into our precious farmland, territory that was previously secure. It’s an omen that swallows up the sky.
A wave of horror in the air that’s only going to creep closer and closer.
Slowly but surely, the Siphons are overtaking us.
A shiver runs down my spine, and I turn my head. Stark is already looking at me. I know he’s thinking it, too.
The situation is worse than we anticipated. Whatever awaits us inside that camp, we’re riding into a crisis that might already be beyond salvaging.
“What are we in for?” I ask Anassa over our bond.
She has no answer. She just moves forward, descending toward the chaos of the front lines.
23
MERYN
Looking down at the death sprawled out and waiting for us, one thing is clear: I can’t take Saela down there without a plan. I’m sure it’s psychological, but I swear I can smell the blood from here.
“No, that is the smell of blood,” Anassa confirms.
Great. Helpful as always, Anassa.
She snorts and shakes her head.
I signal for our group to halt. Venna’s wolf, Skaia, twitches uncomfortably at the sight before us. Anassa gives a low rumble that is somehow both menacing and comforting.
My sister needs to be somewhere safe—both to protect her from witnessing the horrors awaiting us at the front line and to keep her away from anything that might trigger her bloodlust.
I take a deep breath and try to reach for calmness. “Saela,” I say simply.
Stark understands me. “There are some semipermanent tents on the outer perimeter of the base, where soldiers and Bonded can rotate for rest periods. Many of them should be empty right now, considering,” he adds grimly. Cratosshifts beneath him, and Stark’s body tenses to adjust for the displacement of his weight. “She’ll have privacy and security in one of the tents in the Bonded section. It will be comfortable.”
“I can accompany her. Stand guard,” Venna offers immediately. “We can have the wolves procure animals if Saela needs to feed.”
A zing of gratitude moves quickly up my spine. When it reaches my chest, it catches in my heart and seeps strength into my blood. It means a lot that Venna’s taking Saela’s condition in stride.
“Thank you,” I tell them, slipping from Anassa’s back to help Saela down.
She lets me guide her, but when her feet are planted on the ground, she doesn’t let me go. Her hands wrinkle the fabric of my shirt. I recognize the way she stands, folded in on herself. That little dip of her head has always been a giveaway that she’s nervous or afraid.
“I shouldn’t have come here,” she whispers. “This was a mistake. I’m sorry, Mer.”
She’s giving voice to my insecurity, too. I let myself be convinced that the safest place for my sister was with me. But seeing this, understanding what it means to be in an active war zone where my own side is rapidly losing ground… have I made a grave error?
I can’t afford to show doubt. She needs my reassurance, not my insecurities.
Kneeling before her, I reach up to gently hold her wrists.
“Regardless of how we got here, we’re here. And you’re a princess of Nocturna with responsibilities to its people.” Saela’s eyes widen slightly. “You need to be brave for them. Venna will protect you. I’ll come stay there tonight once I’m done at central command.”
She steps forward and hugs me. It takes everything I have not to burst into tears. I wrap her in my arms and hold her tight.
The embrace is far shorter than I’d have preferred, and then she’s stepping away from me. Venna helps her onto Skaia’s back, and then the two of them ride off in the direction of the tents.
Saela glances back at me, though, with an expression that makes my heart ache.
I stand there for a moment, staring after her. I stare until Stark’s fingertips brush the top of my shoulder. The fingers on that arm twitch like they want to return the touch. But when I look at him, I can’t tell if he’s comforting me or telling me we need to move on.
