We were going to be alright.
Iwas going to be alright.
And as we slowly broke apart, retreating into ourselves as that doorway went from being wide open to cracked, like it had always been, I decided on something.
My fear would not conquer me any longer.
***
Byn and I rode back together on Atlas, whoseemed to needno guidance in where we were headed, despite the sky still being dark above us.I’dranmuch farther than I thought, directly toward the edges of the forest—in the opposite direction from whereNeokellawaited us.
As we approached the middle of camp, we came upon a large crowd of soldiers surrounding Quinn and Caelia.It seemed the generalwas wrapping up a speech she was giving to them.
“—andthatis whywe’rehere today. Itisn’tjust about yourduty and serving the crown—it’sabout doing what’s right for our people. And I meanallofour people!” Quinn yelled out, raising her sword into the air with the last sentence. “Now, everybodygetto their positions!”
As the soldiers began to disperse, Byn slid down from Atlas’s back and shook hands with each one he could reach. He offered soft words of encouragement, praise, or thanks, greetingnearly everyone of them by name. At least, the names of the Southern soldiers. He didn’t seem to know many of the names of theOcreinIsle soldiers, though he stillmade aneffort.They’dnever gotten to go home since the Battle of Shadows, and Iwished tothe Stars they knew how much we appreciated them.
As they passed me next, I placed my fist over my heart, making eye contact with whom I could and nodding my appreciation and well wishes.
The energy in the air felt charged—the same way it did before a lightning strike hit. Everybody seemed nervous, but also a tad excited.
Because after today,we’dbe one step closer to having peace across our realm.
I was sure of it.
The soldiers trickled out of the center of camp, heading west towardNeokell—and the encampments—to take their places hidden in the forest.
Aftermostof them had dispersed, I caught Matea approaching Atlas—who sniffed the top of her head once and huffed before letting her get closer.
“You ready to do this?”sheasked, now standing at Atlas’s side and peering up at me, her arms crossed over her chest.
“I am,” I responded, my voice coming out firm.
Matea just barely raised an eyebrow, letting me know she noticed the shift within me, but she must have decided not to mention it.
“Don’t forget who you are while you’re out there, alright?”shesaid. “And remember thatwe’llbe right on the other side of the wall, ready to pounce. You might feel alone, butyou’vegot an entire army behind you, Viva.”
She dipped her head, though there was no sarcasm behind the act—just respect and…love. I could see it in her eyes as she met my gaze again.
I smiled at the realization, but before I could comment on it, a voicerungout.
“Dawn is quickly approaching!” Caelia called out, looking up toward the sky, which had lightened just a shade.
If we started running late, it would put our entire plan at risk.
At that single sentence, I realized therewouldn’tbe a big goodbye like last time. Chess and Ezra seemed to have alreadydepartedto set up small infirmary stations out at the thinner parts of the forest, and Teagan had been assigned to keep an eye on the outside of the main gate. Matea was already slinking away in her shadow form, having said all she needed to say a moment ago. Quinn and Caelia had followed their soldiers out of camp—leaving only Rayven, Laurence, Byn, and me in the middle of the camp.
Rayven was sticking close to Byn as they both strapped on a few extra daggers. Though I knew Iwasn’tseeing things when Rayven’s worried eyes caught on Matea as her shadow slipped into the forest, in the direction of the army. Laurence, though, approached Atlas’s side as Mateahad,Eden’s reigns in his hand.
At the sight of the duo, I slipped down from the giant wolf’s side and threw my arms around Eden’s neck.
“I miss you,” I told her, to which she let out a soft chirp sound in return.We’dbeen so busy as of late that Laurence had spent more time with my griffin than I had.
Turning to Laurence next, I smiled at the older male. “You got everything you need?” I asked him.
“Doyou?” he questioned—ever worried about me instead of himself.
“I’ve got all I need.” I nodded, patting the pocket on my ribs where two vials and the cloth were being held.
