“Alright. We should help,” Nadya said. “Does The Huntress’ cousin truly need it?”
Dax was in need of a good beating to take him down a peg. On the training grounds, to make it equal. I could pummel that smug smile–
“He came here, out of all places, didn’t he?” I said.
Nadya huffed. “I don’t trust him.”
“And you shouldn’t, not until he has proven himself.” I caught Geryll’s gaze and held it. Nadya was steel and anger, but he was made of a different spirit. “And even then, question until you find the right answers.”
Geryll nodded, however hesitantly.
“Good.” A corner of my mouth ticked up, before I turned my head to the side so they both could see my face. “Keep an eye on our guest for me, would you?”
Nadya raised her brows. “Why?”
Geryll’s eyes widened. “Are you going somewhere?”
“Most likely.” I straightened, powers still sifting through his veins. His skin was red and pulsing with the blood I’d summoned, but the tissue was closing up nicely. “The Serpents want war. The Blood Brotherhood will give it to them.”
Nadya and Geryll had sensed something was wrong, but judging from their sharp inhales and parted lips, they hadn’t realized how bad things actually were.
“When?” Geryll asked first.
“Soon.” Too soon. I inhaled deeply. “I need you two to pay attention to everything that goes on in my absence. You know the crater best. If anything feels amiss, even if the wind doesn’t blow like it should one day, you send Sylvester my way. Got it?”
“Wait…” Nadya stepped closer. “We’re not coming with you?”
“No,” I said sternly, that one word a whip that vibrated through the entire room. “Neither of you will step foot on that battlefield.”
“But–” Nadya whined.
“That’s final. You still have much more to learn.”
“But the glory of a historic war like this–”
I finally turned to her, eyes sparking. “There is no glory in needless death. You are not ready for war and I will not risk your lives.”
“They don’t write odes for the cowards who stayed home.”
“The odes are written for the ones who protect and help their people. There is nothing cowardly about protecting your home.”
She opened her mouth, looking into my eyes defiantly, on the verge of arguing.
I watched and waited.
Nothing came out.
She closed her lips with a grimace and looked down.
“Fine. We’ll just stay home,” she muttered.
“Good.” I took another deep inhale. “I will return, Nadya. I’m not leaving forever.”
If the gods were truly merciful.
She just nodded, hope and fear fighting with the fire dancing in her eyes.
“I promise,” I said.
