Auryn held her breath, the truth spilling from Thessia’s lips too much to bear.
The Lioness’s violet eyes softened. “If it is,” she said, voice thick but steady, “then fight for it, moonbeam. Don’t let it pass you by.”
28
The Crest Abandoned
Kailorien didn’t hear Zarrek approach. That alone told him how angry the man was. He stood with one hand still resting on the wagon, eyes distant, breath slow. The wind tugged at his coat, sharp with mountain air and judgment. He didn’t flinch when the voice came—low, hard, and close.
“How long?”
Kailorien turned to see Zarrek’s face in profile. His Second stepped forward, boots scraping against the stone. “Don’t waste my time. How long have you been planning to send her away?”
A beat of silence. “Since I sent the hawks.”
Zarrek’s jaw clenched. He scanned the wagon behind Kailorien. The tarp. The sigils.
“Maradryn?” he asked, though he already knew.
Kailorien gave a single nod.
Zarrek exhaled sharply, a sound halfway between disbelief and disgust. He turned in a slow, deliberate circle before facing him again.
“You brought her back from the brink,” he said. “You gave her the chance to believe she wasn’t just some symbol. That she mattered. That someone would stay.”
“I never lied to her,” Kailorien replied.
“No,” Zarrek snapped. “You justleft out the partwhere you planned to toss her out the moment she started to believe it.”
“She needs peace,” he said, voice flat. “She needs time. Safety. Not war. Not Krystopolis. Not this.”
“She needsyou.” Zarrek stepped closer. “Youknowthat.”
Kailorien’s throat worked once. His hands stayed at his sides.
“I can’t be what she needs,” he said. “Not while I’mthis. Not while I’mtheirs.”
Zarrek’s stare was a blow.
“You’re nottheirs, Resh. You’rehers.”
“I am the Resh’Agar.”
Zarrek sneered. “Yeah, used to be. Back when you had a spine. Weshook on it, Resh. You brought her back soaking wet and muddy and shaking, looking like someone had just carved out your soul. Youtold meyou were going to fight for her.”
“Not to keep her,” Kailorien bit out. “Toprotecther.”
Zarrek swore darkly. “Don’t feed me thatvesh’tal, Resh. I’ve seen men like you break before, but never like this. You’ve become what they always wanted—a weapon that walks.”
“She won’t survive if she stays.”
“She won’tliveif she goes,” Zarrek snapped. “You think exile is peace? It’s erasure. You’re erasing her.Repurposing. And you’relettingthem.”
Kailorien’s voice was barely audible. “You don’t understand.”
“No.Youdon’t.” Zarrek stepped closer, every word a blow to the ribs. “You asked her tofight. You pulled her from the edge. Made her want you.”
Kail didn’t flinch. “I gave her a future.”
