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“What is it, Mishi?”

She shrugged. “I overheard one of them talking about the great Josik Kleesold. How he’d saved some of them. You know, before his injury.” Her nose was scrunched in disgust.

There was a pit in Iryana’s stomach.

“Our father did a lot of good things for a lot of people,” Hadima said softly, hesitantly. Her eyes flicked to Iryana, as if testing.

“They should know the truth,” Misha grumbled.

“Multiple things can be true,” Hadima offered weakly.

“How can you say that?” Misha demanded, as if the thought was disgusting.

Their oldest sister flinched, shoulders tense. “It’s good that they trust the clan.”

Misha looked ready to argue, but Iryana couldn’t handle more tension between them. Not after how far they’d come. Not after how much time together they’d already lost due to their father.

“He’s gone,” Iryana bit out. “We know what happened. If believing in guardian heroes keeps the peace out there, we can allow it for now.”

“I guess,” Misha grumbled, leaning back into the bed and pulling up her blankets.

Hadima gave her an appreciative smile, slowly relaxing and lying down.

“Good night,” Iryana breathed. They returned her good night with tired voices.

Once they were all nestled into their blankets, the candles blown out, Iryana tried to fall asleep. Misha was snoring softly before long, but Iryana’s mind was like a hive of bees.

She turned over for the third time, trying to clear her mind enough to sleep. She could just make out the darker shapes of her sisters in the light.

“Hadi?” Iryana whispered. “Are you still awake?”

She heard her sister’s blankets rustle. “What is it?”

“Am I doing a good job?”

Hadima’s dark form sat up. “You’re doing a wonderful job. We all see how hard you’re working.”

“But is it enough?” She hated how weak her voice sounded. She needed to be strong.

“Of course it’s enough!” Hadima scooted over and wrapped her arms around Iryana. “Stop with that nonsense and get some sleep. Roll over.”

Confused, Iryana did as her sister ordered.

Hadima rubbed Iryana’s back, like she’d seen Hadima do to help Anara fall asleep.

“Do you remember when I helped you fall asleep like this?” Hadima asked softly. “Back in Klees?”

Foggy memories drifted back to her. “I think I do now. I had forgotten.” Her eyes felt watery, but she was so tired and it was getting harder and harder to fight it.

“It’s time to sleep.”

Iryana closed her eyes.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Two long owl calls from the watchtower signaled the arrival of more evacuating Istrins.

They were used to this now. Hadima and her healers readied themselves to accept more injured, extra off-watch hands hurried toward the gate to help carry supplies up the valley, and the group of fighters training near the wall hurried to descend into the lower valley to provide whatever cover was needed.