Chapter 35
Thirty-Five
RAELLE
The final pyre goes up in flames, engulfing Greer’s body shrouded in the center.
Embers drift to the clear night sky as if carrying our beloved friend to the stars.
The Basecamp soldiers stand in silence, their arms clasped behind their backs and heads bowed.
Kyron tosses the torch into the kindle at the bottom of the fire and takes a step back.
The flames flicker bright in his onyx eyes, a sharp contrast to the violent storm brewing in his soul.
Terro and Ulric step forward to flank him, loyal guards keeping watch over their friend and king.
They say nothing. No goodbyes. No words about how Greer will be missed.
They stand as silent sentinels ensuring she makes it to her final destination.
Kyron takes a knee, and I follow suit with the rest of the soldiers.
Together, we pound our fists to our hearts, representing the pain we feel at her loss.
The salute also reminds us that we still live.
With each heartbeat, we can honor her memory by living our lives to the fullest.
Kyron stands, and with his gaze focused straight ahead, he slips through the crowd.
The pain in the center of my chest is enough to have me rubbing my sternum.
I want to chase after him, to hold him and tell him everything will be all right.
But it’s not true, not right now, not when his heart is still bleeding.
He needs a moment to sit in the brokenness before he starts to reassemble himself in a way that doesn’t include Greer in his every day.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t faster,” Ashavee says.
I glance up at her and admire how the light dances over her face. Her sorrow makes every sharp line harsher, but she holds such compassion under her edges. She possesses the kind of beauty that is amplified by what’s on the inside. Ashavee is beautiful through and through.
Gripping her arm and giving a squeeze, I say, “Greer knew what she was doing. She made a vow to our people, to Kyron. She wouldn’t want you to feel guilty because she fulfilled that promise.”
Ashavee wraps her fingers around the lime green stone hanging from her neck. She clenches it as if she is torn by its existence. It is a gift to protect her people, yet it was used for such destruction. “I hope the new treaty between Pliris and Allaji honors her sacrifice.”
I lower my head in reverence and say, “It does, Your Majesty.”
She scoffs at the formality, and I understand the sentiment.
I spent my entire life preparing to become a queen, she was bestowed the honor unexpectedly.
We hadn’t even left the battlefield in the heart of Stigian when the shifters prostrated before her.
Not one of them challenged the position freely given to her.
How could they when she was the link to stopping a bloody war and solving the issues behind their hunger?
The relationship she had formed with Kyron and me was the answer to the Allaji people’s greatest dilemmas.
We could work together to end the abhorrent acts that led us to this war, and supply the resources needed to replant their barren land.
Every Allaji person would benefit from our union as allies, and the five kingdoms would prosper because of it.
“Once I’ve personally seen to the care of each Cyffred in Allaji and they are well enough to travel, I will give them safe passage home,” she says.
I swipe away the tear that slides down my already tear-streaked face. This never needed to happen. One bad ruler can bring such devastation, and one good ruler can begin to right every wrong of the past. If only the Allaji would have originally chosen the latter months ago.
“Thank you,” I say as Terro and Ulric join us, each of them looking a little worse for wear. They don their military uniforms and stoic expressions, hiding the sadness that is no doubt consuming them.
Ulric wraps his arm around Ashavee’s waist, and they share a smile that is like balm for my weary soul. If Ashavee alone wasn’t proof of the peace that can exist between our kingdoms, their budding relationship is. They seem to have embraced their differences, and dare I say it, enjoy them.
“Once Ashavee sets them free, I’d like to oversee the task of bringing the Cyffreds home,” Ulric says.
It shouldn’t surprise me that he would face those wretched fields and the beings who abused him if it meant helping our people.
When it comes to doing the right thing, he has never been one to back down.
He will forever wear the stripes of his convictions across his back, and he would endure them again for what’s right.
I glance at Terro. “And you?”
He rubs his palm along his jaw and shakes his head. “I’m needed here. Basecamp has seen a lot of changes recently and I want to remain a constant.”
I grip his hand and give it a squeeze before turning back to Ulric. “And after the Cyffreds are home, what will you do then?”
He runs his hand down Ashavee’s spine and looks at her with such admiration.
The moment when the shifters bowed before her, he took a knee as well.
I didn’t feel betrayed or as if his loyalties to Pliris were any less.
I understood the gesture all too well. He serves Pliris, but his heart is held by her.
“After they are free,” Ulric glances up in thought, and then says, “Perhaps a promotion in rank.” I lift a brow and Terro snorts a chuckle. “Emissary between Pliris and Allaji has a ring to it.”
“That’s a bold request,” Ashavee says.
“Aye. And a job I have a knack for. I did get ya to admit that you think I’m handsome.”
“Does it count if you annoy them into submission?” Terro playfully asks.
It’s nice to see their banter, even if it is laced with the hurt of loss.
Ashavee crosses her arms and pretends to ignore them, but I catch the quick glance she sends Ulric’s way with the slight uptick of her lips.
“We’ll see about the promotion, but it’s a good idea that you be there for the release. The Cyffreds will need a face they trust to get them through it,” I say.
Ulric pulls me into a hug. “Thank you, Elle.”
“Take it easy on the teasing. Ashavee has a hard road ahead of her and will need all the support she can get,” I whisper against his shoulder.
He gives a nod that says he is up for the challenge and takes the Allaji queen’s hand.
I watch them walk away before wrapping my arms around my waist and turning back to Terro. “Are you sure you want to stay here?”
It’s not so much that I doubt his love for this place.
Basecamp is his home. I just worry that the constant reminders of Greer might be hard on him.
Will he have a reprieve from those memories of her death that are sure to haunt us all?
I’d hate for him to buckle under that sadness because he can’t escape it.
Then again, being at Basecamp has a way of strengthening one in ways they never thought possible.
He scans the burning pyres and the soldiers gathered in groups around the field.
“There is still work to be done with the integration of the Stigian warriors into our ranks. Not to mention that they’ve lost three of the best generals this army has ever seen.
Like I said, I want to remain a constant for them, try my best to hold it all together. ”
I drape my arm over his shoulders and say, “Just remember that there is always a royal guard uniform with your name on it, if you want it.”
Terro pats my hip, and we let each other go. “I will, Elle.”
A young soldier walks up to us. He lowers his red-rimmed eyes and bows to me. “My sympathies for your loss, Your Majesty.”
I open my mouth to correct him but think better of it. He’s clearly struggling with everything going on. “You have my sympathies as well.”
“Thank you,” he says before turning to Terro. “Can I have a minute of your time, Lieutenant Commander?”
“General,” I quickly say. “Acting general.”
Terro looks at me in shock.
A weak smile pulls at my mouth as I say, “They don’t just need someone to hold them together.
They need a leader. For now, try on the position.
I personally think it suits you. And if you feel the same, I’ll have the king make it permanent.
I know Greer would have wanted you to lead these soldiers. ”
“All right,” he says with a pinch of uncertainty.
“Good.” I lift my chin, gesturing that he should go and tend to his soldiers.
He walks away, and I blow out a long breath and stare in the direction Kyron went. Maybe I shouldn’t have let him leave by himself. I’m suddenly feeling very lonely. I can only imagine how he feels.
“You should go after him.”
I spin around and on impulse my arms encircle Leif’s neck. “Hey you,” I say, sobbing into his coat.
“Hey you. I’m sorry I’m late. Wel and I got your mother and sisters settled in Lucent and then headed straight here.”
“I don’t care that you’re late. All that matters is that you’re here.”
He grips my shoulders and pulls me back. The concern on his face is not one I’ve seen often. Nothing bad ever seems to affect him. The world could be freezing over, and he would wear a smile and tell everyone it will be all right. Not this time. This moment hits differently for both of us.
“You should go after him, Elle. He needs you right now.”
“I know. I’ll go.” I snake my arms around his waist and press my cheek to his heart. “Just let me hang on to my best friend for a second longer.”
He rests his chin on the top of my head. “Yeah, I can do that.”
Leif has been my rock—my constant in an ever-changing world.
He knows every one of my fears and dreams. Nothing has ever been too big to face if we did it together.
We could rule kingdoms or save the king’s general from enemy hands.
Together, we’re unstoppable, and I don’t want to face everything that’s still to come without him backing me up.
“You’re not going anywhere, are you?” I ask, my voice muffled against his chest.