Chapter 16
Phoenix
We had an army two hundred strong. Slade led at the front on horseback, all steel and silence. Leo rode beside him, glancing back toward the castle every few minutes.
He was waiting for Elle. So was I.
Caelen was already saddled up beside me. Sorrowsea was on the way to the garrison, so he'd be riding with us.
Fan-fucking-tastic
“There she is,” he said, nodding ahead.
Elira came hurrying across the courtyard, her pack already slung over her shoulder.
She’d changed—dressed now in fitted leathers, her face clean, her eyes sharp.
I had a horse ready for her. Of course I did.
But before I could move, Caelen was already off his mount—striding toward her, slipping the bag from her shoulder like it weighed nothing, his hand brushing hers as he helped her up.
I clenched my jaw. And said nothing.
But gods, I wanted to.
“Any troubles?” I asked her, keeping my voice even.
She shook her head. “She just wanted to talk.”
“Are you okay?” Caelen asked.
And she smiled at him.
She smiled.
“I’m fine. Thanks.”
I hated how easy he made it look—sliding in beside her like he belonged.
Leo must’ve noticed it too—because a moment later, he nudged his horse up beside hers, cutting in just enough to make Caelen’s jaw twitch.
“I missed you, trouble,” he said, easy and low.
“Well, I’ve had an eventful morning, that’s for sure,” she replied, dry.
Caelen laughed. “I know. That was insane.”
“I’m sorry—who invited you to this conversation?” Leo drawled, not even bothering to hide the bite beneath the smile.
Caelen’s mouth flattened. “Do you always have to be a dick, Leo?”
Leo grinned, all teeth. “Comes with the territory.”
“Leo.” Elira’s voice cut in—low, edged.
He turned to her, eyes wide and innocent. “What?”
“Be nice.”
Leo’s grin returned, looser now. “I am nice. I’m a godsdamn gentleman.”
The gates opened.
I pulled my horse ahead, trying not to show my irritation.
The city beyond was bracing for war. Shadowmere’s outer walls were lined with banners, soldiers standing at attention, citizens watching from windows with tense faces and clasped hands.
Some of them reached out as we rode through, touching the air like they could catch a piece of us—like we were already ghosts.
Elira didn’t look back.
Her eyes were forward, jaw set.
Beside her, Leo quieted. Caelen held his reins a little tighter. Slade and I flanked either side of the forward ranks, the road narrowing as the cobbled path sloped toward the valley.
We were going to war. And part of me wondered if there’d be anything left of us when it was over.
**
Elira
Metal groaned against stone, and the path beyond stretched wide and unforgiving.
Two hundred soldiers waited behind Slade and Leo, shadows cast long by the morning
I adjusted the strap on my pack. My fingers twitched against the reins.
This was real now. No more palace walls. No more waiting around.
Phoenix’s horse stepped beside mine. Silent, steady.
Somewhere behind me, Caelen was giving quiet orders to his men.
I let the rhythm of hooves and armour drown out my thoughts.
And then— “Wait!”
The shout cracked through the air, high and breathless.
I turned. Maddie.
She was running full speed down the marble steps, her boots too big, her cloak half-fastened and flapping behind her.
Guards stepped back as she dodged through them, her satchel bouncing at her side.
Leo pulled his horse up short, blinking. “Is that—?”
“It’s Maddie,” I breathed.
She skidded to a stop beside us, panting hard.
“I—I told you I was coming,” she gasped, clutching her side. “Did you really think I was going to let you ride off without me?”
“Mads—”
“Don’t you Mads me, Leo Knight,” Maddie declared, straightening as she held up a drawstring bag that clinked faintly. “Besides, Lacey and I have been working on a couple of tricks to help.”
Phoenix frowned. “Maddie, we don’t have a horse for you—”
“She can ride with me,” I said, voice clear and final.
I reached down. She grinned and grabbed my forearm, letting me haul her up behind me.
“Mads, you’re not even field-ready,” Leo tried again, his brows drawing.
“Excuse you,” she said, narrowing her eyes. “I was a second-year Shade. I’m trained enough.”
“But—”
“Enough.” I cut in, voice firm. “Maddie stays.”
“Naw,” she cooed from behind me, arms looped around my waist, “I knew you secretly loved me.”
She leaned closer to Leo, tone mock-sweet.
“Besides, keep arguing and I’ll tie you down with vines and leave you for the vultures.”
I laughed—really laughed.
“I would love to see that fight,” I choked out between chuckles.
Leo smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yuck it up, Shadow-girl.”
Phoenix’s voice drifted from behind us—dry as ever.
“Let me know when we’re done threatening each other. Some of us are trying to prepare for war.”
That shut us up—mostly.
The trip was set to take us several days.
I wasn’t a rider. Not even close. But how hard could it be? Just sit there and let the horse do the work.
Right?
Wrong.
By the time we reached first camp, my thighs were screaming.
The spot we had chosen was near a lake so we could get fresh water. I slid off that horse, staring at it like it was the devil incarnate. Around us, the other soldiers disembarked and began to set up camp.
Maddie slid off behind me, groaning. “Stars above, I think I’ve bruised my bruises.”
“You’re not the one who did the actual riding,” I muttered, trying to walk like a human again.
Maddie cackled. “You look hilarious. I hope you know that.”
“Great,” I grumbled, easing myself down against the nearest tree.
The bark was rough. The ground was hard. But it was still better than the saddle.
“Gods,” I groaned. “I guess I should set up my tent.”
“Want to share?” Maddie asked, half-grinning. “Full disclosure—I kind of forgot mine. Well, technically I didn’t forget it. I just… didn’t bring it.”
I chuckled. “Sure. Let’s do it.”
Working together, it didn’t take long. Soon we had the tent up, pitched neatly beside the others, flaps tied and blankets unrolled.
It wasn’t much. But it was ours.
“I’m going to get some water.” I said.
“All good. I’m just gonna melt into a puddle here if that’s cool.” Maddie replied.
“Fine.”
Leo and Caelen were checking supplies nearby while Phoenix crouched near the growing campfire, focused and quiet. Slade was barking orders to the soldiers, assigning roles with his usual bite—but I caught him looking my way more than once.
“Where are you going?” he asked, finally.
I shook my canteen at him. “Water.”
“Take someone with you.”
“I’ll be fine, grumpy bear. It’s just over there.” I gestured toward the lake.
He didn’t argue. Just crossed his arms and waited.
Of course he did.
“I’ll go,” Caelen offered, just as Leo pushed off his knee to stand.
Leo froze mid-motion, glaring at the prince.
Before either could speak, the fire Phoenix had been tending suddenly flared—blazing a foot high, flames snapping loud enough to make a few nearby soldiers jump.
Everyone stilled.
Phoenix didn’t look up. But his jaw was tight. His hands steady. Too steady.
I wasn’t entirely sure what was going on here, but it seemed like everyone else knew.
“Um… okay. Sure. All are welcome,” I muttered.
Then I turned and walked off—still uncertain, but very clear on one thing:
I wanted out of whatever that was.
The air was cooler near the water. I followed the shoreline, boots crunching over pebbles. In the distance, a few of the soldiers were already swimming, their voices carrying faintly over the surface.
I kept going. Let the quiet settle over me. Let it all fall away.
Caelen followed behind me, carrying a large saucepan—because of course he did.
We found a quiet spot a little away from the noise, crouched near the water’s edge.
The breeze off the lake stirred the trees, soft and cool.
After a while, he asked, “So… did you bring the… you know?”
I glanced around—nervous of being overheard without really knowing why—and nodded.
“In my pack.”
“What are you going to do with it?”
“I’m not too sure,” I admitted. “I’ll talk to Phoenix. He knows about this stuff. Better than I do.”
Caelen hesitated. “Are you sure that’s wise?”
I looked at him. “Why not? I trust Phoenix with my life.”
“I get that, I do,” he said quickly, “but listen—back in Sorrowsea, we have one of the largest libraries you’ve ever seen. My mother prides herself on her scholars, their records, their accuracy. Maybe we could find something there. Something older. Something even Phoenix hasn’t seen.”
“I mean, sure,” I said. “If you have the information, I’m happy to take it. But I’d feel wrong not telling him about it.”
Caelen shifted. “Your relationship with these men…”
“What?” I asked, voice snapping sharp before I could stop it.
He hesitated—then pushed on anyway.
“I mean… what even is it? What are you to each other?”
The frustration in his voice scratched something raw in me. My hackles rose.
“That’s none of your business,” I said flatly.
“I’m not trying to pry—”
“You are.”
He looked like he wanted to argue, but I was already shaking my head.
“Look,” I said, quiet but firm, “those men—Slade, Leo, Phoenix… gods, even Thorne. They saved me. In more ways than I knew I could be saved.”
I paused, trying to find the words.
“And maybe I can’t define what we are. But you have to understand—they’re important to me.”
Caelen flinched. Just slightly. But enough.
“I’m sorry,” he said, voice lower now. “That was out of line.”
I didn’t answer right away. Just stared at the lake, watching the ripples, willing the tension to bleed out of my shoulders.
“I wasn’t trying to judge,” he added after a moment. “I just… I’ve never seen anyone look at someone the way they look at you. Like they’d burn the world if you asked.”
I blinked, then turned slowly to face him.
“They don’t look at me like that,” I said. A little sad. A little small.
“They do,” Caelen said. “I can’t believe you don’t see it.”
I laughed, soft and bitter, and shook my head.
“You’re crazy,” I said. “Look at me. I’m the biggest mess there ever was.” I gestured vaguely at myself. “Wearing a damn dress makes me feel like I’m about to break out in hives. Believe me—they don’t think of me that way.”
At least, not anymore
Caelen sat back on his knees, watching me like he was trying to figure something out.
It made me feel… exposed. Embarrassed.
I stood, brushing the dirt from my palms.
“Come on,” I said. “Let’s get back. Before grumpy bear sends out a search party.”
We headed back toward camp—Caelen still watching me, and me very much trying not to notice.
Sure enough, Slade was waiting at the edge of the shore, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
His presence was like a wall—quiet, unmoving, solid. I didn’t meet his eyes.
I elbowed Caelen lightly. “Told you,” I muttered.
**
Later that night, once most of the camp had settled and the fire was dying low, I went to find Phoenix.
He was sitting by the lake, staring out over the water. Thinking hard. About what, I couldn’t tell.
I slipped into place beside him.
“Hey.”
“Hey,” he replied, his voice clipped.
“Are you ok?” I asked softly.
“I’m fine,” he said, forcing a smile that didn’t meet his eyes.
I studied him. “What’s up with you?”
He didn’t answer right away. Just looked past me—to where Caelen was unrolling his bedroll near the tents.
Caelen caught my eye and smiled.
Phoenix’s frown deepened.
“Nothing. I’m fine,” he said. Cooler than usual. “Just surprised you’re not hanging out with your friend back there.”
“Who, Maddie?” I asked, feigning innocence. “She’s currently snoring up my campsite.”
He rolled his eyes, looking away. “You know who I mean.”
“I don’t want to be with him,” I said quietly. “I wanted to be with you.” I reached for my bag. “I have something to show you—”
Phoenix let out a short, barking laugh. It startled me.
“What?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.
“So that’s what this is,” he said. “You want to know something. Or learn something.”
“Phoenix…”
He shook his head, but the anger was gone. All that was left was something softer. Sadder.
“Fine,” he said. “Tell me. What is it?”
I stared at him, completely bewildered. “Are you really ok?” I asked. “I mean, if you don’t want to talk we don’t have to…”
Phoenix blinked. For a second, he looked like he didn’t know what to do with my question. Like it hadn’t occurred to him that I might ask.
He dragged a hand through his hair, eyes flicking back toward the camp.
“I’m ok,” he muttered. Then added, quieter, “I just… didn’t expect Caelen to be part of our inner circle now.”
“He’s not,” I said quickly. “Phoenix—he’s not.”
He gave me a look. Not cruel. Just tired.
“He’s just… I don’t know. A friend,” I said.
Phoenix nodded once, then looked back at the lake. “Like me,” he said quietly.
The words hit harder than I expected.
I tried not to show it. Tried to keep my face still. But something in my chest tightened, like I’d swallowed the truth wrong.
I blinked it away. “Sure. If that’s…” I trailed off, looking away. I swallowed my feelings and pulled out the book and amulet.
I explained—briefly—how I’d found them. The ruins. The medallion. The safe behind the scorched bookcase.
Phoenix listened without interrupting.
Despite the weird tension still clinging between us, he took the amulet and the book.
“I can’t read it either,” he said, flipping through the pages. “It’s blank.”
“I think… only I can.”
His eyes met mine—sharp, searching.
“But Phoenix,” I added, lowering my voice. “I skimmed through it. And inside… there’s a map.”
His brow furrowed. “A map?”
I nodded.
“A map to the dragons.”
“If that’s true…” Phoenix began, looking thoughtful.
“If it’s real. It could change everything.”