Chapter 44
KALLIE
Even miles away from the clearing, the air remained polluted, the smoke from the fire hanging over the area.
Kallie scanned the stretch of land. The crops across the field had long since turned into dry husks, as if the green hue had been stripped from the world.
A single house sat on the property, a house where everything in Kallie’s life had changed.
This place was where she had found out Terin and Fynn were her brothers, that she was the daughter of the Queen of Pontia.
Reflecting on that night and the weeks that followed, there were so many things she wished she had done or said differently. She tried to squash the what-ifs and should-haves, but it was easier said than done.
As they approached, Kallie spotted the old farmer standing atop a ladder, a utility belt hanging low on his hip.
Menz stretched up and slammed his hammer against a nail sticking out of a white shutter.
The hammering must have masked their approach up the walkway because, when Graeson shouted out a greeting from below, Menz jolted.
He spun around, about to fall as he grabbed onto the window ledge.
Graeson rushed over to steady the ladder. "Need some help, Menz?" he called up with an apprehensive smile.
Menz barely looked at Graeson, though, his attention immediately snagging on Nyrri and Moris. His foot slipped. "W-what are they doing here?"
Kallie grimaced as Moris straightened, his wings snapping back.
Maybe they made a mistake bringing Moris and Nyrri with them.
They had debated about having Ellie stay with them in the woods while they explained the situation to Menz, but Graeson had brushed off their concerns, claiming Menz was easy-going enough. Apparently, he was wrong.
Not that Kallie could really blame Menz' reaction. If she had seen a man and an enormous wolf with wings approach her unannounced, she would have had some choice words too.
"Neither of them will hurt you, I promise," Graeson said, his hands raised. "You know I would never bring anything or anyone here who would bring you harm."
Menz snorted. "Tell that to my flock of sheep that was stolen the other week."
"Wait, have you seen others like them?" Graeson dropped his hands as he peered back at their group.
Menz scanned the empty fields just beyond them, then slowly nodded. "A horde of them came through town almost two weeks ago."
"The village," Kallie whispered, her thoughts immediately turning to the homes that were attacked. "Have there been other attacks since then?"
"I’ve heard rumblings of attacks near the borders and have seen several hordes fly over," Menz said, his knuckles blanching around the side of the ladder.
Kallie looked at Graeson. His father was right; the war wasn’t over.
Graeson scanned the sky, his hands flexing at his sides. "We should talk inside."
"What about them?" Menz asked as he descended the ladder.
"I can stay outside," Moris offered.
"No," Graeson said. "If a group flies over, we can’t risk them spotting you."
Kallie stepped beside Graeson, her shoulder brushing his. Menz' gaze flicked to her.
"I know you’re afraid and I know we’re asking a lot," Kallie said gently when Menz reached the ground, "but he won’t hurt you. On the off chance that he loses control, we can stop him."
The farmer had aided Graeson and the others when they had brought Kallie here, even knowing who she was and what she could do. He was a good man, one of the best.
Menz rubbed his jaw, hesitating. "Fine, but that one will not fit through my front door," he said, pointing at Nyrri.
The drakonis' ears went flat, and a small whine slipped out. Ellie scratched Nyrri beneath her chin, but it only placated Nyrri so much.
"She can hide out in the stable," Graeson suggested.
Menz flinched. "What about the horses!?"
"They might spook when they see her, but she won’t harm the horses. She’s used to being around them," Graeson explained. "If it makes you more comfortable, we can always leave her in the woods…"
Kallie held back a snort. She knew Nyrri would rather sleep atop the roof of the stable than be left alone in the forest again. It seemed she had developed some trust issues since the last time.
Menz looked between Nyrri and Graeson, still unsure. But after a second, he relented. "Fine. She can stay in the stable for the time being."
Graeson patted him on the shoulder. "Thank you, Menz. I owe you."
Menz huffed as Graeson turned and led Nyrri to the stables. The horses nickered as she entered, but Nyrri ignored them and plopped down on a pile of hay, knocking over various tools in the process.
Groaning, Menz shook his head as he opened the front door. "Come on then," he said, ushering them inside.
Kallie offered him a polite smile as she approached, and he rolled his eyes and pulled her into a tight hug.
"It’s good to see you," he said, his voice as warm and comforting as a cup of tea.
When he pulled away, Kallie’s smile was a little brighter.
She dipped inside, taking in the house and relishing its familiarity. Everything was the same as it had been the last time she was there, and the lack of change twisted in her gut. It was another reminder of how much had changed outside the house.
A small crash sounded behind her, and Kallie spun around.
"Shit," Moris cursed as he hurried to pick up a frame that he had accidentally pulled down from the wall. But as he moved, his wings smacked into a skinny table, knocking over another frame. "I—I’m sorry."
Menz groaned and shouted, "Please be careful where you’re swinging those things, or you’ll be in the stables, too."
"Sorry, sir. I’m so sorry." Moris fumbled to set the picture frame upright.
"I got it," Kallie said, taking the frame from Moris' trembling hands. She set it down on the table and brushed the dust from the frame. Beneath the glass sat a self-portrait of Menz' late wife, Lois. Her small signature was scrawled in the bottom corner.
"Come on," Kallie said, ushering Moris forward while keeping an eye on his wings.
As they headed deeper into the house, Kallie looked over her shoulder. Menz stopped beside the table, frame in hand. He swiped a finger across the painting. Longing spread across his countenance. When Graeson entered, he stopped beside the farmer.
Kallie turned around, giving them some privacy. Menz’ wife had passed years ago, and this farm was all he had left of her. Perhaps they were asking too much of him.
"You’re in luck," Menz said, carrying a steaming pot into the dining room. "I already had a stew brewing because of the cold weather coming in. Go sit, and I’ll bring everything out."
"That’s really unnecessary, Menz. We do not want to intrude," Graeson said. "We only came to ask—"
"Food first. Then we can talk," Menz interrupted, setting the pot in the middle of the table.
Kallie’s stomach rumbled loudly, and she pressed a hand against it. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until the aroma of garlic and broth hit her nose.
"Don’t bother arguing with me about it, either. I would bet good money on the fact that you all haven’t had a good meal in a while." Menz winked at Kallie, and she grinned.
"It smells delicious," she said. She sank into a seat, and her thighs all but thanked her for the relief.
The journey to Menz' house, while short in the grand scheme of things, was longer than her body would have liked. Although she had ridden on Nyrri’s back most of the way after protesting, her leg still ached.
As much as Kallie wanted to get back out there and finally put an end to the budding war, they all needed the rest. She could almost hear the relief from Ellie sitting across from her, too.
Even Graeson seemed to be relieved for the temporary haven.
Menz motioned for her bowl, and Kallie raised it as he dropped two generous scoops of steaming stew into it. "Eat as much as you’d like."
Kallie blew on the soup and took a bite.
The flavors instantly transported her to the last time she was there with her brothers and Dani.
But as she looked around the table and those sitting with her, a lump formed in her throat.
She wondered how Terin and Dani were faring in Pontia and if they had made any headway in gathering troops for the war.
She had yet to hear from Terin since he had first contacted her.
If she didn’t hear from him soon, they would need to get word to Pontia that while Kallie had been successful, she had failed at ending the war.
They should have known that stopping a war would not have been as simple as cutting off the head of the snake.
As if reading her mind, Graeson asked, "Do you still have that messenger bird?"
Menz nodded as he sat.
Beneath the table, Graeson squeezed her thigh. "Do you mind if we send a letter to Pontia?"
"Of course not," Menz said, slurping down a spoonful of stew. "First, do you care to tell me what in the god’s breath is going on and why you’re hanging out with him?"
Moris glanced up from his bowl, his eyes wide and brown cheeks flushed pink. He sat at the head of the table with his chair spun around to make room for his wings.
Graeson took a deep breath. "It’s a long story."
Menz arched a brow. "Good thing we have plenty of stew."
The pot was bone-dry by the time they finished relaying the events of the last few weeks. It was hard to believe that not even a month had passed since Domitius had declared war, yet it felt like a lifetime had gone by.
"I’ll go grab those medical supplies and gather the bedding," Menz said, standing from the table.
"I’ll help you," Graeson said.
Menz waved him off. "You’re a guest."
"A guest who is likely asking far too much," Graeson countered.
A small grin appeared on Menz’ face. "Come on then. I’m sure you’re all tired."
The two men left the room, and inaudible whispers trailed them as they disappeared into the hallway.
Kallie spun her half-empty mug of tea between her hands. The drink was lukewarm now, but she couldn’t stomach any more of it. Myra had always said tea was supposed to soothe her, but now it only made her anxious.
Moris rested his head in his left palm and tapped his fingers on the table with the other. "Well, he seems nice."
Kallie blinked. "He is…"
Moris looked at Ellie, a question on his face.
The warrior sighed and threw her hair over her shoulder before resting her head on her hand. "So, am I going to have to room with flyboy over here or not?"
"Huh?" Kallie asked, confused.
Ellie arched a brow. "Don’t huh me. You and Gray have obviously made up."
Kallie’s cheeks flamed red. "What’s your point?"
"I would like to know if I need to sleep with a knife under my pillow or not," Ellie said, sending a lethal glare in Moris’ direction.
Moris groaned, his wings ruffling behind him. "I already said—"
"No, no," Ellie interrupted, holding up a hand in protest. "You said you were a danger to those around you. If you snap or have some silly little nightmare and freak out, I will not hold your hand and rub your back."
"I wouldn’t ask you to hold my hand," Moris said with a roll of his eyes.
Kallie rubbed her hands across her face. "He and Graeson will share a room, all right?"
"It’s really no big deal," Ellie said. "I get it if you want some privacy with him."
"We’re just…." Kallie swallowed, unsure what the end of that statement was.
"Ah," Ellie said with a nod. "You two still haven’t talked about the soul bond thing, huh?"
"He finally told you?" Moris asked, eyes wide. "Thank the gods! That man has been moping around ever since I’ve known him. He was practically unbearable when we were traveling together. The little love sick—"
"Not helping," Kallie said, cutting him off. She leaned back in her chair and groaned. She massaged the growing headache, rubbing her fingers against her temples. "We haven’t had the time to talk about it."
"It’s because he can shift into a dragon, isn’t it?" Moris asked, leaning his weight against his arms. "Kind of intimidating, no?"
"That’s not—that doesn’t matter."
Ellie scooted back in her chair. Standing, she pressed her palms onto the table. "Now might not seem like a good time either, but it might be your only chance. We’re here for a few days, right?"
"Only chance for what?" Graeson asked from the door, a stack of medicine supplies resting in his arms.
Kallie glanced from him to the others. Moris and Ellie shared similar expressions: raised brows, pursed lips, amused glints in their eyes. But Kallie couldn’t do it. Not in front of them. Not right now.
"For a decent bath," she blurted.
Ellie dropped her head and sighed.