Chapter 2 Leila
Leila
Silence hung over the campsite, leaving Leila restless.
Yucana had been fretting over the fire for slow-passing hours, preparing enough stew to be wasteful, though Leila would never speak such a thing.
Naomi sat curled up in the same spot as always, sometimes polishing their collection of weapons, other times weaving blades of grass into bracelets and crowns.
Tobias was gone.
As soon as he’d awoken in the morning, he’d refused to stay in one place for too long.
First, he’d surveyed the woods for soldiers, then covered his tracks, then took a piss, any excuse to keep himself occupied.
He’d been that way since his return from the capital the day prior—reticent and brooding.
The grey wisps tumbling from his flesh only affirmed his over-burdened thoughts.
Leila was used to seeing people’s wants and feelings in strings of color, but Tobias’s ugly emotions always pulled at Her heart.
The sun sagged nearer to the tree line, turning Leila’s skin from bright white to a muted glow. The shrubbery shuffled, and Leila spun toward it as Tobias appeared, a rabbit tossed over his shoulder. Leila hopped up from the ground and hurried his way.
“You caught one.” She eyed the bloodied carcass, Her stomach twisting. “How delightful.”
“Figured it might be a bit more filling than another night of potato stew.” His full eyebrows were furrowed—the same scowl he’d left with.
“You seem in . . . good spirits,” Leila said.
“Someone’s watching us.”
Leila tensed. She glanced between Tobias’s distant gaze and the surrounding trees. “You’re sure?”
“Just a feeling I have.”
Her shoulders drooped. She didn’t need to see his colors. The sullen look on his face spoke volumes.
“Is this because of yesterday?”
Tobias sighed. “Leila . . .”
“They won’t find us. There’s an entire realm for them to search.”
“Best to remain on guard. They’re tracking a fugitive.” His jaw flexed. “I imagine Brontes has entire battalions on the hunt.”
“He’s saving face. Trying to deflect suspicion.” She came in closer, searching his eyes. “People saw us in the arena together. They saw you collapse. They must know you couldn’t have possibly—”
“It’s fine. I just want to keep You safe, that’s all.”
Grey wafted from his body like plumes of smoke. Leila swallowed Her protests, glancing across the campsite at Yucana and Naomi. “Your mother and sister . . .”
“I’ll tell them later. They’re already struggling to adjust. No need to make it worse.” He rubbed the fresh stubble lining his chin. “It’ll be dark soon. We need firewood.” He met Leila’s gaze, and his expression softened. “Watch over them, will You?”
“Of course.”
He pressed a kiss to Her cheek before disappearing into the woods, leaving Leila with his mother, his sister, and a dead rabbit.
The silence nipped at Her upon its return.
Naomi sat in her usual spot weaving another grass braid, and Yucana was still stirring the pot on the perfectly tended-to fire.
Leila glanced down at the same dress in lilac silk She’d been wearing for the past three days, its hemline browning from the forest floor, the slender straps and cinched waist wet with sweat.
So much for a decent first impression. Then again, that had come and gone already, when She’d whisked Tobias and his family away from their home, thrusting them into a war.
She clasped Her black cloak at Her neck and headed Yucana’s way.
Tobias’s mother was a woman soft in body and hard in face.
There were traces of her son in her features—the sharp angles of her chin and cheekbones, the golden undertones of her tawny skin—but her eyes were smaller and a much lighter, woody brown, her nose gentler with the slightest bump along its bridge.
She looked up as Leila approached, and Leila froze within her gaze.
“Your son has brought us a treat for dinner.” Leila raised the limp rabbit and forced a smile. “I thought you and I could prepare it together.”
“You know how to cook?” Yucana said.
“Well, not entirely. But today’s as good as any to learn.”
“You want me to teach You?”
“Not if it’s an inconvenience.”
Yucana held Her gaze for a second longer before returning to her work, leaving Leila to fidget, carcass in hand.
Nerves fluttering, She took a seat at the woman’s side, watching her fingers dance over the fire as she sliced carrots methodically.
Yucana moved with an effortless grace, easy like the grey swirling through the waves of her brown hair, while Leila sat tight and strained.
“I know I’ve said it before . . .” Leila coughed out an unconvincing laugh.
“I’m probably driving you mad repeating Myself, but I very much appreciate you cooking for us.
It’s been such a help, what with Tobias and I making our plans, and Naomi .
. .” She eyed his sister, who was still braiding grass, and cleared Her throat.
“And you’re such a fine cook as well. Your stew is positively delicious. ”
“You’re too kind, Your Holiness.”
“Oh no, please, call Me Leila. I mean, we’re practically family now.
” Leila reconsidered Her statement. “Or maybe not now, but we might be one day. I mean, I’m not trying to be presumptuous.
I just . . .” She grappled for the right words, sighing when none came.
“I suppose it would be nice to get to know one another better, is all. I have so many questions for you.”
“You’re welcome to ask.”
Leila exhaled. “Wonderful.” She sat up straighter. “Do you enjoy flowers? I had a garden back at the palace. It was so beautiful—like a dream come to life. My favorite are lilies. Any kind of lily, really. I was just wondering if you had a preference as well.”
Yucana turned to Leila—eye-contact, finally—and offered a sad smile. “Flowers are lovely, but I don’t believe I have a preference, no. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to afford them, especially after my husband’s passing.”
As she went to work skinning the rabbit, Leila cowered. “My apologies . . . Well, if you have any questions for Me, I’d be happy to answer.”
Yucana paused, fingers wet with blood. “You taught Tobias, yes?”
“Pardon?”
“To fight. To kill.” Yucana met Leila’s gaze. “You taught my son.”
The leather sheath and the blade it carried became heavy against Leila’s thigh, a lead weight poking free from the slit of Her dress. She shuffled Her legs, covering it. “I taught him to defend himself, yes.”
“How did You pick up such a skill?”
Leila’s throat tightened. “The palace warden. We trained in secret.” Yucana nodded. Another spell of silence lingered, but this one was wounding, with the ugliest parts of Leila on display. “I’m going to check on Naomi.”
Hurrying off, Leila cursed under Her breath.
The campsite around Her blurred, and for a moment She lost Herself, too overwhelmed by Her blaring heartbeat to feel a firm footing on the ground.
The fortress may have been miles away, but She hadn’t truly escaped Her father.
She was caught in his grip, forever reminded of his influence, the way he’d wriggled beneath Her skin, how his sheer existence had irreparably marred Her.
Even as She hid in the woods with Tobias and his family, it still somehow felt as though he had won.
Her vision cleared, pulse racing in Her throat. She took in a steadying breath. “How are you feeling?”
Naomi sat atop mismatched blankets strewn across the ground, grass crowns and bracelets layered in her lap. Her smile was reminiscent of a grimace. “Better, a little. I think.”
“It’s all right if you don’t feel any different. Some injuries take longer to heal than others.”
“I just don’t want You to think You’ve done a poor job.”
“The job isn’t finished until you’re improved,” Leila said. “I’m here to help in any way I can.”
Naomi sighed. “Well, in that case, it feels a bit . . . worse.”
“Worse?”
“The pain. It’s sharper, and more . . . I don’t know. Nagging.”
Explosions. Leila recalled the feeling the first time She had touched Naomi’s spine, how it had shocked Her. How could the pain have got worse than that?
Leila took a seat. “Let Me have a look.”
“Thank You, Your Holiness.”
“Please don’t call Me that.” Leila stopped short, cringing. “Apologies, I mean—”
“Oh no, I understand. It’s so formal. I just wasn’t sure—didn’t want to make any assumptions.” Chuckling, Naomi lowered the sleeves of her dress, baring her back. “I imagine none of Your friends call You Your Holiness. That would be silly, wouldn’t it?”
Friends. The word stung, but Leila shook it off, bracing Herself for the task ahead.
Naomi smiled at Her over her shoulder, and Leila could see Tobias in his twin sister’s features.
They had the same dark brown hair, though Naomi’s flowed in loose waves down her shoulders.
The same tawny skin, though Naomi’s was a shade lighter and scattered with the occasional freckle.
The same large eyes nearly the color of ink, but in the light they shone a deep sable brown, at least if Leila looked close enough.
Naomi’s spine from her nape to the small of her back was exposed and waiting. Holding Her breath, Leila pressed Her hands in its direct center, swallowing a retch as flames blasted against Her palms. The pain was different than before—a steady firestorm, popping like embers beneath Her touch.
Give her strength. Mend the wound. Her palms warmed with power, releasing the force of Her eager light.
“What do You see?”
Leila flinched. Naomi was watching Her over her shoulder. “Pardon?” Leila said.
“When You do that.” Naomi gestured to Leila’s hands. “Your eyes get so small, like You’re concentrating on something far away. I just assumed You could see something.”
Leila’s gaze swept over Naomi’s full cheeks and slender frame. Perhaps no one would even be able to tell she was paralyzed if not for the gaunt shape of her legs beneath her dress and the ashen look of her limp feet.