Chapter 46
Chapter Forty-Six
The freedom
nik
I woke to pain first—ribs screaming, head pounding, my limbs feeling like weights dangling uselessly from my body. I was slumped against something solid, its bark rough against my spine. My head lolled forwards as I dragged in a shallow breath.
Light flooded my vision when I opened my eyes, pain blooming as the world swam out of focus. Grey light bled into something brighter, and with a few blinks, I could see clearer. Immediate panic and relief set in. We got out? Was Blythe safe?
The answer settled into me slowly, the way warmth returns to frozen skin.
I was in The Grey. I knew it by the way wings of colour stretched around me. By the quiet hum of insects in the woods. The air here always carried life in it, green and gold and endless. Nothing like the rot we’d left behind.
Only one person could have brought us here that quickly.
My gaze shifted, heavy and slow until I found him. Matthias stood a few paces away, shoulders slumped, wings limp, blood streaking his arms and jaw. He was breathing hard, one hand braced against the trunk of an aspen as if it were the only thing keeping him upright.
Then my gaze landed on Adalia and River. They too looked worse for wear. But they were here and they were alive. Safe.
My gaze dropped instinctively, searching . . . and then I saw her.
Blythe was a few paces away, slumped against another tree, Adalia’s dark cloak wrapped around her shoulders and clasped tight at her throat. It swallowed most of her, pooling around her bare legs, hiding the worst of the damage, but not the exhaustion etched into her face.
She was breathing, and she was looking right at me.
Tears threatened to spill as I dragged in a breath and moved. I scrambled on hands and knees towards her, ignoring the pain tearing through my ribs. She stumbled too, cloak slipping. We lunged for each other.
Our bodies collided in a tangle of limbs and warmth. Yet I held her there, my shaking hand catching the edge of her cloak, fingers curling into the fabric like it was the only solid thing left in the world.
A sob caught on Blythe's lips as her arms wrapped around my neck, silent tears tracking down her cheeks. “Nik.”
For a breath, neither of us moved. We just knelt there, bloodied and tremulous, holding each other upright while we processed the realisation of how close we’d come to losing each other.
The moments that followed blurred into one another. Matthias, River, Adalia—all of us stumbled through the underbrush. Trees and shadow gave way to open ground, and there was Blue, waiting with horses. His grip was solid as he hauled me into the saddle.
Blythe climbed in front of me, her warmth the only steady thing in the chaos. Then we were riding at a reckless pace towards Lucius, the wind stealing whatever words we might have spoken.
The gates rose out of the night like a promise, golden light spilling onto hardened soil. Nothing like the dull appearance of Oscuro. Two guards nodded as we pulled the horses to a halt.
Relief left my lips in the form of breath as we crossed through and entered Lucius. It only took moments for my body to recognize home. Pain eased, and my lungs didn’t feel they might collapse in on themselves at any given moment.
We stopped just inside the gates, lanternlight washing over us as stable hands moved in to take the horses. Adalia, Matthias, River, and Blue dismounted almost in unison, all of us moving slower now that the danger had passed.
I carefully eased out of the saddle, turning my focus to Blythe. “Is it alright if I speak with them for a moment?” I asked.
She nodded and slipped to the ground, Adalia’s cloak pulled tight around her shoulders. “Of course.”
I squeezed her hand once, a quiet reassurance then walked towards my friends. River barely had time to open his mouth before I grabbed him and pulled him into a brief, solid embrace. He stiffened in surprise, then laughed, clapping a hand against my back.
“Glad you’re alive,” I said into his shoulder. “And . . . thank you. For coming.”
He pulled back with a grin, hazel eyes crinkling at the corners despite the blood still drying on his jaw. “Did you expect anything less?”
I shook my head and smiled. “Still, I’m eternally grateful that you know how to kick butt with a sword.”
River huffed a laugh. “I’ve been itching to be a part of the action.”
Blue shifted beside us, arms crossed and a grin spread across his face. “Sorry I’m not some super soldier who can charge in and save your ass when it needs it.”
I clapped his shoulder. “Without you, we would have had to walk all the way back. Leading four horses in the dark is a talent in itself.” I met his gaze, seriousness settling in beneath the humour. “Thank you. For having my back.”
I looked at both of them, realising just how much they meant to me. “You’re family to me, both of you. I’m honoured to know you.”
After agreeing that we were definitely in need of a drink or two, they waved goodbye and went their separate ways. I returned to Blythe's side, and with Matthias and Adalia in tow, we headed home.
I couldn’t stop the sigh slipping past my lips the moment the door closed behind us with a soft, final click. Silence settled immediately, peaceful and welcoming. The familiar scent of home greeting me.
Adalia was already moving, practical instinct kicking in. She set her blade aside, eyes scanning me with sharp precision. “I will send for a healer. In the meantime you should lay down, your ribs alone—”
“I know,” I cut in gently. “I will soon.”
She flickered her gaze between me and Blythe. “I can stay,” she offered. “At least until morning?”
I shook my head, but took a step towards my sister, drawing her into an embrace. “We will be fine. Thank you for everything.”
She pulled me closer for a brief moment and when I pulled back, a single tear tracked down her cheek. “I don’t ever want to do that again.”
Oscuro. The darkness. Crossing over into unwanted territory. I knew what she meant and I agreed. “I don’t want to either.”
“Are you sure there's nothing I can do?” she asked.
I looked at Blythe then back to Adalia. “She is here now. We will be alright.”
Adalia nodded once, understanding blooming across her face as my words landed. “Of course, I’m so sorry. Just know we will be close by if you need us.”
Matthias stepped forwards then, exhaustion weighing heavily on his frame. “I’ll check in tomorrow,” he said. “If you’re not answering the door, I’m coming in.”
The corner of my mouth lifted up. “Just don’t make it early. I’d like to sleep in.”
Before leaving, Adalia turned to Blythe.
For a heartbeat, they just looked at each other—two women who had their own stories of survival and understood exactly what the other carried. Then Adalia stepped forwards and wrapped Blythe in a fierce, grounding hug.
“You were brave,” she said quietly. “I’m glad you’re home, Sapphire.”
Blythe stilled, and when she pulled back, there were tears in her eyes. She swallowed and then spoke. “My real name is Blythe.”
Adalia's expression softened, tears gathering once again and something beautiful passed between the women. Trust . . . friendship. “Thank you for telling me,” she murmured.
My breath left me in a shaky laugh. The room’s edges went soft, and I pressed a hand to my ribs as if something inside me had grown too large to contain. Seeing Blythe be so fully accepted into my family was more than I could ever ask for.
Matthias and Adalia left, and the house settled into silence. I looked at Blythe and for a moment neither of us moved. We just stood there, looking at each other. Bloodied, and exhausted . . . but home.
Then just like that, reality came crashing down around me. Even now, she stood there with her head held high, the bravery she’d had to maintain still guarding her like a shell. I moved then, swiftly pulling her into my arms despite the pain throbbing through my body.
Her fingers clutched at my shirt like she was afraid I would vanish if she let go. I wrapped myself around her, wings included, as she buried her face in the crook of my neck with a sob.
“I’m so sorry, Nik,” she whispered.
I pulled back just enough to see her face. “There’s nothing to be sorry for,” I said quietly. “We got out. We’re free.”
She shook her head, tears already spilling. “But I ended up back there. I put you in danger. I let him—”
I caught her face gently between my hands, forcing her to meet my eyes. “You didn’t let him do anything,” I said firmly. “He took. You fought. I saw you.” My voice softened. “Even tied. Even bleeding. You never gave up.”
Her breath shuddered, blue eyes glistening with feeling. I brushed my thumb across her cheek. “You ended him.”
The tears spilled down her face, body shaking with quiet tremors. I pulled her closer once again, pressing my face into her hair, holding her as tightly as I dared. “You’re home now. You’re safe.”
She nodded against my chest, her hands still fisted in my shirt. “I thought I would never see you again.”
My throat tightened. I wrapped my arms around her more securely, pressing a kiss to her temple. “I was screaming for you the whole time.”
We stayed like that for a while, grounding ourselves in one another until the tremors lessened and the tears came slower. Eventually, I huffed a tired breath. “Let’s get cleaned up. I think someone has missed us.”
Blythe pulled back as the softness of fur wove its way between our legs. She looked down, a smile so bright her eyes lit up. Wisp protested loudly as Blythe scooped her up, pressing kisses all over the kitten's head. “There you are,” she murmured. “I missed you too.”
I watched them, love settling warm and steady in my chest.
This was the freedom we’d both fought for.
And it was so worth it.
~~~~~
I washed Blythe’s face first. Wiping the grime her tears had tracked through. Erasing every harsh reminder of what she’d endured away from her skin.
The act wouldn’t take away memories. Only time would. But if I could help ease the pain in any way, I would.