67. CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN
The bleeding sun was creeping over the hilltops when Alena began the long descent back to the rebel camp. The crisp air stung her cheeks, and she curled her stiff fingers around her woollen cloak, pulling it tighter.
True to her word, Phoebe had woken her up when the sky was still pitch-black and the forest sound asleep.
If Alena hurried, she could make it back in time to catch Leukos before he departed.
Taking in deep breaths, she forced herself to stay calm and keep moving. With better shoes, she could have run, but her sandals were ill-suited for the treacherous terrain.
Moments later, when she caught sight of the lake and the rebel camp in the distance, only a handful of smoke towers rose from the clustered tents.
Her breath hitched, and she broke into a run along the lake’s shore. She drew to a halt when she stumbled upon Elishat, who was giving out orders by the stables.
San spotted her first. “Alena!”
Elishat’s head snapped up, and she hurried over.
San reached Alena first and threw her arms around her, almost knocking them both over.
“It’s all right, San.” Alena gave her a reassuring pat on the back. “I’m sorry I was gone so long. I’m here now.”
“Where have you been?” Elishat asked, forgoing any greeting.
“I met someone—an ally.” There would be time later to explain about Phoebe. “Where is everyone?”
“They’re gone! One of our spies in Achaea sent word that the legions were on the move. They’re going to attack Tiryns.”
Alena’s insides coiled tight. “When—when did they leave?”
“Hours ago.” Elishat’s eyes looked bloodshot from lack of sleep. Or had the scout been crying? “The council ordered that they depart immediately. Leukos wanted to wait, but…”
Alena’s heart dropped. She glanced at the few remaining tents, and a dull roaring filled her mind. She searched the area, desperate for Elishat to be mistaken, but it was too late.
The camp looked empty.
“Before Leukos left, he asked me to give you this.” Elishat retrieved a wrapped object from her tunic, and Alena took it with trembling hands. Pulling at the cloth, it revealed a thin, circular bronze necklace intertwined with threads of gold. “He said you should be the one to keep it. That it was your legacy.”
Alena peered down at the White Mare’s torc, words failing her. She’d shoved the necklace in Leukos’ hands back at the hillfort when she’d found out the truth about her mother. The anger she’d felt back then now seemed like a distant memory.
And Leukos had kept it with him all this time.
The realisation made her chest tighten, and she glanced up at Elishat. “Which way did they go?”
The tracker pointed in the opposite direction she’d come from. “They circled the mountain and headed east for the valley beyond.”
Alena passed the necklace to San. “I’ll be right back.” Then she took off towards the mountain.
“Alena, they’re too far!” Elishat called after her.
She ran past the tents, startling a handful of rebels, then jumped over the brook and headed up the steep slope. Catching up with Leukos was impossible, but if she climbed high enough, she’d at least see him one last time.
The two wolves came to her aid, helping her find the easiest path up the rocky terrain, and although her lungs burned and her thighs ached, she pushed on.
Higher.
Higher.
Her sandaled foot slipped, and her hand landed hard on the rocky path, gravel digging into her skin. She hissed through her teeth and climbed on.
In that moment, she cursed herself more than ever.
Why hadn’t she waited?
She’d followed the fox to the campfire and missed her chance to say goodbye. She’d even promised Leukos to see him off, but it seemed neither of them were very good at keeping their promises.
Her heart threatened to burst, forcing her to slow down. Ahead, a cluster of rugged rocks jutted from the mountainside, providing the perfect vantage point, and she staggered forward, pulling herself atop the tallest boulder. Each breath scorched her lungs, and her arms pulsed with strain, yet upon reaching the summit, the whole valley unfolded itself before her. The pastoral scene of grassy meadows was bathed in hues of orange and rippled like the surface of a river beneath a cool breeze.
When she stepped closer, her knees buckled. The wolves shot to her side. She held onto them, peering down at the valley, frantically searching for a column of riders among a sea of green.
They weren’t hard to find. Two dozen riders galloped to the east with a dark bay horse at their head, its black-haired rider wearing a white cloak. They tore through the plain at great speed, riding further and further away.
Her pulse quickened. “Leukos!”
The bay horse didn’t stop.
She didn’t know what she expected to happen, yet she tried again. “Leukos!”
Phoebe and the fox be damned, she should have stayed behind at the camp. She should have waited one more day.
Cupping her hands around her mouth, she took a deep breath. “LEUKOS!”
But no matter how loud she made her voice, he could not hear, could not see that she had come. That she had kept her promise to him.
She drew a jagged breath, which scorched her aching lungs like burning coals. A guttural cry escaped her lips, and the grey wolf whimpered under her arm. Despair sliced through her, a deep, agonising ache, and she sank forward, pressing her forehead to the cool stone.
Beside her, the black female wolf howled, and the grey one followed. Their howls echoed down the slope.
Holding her breath, Alena glanced up. More wolves from the surrounding mountains and forests joined in, their howls creating a mournful wail that reverberated through the valley.
The riders slowed down. Her heart lurched.
The bay horse spun around, heading back towards her. Its rider was a dark silhouette against the rising sun. A dark silhouette Alena would recognise anywhere.
Leukos drew his horse to a halt and raised his head, searching for her.
She staggered to her feet and waved her hand as high as she could. The two wolves howled once more, and a moment later, Leukos lifted his arm in response.
They stared at each other across the open plain. Amid the vast mountainside, she must have appeared no more than a speck to him, yet her magic allowed her to perceive the strained posture of Leukos’ shoulders, betraying the conflict within him.
For several heartbeats, they watched each other, and then Leukos turned his horse around and galloped back to the group.
“Goodbye, Leukos.”
Despite the chilly gusts of wind sweeping through the mountains, Alena stayed rooted to the boulder until all the riders had faded into the horizon.
“Take the horses.” Elishat handed Alena the reins to two horses with sleek coats. “Theo left them for you.”
Their saddlebags were full to the brim with supplies, and Alena couldn’t thank the scout enough. She gave San the chestnut mare, and the mother helped a solemn Kaixo climb onto the horse before jumping up behind him.
Bringing the taller grey stallion to a dead tree stump, Alena used it to climb atop its back.
“Elpis is a good horse,” Elishat said, holding the reins. “He has a swift gallop and never stumbles.”
Alena stroked its mane and nodded. “Thank you for everything.”
The scout reached for her hand, a wistful smile gracing her lips. “We’ll be waiting for you, Omega.”
Alena squeezed her hand in return, and all three set off at a slow pace, skirting the lake and heading in the direction of the hills. Her faithful wolves appeared as the two horses reached the forest, guiding them back towards Phoebe.
As promised, the Amazon was waiting for Alena in the same clearing. They found her tying the rolled-up furs to her saddle.
When she caught sight of them, her eyebrows shot up. “Non-Humans?”
“This is San and her son, Kaixo. They’re coming, too.” It was non-negotiable. They were Alena’s family now. “I won’t leave them behind. We’re bound to each other.”
If Phoebe was surprised by Alena’s vehement words, she didn’t show it. “As you wish.”
Sliding a couple of daggers into her belt, the Amazon tied the quiver full of white-feathered arrows to her saddle and hung the bow across her back.
“We ride east.” She jumped atop her horse and straightened herself. “And then south towards the high mountains bordering the Achaean kingdoms. That’s where one of the Twelve awaits us.”
Alena’s insides clenched. “Will you tell me which one of them sent you?”
Phoebe shook her head. “Not until we’ve reached the mountains.”
They set off through the trees, following a narrow trail, and Alena gave San a reassuring nod. Fear of the unknown twisted her heart, but she refused to let it show.
She needed to be strong for whatever awaited her in the mountains.
For the rebellion. And for Katell.
She refused to give up on her sister.
After encountering the Achaean deity who was supposed to help her and gaining a deeper understanding of her Gifts and her role as the Omega, Alena would find a way to save Katell from the Empire’s grasp.
She might be the new chosen Omega, but her sister came first.
Always.
The sun was already high in the sky, shining down on them through the breaks in the treetops. Amid the stretch of blue sky, the faint outline of a silvery crescent was visible.
Looking up, Alena whispered a fierce promise to her sister, wherever she might be. “I’ll find you, Kat. By the Moon, we’ll meet again. I won’t let you go without a fight.”