Chapter 34
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
LEUKOS
“There.” Leukos pointed ahead. Beside him, Theo pushed up onto his elbows, brushing dust from his cheek to get a clearer view.
From their perch on the hillside, they had a perfect vantage of the valley, the dense forest beyond, and the Rasennan camp arranged in a tight square.
Even at a distance, Leukos saw the neat rows of tents, soldiers moving like ants between palisade posts and half-dug trenches.
“The cohort’s camped in the valley just as you said, and they’re building fortifications already. ”
On his other side, Alena shifted against the hard ground. “Do they really build palisades and dig ditches every night?”
A cold wind swept down from the north, slicing through Leukos’ cloak and carrying with it the faint scent of lilies from her oiled hair. He kept his eyes fixed on the camp, but drew the breath in deeper.
“Every night,” Theo said, forearms braced against the unyielding earth. “That’s the legion’s way—always digging in, always ready for attack.”
Alena’s gaze lingered on the camp below, green eyes blazing with the same fire that had kept him alive since the massacre.
The devastation the First had left in its wake had seared them all, yet she hadn’t bent beneath it.
She’d taken ruin and turned it into resolve, rallying soldiers to hunt those responsible.
Leukos had watched her from afar, a strange sense of pride stirring within him.
“Sounds like a waste of time to me,” the drawled from her spot, her lone eye surveying the enemy camp. “We’re going to slit their throats, wooden fence or not.”
Her bluntness startled the others. Leukos only shook his head, quietly relieved she was on their side.
Nik cleared his throat. “Well, on those inspiring words, let’s head back.”
They eased away from the ridgeline, crawling backwards before slipping down the slope towards their camp tucked in a cluster of trees and juniper bushes.
Since leaving the burned village, they’d tracked the cohort on horseback—the wolves leading with unerring noses, Theo reading the Rasennan strategy like a map.
Riding had proved easier than Leukos expected, a small relief amid the tension. His training kept his ice magic from harming the bay gelding beneath him. None of the soldiers knew about his struggle to keep his Gift in check—and he intended to keep it that way.
Danaos and Despoina had ferried the survivors back to the palace, and by the time Leukos and the others reached the rendezvous point below the hill, the twins were already back—with fresh men, horses, two elderly healers, and a handful of Rhaetic language potions for those who needed them.
Leukos recalled taking one as a child while studying the enemy Empire with Galen. He had never enjoyed speaking their harsh tongue and rarely used it. He’d noticed Phoebe quietly request a vial from a healer, only to pass it to Alena, who swallowed it with a grimace.
Just then, Danaos called for everyone’s attention. They gathered around a broad slab of stone serving as a table. Leukos relayed what they’d seen, and Theo bent over the rock, sketching a rough map of the area onto a scroll.
“So—here’s the plan,” Theo said, his voice cutting through the murmur of the camp.
“The Rasennans are dug in at the forest’s edge.
Instead of a full palisade, they’re using the trees as a natural wall to the east.” He tapped the parchment.
“My guess? The prisoners are here, on the eastern side, furthest from the western gate.”
Pelagios folded his arms. “So, we attack through the gate?”
“Yes. Leukos will lead the attack there.” Theo’s eyes flicked to him. “He’ll make it loud and draw as many soldiers as possible. And many will come once they recognise him. The Emperor put a price on his head.”
Alena’s head lifted at that, her gaze locking on him. He gave her the faintest nod. He’d draw out all five hundred men if it meant keeping her safe.
Theo continued, “While Leukos holds their attention, Danaos, Despoina, and a handful of men will sneak into the camp, locate the prisoners, and transport them back to Tiryns. You may encounter resistance, but with most of their forces at the gate, it should be manageable.”
“Do we know how many were taken?” Phoebe asked.
“No.” Theo’s gaze shifted to the twins. “Could be more than three dozen. A lot of children—”
Despoina stepped in, shoulders squared, eyes fierce. “There won’t be horses this time. We can carry more. We won’t leave a single child behind, I promise you that.”
Theo nodded. “Once the prisoners are rescued, Leukos will unleash his ice, sealing the camp. Whatever soldiers remain will panic and run for the forest.”
“Kallisto’s forest,” Danaos said with a wry smile. “She’s one of the Huntress’ nymphs. If the gods are willing, any cowards who flee there will never make it out alive.”
On the map, the forest sprawled all the way down to Argos. It would be difficult to find any survivors within.
“Any soldiers left will be scattered, without horses or supplies,” Theo finished. “They won’t be able to continue their raids.”
It sounded too simple. Too easy. The whole plan hinged on him, and though he had enough magic to destroy the camp, he wasn’t sure how much of it he could control.
Still, time was running out. And Theo had never steered him wrong.
“The Twelve be with us,” Danaos said, his eyes lingering on Alena before he led his men away to prepare offerings to the gods.
Soon enough, some poor animals would be butchered and burned, all in a futile attempt to gain the Twelve’s favour.
If the gods had cared to intervene during his father’s reign, they could have stopped the bloodshed long ago.
Still, Leukos held his tongue. There was no need to anger the Sea God more than he already had.
His thoughts drifted to the soulmate declaration the god had made—only to be cut short when Alena stepped towards Theo.
“What about me?” she asked, a slight frown on her face.
Theo hesitated, flicking a glance at Leukos before answering. “You’re with Leukos. He’ll keep you safe.”
“No.” Her voice was sharp as she folded her arms. “You need help to locate the prisoners. The wolves can track them, and I can help Danaos.”
“Absolutely not,” Leukos cut in before Theo could respond. He couldn’t help himself. The rescue was the most perilous mission—straight into the heart of the enemy camp, with prisoners to find and soldiers to fend off. “That’s out of the question.”
Tension crackled, thick enough to make nearby soldiers exchange uneasy looks. Theo winced, quickly rolling up the map as if to escape the brewing storm. Phoebe leaned against a tree with a sly scoff. “This should be good,” she muttered.
Alena squared her shoulders. “It’s not up to you.”
“Actually, I’m the one leading the assault.” His look could intimidate most men, but not her—and in that moment, he didn’t know whether to scold her or kiss her.
Her gaze narrowed. “And I’m not one of your soldiers.”
Nik winced, rubbing the back of his neck. “Should we—?”
Theo shook his head with a weary sigh. Phoebe tugged Nik back with a grin. “Oh no. Let them sort this out.”
The others stepped away, leaving Leukos and Alena locked in a silent standoff. From the trees came the distant clatter of weapons being readied—harsh and restless against the charged quiet between them.
“Stars be cursed, what’s your problem?” Alena snapped at last, as though she weren’t the one being difficult.
“I can’t watch you throw yourself into danger!”
“I’m not throwing myself into anything!” Her eyes burned with defiance, her cheeks flushed. She was so mesmerising that his retort died in his throat.
“I’m doing what I was chosen to do,” she went on, oblivious to the way she commanded his attention. “I’m the Omega, Leukos. I’m not just a symbol to sit back watch battles from afar. Why do you think Phoebe’s been training me to fight?”
Her words were sharp, but all he could think about was how easily she stole his focus—even in the heat of an argument.
He cleared his throat. “I know. But that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
“Leukos—”
“Every time I close my eyes, I see you hurt. I see what I did to you.” The memory clawed at him—her face contorted in pain, her whimpers as ice dug into her skin. “And it tears me apart, Alena.”
Her voice softened, the tension easing. “Stop. Don’t blame yourself. I forgive you. If only you had come to see me afterwards, I would have told you so.”
“I don’t deserve your forgiveness,” he said low, forcing himself to meet her eyes.
“You deserve everything and more,” she replied, her words laced with an unshakeable conviction that should have bothered or unsettled him, but instead brought a sense of comfort. “But you can’t stop me from fighting for what I believe is right.”
He let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “I know. I couldn’t stop you in Bruna, and I certainly can’t stop you now. Omega or not, you’re the bravest person I’ve ever met. Reckless, too.”
A small smile broke across her face, filling him with warmth. “Well, someone’s got to keep you on your toes.”
The wind stirred the trees, branches whispering above. Strands of her auburn hair slipped free from her braid, swirling in the restless breeze. He fought the urge to tuck them behind her ear.
Instead, he stepped closer, towering until she had to tilt her head back to meet his gaze. The world fell away until only the two of them remained beneath the trees.
“If something ever happened to you, Alena,” he murmured, his words slow and deliberate, “no god or mortal could stop the ice storm I’d unleash upon this world.”
He would tear it all apart, consequences be damned. Because without her, the world was nothing but an empty shell, devoid of meaning.
She stepped back, a soft blush blooming across her cheeks before her expression tightened. “Leukos… if something were to happen to me—”