Page 23 of Where We Belong

“Vale, Theron, thank you for your time, have a good day.”

We hurry into the bathroom, closing the door silently. We’re about to jump back into the tunnel that has turned into a slide, but the hushed voices coming from the bedroom stop us.

“You must get back to the camp at once, Theron. My body still hasn’t healed from her blast. I instructed Kaed to sit and watch her, but I can’t be sure he hasn’t fought through the elixir and kissed her, if it has they’ll escape and—”

“I cannot believe you left them alone all this time. You are so foolish. What of our army? Have you put the wards up around them?” War rages through my blood. Rai, please calm the storm in my heart.

“When I left, they were standing watch and mending their wounds, but too afraid to go down. She has obliterated the entire camp. The wards...” Vale’s throat warbles. “I started but had to leave for the Ember Court summons, and then Tobian’s godforsaken meeting.”

“So, we are exposed? Our army are weak?” Theron hisses. “I’ll make my way immediately.”

The front door closes, and it is clear Rai ignores my prayer because a pulse of something like violent excitement rushes through every single one of my veins at the certainty of two things. One, my brother is coming home today. And two, Vale and Theron are going to die.

Chapter 24

Nyk

doubt does not live here, I’m sturdy and sure,

with my essence and vigour, I’ll serve.

When we arrive at Kaed’s, Leander and Tobian are already working on strategy. To my irritation, Lili has summoned Eira.

“She’ll go straight to the Prince with whatever we say. I hope you know what you’re doing.” I whisper.

She tries to reassure me she won’t take her eyes off her until it’s done, but I know if Aiden suspects something and demands answers from Eira, she will break. She can tell whoever the hell she wants after we’re done, so long as Kaed is home. Bewildered, she fiddles with the clasps of her apron whilst she’s brought up to speed, and her instructions are outlined. She hesitates, glancing nervously at me from time to time, and though my attention is firmly fixed on the task ahead, I can’t help but bite back a smile at her little fidgets. Eventually, she leaves to carry out her part, accompanied by Lili. Soon after, a Pyreling singes my ear. With a screeching tweet, it delivers a message from one of the few we can trust stationed at the front gates. Theron has left the palace. Leander immediately gets up to follow.

The palace is a labyrinth of whispers and threats, so Tobian and I quietly round up as many of our most trusted Volker as we can find, which isn’t many. To the soldiers we gather, we keep our orders simple. Spread the word that we are heading out for a training drill. Answer no questions. If anyone has a problem, send them to me. Any hint of our true mission could send ripples through the palace that might reach ears we can’t afford to alert. If Vale puts those wards back up, we will lose them again.

Thirty minutes after we leave, Eira will send word to the King, informing him to prepare for our arrival, and those shadowing Vale would detain him. I catch Tobian’s eye across the barracks as he briefs a small group in what, from the outside, looks like nothing more than a friendly conversation. My knee rocks under my palm while I sit on the small wall by the armoury, awaiting Leander’s Pyreling.

“Until eternity or insanity, brother,” I murmur under my breath. The words turn into a prayer.

After what feels like forever, there’s a tiny hot sting on the back of my neck. I grab the Pyreling in my fist, its tiny head chirping what I’m sure are insults. “Little bastard,” I growl, snatching the slip of parchment from its snapping beak. My heart leaps, and I almost kiss the damn thing before letting it go. Soot leaps after it. I memorise the coordinates and nod to Tobian. We make for the roosts.

“Spread out in formation once we’re airborne. Eyes sharp. Once we infiltrate, if there are any signs of resistance, kill immediately, even if they are fae you know. But leave Theron alive.” My heart hammers in my chest. “This is for our kingdom. No fuck ups. Let’s bring them home.”

Lili is nowhere to be seen but I’m not waiting for her. I whisper a small prayer to the guardians that she will catch up in good time. With that, we launch as one from the landing platforms. I soar into the sky on my white phoenix, Ardyn, who has been with me since before I could walk. The rush of wind roars in my ears, and the palace shrinks below us. Around me, the formation of Phoenixes and Dragons spread out. The main city sprawls beneath us, the bustling streets alive. Vendors calling out their wares and carriages rattling over rickety roads. Children tug at their parents’ arms, pointing to us. In quieter times, during real training drills or routine missions, we’d dip low and put on a show for them, swooping and spiraling through the air, letting the dragons breathe fire. But today, the stakes are too high, and I have no space in my mind for anything, but what lies ahead. Kaed is coming home. We reach the edge of the dense forest, and when the trees grow too thin for the beasts to pass unnoticed, we dismount and tether them to a secluded grove. The coordinates stop here, so with a raised fist, I signal the soldiers to fall back. Tobian and I slip between the branches, noting Leander in the tree above us.

I try to keep my heart steady, but it starts to tear at the seams. We’ve scouted this area countless times, and every time, nothing. But what used to look like a clear stretch of land is now a fully functioning camp. Well, what’s left of one. The Princess’s magic has torn through it. There are a few tents scattered in a rough circle, most half-collapsed or ripped. Various items from the palace are scattered across the ground. Goblets and cutlery from the kitchens, books from the library, furniture, and food. Near the edge, I catch the faint slosh of water, some kind of makeshift wash station, next to a dozen fae trying to repair the wards. Too fucking late. By my count, there are two, maybe three per tent, and the formation is defensive. It must be guarding something in the centre. Their weapons aren’t basic; I can feel Vale’s magic coming off the blades from here. Tobian growls low besides me, no doubt smelling what I can. His blood imbued on some of the steel. They must have stolen from the Cinder armoury. Tilting my head, I scan the sounds around me. Kaed. His heart beats inside my chest, almost like it’s my own, but there’s a murmur threaded through it. He’s injured. I flex my hands, oh, how I cannot wait for this fight. Despite the camp’s defenses, we have the upper hand. The element of surprise. They have superior numbers, but we have pure rage on our side. Yes, I’ve been taught never to fight on emotion, but I’ve found it makes things more interesting.

“The plan is this,” I keep my voice barely above a breath, projecting it into the ears of my soldiers. “I’ll walk out with my arms raised. When the time’s right, I’ll signal. Once you see it, attack.” With a deep breath and a big, toothy smile, I step out of the cover of the trees. My heart pounds in anticipation as I cross into the clearing. The rebels at the perimeter stiffen, their weapons rising, but I lift my hands in surrender.

“I come in peace.” My smile is wide and my stroll lazy. “I just want to talk.”

Sneers creep up onto familiar faces, palace servants, Volker, merchants from the city taverns and stalls. After a few strides, they start closing in. The two I’d purposely kept my back to grab my arms and yank them behind me, forcing my palms together and shoving me down onto my knees. They pat me down sheepishly for weapons, missing five. I could take them out with one hand, but I’ll do that later. Theron emerges from the middle of the crowd. I’m not sure why I expected the fool to cower. He raises his crossbow, aiming right at my heart.

“Big mistake, Nykholas.”

“Indeed, perhaps your worst yet.”

Chapter 25

Nyk

Every blessing that rains, I will turn into praise,

as well as the angst and grief,