<i>Zephyrine </i>
“Zephyr… the King is here.”
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Staring at Varyn’s sword, still ced reverently in its sheath, I heard that announcement from Dessyn, who had been glued to the window.
Her doubts were clear. Would Lycannar trulye tonight to keep his promise? There was no reason to doubt the King’s words, but he had responsibilities, a family, and those who looked up to him.
If anything went wrong on this mission, the stakes were far heavier for him than for me. <fn205e> Official source is find?novel</fn205e>
I had left Nyroth outside minutes ago, after he had spoken nonsense. I had nothing more to say to him. His act of kindness and protection meant nothing to me now.
Slowly, I walked to the window to stand beside Dessyn, and there I saw him. One sight was enough to make me swallow hard.
He was walking beside his horse, hands folded calmly over his chest. His hair was tied up tonight, and I saw the two des strapped to the saddle.
des I had seen once in his armory. He brought nothing ceremonial, and I could only smile at his audacity.
Lycannar believed werewolves not worth his sweat, and he showed it inly. My father had often thought the same.
For battles he deemed beneath him, he’d send Varyn and a few warriors, while he, the warlord, stayed away. The only time he had taken his very best army was when facing demons, for none of us knew what horrors we might meet on that battlefield. But even then, they had been conquered, not by demons, the viins we feared, but by our own kind.
I turned from the window to meet Dessyn’s gaze. We had spoken of it all, yet I could still see the fear in her eyes.
“I trust you and Apex to get the job done, Zephyr,” she whispered, “but will Varyn still be alive in this minute… and the next, when you reach him?<b>” </b>
The same question haunted me, but I masked it with a small smile. I had kept myself from looking at the fractured mirror, terrified of what new horror I might see.
<b>15:44 </b>Mon, <b>Sep </b><b>15 </b>
<b>23 </b>
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“He will be fine,” I told her. “That’s why Princess Mearez will be waiting at Ash Pack before we return. Come now.”
She nodded, ready.
“I will get Moon,” she said, and walked out of the bedchamber, leaving me alone with the view.
I nced down at my hands. I had left battles behind long ago, but this was no mere skirmish. This time, I would fight alongside a Lycan, against my own kind, for my brother.
My breath shook in my chest. A gentle nudge in my spirit made me lift my eyes, and there he was again. Lycannar Blood. He now stood beside his horse, while Princess Mearez had just stepped down from her carriage at White Pack, heading for the Dusks‘ household door.
I turned away, knowing time was short. My gaze settled on Varyn’s sword, and a small smile touched my lips. I hadn’t taken my own de, not wanting to draw suspicion when leaving Ash Pack. Tonight, I would fight with my brother’s sword.
I stepped away from the window, seized the weapon, and went out. Outside, Dessyn was already speaking with Princess Mearez.
I fixed the sword to my horse, which waited saddled, before turning to the approaching Alpha Auedric. He knew the n, and like me, believed it would seed.
“It’s time?” he asked quietly. I nodded.
“We will celebrate when your brother returns, Zephyr,” he said. “The funeral for your parents, you will hold it after he returns, yes?”
I swallowed hard and nodded.
“Yes.”
He smiled kindly, then turned and left. Emotion threatened to overwhelm me until Princess Mearez’s gentle touch drew my eyes back.
For a moment I felt undeserving of such devotion and support from people I had known only months. Words were unnecessary; emotion spoke for us. She pulled me into a tender hug, and I held her tight, with love, with respect.
“I will be waiting in Ash Pack for you,” she whispered when she drew back. I nodded.
Together with Moon and Dessyn, I walked her to the carriage. There, she turned to her younger brother and kissed him softly.
<b>2/3 </b>
“I will be there tomorrow morning,” he told her. “Stay safe until then. Okay?”
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“Okay,” she replied, obedient and trusting. He kissed her once more before helping her inside.
He stepped back to his horse. Dessyn nodded to me onest time, bowing to Lycannar, before she too entered the carriage.
Atst, Moon. He stood before me, and I swallowed, uncertain. But then he smiled faintly.
“I trust you, Commander.”
A sad smile touched my lips. He would not hug me, not before Lycannar. The Lycan King did not allow such luxury. Still, the word warmed me. Commander. That was who I was on the battlefield.
Moon entered the carriage, and it rumbled away, bound for Ash Pack. I stood motionless, frown creasing my brow. What if they were attacked on the road? Moon could fight, but… my thought was interrupted by the steady rhythm of hooves. I turned and saw him.
Chantel. Mysterious, calm, deadly. He rode a horse as ominous as his presence, and when he reached Lycannar, he bowed his head.
“Escort them from a distance to Ash Pack’s gates. When they are safe, return to the tower. Kill anyone who tries to harm them.”
I swallowed at the tone, but understood. His sister was in that carriage. He would not forgive any handid on his blood. Chantel, who lived only to obey Lycannar, bowed again and rode past me in silence.
My gaze returned to the King. He shifted, meeting my eyes.
“Lycan,” I called softly. He did not answer. Instead, his eyes slid past me. I turned and froze. Chantel had not yet gone.
“Be safe, Apex. Promise?” Chantel’s voice cut the air. Goosebumps prickled my skin. This was the first time I had heard him speak. My gods. I turned back to Lycannar to see he too was staring at him. All this time, I had thought Chantel mute.
“I promise,” Lycannar said atst, his voice low. My heart swelled, and in that moment I knew hell was about to break loose in ckwater.
<b>3/3 </b>