Page 56 of The Lost Guard's Healer

“I just want to know the truth,” I say. “We need to trust each other. Yes, it doesn’t change our fates. I guess… I just wanted you to know that I know.”

“You speak of Shanti people's business like it is your own.”

He’s right. And I have nothing to say about that.

He sighs and shakes his head, taking a moment before turning to me. “Elders have always led our people. But for almost a century now, others have become the true leaders of our tribe while the elders remain as the figureheads. It is the secret way of our people, and none need to know about it. This is our way.”

“I do not mean to interfere with your ways,” I say. “I simply want us to trust each other. You have to trust the man at your side in battle.”

“You have my trust,” Aldus says. “There should be no doubt of that. I suggest you spend our last moments here helping prepare for the battle, rather than search for secrets.”

He searches my face with a questioning what will you do next? look. It makes me wonder what he is capable of.

I nod. “You are right. Forgive me for my prying. I’m glad we are both in agreement. Trust is what matters.”

Aldus eyes me for a moment longer before walking away.

I look around at the busy village, alive with people preparing to go into battle for the first time. These are not soldiers or warriors. They are peaceful people trying to do what’s right. To not have innocent bloodshed.

Outside of the Kingdom, we may be the only people in the entire world who know of this imminent threat.

Galene catches my eye. She is heading toward the rows of huts across the field. She’s watching me as she goes, her eyes alive with communication. A small smirk is on her face. I know that look. She wants me to follow her. She wants to talk about something. That smirk of hers, and the shine of her eyes, stir something deep within me.

I go to follow her when she disappears behind the tents, but hushed, heated words make me turn to the side. I straighten at the sight of Wini Semassi approaching me with her brother Wills hissing at her.

“Leave me,” Wini is saying to him. “I will do what I like.”

“You will listen to me,” Wills snaps under his breath. “Mother said you must.”

“Go take it up with Mother,” she hisses back.

Her countenance shifts when she reaches me, the tension of her sibling squabbling, shifting to a soft smile and relaxed shoulders.

“Hello again,” she says, almost diplomatically.

I nod, not knowing what to say or what is happening. Wills is trying to murder me with his eyes.

Wini is effortlessly well put together in a low-cut blouse and hip-hugging skirt, both weathered and worn and possibly fashionable a long time ago. She brushes a golden lock behind her ear as she smiles, though not in a seductive way.

“I wanted to tell you something,” she says. “I… want to go with you. With you all. To the Kingdom.”

Wills steps up. “I told her she can’t just-”

Wini snaps at him and stomps her foot. He retreats, shaking his head. She looks around five or six years younger than him, probably not even in her twenties yet, but she has the air of the boss in the family.

I take a second to register her statement. I hadn’t been expecting that. “It is going to be very dangerous.”

“I know. I can handle it.” She bites her lip before continuing. “And… I can… Well, I have a magical ability.”

Wills runs his hands through his hair as he paces.

“I was not told you had a magic gift,” I say.

“That’s because no one knows,” Wini says. “I have told no one but my mother and brother. I… didn’t want anyone to know.”

“Why is that?”

“It’s… well I didn’t…” She settles with, “I am, now.”

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