Page 86 of Ruined Kingdom

Prickles of sweat developed along my spine as I saw my siblings barely holding it in.

“All right, well, we don’t have time to chat! Let’s head home,” I said, trying to lead Kaine away from them before they couldn’t keep my secret to themselves anymore.

“Oh, you don’t want to stay for breakfast?” my father whined at me.

I eyed my siblings meaningfully, signaling to them that I’d pummel them if they said anything. “No, no. I think I need to go home now. I’ll see all of you again soon!”

“Okay…” Kaine looked at me strangely but didn’t question me and waved to my family. “I suppose we’ll see you at another time then.”

He climbed back up on his horse and helped me up behind him.

Everyone waved us off, and I didn't allow myself to relax until we entered the forest.

I let out a relieving sigh and slumped into Kaine’s back.

He had a scent of flowers on him. I could tell he’d been traveling through a lush meadow.

“How is your wound feeling?” he asked, even though he very well knew it no longer hurt. He was just trying to make conversation.

“Other than a really unfortunate scar, I think I'll be fine,” I admitted.

It was strange—I still experienced the pain of having to recover from my injury, even though my mother’s power had instantly healed me back on the battlefield.

I wondered if I was recovering more from the painful trauma rather than the actual wound.

“You’re still beautiful with a scar.” His voice softened.

As we came onto the castle grounds, I noticed a lone hooded traveler coming down the path toward us.

I felt Kaine stiffen. “Who goes there?” he called out.

The person lowered their hood to reveal that it was Yenisey.

I was shocked. We had barely talked since the battle, but I never expected her to leave.

Not that it was fair of me to expect her to stay.

“You’re leaving?” I asked.

“Yes, I'd like to thank you for your friendship and your hospitality. Allowing me to stay here while I recovered from my injuries was far nicer than I deserved.” She motioned back at the castle over her shoulder before dropping her head in shame.

I pressed my lips together nervously, trying to figure out a way to convince her not to leave if it wasn’t what she truly wanted. She had taken a spear for me, after all.

“You don't have to,” I said as I looked at her in earnest while pinching the material of Kaine’s cloak.

“No, I do. I still have to find my place in this world. Everything is so new to me, but I might be back someday.”

I noticed then that a different look entered her eyes, almost as if she was hopeful and excited for her future, however uncertain it was.

I nodded, content that she was doing what she believed she needed to. “You'll always be welcome back here. I'll always consider you a friend, Yenisey.”

This brought a smile to her face as she walked up to me. She reached her hand up for mine and squeezed it.

“I want to thank you for everything you've done for me, Sophia. You were far kinder than you ever needed to be.”

She then nodded her head, more for herself than for me, before continuing on her way out the gates and down the path beyond my sight.

Goodbye, Yenisey.

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