Page 147 of Soul Forge

“And we would be stupid to underestimate them,” Sypher insisted. “I think we should travel to Eden. We’d have access toHrothgar’s scouts, which means eyes on the border in case the Corrupted decide to leave. We’d have shelter, food, weapons. All the things the desert doesn’t provide. We can find a way to bait them out, put the power inourhands. As soon as they make a move, so do we. If we catch them while they’re travelling, we’ll have the advantage.”

“You want to sit around andwait?” Lillian argued. “Meanwhile, they kill Arden?”

“They won’t. They need him for whatever they’re planning,” Sypher insisted. “Cynthia was alone when she found us at the Weeping Mountain. She’d only leave Abraxos behind if she had to. I believe he stayed to keep Arden detained.”

“And I believe waiting them out is a huge waste of time.”

“Attacking them head-on is a fool’s game,” he answered coolly.

“You’re the all-powerful Soul Forge,” Lillian scoffed. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid.”

“Of the woman that forced me to wipe out an entire race? Of course I am.” He got to his feet, sliding off the bench and setting his hands on his hips. “We go to Eden, and we go together. The Corrupted can’t pick us off in a group. Once we’re in Eden, we can think of a way to bait them out. We don’t want to face them where Cynthia can access an endless supply of demons. We need to be smart about this.”

Lillian stood and glared up at him. “The element of surprise will be on our side. We can take the fight to them, maybe even cut them down in their sleep. We might not have to fight them at all if we play this right.”

“You’re wrong,” he insisted. Elda’s brows crept up when the Soul Forge put a hand on Lillian’s shoulder. “Listento me, Lillian. I want to keep everyone alive, including you. The best way to handle this is by playing the long game. We need to think carefully about our next move. We can’t just run in there, swords raised. Cynthia can call an army of demons through the borderto help her. She may already have hordes of them protecting her in Rift.”

Lillian looked down at her shoulder, and for a moment, it seemed like she might see reason, but then her eyes hardened. Those violet hues flickered over Elda, and her face twisted into a sneer. She knocked Sypher’s hand away from her.

“Coward,” she hissed, her nose inches from his, and then she stormed away.

Sypher sighed, his wings drooping. “I’m too tired for this horse shit,” he muttered, passing a hand over his eyes. “Will someone please make sure she doesn’t try to take them on herself?”

“Not it,” Reiner and Julian said immediately.

“I’ll go,” Clover offered, rolling his eyes at his brother and detaching himself from the wooden bench to follow her.

“You should eat,” Yani commented, frowning at Sypher. “You fed all three of us very close together. Your wounds still aren’t healing.”

Julian held out a plate of sliced beef he’d been quietly gathering while the group spoke. “Here,” he agreed. “Red meat is what you need.”

“I’ll butter you some bread,” Yani offered.

Elda smiled at their kindness and picked up a fresh orange from an overflowing bowl of fruit on the counter. Sypher watched Reiner fetch a jug of apple juice and a goblet.

“Go,” the ex-captain insisted. “Take the food to your room, eat, and rest for as long as you need. We can head to Eden when you’re strong again.”

“You go ahead,” Elda agreed. “I’ll bring the food with me.” Sypher looked between them all, his brows lifting at their combined kindness. She saw his throat bob when he swallowed, and it hit her then how rare it must be for him to have someone take care of him.

“Thank you,” he said quietly, and then he turned and disappeared into the hallway beyond the kitchen door, a faint smile lifting the corners of his lips.

“Somebody really will need to watch Lillian,” Elda remarked when he was gone. “She seems like the type to rush into things sword first.”

“Clover has it handled,” Yani shrugged. “She dislikes the rest of us, but she tolerates his company.”

“Spirit knows why,” Julian muttered, wrinkling his nose. “He’s too serious. I’d think he’d be the last person she’d get on well with.”

“You’re just mad that she prefers him over you,” Reiner muttered, adding several slices of buttered bread to the plate of fresh beef and handing it to Elda. She placed it on a tray with the orange segments and the apple juice.

“Thank you all for letting him rest,” she said fervently, flashing them a grateful smile.

“He fights for us and everything we have left to love.” Yani shrugged. “We need him rested if we want to continue fighting beside him.”

“Go see to him,” Gira agreed. “He’s too stubborn to know when he’s had enough. You seem to relax him enough to let himself be helped. We won’t disturb you.” Even Reiner nodded her agreement.

Elda thanked them again and made her way to Sypher’s room, knocking lightly and balancing the tray on one hand. When there was no answer, she pushed it open and stepped inside to find Sypher already asleep on the bed.

Smiling, Elda set the tray aside and approached him quietly. He was laid on his front, arms tucked under his pillow, wings spread out, and completely relaxed. His eyes were closed, long lashes fanning his cheeks. Elda reached out and stroked his cheekbone gently, marvelling silently at the slope of his jaw. Helooked peaceful, his breaths slow and even. She kicked off her boots and laid down beside him, smiling when he shifted in his sleep to lay one arm over her stomach, his wing stretching out to shelter her beneath the soft feathers.

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