Page 144 of Ecliptic

After I was sure no one would turn into an astral demon, I tended to Rowen’s cuts and gashes. He had several that were a little too deep for my liking.

Light pulsed at my fingertip as I grazed my touch over Rowen’s cheekbone, throat, and knuckles. “Thanks,” he murmured and kissed me on the temple.

Ven and Sabra walked up to us as if they hadn’t snuck into a war zone. My soul flame did a double take and ran his palm down his face. “I’m not even going to ask.”

“Best that you don’t,” Ven said, petting Sabra behind the ear. The wolf’s white fur was matted with black ichor, but she proudly smiled as blood dripped from her paws.

I knew what Sabra was capable of when it came to protecting Ven, yet I still quickly scanned them both for injuries, and thankfully, there were none to be found.

“After all I’ve taught you, a stick and string are your weapons of choice?” Rowen asked, gesturing to the boy’s slingshot.

“Hey! This stick and string saved your ass like thirteen times,” Ven remarked, pulling the sling back and pretending to take aim.

“Watch the language,” Rowen said with a grin, clasping the young elve on the shoulder. “Sounds like I owe you one.”

Ven beamed with pride. “You owe me a few.”

“How did you get bits of Ever-burn?” I asked, knowing he’d actually inflicted damage on the demons he hit.

“I snuck into the forge and stole the scraps,” he replied with delight. “Bailon thought it was Leer keeping the place tidy. And Leer never corrected him!” He laughed and shook his head as if we were all idiots.

“You never cease to amaze me,” I said as Rowen and I laughed with him. The brief weightlessness in my chest let me know that despite all the loss and tragedy, we would find a way to smile again.

The war cleanup continued, and I took a moment to rest and rehydrate. I sat cross-legged on the ground when suddenly, an iridescent light shimmered around me, and a small weight plopped in my lap.

Glowing feathers brushed against my skin in waves of silver, blue, and light purple, and a small but mighty chirp vibrated against my chest.

A starwing!

I’d seen the shimmering flash of its tail on the battlefield. It had saved my life twice. Once with the demon who’d grabbed me by the ankle and again with the demon who’d nearly sliced me in two.

I glanced around, searching for other starwings, but none were in sight.

Erovos said they were extinct. This must be the only one left, still bravely defending and protecting its home. I gently stroked the top of its head and noticed familiar scars around its body and wings. These ropey marks were from a net—a net I had freed this creature from over fifteen years ago.

“So we meet again, friend,” I said, fighting back tears. My heart broke for the bird all alone in the world.

The starwing nestled deeper into my lap and closed its eyes. “I still have work to do,” I said, but the bird ignored me and emitted sleepy trills of contentment.

“She knows you need rest,” said a voice as warm as the sun.

“Rayal!” I replied as she joined me on the ground and wehugged, careful not to smush the bird. “I can’t thank you enough for helping us. But how did you escape Aedris?”

The warrior queen had removed most of her armor and wore fitted brown pants and a linen tank. Specks of blood and tiny scratches covered her face and hands. “It is I who owes you thanks. You planted the seeds of rebellion, and because of your defiance, I was able to overthrow Aedris with the help of my elves.”

“You are now queen?”

“I am,” she said, her eyes locking with mine in gratitude.

Thaydril appeared behind his cousin. Mud covered his embellished armor, and his black eyeliner smeared around his eyes like warpaint. “That was brilliant what you did with our step-uncle,” he said, kneeling. “The second the collar wouldn’t snap, the wards and restrictions placed upon us vanished. You wove your words masterfully.”

Rayal nodded in agreement. “Not only did your words remind the elves of their rightful ruler, they also reminded Hara’dune—the land itself. The rebellion needed a spark to set it ablaze. We needed you.”

“I’m just glad I could return the favor. You saved me in crypts,” I said, watching Rowen sort the details of moving the war camp to the valley.

He didn’t want to leave my side. I’d convinced him it was okay to let go of my hand. He’d reluctantly kissed my mouth, cheek, and palm before leaving to set up tents for the wounded, but his eyes kept flickering to mine as if he were afraid I would walk to Indrasyl and never return. My heart lurched as I remembered someone else had made that sacrifice.

My gaze shot back to Rayal and Thaydril. “You came just in time. Even a moment later and I fear you wouldn’t have had an army to aid.”

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