Page 82 of Heart Cradle
Nolenne nodded once, throat too tight to speak. Solirra blinked slowly, and ever so slightly, relaxed her claws. The battle was over, but the war inside Nolenne’s mind had only just begun. Emotions waged, rising and falling. She felt sick, worn and truly defeated, despite the victory. Aeilanna approached Solirra, brushing dirt from her leathers as she moved. The dragon’s great amber eyes locked onto her, and the growl rumbling from her chest faded into a deep, contented chuff as Aeilanna placed a hand on the curve of Solirra’s snout and leaned close. “We’ll wash, eat, and rest for a short while,” she murmured, her voice hoarse from the shouts and smoke of battle. “Will you keep watch over the prisoner, please?”
Solirra gave a huff that sent the edges of the tent flapping and she adjusted her massive paw slightly on Davmon’s chest, pressing slightly. “Of course, Anna. Take your time, I’m rather enjoying this.” Solirra thrilled through her mind.
“Thank you, Sweet One.”Aeilanna pressed her cheek to the Emberwick, who softened further, nuzzling lightly into her, sniffing at a healing cut along her arm with a warbling whine.
Aeilanna chuckled, stroking the bridge of her companion’s nose.“I’m fine. Nothing permanent. Just singed, bruised, and bloody annoyed.”
Solirra’s eyes narrowed in what could only be described as a draconic pout. “Liar.” Solirra sent to Aeilanna.
“I promise,”Aeilanna added, grinning. “Now, guard him well, trust no one and if he so much as twitches, you’re welcome to sit on him, with great force.”
Solirra gave a satisfied grunt and settled herself more firmly atop her captive.
“Just don’t kill him, Sweet One!” Aeilanna called while turning back towards camp.
Nolenne was already removing her outer armour, wincing as blood-stiffened fabric peeled from a deep gash on her shoulder. They found a spot near the edge of the encampment where a crude washing station had been rigged, buckets of warmed water over a small fire, scraps of clean cloth, and salve jars lined up on a bench. No luxuries, but enough.
Aeilanna now had time to worry about Eiran and Maeve.
Who had Xelaini been carrying, and where were they now?
Nolenne pulled her from her thoughts, a soft kiss on her mouth, whispering to her, promising eternal love, lasting peace and rest. Together, they scrubbed off dirt and blood, pausing only to hiss when water found open wounds. Once clean, or as close as they could manage, they settled on low crates near a cooking fire, bowls of thick, smoky stew warming their hands. The food wasn’t good, but it was hot, and neither of them had eaten all day. “We’ll take him back through the transport stone after this,” Aeilanna said, stirring her stew slowly. “Leave him in the keep’s holding cells, then we come back, see what survivors we can help and burn the dead properly. Solirra can fly us back once we’re done, I don’t want her returning alone.”
Nolenne nodded, staring into her bowl. Aeilanna tilted her head, voice low. “You with me?”
“I’m here,” Nolenne replied, her voice steadier than she felt. “I’m just relieved, well mostly. I’m grieving for my family again as well, I suppose.”
Aeilanna studied her for a long second, then bumped her knee gently against Nolenne’s. “I know sweetheart. You were brilliant today,” she said. “And brutal and you know how much I love that in you.”
A faint smirk tugged at Nolenne’s lips. “Strange, you only say that when I’m covered in blood.”
“Well,” Aeilanna drawled, lifting her spoon, “Your moral ambiguity really does it for me.”
Nolenne huffed a quiet laugh and glanced sideways. “And your melodrama does it for me, so I suppose we’re even.” They shared a soft silence, comforting and familiar.
Aeilanna leaned her head against Nolenne’s shoulder, voice barely a whisper. “We made it.”
“Barely,” Nolenne murmured.
“But we’re here together. Still, together.”
?????
They made their way through the makeshift camp. Wounded soldiers rested, healers in lilac moved between them, and fires crackled to push back the chill, despite the summer month. They found a vacant tent, entering it slowly, removing the last of their weapons and boots. “I hate him,” Nolenne said. “But I don’t, not entirely. That part’s harder.”
Aeilanna wrapped a hand around hers, thumb brushing over her knuckles. “You don’t have to have that figured out tonight, not ever if you don’t want to.”
“I know, thank you.”
A moment passed, Aeilanna pointed at Nolenne’s boots placed by the door with a sly smile. “Next time you want to chase your long-lost brother across a battlefield, maybe give me a warning so I can bring my good sword and you a better pair of boots.”
“Oh, they are the good ones.” Nolenne said as Aeilanna inspected the boots.
Aeilanna groaned. “We’re buying new boots. Look at the state of them. Holes, Nolenne!”
“Well I think we’ve earned them.” Nolenne chuckled.
Nolenne still sat on the cot, her eyes locked on Aeilanna’s. She beckoned her, reaching out and taking her chin between her fingers. Then she leaned in, slow and sure, pressing her lips to hers with quiet feeling. When she pulled back, her voice was low. “I wouldn’t know how to fight without you.”
