“Did you miss me that much?”
“After spending so much time together, being separated took its toll. And you were attacked, so sorry if I feel a little extra relief at seeing you.”
“And she was worrying constantly about you all.”
“I was not,” I protested. It might have been a lie, but only a half lie. I knew they could all hold their own, but I’d always worry about them.
“Mostly about me, I assume.” Nico snuck up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, picking me up off the ground and swinging me around.
“Only you,” I told him as he let my feet rest back on the ground.
“Rude.” Luce crossed her arms over her chest.
“I missed you all, I’m glad to see you all back in one piece.”
We took the rest of the afternoon to debrief, with our group of friends and then with the rest of the generals.
Everyone was given their instructions for battle, and those who got the first batches of Luce’s potion were passed the small vile. It wouldn’t stay active for more than a few hours, so no one would ingest it until directed.
Every soldier had their orders thanks to Declan’s leadership.
We were ready.
As ready as we could be to go into war.
“Tomorrow,” Luce murmured as the last of the remaining generals exited the tent. “Tomorrow we actually go to war.”
“I met with Reggie again last night.” Declan’s voice rang through the crowded tent. “There is a large chunk of Adreona’s men who want to side with us. The plan is for them to sneak off during battle, where they won’t be suspected of anything. They’ll come to our camp and be given a patch to cover their Blood Court seal so we don’t confuse them as the enemy.”
“Thanks to the information from the guards Stellan knocked out, there might be even more we can sway, especially once they see their fellow soldiers switching sides,” Nico added. “Her stronghold isn’t so strong.”
“Putting it off as long as we have has played into our hands well. Better than I ever could have anticipated,” Declan added as he looked around the room. “We march at sunrise. Get some good rest. You’re all dismissed.”
I left Luka in our tent and headed out looking for my sister. After our conversation earlier, I couldn’t get it out of my head. I wanted to talk to Kara now. “Kar, you awake?”
I pushed open the flaps of my sisters tent tentatively. She was still awake, legs curled up underneath her in the chair as she closed her book and placed it in her lap.
“Yeah, is everything okay?”
I entered the tent and collapsed on the bed. “Is that what we’ve come to. Me only coming to see you when there’s something wrong?”
Kara pressed her lips into a firm line. “I guess I’ve grown to always fear the worst.”
“Which is exactly why I’m here.”
I sat up and met my sister’s gaze. “I’m sorry.”
A crease formed between her brows. “For what?”
“For everything.” There were so many thing I needed to apologize for. For believing she was okay after our parents died, for keeping things from her, for?—
“I accept your apology, although I don’t think it’s needed.”
“Kara—"
“No, you listen for once, Len.” I pressed my lips together. “You’re my sister. You are my best friend in the entire world, and I know I’m yours no matter what Nico or Luka might say, I had you first.”
I nodded. “Agreed.”
