Tane places a kiss on her cheek and she melts. “Still true today.”
I wait patiently for their answer, but my heart pounds. The warning of my demise soaks into every part of me.
The land will bleed.
“A small one is fine. All of us here, together. We can do it on the training grounds,” Mathilda laughs.
Mina wipes the tears from her face and looks at Evander. “We can help set up.”
Evander clears his throat. “We’ll make all the arrangements immediately. We can have it ready by tomorrow evening.”
I clap my hands together once and plaster on a smile. “Great! Let’s get to it.”
Mina meetsme on the training grounds first thing in the morning. Her eyes are red and swollen. The life that usually sparkles from her has dimmed.
“Are you okay?” I ask quietly as I stand beside her.
She launches herself at me, throwing her arms out and gripping me tightly. Half of her hair is tied up and the top of it tickles my chin.
“I don’t like this. Any of it.”
I wrap my arms around her, holding her to me. She smells like sunshine, and I inhale deeply. “I know, but it will be alright.”
“You don’t know that.” She mumbles against my chest. My medallion warms either from agreement or her proximity to it.
“Yes. But a wise person once told me that tomorrow is never promised and you have to love and live as much as you can each day.” Lachlan’s words ring in my heart, causing a sad smile to appear on my face.
“What a wise person,” he calls from behind us.
Mina giggles and I turn to see Lachlan standing with his arms crossed as he leans against the archway. Such striking beauty it leaves me speechless. His dark hair is brushed back out of his face, highlighting those otherworldly green eyes I love so much.
“I didn’t want to wake you.” It’s the only thing I can think of to say.
We went round and round about the prophecy’s meaning last night. The only joyous thing we managed to discuss was Evander’s impending promotion. It felt like he had only just fallen asleep when I dragged myself from our bed for training.
He shakes his head and prowls towards us. “We’ve just been told there’s a prophecy about your death. You’re not going anywhere without me.”
“Or us!”
I peer around Lachlan to see Mathilda, Tane, Evander, and Luna.
My eyes burn and I squeeze them shut to keep from crying. But a hand on my shoulder has me opening them again.
“We’re in this together. Ye dinna ha’ to do any of it alone,” Lachlan murmurs, as our friends stand around us. “Now—how’s your flying going?”
I glance sidelong at Mina, who grimaces.
“It’s uh—it could be better.”
Everyone laughs and some of the weight on my shoulders eases.
Lachlan steps up and gives everyone their training orders forthe day, but not before Piominko and Harald walk through the archway. Mina cranes her head to see Harald walking her way and the color rises on her cheeks.
But it’s the silent exchange between Piominko and Tane that has stolen my attention. A quiet reverence of respect passes between them. One warrior to another, one culture to another. That surprises me.
“And what are my orders, Captain?” Harald asks Lachlan, crossing his impossibly large arms over his chest.
“You’d have to speak with the actual captain.” Lachlan gestures to Evander, who stands beside him.
