“You can approach,” I say, rising from the grave. “Come sit with me.”
Kaël rushes forward and collapses to the ground in front of me. “I am so sorry!”
“For what?” Did they hear me crying?
“Yesterday when we were here,” he stammers, his eyes welling up. Ishereally about to cry? “You thought I was against you!” His words spill out in a wail, and then he bursts into tears.
His sobs catch me off guard. Oh, goddesses. What... what am I supposed to do?
“Kaël, you fool! Don’t upset her like this!” Zephyr growls, grabbing Kaël by the mane and giving him a firm shake.
“There’s no need to apologize,” I say, forcing another smile. Do I smile? Do I pat him? Offer a blue rose? Scratch behind his ear like a pup?
“I swear I didn’t mean to doubt you, Your Majesty! It was just... the way you looked at me. I thought you were going to claw my ears off!”
“I’m not going to claw your ears off, Kaël. But if you keep crying like that, I might drown in your tears before the war even begins.”
Puppy eyes are a real thing, and I’m staring at them right now. With a deep sigh, I raise my hands toward the sky. “Leaf spirits, my dears, please bring us water and leaves for Kaël’s tears.”
The sound of light, tinkling laughter fills the air as the leaf spirits emerge from the trees, carrying a large leaf between them. Moments later, a few nýmphí appear with bowls of water in their hands.
“Thank you,” I say, accepting a water bowl from one of the pretty nýmphí. She bows before sitting beside me, the others following suit. The leaf spirits flutter over to lay the large leaf near Kaël’s snout. The rest of us flinch as he blows his nose into it.
“Thank you,” Kaël murmurs, wiping at his tears and nose with the edge of the leaf.
I nod in response, and Zephyr lifts his paw to his heart. “We will fight in this war for you, Your Majesty.”
“Yes!” Kaël echoes.
I take a sip of water to ease my thirst before handing the empty bowl back to the nýmphá. “You won’t,” I say firmly.
Both of them tilt their heads, their confusion written all over their snouts.
“I have a different mission for the two of you. And Aeson,” I add. “Where is he, by the way?”
Kaël leans on his arm. “We were patrolling this side of the land. Aeson is stationed in the west area with his patrol partner.”
The trials have been canceled for now. We have only one day left until the bonding ritual, and that day is critical. With Gregor here, anything could happen. Theron has already assigned alarger-scale patrol to prepare for whatever may come. Before we question Gregor, we need to be ready for everything.
With the feast approaching, it’s the perfect chance for the vólkins to see Gregor in a different light. Not as a threat, but as... Maybe a friend. At least, that’s the goal. For now, the vólkins are busy hunting—some for the feast, others to feed the warriors on patrol. Tonight, most of the patrolling warriors will eat in shifts, while the females, children, and a few warriors gather for the celebration.
“What’s the mission?” Zephyr asks.
I straighten my spine. “As the strongest warriors, you will scout the land. Since you could sense that I am the leader from the prophecy, you’ll also have the ability to identify the others. While we conquer lands and villages, your task will be to search for the other five women.”
“By ourselves?” Kaël blurts out, his ears pinching back.
“Don’t be a pup,” Zephyr cuts in before I can respond.
“Yes, by yourself,” I confirm. “Aeson will be sent north, given his white fur and origins in that region. The two of you will be assigned to other areas. Don’t worry, we’ll discuss the specifics after the feast.”
This plan is our best option. Both Theron and Elder Aïna agreed. Finding the other five is essential, and their discovery will mark the true beginning of what needs to be done. Once my awakening is complete, I’ll be ready to take the necessary actions. And to make this world a better place.
“It’s time to get ready, Ethereal Leader,” the nýmphá beside me says, rising before offering her hand to help me up.
Turning to Kaël and Zephyr, who still seem to be processing my words, I say, “Save your questions for after the feast. Go get ready, and we’ll meet there.”
The two of them rise to their paws before bowing.
