Muttering and clinking of weapons began again, and the bitter reminder of what the day held filled the air as everyone started to make their way to their positions along the ward.
“That's my cue,” Theo announced, and I turned to face my friends.
Gunnar must have arrived while I was talking to Zara. I watched as he reached for Theo, and they grasped hands, sharing a brief, meaningful glance.
“Keep a tally of how many times you have to heal one of us,” Theo smirked. “Loser pays for a night out in Niverrian.” With that, Theo turned and fell into line with a group of soldiers.
“More or less injured?!” Gunnar called out, chuckling.
Theo looked over his shoulder, grinning, “The more the better!”
I shook my head, then turned to see Zara with her nose scrunched, clearly displeased with their distasteful bet. Suddenly, a shrill cry pierced the air, and the sound of beating wings announced the arrival of Aria's griffin’s, who began circling overhead. We all glanced skyward as Aria grinned and nudged Dedra in the arm.
“You ready?”
Dedra rolled her eyes before shoving her friend back, looping their arms together. “Let's get a move on then.”
With a final glance at all of us, they turned and followed the crowd out of the camp. We didn’t do big speeches or goodbyes. We said what we needed to say last night, all except Jaxon.
My stomach soured again and I glanced around as if hoping he would appear.
As if sensing what I was thinking, Zara stepped up to my side, a hand threading through mine. “Still no Jaxon?”
Shaking my head, I met Gunnar’s eye.
“He’ll be here soon. I’ll keep an eye out,” Gunnar said reassuringly, nodding with a half-smile before following the others.
Zara’s stare burned into the side of my face and I finally glanced back down at her.
“It’s time, Xavier.”
“No.”
Zara’s ocean-blue eyes softened and she smiled weakly. “I wish things could have been different.”
“Don’t,” I growled. “Don’t do that. Don’t say goodbye.” I tore my hand out of her grasp and took a step back. She followed on instinct and her palms came up to grasp either side of my cheeks, forcing me to meet her steely gaze again.
“I’m just glad I was able to know you.”
“Stop.”
I gently removed her hands from my face and pulled her closer, until we were standing chest to chest, our mouths mere inches apart.
“I need you to take off the chain and let me go, Xavier. It's time.”
“I’ll never let you go,” I breathed, and she let out a breathy laugh.
“All lambs eventually go to slaughter.”
A low growl escaped me and I shook my head, our lips brushing. “Not all lambs, love,” I whispered, “and especially not mine.”
“Our fate is already set, Xavier. We are already on borrowed time.” Her blue eyes locked with mine, and I committed them to memory–the way the blue resembled ocean waves, dark and endless, fading to lighter shades at their edges.
“You might die.”
The thought broke something in me, and I was pushing away from her again, my hand running through my hair. A strand fell over my eyes, and Zara pushed up on her toes, brushing it aside.
“So could you.”
