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Kael laughed. “Oh shit, Cithara is going to get it now.”
We chuckled as the Fae Remnant splashed the other one, screeching before the other tackled her into the depths.
“Told you. Talja can be a beast when provoked,” she said with a smile.
We continued walking through the chaos, Kael talking to a few other soldiers and getting to know them better. I was happy to see her so at ease with them, chatting away like old friends.
An elven soldier stood off in the shadows, watching Kael from afar. He seemed oddly familiar, though I couldn’t figure out why or where I’d seen him before.
He made no move to approach us, but his gaze never left Kael’s face. A group of soldiers passed, and I lost sight of him, turning back to where Kael talked with a captain.
“Tell me more about when Theron fell overboard,” Kael said in Elvish, her eyes sparkling as she looked over her shoulder at me. I knew what she was doing, showing the soldiers that she spoke our language, that she had more in common with them than they thought. It was something I’d done as well.
He laughed, clapping her on the back. “You should have seen him, tied up in the line and dangling off the side of the boat. Nearly keelhauled himself.”
“Ha, ha.” I mocked good-naturedly. “No sympathy for me puking out my guts and falling overboard when a wave hit?”
Kael grinned. “Nope. If you—“
A frenzied shout cut her off. “Whore!”
A blur of movement and the soldier I’d lost sight of lunged at her, dagger gleaming in the dimming light.
“Kael!” I shouted, lunging in between them, my arm colliding with his. The blade slashed downward, catching her forearm instead of her intended chest. Blood blossomed against her pale skin.
She hissed in pain, stumbling backward. “Fucking shit. Ouch.”
I was on the soldier in an instant, fists flying as he fought back, blade slashing against my skin. Kael lifted her hand and his limbs flew outwards, trapping him in a prison of dirt that yanked him into the ground.
The camp erupted into chaos as the elves and rebels began to fight. Punches flew, curses words following close behind as they launched themselves at each other.
“Enough!”
I threw myself into the fray, pushing them apart. My bloody fists flew as I took on those who refused to back down.
“STOP!” I shouted, the word reverberating through the encampment as the brawlers separated, chests heaving. It was a miracle no one had died. I checked on Kael, motioning for her to let me see her wound. “Are you alright?”
She gripped her arm tight, holding the wound closed. “Yeah. Didn’t even reach the muscle.” Magic crept from her, and she released the would-be assassin from the dirt, a slew of curses falling from his lips.
I snarled in his face, pinning him to the ground by his throat. She stalked forward, kicking her attacker in the stomach. “Why did you try to kill me? Who put you up to it?”
She kicked him again, merciless in her anger, blazing like a goddess of vengeance. I loosened my grip on his neck so he could answer.
“To save the empire,” he spat, hatred contorting his features. “Empress Nyana is the rightful ruler, unlike you and this bastard.”
I squeezed, making him cough and sputter. “How many others did she send?”
Around us, soldiers closed in, weapons drawn as he laughed, a hoarse rattle. “You’ll never know. But the next one will kill the whore.”
The camp fell silent save for the shallow breaths of the assassin beneath my grip. My heart thundered, and a primal rage surged through me, raw and untamed. The world blurred, narrowing to the man before me and the blood staining Kael’s skin.
I stood, and he smirked, no doubt thinking I’d attempt to question him more. My foot lifted, and I pulled my magic, channeling power through my gold as I stomped on his head, his skull coming apart like a rotten melon.
“Atar almighty,” the captain said, backing away from the assassin’s body, his eyes full of fear as he watched me.
I glared at him, looking over the gathered soldiers. A hush fell over the camp, every eye on me.
“If anyone tries to attack Kael, they’ll face the same,” I growled. “I have no mercy for those who hurt my queen.”
