Lienna.
We finally arrived at Adonis’ base after almost three weeks of traveling, the grueling journey etched on every face. The state in which we met him was beyond deplorable.
His camp was a rough patch of wrecked tents, battered and worn. Very few soldiers were present, their weary eyes and gaunt faces a testament to their struggles. But as we rolled into the camp, a spark ignited within them, spreading around the camp.
Smiles burst forth, and cheers erupted. The men surrounded us, their faces filled with happiness as they began to unload bags of food and barrels of rum.
The shifter kings immediately dismounted from their horses, their dignified demeanor a stark contrast to the ramshackle camp. Along with several high-ranking officers, they walked towards Adonis, who stood at the entrance of a ragged tent.
His eyes, sunken but resolute, locked onto the kings. With a nod, he ushered them into the tent. The flap closed behind them, blocking out the outside world.
I watched, intrigued by the secrecy. As the camp sprang to life around me, I looked for something to do. Soldiers scrambled to erect tents, while others prepared food for dinner.
I rushed to the infirmary, falling into step with people fetching water for the healers. During the campaign, I’d learned to find solace in helping. It kept my mind occupied, distracting me from distressing thoughts.
Inside the infirmary, the healers moved with practiced efficiency. I assisted, fetching bandages and medicine, watching as they moved with practiced hands over the wounds and cuts of the men, treating it and wrapping it up in bandages. The wounded soldiers’ gratitude warmed my heart.
For a moment, I forgot about the war, the politics, and the danger. All that mattered was helping. As night fell, the camp transformed. Tents stood sturdy, fires crackled, and laughter echoed. I took a moment to breathe, watching the stars twinkle above.
We’d made it. We were one step closer to our goal. The shifter kings had been done with their meeting a while back, but still had grim expressions etched on their faces. This time around, it didn’t look like they would be eating with the soldiers like Hermes and Caspian had been doing all the way here as I couldn’t find them anywhere around.
Lost in thought, I pondered their whereabouts when a soldier approached me. “You’ve been summoned by the shifter kings,” he announced, his voice gruff. My heart thudded in my chest, a shiver running down my spine.
I shot up to my feet, following the soldier to the shifter kings’ tent. Newly erected, it stood tall amidst the others, warm light spilling from the entrance. Two burly soldiers flanked the entrance, their imposing presence commanding respect. The soldier opened the flap, ushering me in with a nod.
I took a shaky breath, balling my hands into fists as I stepped inside. The shifter kings sat in various corners, lost in thought. The second I stepped in, their gazes snapped to me, and I stiffened, unsure whether to proceed. My cheeks burning, I made a quick bow, greeting them.
When I raised my head, Adonis narrowed his eyes. “Why is she here?” he asked, glancing at Hermes and Caspian.
“In case we need her,” Caspian replied easily. “If not for her, we wouldn’t have saved Hermes from Veronica’s attack.”
Adonis’s eyes darkened at Veronica’s name. “She’s been causing a lot of problems lately. She’s the reason I lost most of my men.” He announced and a grave silence settled over the tent.
Adonis’s gaze locked onto me once more. “Can she use her powers now?” Caspian leaned forward, his eyes intense as he glanced at me, my heart began to race in my chest.
“Well, it’s a long stronger than what it usually used to be. But I have to warn you, she is nowhere near perfect.” He said and I lowered my head, the words weighing heavily on me.
Adonis’s expression remained skeptical but he let out a sigh, leaning back on his seat. “As long as she will not be a dead weight.” He muttered and I caught a corner of Hermes lips curling up in a smirk.
“Now, why would she be a dead weight?” Hermes countered Adonis, a hint of amusement in his voice. Adonis glared at him, letting out a low scoff afterward. “In my opinion, I think she is a welcome addition, are you not, lienna?” Hermes asked, turning to me.
I hesitated, unsure how to respond, my eyes darting between the shifter kings.
“She’ll remain in the background for now, while we launch swift attacks.” Caspian intervened, refocusing the discussion back to the matter at hand. “More soldiers will keep watch tonight, ensuring no surprise attacks,” he continued. “Oberon must have gotten words they we are here already and may try something funny. “The rest of us would have to sleep with one eye open.” He said, glancing around.
“That is, if we get any sleep at all.” Adonis muttered, sounding tired.
“We need to leave now to assess everything.” He stood, Hermes following after him. “You should get some rest, you deserve it.” Caspian said to Adonis before walking out of the tent, leaving me alone with Adonis.
I lingered, torn between leaving and staying.
Adonis’s rugged features, honed by hardship in recent weeks, captivated me. His eyes, though weary, still shone bright. Fiddling with my fingers, I stood at the tent’s edge.
Adonis scrubbed his face with his hands, then rose, shedding his battered armor. The sound of clinking metal echoed through the tent as he called on a soldier outside. A soldier rushed in, receiving instructions to polish the armor.
Left in a simple tunic and breeches, Adonis’s scars caught my attention. Some were new, ones I hadn’t seen before. My curiosity piqued, I found myself speaking. “You have wounds?” I blurted, concern overcoming caution.
“Were you attacked by Veronica?” Adonis glanced up, mildly surprised that I was still around. His gaze narrowed. My cheeks grew flushed, but worry gnawed at my heart.
“No,” he replied curtly, averting his gaze. His tone was discouraging, but my curiosity refused to be swayed.
“But you have met her, haven’t you?” I pressed, taking a step closer. Adonis’s eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched.
“Not really…” he muttered, running a hand through his hair. The gesture betrayed his nonchalant tone. I raised a brow, my confusion mounting. As if sensing it, Adonis turned around, our gazes locking.
“We haven’t had any physical altercations,” he clarified. “But she’s been assisting Oberon, rendering our attacks useless.” His words were laced with frustration.
“Oh…” I trailed off, unsure how to respond.
A tense silence settled between us. Adonis’s eyes seemed to bore into mine. “What do you plan on doing here, exactly?” he asked. When I looked up, he was mere inches away.
My heart skipped a beat. I swallowed, summoning my nonexistent courage.
“Well, as of now… I can heal effectively,” I stammered. “But I don’t know much about defense.” Adonis’s gaze intensified.
“Defense is crucial,” he said. “Especially against Veronica.” He growled, his voice sending shivers down my spine. His proximity made my skin prickle and I wanted to look away but my body wouldn’t move.
I stood frozen, my heart racing as Adonis’s words cut through me like a dagger. “I can’t believe Hermes and Caspian would bring you here.” His tone was laced with frustration and doubt, and whatever was left of my confidence dissolved into the wind.
But then, his expression softened, and he added, “But I must trust their judgement in this one.” His words were barely audible, but they gave me a glimmer of hope.
He lowered his head, his face barely inches away from mine. His warm breath caressed my skin, sending shivers down my spine. “Just don’t be another thing for us to worry about,” he whispered, his eyes piercing mine with a mixture of warning and concern.
I swallowed hard, feeling my eyes sting with tears. “Okay…” I promised, my voice a shaky whisper. The weight of his gaze was crushing me, but I refused to look away.
Adonis’s eyes lingered on mine for a moment before he turned and walked away, leaving me feeling vulnerable and exposed.
Just then, Caspian and Hermes returned to the tent, probably done with their assessment of the surroundings. Caspian glanced at me, surprise flickering in his eyes to see I was still around.
“You should go to your tent. It’s already late,” he announced, looking out to call a soldier. His statement surprised me – from the beginning of the campaign, I had been sleeping in the tent with him without any problems. Maybe they didn’t want to take any chances now that they were complete.
I nodded, feeling a pang of rejection. “If there are no attacks beforehand, we’ll use the time to train and check your progress,” Caspian added, his voice firm but gentle.
I let out a shuddering breath and nodded again, trying to compose myself. Hermes watched me with an unreadable expression, but I sensed a hint of sympathy in his eyes.
As I turned to leave, I caught Adonis’s gaze from across the tent. He was standing by the entrance, his back to me, but I knew he was watching. I felt it.
A soldier was summoned, and he led me to a small tent that had been pitched next to theirs, its canvas a pale gray in the fading light. I muttered my thanks, feeling a mix of relief and isolation as I stepped inside. The tent was sparse, but my suitcase was already there, waiting for me.
I took a moment to unpack the essentials, my movements mechanical as my mind wandered back to the conversation with Caspian. Tomorrow, the three kings would assess me, determine my worth in their war effort. The weight of it settled heavy on my shoulders.
I spotted a bowl of clean water in the corner, and my skin prickled with gratitude. I used it to clean up, washing away the dust and sweat of the day. The cool water was a balm to my frazzled nerves.
As I changed into the cleanest tunic I could find, my thoughts refused to quiet. What did they expect from me? What did I expect from myself? The uncertainty swirled in me like a storm, making my stomach twist with dread.
I raised my hands, staring at the markings the moon goddess had etched into my skin. They glowed softly in the dim light, a reminder of the promise she’d made. Taking a deep breath, I solidified my resolve. I can do this.
The moon goddess had told me to call on her if I needed any help. I closed my eyes, feeling the familiar surge of determination. I muttered a short prayer, the words tumbling from my lips like a plea.
“Moon goddess, hear me. Please, grant me strength and wisdom tomorrow. Let me prove myself worthy. Let us win this war, and bring peace to our lands.”
As I finished speaking, a faint glow seemed to emanate from the markings on my hands. It was a subtle reminder that I wasn’t alone, that the goddess watched over me.
With renewed resolve, I curled into myself, trying to calm my racing thoughts. Sleep seemed impossible, but I knew I needed rest. Tomorrow would be a big day one that would determine the course of my future, and perhaps the fate of our world.
As I drifted into a fitful slumber, I felt the moon goddess gentle presence, a soft whisper in my mind.
“We will face tomorrow together, child. Fear not.”
The words echoed through my dreams, a promise of hope in the darkness. I let out a relieved breath, sinking deeper into sleep.
I have a big day tomorrow.