Quinn’s eyes widen, and her hand trembles as she lowers the dagger to the ground.
“I’m so sorry,” I say, the words fragmenting inside me.
She shakes her head and glances away, but not before I see the tears. As they slip down her face, I grip Hector’s cloak tighter, wishing I could find comfort right now.
This isn’t right. None of this is right. Quinn already lost her sister. Now, this.
“I’m sorry,” I say again, not knowing what else to say or to offer.
She sniffs and turns back to face me, wiping away her tears. “Thank you, Sol. For trying. Not many people would do that.” The wind tousles her long red hair as she draws in a breath and straightens her back. “He died a free man. You gave him a better ending.”
“He was so strong, so courageous. And he talked fondly of you. He admired you. I could tell.”
Quinn offers a watery smile. “Thank you for that, Sol.”
I walk away, letting her grieve in private, wishing I could have rewritten his entire story.
ChapterThirty-Eight
Over the next three days, Hector and his army work on sending the dead Bloodstone warriors to the afterlife. They build pyre after pyre until they have a place for every warrior to ascend to the gods. As hundreds of fires mark the barren landscape, I stand next to Hector, my Bloodstone husband.
There are no words needed as the flames soar into the sky, carrying the warriors to a life beyond this one. A life I don’t fully understand, but I know it’s there. Otherwise, I wouldn’t feel Mother so deeply.
She’s here with me, even now.
The Carnelians send their warriors to the afterlife on the river, allowing them to float away as flames consume their bodies.
I don’t doubt the Hematites are doing the same. Though, I don’t know the method they use, I know the earth is shuddering and weeping with everyone. How could it not? Many lives were lost in this pursuit of vengeanceandpeace.
After the last pyre is lit and the ceremony has ended, I stride away, heading back to the center of the camp. I spot Everly ahead of me and scurry to walk next to her. She glances over at me, her eyes misty.
“Are you all right?” I ask.
She nods and runs a hand across her face. “I’m well, and happy to be back.”
“And Cenric…is he well? Are the two of you well?”
Everly’s lips curve into a smile. “We’re well, Sol.”
“Reallywell?” I question. “Or a little well?”
Her mouth breaks into a full grin. “We arereallywell.”
“Oh good. I’m so relieved…” I squeeze her hand, “…that Cenric isn’t like his stubborn cousin.”
Everly lifts a brow, waiting for my explanation.
“Hector took a while to forgive me for leaving.”
“Cenric wasn’t thrilled with how I left, but that man is incapable of staying out of my bed.”
I laugh, thinking these men are just as obsessed with us as we are with them. The thought makes me smile as I walk to my tent and pack my belongings. Soon, we will journey back to Karra, and I’ll finally make my home with the Bloodstone.
I glance at the open tent flap, catching sight of those two black crows. “We’re going home to Karra,” I announce, stuffing clothes into my leather satchel with more enthusiasm than skill. “Isn’t that grand?”
They caw loudly, as if in a heated debate about my packing skills.
I roll my eyes. “Critics.”
