"Together!" Antonius called, reforming our line. I moved into position automatically, feeling Livia fall in beside me. Her breathing was heavy, her sword arm trembling slightly, but her eyes still burned with that wild light that both thrilled and worried me.
Across the sand, the remaining fighters regrouped. The surviving mirage cats circled wide, looking for weakness. The last agluk pawed the ground, preparing to charge.
Good. Let them come. Let them all come. Every drop of blood was a payment toward what Drusus owed. Every kill was a promise of what I'd do to him one day.
I raised my sword, feeling the familiar weight, feeling the rage pulse in time with my heartbeat. Beside me, Livia did the same, and for a moment, I could pretend we were in perfect sync, fighting for the same future.
The agluk charged, and the world dissolved into blood and steel once more.
30
The dining hall felt different tonight. No victory songs, no boasting, just the quiet murmur of exhausted voices and the occasional scrape of a plate. Half the benches stood empty, a stark reminder of those we'd lost. The air hung heavy with sweat, blood, and dread.
I pushed my food around my plate, too aware of Tarshi's presence beside me. Even without touching, I could feel the heat radiating from his body, could sense every small movement he made. The strange connection between us seemed to grow stronger with proximity, making my skin tingle with the needto reach out, to find comfort in his touch. But I kept my hands firmly on the table, conscious of the eyes around us.
Across the room, Marcus sat with Antonius, both of them sporting fresh bandages. They spoke in low voices, heads bent together, probably discussing strategies for tonight. For the dragon. My stomach churned at the thought.
"You should eat something," Tarshi said softly, his voice carrying that gentle concern that made my heart ache. "You'll need your strength."
I shook my head. "Can't."
He understood. He hadn't touched his food either. After a moment, he stood, his movement careful - hiding the pain from his wounded shoulder. "I need to sharpen my axes," he said, loud enough for others to hear. Then, quieter, "I'll see you soon."
I looked up at him then, unable to stop myself. Our eyes met, and everything we couldn't say in front of others passed between us in that moment. My throat tightened with words I wanted to speak. Instead, I just nodded.
He left, and the space beside me felt suddenly cold. I watched him go, remembering how his hands had felt on my skin last night, how safe I'd felt in his arms. How different everything had become in just one day.
"Livia."
I turned at Septimus's voice, then immediately looked away. He slid onto the bench beside me, too close. When he reached for my hand, I snatched it away.
"Please," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "Just... let me speak. Just for a moment."
I wanted to walk away, to keep punishing him for his betrayal. But something in his tone made me stay. I stared at my plate, waiting.
"None of us know what's going to happen tonight," he began. "A dragon... it's not something any of us have trained for. Theodds..." He trailed off, then took a breath. "I know you don't want me to, but I'll be watching your back in there."
"I released you from your vow," I said flatly. "I don't need your protection."
"This isn't about the vow." His voice dropped lower, intense. "I want to keep you safe. I know I screwed up, I know I hurt you. If we survive this, I'd spend the rest of my life proving myself to you. But considering what we're facing..." He gave a bitter laugh. "Well, that might not be very long."
I finally looked at him. His face was sincere, eyes pleading. "I just needed you to know that I care about you. Really care."
"Do you?" I asked, studying his expression carefully.
"Yes."
"And do you trust me?"
"Of course," he said without hesitation.
I leaned closer, lowering my voice. "Would you do something for me? Something that could mean flogging or worse if we survive tonight?"
His brow furrowed. "What are you-"
"No." I cut him off. "I'm asking if you would trust me enough to do something, without knowing what it is. Something important to me."
He was quiet for a long moment, considering. Finally, he said, "I would do anything for you, Livia. Anything."
