Page 128 of Ecliptic

I could feel myself drifting. “I love you so much.”

“I know,” he said, his words echoing around me as we slipped through each other’s fingers and disappeared in a plume of sparkling mist.

I woke at dawn, my thighs coated in slick.

I raised my left hand, and around my finger, like a promise of eternity, sat an ivy ring.

I didn’t know how I could feel such joy and sorrow simultaneously. The dichotomy threatened to rip me apart. All I could do now was focus on the impending battle.

I crawled out of bed, my movements deliberate and concise as I dressed in black and dark plum fighting gear. The protective leggings and vest hugged my body and were reinforced withthicker panels of material. I strapped Mithrion to my thigh and adjusted my forearm guards. Every part of me was buckled in and secure in the lightweight gear, ideal for swift and untouchable movements.

I didn’t have time to comb my hair, so I quickly twisted and pinned my wild waves away from my face.

Dressed as a soldier from head to toe, I steeled my spine and took a deep breath. I shut off all my emotions as I walked out into the crisp morning air.

My feet carried me to the Vale, where Nepta, Dyani, and Maddock were gathered and dressed in similar war attire. Star-blades gleamed at everyone’s side, their hands resting on the weapons forged for this very battle.

I made eye contact with Maddock. His severe stare held mine as if he contemplated revealing my plan. Eventually, he dipped his chin without a word. It was a simple gesture, one that told me my secret was safe with him.

My gaze darted to Dyani. She’d pulled her hair back into her signature ponytail and donned her silver armbands. At first, it was hard seeing her wear the cuffs. They were identical to her brother’s, but now, I couldn’t imagine her without them.

“Alvar and Takoda have already been sent through,” Nepta said, breaking the deafening silence. “Driskell remains here with a small battalion in case . . . in case the worst should happen.” She paused, needing a moment before she continued. “I will take us to the war camp at the edge of the Lirien Valley. It is five hundred paces from Indrasyl and protected by the raised ridges. There, we will make our final preparations before we march.”

The air was heavy and crackled with nerves, but we all nodded, accepting our fates as Nepta summoned her small portal. And in a determined line, we stepped through the shimmering blue light.

One second, I was in the Sacred Vale surrounded bywaterfalls and the shattered Alcreon Stone; the next, I stood between rows of lightweight canvas tents.

The war camp was a whirlwind of running soldiers, shouting generals, and clanking weapons. I padded along the muddy ground as warriors inspected their armor, and archers fletched their arrows. Those who weren’t trained fighters were gathering water and setting up supply lines.

I noticed Takoda from across the way, preparing a shelter for wounded warriors. Medical plants and rags lined the tent, and his tall, lean frame ground up fresh noxlilies.

Wyn warriors were at transport carts filled with the newly forged weapons. They helped hand them out to soldiers I’d never seen, wearing thick, metal armor.

“Keira!” My name shattered through the wartime cacophony, and I turned to see my soul flame exiting a tent with a man I didn’t recognize.

I had just been with Rowen on the astral plane but seeing him in the flesh still sent a shockwave through my system. He looked like a lord dressed in silver-black armor—Viltarran armor.

He closed the distance between us and gathered me into a fierce embrace.

He released me, and my eyes swept over his commanding form. He wore a breastplate and gorget, with gauntlets on his arms and greaves on his legs. A glowing Ever-burn sword and a few star-blade axes were strapped to his side. I counted at least ten weapons on his body, and that was just what I could see.

He was power incarnate, and a flush hit my skin as I recalled how he’d handled my body in the throne room.

I glanced at his hand, and sure enough, a matching ring of ivy was wrapped around his finger. Our eyes locked and simmered with an unspoken understanding of our shared dream.

“You found help,” I said, dipping my chin to the man approaching his flank. He was shorter than Rowen, but even through his armor, I could tell he was broad and muscular. He had wavy, reddish-brown hair, a strong jaw, and a wide smile.

Rowen snaked an arm around my waist and pulled me close.

“This is Callum,” Rowen said, addressing the smiling man beside him. “He was one of my best men in Viltarran.”

I nodded in greeting but kept my guard up, wondering if he was one of the soldiers who’d followed Aliphoura without question. Had he been one of the guards transporting me to and from my cell in the Crystal Crypts? Had he stood by while I was nearly beaten to death?

Rowen sensed my tension and said, “He escaped Aliphoura’s imprisonment. He has been a ranger for the last few years.”

Callum turned his dazzling stare to me. “When I heard Rowen had been murdered, I fled. I knew that bitch was up to no good. For a while, I couldn’t believe Rowen was gone. I went searching for him, but he was too well hidden, and I assumed he was truly dead. Imagine when I found him wandering the ruins of Viltarran looking like a ghost. Nearly shit my pants.”

Rowen chuckled and patted him on the back. “Callum has been locating survivors from the Crypts. A small settlement is forming there, going through the wreckage and building temporary homes.” His tone turned more serious. “But, Keira, you should know that most of the warriors I recruited fought for Aliphoura.”

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