Page 198 of When Sisters Collide
“The best,” Nik agreed, digging into his bowl.
Alena was famished, too, her body still humming from the morning drills in the forest. Since arriving at the rebel camp, her routine had been relentless: each day began with the exercisesPhoebe had taught her, followed by gruelling attempts to master her Gifts—summoning the Cyprian’s armour while wielding the South Wind’s magic at the same time.
Her gaze drifted beyond Nik to the sprawling crescent of tents lining the lake shore. Kaixo stood by the water with Pelagios and a couple of other rebels, learning to skip stones across the surface.
Since Phoebe’s departure, he’d withdrawn further into himself, spending long hours outside, often with the wolves.
Alena often caught glimpses of him lurking among the ferns while she trained, awe and longing written across his face as he watched from the shadows. Yet he never sought her out to train with a sword—only Leukos or Nik.
At night, however, he still curled close, clutching the little wooden figurine of Ama—the one Leukos had carved for him—like a lifeline. His grief showed in bursts of anger, but beneath it all Alena sensed his need for connection, for someone to lean on.
She understood all too well. Though the grief wasn’t as sharp as it had been in the days after San’s death, it still caught her unawares. Sometimes it struck in quiet moments—like the night she stumbled upon the patched cloak San had stitched for her during their travels with Phoebe. The sight of it had undone her; she’d wept like a child, crushed beneath the weight of guilt.
Kaixo’s wounds mirrored her own. She wasn’t his mother, but he was hers to protect now. And no matter what, they would always be a family.
“He’ll come around,” Nik said, following her gaze. “He might not say it, but he needs you.”
Alena took another spoonful, letting San’s recipe settle over her like a distant embrace. “And I need him.”
Nik offered her a knowing smile before returning to his meal. Behind him, the main tent—usually buzzing with the rebel leadership’s strategy meetings—was empty.
“Where is everyone?” Alena asked.
“Leukos is off training,” Nik replied through a mouthful of food.
Alena’s heart sank. Once again Leukos had isolated himself. When she’d suggested they test his control together, he’d refused. He was slipping further away, and no matter how hard she reached for him, her fingers kept closing around empty air.
“And the others?”
“The twins are resting before their next jump back to Tiryns, and Theo…” He smirked knowingly, scraping the bottom of his bowl. “Well, let’s just say we won’t be seeing him for a while.”
“Isn’t he with Elishat?” The Parthian scout had returned that morning, and Alena had exchanged only a few words with her before she’d slipped away to find Theo.
“Yep.”
“That’s good. I’m glad they found time to catch up.” Elishat and Theo clearly cared for one another—Alena still remembered how distraught they’d both seemed last summer when Leukos announced Theo would accompany him to Tiryns.
Nik snorted, breaking her thoughts. “I doubt they’re doing much talking.”
Alena blinked, then flushed as the implication hit her. “Oh, I see.”
Nik took a swig from his waterskin, lips twitching at her reaction.
She buried her head in her bowl, aiming for a casual tone. “It’s fine. I might be… inexperienced, but I’m not clueless.”
Nik arched an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“Yes. Katell told me plenty. So did the women in our camp, though their descriptions were… more elusive.” She shrugged. “I grew up around animals, so I have abasicunderstanding of these things.”
Nik choked on a laugh, setting down his waterskin with exaggerated care.
She shot him a glare. “Stop it.”
“I didn’t say anything.” But the look on his face said plenty.
“You didn’t have to.”
His grin widened, mischief dancing across his features. “Well, if Kat’s teaching methods are anything to go by, I’d say Leukos is in for?—”
