Page 238 of When Sisters Collide
“Everything all right?” His voice was quiet, but she caught the concern beneath it. No doubt he’d sensed the storm within her after her encounter with the White Mare.
“Yes. I’ll explain later.”
His brow knitted, but he said nothing more, trusting her to speak when she was ready.
Volcos led them towards two nearby huts. “You can eat and rest here. The other generals will arrive in the morning, and we’ll discuss our plans then. Alcaros will stay with you tonight and make sure you have everything you need.”
Before Alena could answer, a sharp voice cut through the air.
“Stop pawing at me like a dog! I can get off myself!”
The familiar Freefolk dialect rang across the village. Perched atop a white stallion, Leywani sat bristling in front of Alcaros, a dark scowl on her face. Beside them, the Tarquinian guard looked far worse for wear, sagging in the saddle until two men hurried forward to drag him down.
“I don’t know what you’re saying, woman!” Alcaros snapped. “Let me help you before you fall and break your neck!”
Leywani twisted to glare at him, muttering a sharp retort in Freefolk, nearly unseating herself in the process.
Volcos let out a deep laugh. “I’ve rarely seen my general so riled up.”
Alena excused herself and strode towards the pair. “Ley, let me help you.”
With her support, Leywani slid from the white horse. The moment her feet touched the ground, her legs buckled, unsteady as a newborn fawn.
“My lady, allow me. I’ll carry her inside.” Alcaros dismounted with ease. His broad frame landed beside them, and he brushed his damp shoulder-length hair from his face with the back of his hand.
Leywani shot him a glare sharp enough to cut steel. “What does the oaf want now?”
Alena stifled a laugh, her curiosity piqued. She didn’t recall ever seeing Leywani in such a state. “Why? What did he do?”
Leywani let out an incredulous huff, eyes flashing, and jabbed a finger at Alcaros’ chest. “What did he do? He caught us the moment Lecne and I stepped out of our boat! Welcomed us to the Western Lands—welcomedus—right before clamping chains around our wrists and dragging us to this miserable place where they interrogated us night and day.” She hesitated, some of the fire in her voice flickering. “Well… Lecne, at least.”
Her gaze followed the Rasennan, half-carried towards the hut on the left, his arms draped over the shoulders of two men. In the dim torchlight, his face showed gaunt hollows, dark circles carved deep beneath his eyes.
“I don’t think he’s slept in days,” she murmured, her anger softening into concern.
Alena turned to Alcaros, her expression darkening as she translated Leywani’s words into the Western tongue. She finished with, “Is it true?”
The general’s broad shoulders tensed. A flicker of shame crossed his features. “We thought they were spies,” he admitted gruffly. “And to be fair, they never explained their presence—only that they were looking for you, my lady.”
With a frown, Alena pulled her cloak tighter around Leywani’s trembling frame. The woman was drenched to thebone, her limbs shivering from cold and fatigue. “Let’s get you inside and warmed up. You can explain the rest afterwards.”
Leywani gave a weary nod, but the moment Alcaros reached for her, she smacked his hand away. “Absolutely not. I can walk on my own.”
Alena sighed. She couldn’t. Not in this state.
“Ley—”
“No.”
A glance confirmed that the other warriors had already dispersed, and Leukos was deep in conversation with Theo and the twins. Turning back to Leywani, Alena softened her tone. “Ley, please.” She patted Alcaros’ arm. “Let him help you. He’s my kin—he comes from my mother’s tribe. I trust him.”
Leywani eyed the Western general with open scepticism, then sniffed, unimpressed. “Well, in that case, I suppose he must have some redeeming qualities.”
Alcaros exhaled sharply. “She managed to insult me again, didn’t she?” He scooped Leywani into his arms, securing her as though she were light as air. “I swear, this woman has been nothing but a headache since the moment we met.”
Alena grinned. “Her name’s Leywani.”
“So she told me,” he muttered, trudging towards the closest hut.
