Page 163 of The Kingdom of Eternal Ice
My younger siblings hated to be left behind, but although Nevyn and Kilah did train recently, this is too dangerous a place for them. They are only just learning, and none of them is a trained warrior. They will need to fight battles eventually, but this one isn’t it. Only Alana joined me, with Caelan and Flinn. This fight is personal for her, and it was beyond question that we would let her join.
Aylin came too, which was surprising but a relief at the same time. Ordinarily, she is not one to join our battles directly, but this time, I assume she wants to see what the dark witch is up to.
We have been putting up our tents hidden away from town, with one of Aylin’s spells helping to hide us from prying eyes. Flinn has made his way to town together with two warriors, just in case, while the rest of us wait. Oh, how I hate waiting. I’m not the only one, though. Everyone seems to be restless. Tynan, in particular, is pacing up and down in front of our tent.
I join Alana, who is worriedly watching him. “He is scared,” she remarks. “Of losing his mate.”
“I’m not going to lie,” I say quietly. “General Shayan is probably in a terribly dangerous situation.”
“He didn’t promise that he would make it out alive,” she explains. “Tynan told me… that he didn’t promise.”
My heart aches for Tynan. Having to hear that from your mate must be terrifying. I can also understand Shayan’s side though. He didn’t tell us much, but it seems like Royan is in a terrible state, and I have no doubt that if things go further downward, Shayan will try to defend him.
“We will need to hope for the best,” I tell her. “We need to trust in Azadeh’s plan. And in Shayan’s
intelligence.”
“They are like no one else I’ve ever met,” Alana says. “The desert people seem to be capable and smart.”
“We underestimate them because they are humans. I didn’t even know that the general had so much experience as a spy and agent. But then… the desert people were able to look eye to eye with us during the years of war against them.”
“Mother says they put much more emphasis on skills, other than just fighting. They develop their weapons, war strategies, they work on their economy, on politics. I think that’s where we lack. We focus on strength. Not that that’s bad. Strength is our biggest weapon, but look at the werebears and how easily they were manipulated for relying solely on their muscles.” She pauses. “Strength didn’t help us at all when we fought Artio.”
“That’s true. But your agility did, and your smart thinking even in the face of grave danger, and loss,” I tell her. “You were the one who realized that the screeching noise hurt it. However, I agree with you, we need to make sure to train our other abilities too, not just our strength.” I pause. “I’m so proud of you, Alana. For how you held yourself against that beast, for how you fought and battled, and tried to use your gifts to your advantage. What you did was incredible.”
“Dad said the same,” she says quietly. “But I don’t feel that way. How can I feel proud when so many died? When Ita died? It doesn’t feel like an achievement. It doesn’t feel like I won.”
“That’s how it feels after most battles,” I say quietly. “Even if you win, you also lose at the same time.”
For a while, we continue watching Tynan. I’ve never seen him that worried. Tynan has always been a bit of a flirt. Both he and Alana have always said they don’t care about their lover’s gender, so it didn’t come as a surprise for me to see Tynan being mated to a man.
“I know she wasn’t my mate,” Alana says all of a sudden, sadness filling her eyes. It pains me to see her like that. She was always so joyful and full of hope. I hate that her innocence was stolen from her. “I know many won’t understand.”
“Azadeh was my chosen mate before she became my mate,” I console her. “Don’t let anyone tell you that what you felt wasn’t real. I know it was. And if anyone thinks your feelings aren’t valid just because you didn’t share a mate bond, send them my way. I will have a word with them.”
Out of the blue, Alana wraps her arms around my middle and hugs me. “Thank you for understanding,” she says. “It means more to me than anything else.”
I pat her back gently, not sure what to say. To my relief, I don’t need to come up with something as I see Flinn returning. Next to him, there is a small young woman walking. She is short in stature, and seems to be of teenage age.
“Let me introduce you,” Flinn says to us. “This is Contessa Noemi.”
“Nice to meet you,” the young girl chirps.
“Wait, I know your name. You are the count’s daughter?” I ask. “You are a fox shifter, and an alpha’s daughter!”
“I’m an alpha’sheir,” she corrects me, her eyes glinting with pride and mischief.
“Sh…Shayan didn’t say that,” Tynan stutters.
“He probably thought that when he said fox, it would be clear to us,” Alana says, sounding amused.
“Well, does it matter?” Noemi asks. “I’m here now. I’ve escaped through an underground passage, and then made a detour through the woods to avoid any werebears.”
“Can you lead us to the witch’s place?” Tynan asks.
She looks at him like he just asked the most stupid question ever. “Of course,” she exclaims. “That’s what Shay told me to do.”
“Shay?”
