Chapter 35

Ruari

The morning light shone down on them as Ruari and Freya each took a wounded shifter into their arms. They’d been brought to a bunker for healing, but their wounds were too severe. They needed the standing stones if they were to survive.

He beat his wings hard and took flight, carrying his burden as his mate followed close behind him. They’d been doing this every morning for a week now. The agony and death the battles inflicted on his people wore on his soul in a way he wouldn’t have thought possible a handful of years ago, but he didn’t see the world the same way anymore.

Ruari’s mate had taught him empathy. An annoying trait, for sure.

It would have been better if he could have kept his heart cold to those who suffered rather than feel their pain and loss. The male shifter he carried had lost an arm and a wing from a Kandoran dragon who breathed green fire. After that, the poor warrior had plummeted to the ground, breaking several bones on impact. He made growling sounds in his throat as Ruari held him as gently as possible. They both knew there was a slim chance the limbs could be regenerated, depending on how quickly he was treated and how much his skin had closed over the wounds.

For that reason, they moved quickly.

A half-hour later, they arrived at the fortress. He and Freya changed into human forms and carried their patients to the standing stones, where the Healer already worked on another that someone else hadbrought. It was impressive that he could still function at this hour.

A shifter, acting as an assistant, pointed to a patch of grass where the two injured could be laid. “They will be taken care of next.”

“Good,” Ruari said, taking a final look at the ailing male he’d carried.

Zorya be with him, he prayed. Would the dragon goddess listen to someone like him?

Freya took his arm. “Let’s eat and get some rest. There is nothing more we can do today.”

A loud noise cut through the air and drew his attention. He spotted a green helicopter in the sky. The coalition used several of the strange yet efficient air transports to fly their wounded and dead to the Norman hospital. They’d likely be finishing up soon as well. The shifters weren’t the only ones who sacrificed for this war. Rather, everyone suffered painful losses.

“I am hungry,” he agreed. He was also very tired, both physically and emotionally. Helping people was more exhausting than ignoring them.

Shifters were usually fast asleep by this hour, but they had to push themselves every time the Kandoran withdrew shortly before dawn. Taking care of the wounded and gathering the dead bodies couldn’t wait until after they rested. It was a duty he and his mate took seriously, especially since they weren’t on the front lines very much, unlike the others.

Occasionally, they joined if things looked particularly terrible while they were dropping off supplies, but their own work could rarely wait. It was up to them to ensure the bunkers had enough food, bandages, blankets, water, and other things. They were constantly running low, and there were twenty shelters to maintain across more than a hundred miles.

He and Freya switched to transporting wounded a few hours into the battle each night, so the most critical could get immediate care. The coalition took over restocking, using their helicopters and the tunnels on the safe side of the shield to avoid danger. Both processes went on relentlessly. He’d never seen a war last this long, and it didn’t appear close to ending.

They made their way through the fortress, which was still and quiet. Everyone who remained here was asleep. They’d rise shortly before noon and begin work. Some were assigned to prepare meals for the warriors on the front line, others crafted replacement armor and weapons, and still more made camrium uniforms. So many were getting their clothing destroyed in battle that they constantly needed new sets.

As they climbed the castle stairs, a little boy with short, dark hair like his father ran outside.

He went straight to Ruari and wrapped his arms around his waist. “Did you see my mommy or apa?”

“Yes,” he said, tweaking the little boy’s nose. “They were eating a meal when we stopped by the bunker. Both are tired but doing well.”

Orion pulled away, relief on his face. “I want to see them.”

Ruari felt terrible for his nephew, who couldn’t possibly understand the circumstances of this war. His parents could fly back to the keep, but it would cost them valuable resting and healing time. The long battles at night, followed by the gathering of the wounded and dead, left them wholly drained by the time they finished. He had no doubt they would come if they could.

“I will tell them,” he promised. “But it could be a while yet.”

Disappointment filled Orion’s eyes. “Okay.”

“Why are you still awake?” Ruari asked, thinking the child should have been in bed hours ago.

His lips trembled. “I had a bad dream and couldn’t go back to sleep.”

From what he understood, they came almost every night. “What was it about?”

“Fog and monsters.”

As Ruari suspected, his nephew had caught glimpses of the war again. There was none of the toxic gas last night, though, so he wondered if it was a future night. He wished the child had not inherited this aspect of Uncle Kade’s gifts, especially at such a tender age. It would force Orion to mature much faster than he should.

“Poor dear.” Freya picked him up and held him close. “How about you have something to eat with us, and then we’ll help you get back to bed. Would you like that?”

For such a tough female, she was always gentle and sweet with their nephew. Ruari had never considered having children before, but lately, he thought it might be nice with his mate. She was very good with others’ offspring and could make up for his shortcomings.

“Yes, please,” Orion said with a jerky nod.

They headed inside and walked through the great hall, finding a few shifters eating at the main table. For the duration of the war, the castle kitchens would always have a couple of people on duty to serve those up at odd hours. Ruari was grateful for that.

Moments after settling into their seats, a human male came with tankards of mead for them and juice for Orion. He gave them respectful looks. The servants within the castle understood that shifters were fighting for their lives out there to keep them all safe, and everyone played a part in the war effort. This man might not think his duty was essential, but keeping them fed certainly ranked high on Ruari’s priority list.

“Thank you,” he said, lifting his cup.

It occurred to him then that he never used to thank the servants. Still, between his father’s death, losing status under Nanoq’s leadership, gaining a mate who forced him to see things differently, and a brother who gave him tasks that forced him to work with “lesser” people, he’d learned all deserved fair treatment. Apparently, they had feelings worth considering.

The man bowed. “I’ll bring freshly cooked food for you in a few minutes.”

“That would be much appreciated.”

While waiting, Phoebe entered the great hall from the back corridor. Dark circles lined his younger sister’s eyes, and her black hair with a silver streak was mussed from sleep. She wore a simple gray sleeping gown that only reached her knees.

“There you are,” she said, narrowing her gaze on Orion.

He cringed in Freya’s lap. “I had a bad dream.”

“Another one?” she asked, expression softening a little.

Orion nodded.

“Return to your daughter and get some sleep,” Ruari said, taking pity on her. “We will bring him to your room when we finish eating.”

His sister balanced caring for the children while managing the castle’s defenses—all while pregnant. He’d heard that females were especially tired while growing a hatchling in their bellies. They were like little leeches, apparently. He did not see any reason for her to be up at this time when it wasn’t necessary, and they could help. Orion was tolerable for a little boy, after all.

She drew her brows together as she looked at him. “Are you sure? You two must be tired after working all night and morning.”

Phoebe’s face revealed more exhaustion than he and Freya had on theirs. “I know I have not been the best brother, but I can do this simple thing for you.”

“Thank you,” she said, speaking in the kindest tone she’d ever directed his way.

The pregnancy must have addled her mind.

Freya gave her a shooing motion. “Yes, please. Get some sleep. Spending time with our nephew is certainly the most enjoyable chore we will perform this day.”

With gratitude in her gaze, Phoebe turned and walked back toward the corridor.

The human servant came from the kitchens, balancing three plates as he headed toward them. It was a traditional breakfast with eggs, sausage, and biscuits. They quickly began eating, having worked up an appetite, and he returned a minute later with bowls of freshly cut fruit. Orion perked up at that and immediately started eating an apple slice.

No one spoke for a while as they ate, but then Orion looked between them. “I should tell you about my other dream.”

“You had more than one?” Ruari drew his brows together, thinking the higher powers needed to give the child a break.

The little boy nodded slowly. “It was different.”

“In what way?” Freya asked, cuddling him closer.

“A red-haired lady told me the three sorcerers won’t come until the shield wall is down.”

Shock filled Ruari. They’d never talked about those things in Orion’s presence, and he was certain Aidan and Bailey wouldn’t have either. How could a young child know such a thing? Most of the time, his dreams were more vague.

Freya turned him in her arms enough so she could see his face. “Was that all?”

“No.” Orion’s eyes filled with tears. “The bad dragons and people are going to attack the fortress. Mommy and Apa will have to stop them, but it will be very hard.”

“When?” Ruari asked, taking the boy seriously.

“I don’t know, but it’s after the shield falls.”

Well, that went without saying, but he wouldn’t fault the child. He was too young to grasp theconcept of time fully. They would simply have to be ready when that happened.

“Thank you for telling us,” he said.

Orion nodded. “I think I’m ready to go back to bed now.”

Freya stood, still holding him close to her. “Then we will escort you there, sweet boy.”

“Okay,” he said, giving her a faint, sleepy smile. His golden gaze revealed wisdom far beyond his four years, making Ruari wonder what he’d be like when he was fully grown. Hopefully, less weird than Uncle Kade.