34. Laia

34

LAIA

I pace the lair, my heart thudding in my chest. Thalos and Irix move with deadly efficiency, gathering weapons and armor as if they’ve done this a thousand times before. The air is thick with tension, each clink of metal and rustle of leather amplifying my growing anxiety.

Kael stands beside me, his presence a quiet comfort. His eyes follow his brothers’ movements, but he remains still, ready to act when needed. The waiting gnaws at me, each second stretching into an eternity.

“Where are you guys going? What’s happening?” I finally ask, my voice tight with worry. I need to know. I can’t stand this uncertainty any longer.

Thalos looks up, his expression unreadable. “There’s a dark elf camp not far from here,” he says, his voice steady but cold. “They’re searching for you. We’re going to end this.”

My stomach twists at his words. They’re still hunting me. The fear I thought I’d escaped claws its way back into my mind. But there’s also a flicker of something else—determination.

“Do you know how many?” Kael asks, his voice calm but serious.

“Enough to be a problem,” Irix replies, strapping a broad-bladed axe to his back. His golden eyes meet mine for a moment, and there’s something fierce in his gaze. “But we’ve handled worse.”

I swallow hard, trying to steady my breathing. “What can I do?”

Thalos’s eyes narrow slightly as he considers me. “Stay here,” he finally says. “We can’t risk you getting caught.”

“I can fight,” I insist, my hands clenching into fists. “I’ve killed dark elves before.”

“You’re strong,” Kael says softly, placing a hand on my shoulder. “But we need you safe.”

My heart skips a beat. “I’m coming with you.”

Irix shakes his head, his tone final. “No. You’re staying here with Kael.”

Only Thalos and Irix are going, so Kael can protect me. The thought of staying behind gnaws at me, filling me with frustration and helplessness. I can’t just sit here while they risk their lives for me.

“Please, let me come with you,” I plead, my voice rising with desperation. “I even fought that orc.”

Irix’s eyes flash with anger, his voice a low growl. “This isn’t up for debate, Laia. You’re staying.”

My fists clench at my sides, a mix of anger and determination surging through me. “I can fight! I fought that orc, didn’t I?”

Thalos doesn’t turn, his focus remaining on his preparations. Irix steps closer, his golden eyes blazing. “And you nearly got killed,” he snaps. “We’re not risking you like that again.”

I turn to Kael, my eyes pleading. He’s always been the voice of reason, the one who listens. “Please, Kael. I need to do this. I need to fight for myself.”

Kael’s face softens, but there’s a hardness in his eyes too—a protective edge that wasn’t there before. He places a hand on my shoulder, his touch warm and steady.

“Laia,” he says gently, “your strength isn’t just in fighting. Staying here keeps you safe, and that keeps us focused.” His words are kind but firm, a reminder of what’s at stake.

My shoulders slump in defeat as their decision presses down on me. They’re doing this out of love and protection, but it feels like a cage.

“I just… I don’t want to be useless,” I whisper, my voice breaking.

Kael pulls me into a tight embrace, his warmth seeping into my bones. “You’re not useless,” he murmurs against my hair. “You’re everything to us.”

The words hang in the air as Thalos and Irix finish their preparations. The tension thickens, an unspoken promise of what’s to come. I give up, clenching my hands in frustration.

“Be safe,” I say softly as they turn to leave.

Thalos nods once without looking back, while Irix gives me one last lingering glance before they disappear into the forest shadows.

The lair falls silent again, the waiting beginning anew with an unbearable heaviness in my body.

But soon, I can’t stand it. Every second that passes feels like a lifetime, each heartbeat a reminder that Thalos and Irix are out there, risking their lives.

I can’t stay put.

Grabbing a bow and arrow from the table, I head toward the entrance. Kael intercepts me, his brow furrowing as he blocks my path. “Laia, what are you doing?”

“I’m going after them,” I say, my voice trembling but resolute. “I need to help.”

Kael’s eyes darken with concern. “You can’t. It’s too dangerous.”

“I don’t care!” I snap, frustration boiling over. “I can’t just sit here while they fight for me. I need to do something. This waiting game is making me crazy.”

He steps closer, his presence both comforting and imposing. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “If I don’t face them—if I don’t fight for myself—I’ll never be able to heal. Please let me do this. You’re a healer; you know I need this.”

Kael’s expression softens, his eyes searching mine. He hesitates, the internal battle clear on his face. Finally, he sighs, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly.

“Alright,” he says quietly. “But promise me you won’t be reckless.”

Relief floods through me, and I nod eagerly. “I promise.”

He steps aside, giving me room to pass. “Stay close to me,” he instructs, his voice firm but gentle.

I grip the dagger tightly and follow him into the forest shadows, my heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination.

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