59. Abraxas

Iwalked down the stone halls of the outbuilding, winding until I found the door to the infirmary. It was hidden away behind a waterfall. The flowing water was believed to help with the healing of the patients within. I let my fingers trail through the water's flow, trying to memorize the details of this place that had once been home to a small but significant number of my people. It was so different from my homeland, but something about it had always sparked a familiarity like I knew it in my very blood.

Butthere was no time for that now. I pressed open the round stone door and saw Avlyn sitting hunched over on one of the cots, facing away from me. A few healers surrounded them, but at my entrance, they scattered like fleas.

Avlyndidn't turn to me as I approached.

"Before you ask, I'm fine. It was just my sword hand. Won't really be needing that in the battles to come, anyway."

"Avlyn… perhaps—"

"If you say I should stay behind, I swear to the gods I will stab you with my other hand. I'm pretty unpracticed, so I'll probably hit something vital in the process."

Isat down next to them on the cot. "Has she really become so important to you?"

Theystiffened next to me. I laughed. "If anyone would understand how quickly a beautiful woman can completely undermine your entire life, it would be me."

Theysighed, "It's not just her. It's for everyone we have lost for the last five hundred years. Everything we've done because of that fucker."

"The burden of that guilt should not fall on you. It is mine to bear. It was my choice to follow Hadeon."

"I understand why you did; truly, I do. Even before I knew about all this… dragon shit, I understood. It's what kept our people safe. That's what you taught me. ButTori is right."

"Didn't think I would hear you say that. How long was I asleep?"

Theygave a soft smile. "Like you said, these women have a way of worming into our hearts, don't they?" Their smile dropped. "It's not just Xyr, not just our kingdom that needs protection. It's everyone. We can't let someone like him have so much power. We have the strength to defend them, so we should."

"AndPallas is one of those people?" I wasn't teasing now.

"We wouldn't be here without her, and I know… Well, I think I know what it costs her to help us. We can't leave her there with him. That's a fate I would not wish on my worst enemy."

Iunderstood that very well. "You really are sounding like Tori." I was teasing again.

Theirnose scrunched. "Don't say that. I can't let her head get any bigger."

Inodded and rose off the cot. "Then you better find a way to make yourself useful, Commander."

Avlynjumped up. "Yes, sir."

Iplaced a hand on their shoulder. "I'm proud of the fae you have grown into."

Theyrolled their eyes. "Abraxas, I'm over five hundred years old."

"Still just a fledgling in my eyes, but it's time for me to let you soar."

Afaint, dark blush rose in their cheeks, but they controlled it quickly.

"When do we leave?"

"I just received a falcon back. The army has mobilized from their position in the Reach. Reinforcements come from Xyr. At sunset, we will fly."

Avlynmoved awkwardly, and I realized they had intended to smack their chest with their hand, the one that was no longer there. I gripped their shoulder instead. "Let's go kill this bastard."