The Last Hope

38 - Phoney

SONG FOR THIS CHAPTER - Far From Home, Sam Tinnesz. Linked above! I'm sorry I've been away for a while - the end of university kind of burnt me out. It took me a hot minute to get my brain in gear and remember how to enjoy myself whilst writing again. Thank you for bearing with me and I hope you enjoy the chapter!

If you enjoy the chapter please vote, it means a lot. Also, I actively encourage commenting and am trying my best to reply to any as quickly as I can. Want a chat? Don't be shy!

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There was little fanfare as they left. Katerina hugged them both, gushing and fussing about them visiting again soon. Milos embraced Mercy tightly and she was very aware of how easy it was to melt into his touch, when he pulled away, he gave Sebastian a nod and a slight smile. Warmer than his greeting had been yesterday, Sebastian quirked a brow.

"It seems that Heleyna and Milos have spoken since this morning."

Mercy only half heard the words enter her mind, instead listening to Katerina talk animatedly about visiting her at the surface. "I shall come to see you as soon as I can! You can take me to all your favourite places! You can show me this internet you talk about?" Mercy nodded politely and agreed but couldn't stop the whirlwind of her thoughts.

Queen Alexandria hadn't bothered to say goodbye, Heleyna made her excuses, but Mercy knew the truth. Alexandria hated her, probably for a good reason, but Mercy wasn't going to get offended by the lack of her presence.

They had returned to the great hall, and whilst the edge of the room was packed with guards, they were the only other people allowed inside this morning. That was probably a good thing, because Mercy was in no mood to smile and wave.

Someone nudged her arm and she looked up in surprise, Sebastian was staring at her, looking vaguely offended, "what?" Mercy asked so the others couldn't hear, raising her eyebrows.

"I've been speaking to you for five minutes and you haven't heard a word."

That was true. She hadn't heard a thing he'd said, or Katerina, for that matter, who will still chatting excitedly, despite no one following the conversation. Milos had wandered off to talk to one of the guards and Heleyna had that familiar look of wonderment as she glanced between Mercy and Sebastian.

"Hello?"
Mercy shook her head, "sorry. Tired."

Thankfully, all conversation ended abruptly as Milos returned, this time with the sword of Onir balanced in his hands. "Now where on Allunyah did you find this?"

Sebastian shrugged nonchalantly, tucking his hands back into his pockets. "We made a deal with a firedrake." He'd forgone his armour and chest plate today, for another dark tunic. Mercy wondered if she'd ever seen him in anything other than black? Not that the colour didn't suit him; but she pondered whether he might be received better by guests if he wasn't always dressed like he was going to a funeral.

Milos looked impressed, his brows rising into his hairline, and Katerina watched them both in amazement. "But the firedrakes fight for Cressida, why would one willingly hand this over?" Katerina asked, gently running a hand down the whirling runes along the hilt. Milos batted her hand away and she scowled.

"They only side with her because of the curse. If we can break it, they will fight with us."

Milos whistled and handed the sword to Sebastian, who redirected it to Mercy. She slung it over her shoulder, feeling the weight settle on her back. Vaguely, distractedly, she wondered if it was a similar weight to what having wings felt like.