From the Ashes

Chapter 27 ~ Resolve

Morana lay awake long after Tarion had fallen asleep. She was surprised that he hadn't returned to his own room, but given the things he'd revealed to her, perhaps he didn't wish to be alone with his thoughts. Anger churned in her gut, his words playing through her mind once more.

Astaroth was a monster. She'd always known that, but the things he had stolen from Tarion, the things he had made him do... She would leave the dark Lord burning, just as she had promised. For her lost mother and father. For Koen and Vesna. For every family who had sacrificed themselves to save her. For her dearest friend, and for Tarion.

She was still scared senseless of the prospect, but now, she knew she had no choice but to do it. If Astaroth subjected Neeri to the same things and she did nothing, she couldn't live with herself.

Morana rolled onto her side and watched Tarion quietly. Sleep had smoothed the worry and pain from his features, leaving him looking as relaxed as she thought he could be. Her lips curled sideways as she noted the shadows beneath his eyes and the cool pallor of his face.

He'd been more tan when they first arrived at the library. The only explanation she could give his paleness was if the need for blood was catching up to him again. And I doubt he would tell me if that was the case, she mused. He probably thinks I'd be afraid of him hurting me.

Before now, that would've been true. But they'd been together this long and he'd made no attempt to harm her, intentional or otherwise, and she now recognized that wasn't going to change. Her thoughts flickered back to the group of women and children, and the marks she'd seen on Astrelle's neck. Morana rested a hand against her own, thinking, then she shook her head.

I wonder if they made it to Rehema's village and if they took them in. I hope so. She didn't wish to think that some harm might have befallen the group. Hopefully they were safe and out of Astaroth's reach, the children especially.

I'm sure Astaroth has his Corrupted Fae searching everywhere for me. The longer it takes him to find me, the worse things will become for everyone else. They needed to prepare, and fast. She didn't know much about wars, but she did know that time was running out. If they didn't take the war to Astaroth, he would bring it to them.

Tomorrow, Morana decided. Regardless of what Tarion says. I'm continuing our research tomorrow, and he's going to start planning more lessons for me. She was tempted to demand that they start by redoing her last lesson, but it would be better to work her way up to it. The last thing they needed was a repeat of the past few days.

Morana smiled as Tarion swiped at his nose, a soft sound escaping him though he remained asleep. "You probably won't like that," she whispered with a hint of a giggle. "You'll probably be very fussy the whole time."

Tarion cracked an eye open though he didn't really seem lucid. "Hm?"

"Nothing." She rolled over again, still giggling to herself.

"Whatever," he grumbled. "Be quiet, Birdie."

"You could go back to your own room." No answer came.

Morana peered over her shoulder and saw that he was already asleep again. She closed her own eyes and nestled her face in her palm. One last thought crossed her mind before sleep stole her away. She'd never slept with her back towards him before.

•༻☽☾༺•

The next several days blew by faster than Tarion could track. He'd found himself roped into creating a steady lesson plan for Morana while she researched for them. As soon as his plans were complete, they set to work and trained for hours each day, leaving little time for his own studying.