Born of Flames

Chapter 32 ~ Answers Unspoken

They indeed waited two days before confirmation arrived that Gaelen's letters had been delivered to Rehema and Lonan. By that point, they were all itching to leave. The palace had been fraught with tension as they waited, and for the most part, Morana and Neeri were the only ones to converse.

Tarion, Arlon, and Gaelen seemed to take great care to avoid each other. But now that they were preparing to leave, everyone's spirits seemed to be slightly lifted. At least, they were all pretending as such. Morana glanced up from the bag she was packing and cast her gaze over to Neeri.

Her friend was on the other side of the bed, folding a few tunics while humming to herself softly. There was a hint of a smile on her lips, the same one that had been there since the morning after they returned. Morana couldn't help but smile too. There was no need to wonder about the source of Neeri's happiness.

They had all noticed Arlon standing closer to her than usual whenever they were together, and it was hard not to gawk when he let his hand rest on Neeri's waist. Morana had yet to see them kiss and assumed she'd be waiting a while still, but it was clear that something had changed between them.

She was glad to see Arlon opening himself up to Neeri and trying to return her affection, rather than the blatant indifference he used to treat her with. But for his sake, she prayed he would remain smart and not do anything to hurt her friend, or he would find Noxbane at his throat.

Morana patted a pair of pants into her bag, then straightened and cleared her throat. Neeri caught her eye. "Do you mind finishing up here?" Morana asked. "I just remembered there was something else I forgot to do."

That wasn't quite true; she hadn't forgotten. She just didn't want to have to explain her actions to anyone else.

"Sure. Will you be long?"

Morana shook her head. "I'll have to leave the palace, but it won't take long. I'll use Noxbane."

Neeri's brows pulled together but she asked no more questions. Morana crossed the room and grabbed her sheathed sword. She buckled it around her hips and removed Noxbane.

"I'll be back," Morana promised again. Neeri offered her a pursed smile before a portal swept her away.

•༻☽☾༺•

Sconces ignited as soon as Morana's feet touched the stone floor of the temple. She secured Noxbane back in its sheath and gazed about the chamber. She found the Wisp already seated on the altar in the center of the room. It cocked its head, inky shadows floating around it like locks of hair.

"You knew I was coming?" Morana asked. The Little God nodded. "Do you know what I've come to ask?"

"Why don't you tell me?"

Morana licked her lips as her mouth ran dry. "You're more talkative than the other Wisps."

"Would you not talk to yourself and any company who stumbles across you if you were doomed to be alone for eternity, my Lady?"

"I suppose so. You wouldn't have to be alone though. You could come with us. We'll be leaving today and without Noxbane, no one else will be able to come down here. The other tunnel entrance is collapsed."

"Thank you for your concern, my Lady, but I must remain here. Perhaps you would visit me sometime though?"

Morana sat on the lip of the altar with a nod. "Of course." She sighed faintly and turned her face away. "I have a question and you might be the only one who has the answer. I...I don't want to ask anyone else. I don't want to worry them."