Wind Wielder

Chapter 7 - Vengeance Unleashed

The morning came quicker than Zara was ready for. And it was harsher than she'd hoped.

Dante had squeezed her waist and untangled himself from Zara, rising and donning his fighting armor. Zara could admit that as the third in command of the entire Dawn Court army and easily the youngest in Dawn Court history to rise to such a rank, he was an impressive figure. Dante was exactly the kind of match her father would want for Zara. And considering the way her father practically considered Dante a son, a marriage between him and Zara would bring her father nothing but joy. But seeing Dante dressed in the solid gold armor of the peregryns now, it brought Zara nothing but dread.

Zara stood as well, dressing quickly and lacing her sandals. Dante caught her arm as Zara stood. "There is much I wish I could have spoken to you about," He said determinedly. Zara's heart sank, knowing what he would likely push for next.

"I know, " Zara responded, watching the way his eyes swam with emotion, "But there is no time for it now."

"Quit pushing me away for just a second and listen," Dante said earnestly. "If we both survive this war I'd like to court you properly. The way you deserve, no more of this sneaking around bullshit."

"Dante you are about to go to battle, we shouldn't speak of this now." Zara said with exasperation, moving to release his grip from her arm.

He let Zara, instead coming to grip her face with his other hand. "But what if this is the only time?"

"Dante-" Zara began.

"-Just promise me you'll consider it. If there is no other time to make it clear, let me make it clear now that I admire you Zara, you know that I do." His brows were creased, his face only inches from her own. Zara's stomach clenched painfully.

"Yes." Zara admitted. She sighed, and grasped his hand on her own. "I'll consider it. We can talk more after, but there's no time."

The lines of his face relaxed, and a small relieved smile came to his face. "That's all I needed." Dante said, and leaned down to kiss Zara. He gripped her face with both hands, and she let him.

He pulled away and stroked her cheek with his thumb. "Be safe, Zara," Dante whispered.

Zara nodded, and he let go of her face. "You too."

Zara left the tent quickly, breathing out a sigh of relief to be out of there and headed to her tent. Zara bathed and changed quickly to the dark green armor she had been given. It was not a dress, but Zephyr must have figured going to their deaths was a noble excuse to wear unwomanly attire.

Zara rushed to her fathers tent, only to meet him ready to stride the door already.

"I thought you would barely be awake." Zara said, but noted the tension between his brows.

"Azriel says Hybern has moved in faster than we have. They are nearly ready on the battlefield. we need to go." Zephyr breathed.

"Right now?" Zara choked out. She had a whole list of things she had wanted to say to him this morning, lest she never get the chance to say them again.

"Yes right now. Send the word through camp. Tell them to rally and hurry. We move now." He ordered, moving to stride to the door of the tent.

"Father." Zara stammered, and his eyes softened. He moved back to Zara, grabbing her shoulders and pulling her into an embrace. Zara hugged him back greedily.

"I love you Zara. Whatever happens today, I love you so much and am so proud of you. I'm sorry I haven't said it enough recently," He said.

"I love you too," Zara said back, throat closing. Zephyr kissed her head and pulled away.