Embers in the Ashes

Chapter 8

They had settled deep in the woods where even the moonlight didn't shine. They would march on in a few hours, but the men needed rest and Rezon needed time. Time to gather himself for how could he face everyone after this? What would they think? Dayman, Jayr, Cahira? He swore to protect them and yet, he couldn't even save the girls that saved him.

They were tied to a tree at the edge of the camp, even several yards away he could see the ropes digging into the skin of the eldest as she angled them away from the child in her lap. The girl was sleeping peacefully, a miracle in and of itself, but she could have just as easily been simply too exhausted to do anything else. The eldest had been cooperative after Commander Damon held a dagger to the younger's throat. And, god if that didn't nauseate him. Never before had he come so close to killing one of his father's men. It took all his self control to keep his fists at his side.

The girl glared as he approached, understanding why he did what he did didn't mean she had to like it. The men who saw, remained silent. The younger recruits in particular were furious at the commander's Coercion. "Hello, miss."

She watched him coolly, tightening her hold on Irene. "That's a nice headband." Her hand twitched as though she wished to touch it. The gold fabric wrapped around her head. It was in sharp contrast to her dark chocolate skin and shock of dark blue hair, but matched her eyes.

Her eyes narrowed further. That comment wasn't just a simple compliment, He had to know. "What do you want?!"  Having that shouted into his head was certainly startling. The men had wondered what made him jerk back so suddenly.

"A name, perhaps?" she scrunched her nose, but it's not as though it would have made a difference.

"Sonji Cana."

"Rezon Matthan." Her mouth moved in a way that suggested she would have scoffed if she could.  "Can you not speak?"

"What's it to you if I can't? Why don't you just slit my throat here and spare me the trip?"

"That isn't your only option."

"Oh, how could I forget. The draft. Let's see, immediate death or death by suicide mission? Such great choices."

"Some live."

"Only to go on another mission. Thanks, but no thanks. You think they send us to fights to survive? Yeah, no."  She turned away, "If you're done, I'd like to be alone."

His gaze falls to the child, "Why doesn't she leave? She could, if she wished."

"She's young, untrained. Stopping that many creatures is taxing even on the best of gifteds. She's tired."

"I truly am sorry."

"So you've said. I hope those people you're protecting appreciate what you've done here."

"They won't."

"No, I don't imagine they would."

They leave as the sun begins to rise and trumpets sound upon their return.

It had been a warm night. Fireflies made the grasses alight with gold and crickets chirped softly under the moon, but all of that was lost on the sisters as high in the trees their gazes sought after the stars. Their wings shimmered as they rested gently against the branches.

The younger's head laid over the elder's stomach rising with each breath. The elder's fingers wove softly through the younger's golden locks.

"Cahira?"

"Yes?"

"What would you do?" Cahira shifted onto her elbows.

"What?"