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Cal's POV

The Lakelanders are retreating.

I can see their ships sailing down the swollen river. Making slow but noticeable progress. I know this isn't a true surrender. Only a retreat. Iris would never surrender. I am aware of that. But Queen Cenra of the Lakelands, like any mother, would do anything to keep her daughter safe. Even if it means giving up the battle.

Still, my heart swells at the success. I knew we could do it. I am reminded of Davidson's words. Inches for miles. I don't let the victory go to my head. But I confess, some of the tension in my shoulders releases.

The radio crackles at my hip.

Farley's crackling voice comes through, but barely. She must be on the other side of Archeon. "Calore! Are you there?"

"Yes, General." I'm still not used to the subordinate position. But I'm managing.

"The Lakelander ships have turned around. They're retreating."

"I know, I can see from here."

"Is it a surrender?" she asks.

"I wish," I mutter. "More likely Cenra knows a losing battle when she sees one. She's protecting her neck now, but they'll be back. They're not giving up that easy."

There's a pause. "Is Mare back yet?"

I swallow. "No, she's not. We haven't heard from her."

"And Kilorn?"

I look over to where the tawny-haired boy exchanges quick words with some of the Red soldiers, pointing out to the river. The water is already going down, the ships nearing the horizon. The nymphs are draining the river back to its original state.

"Yes. He's standing next to me. Mare sent him back when she got to Whitefire. She thought - she thought Maven might be hiding out there." I force out his name with difficulty.

There is a silence, interrupted only by the snapping of the radio connection. I should be there. Not her. To finish this, once and for all.

"Calore?" Farley asks hesitantly.

"Still here." I confirm quietly.

"I'm just a quarter mile away. I'll cover. Take Kilorn with you, and maybe a couple others. Just in case."

I don't bother to ask what she means.


The stars overhead are obscured by a blanket of shifting clouds. All through the city, Reds and Silvers alike speak quietly, tending to the wounded, and collecting the dead. I see a few familiar faces among the corpses, but mostly they are general infantry soldiers, mostly Red. If Mare were here, it would break her heart. I just feel hollow guilt. They gave up their lives. They died for someone they never even knew. Nobody. Not a king, or a prince, or even a general. Just me. Tiberias Calore. No one.

Kilorn bumps my arm reassuringly. I brought him with like Farley said, along with a Newblood jumper. Just in case. "Move along, Cal," he says. I nod and hurry along.

As the long staircase to the doors of Whitefire come into view, my pace slows as anxiety takes over. I don't know what I want. But it was never this.

I try not to think about him, but I can't help it. Mavey. Who spied on council meetings with me when we were children. Who slept curled next to me every night so he wouldn't get nightmares. Who I would find too often sobbing on the floor of his room, his hands clutching his head. My stomach roils and I almost vomit.

"Come on, Cal," Kilorn says, already mounting the steps, "Tired already?"

I swear, he is infinitely positive.

The jumper stays a respectful distance behind me. I don't know him well, but I know he saved some soldiers from the bridge collapse. I'll need to thank him later. Just another item on the infinite list of things I need to do when this is all over. If it's ever over.

At the top of the white marble steps, I stop in my tracks, taking in the last moment of blissful peace. I take a breath and push open the tall, white doors.

Whitefire was my home, my whole world, and I navigate it with ease. Kilorn and the jumper follow close at my heels. We weave through the halls, their curtains hanging open despite the dark. The palace is deathly silent, and it sets my teeth on edge. Where is Mare?

I walk through the throne room. It is full of shadows. Wasn't it always? I take a step further and my boots crunch on glass. I draw a spark from my flamemaker bracelets, igniting my hands to light up the room. The whole floor is littered with shattered glass.

I look up. Every light bulb has burst. The filaments glow purple. Kilorn looks at me with wide, terror-filled eyes. We sprint to the study. It is empty, but the drawers of the desk hang open, their contents strewn across the floor. I almost choke when I see my father's grand portrait, sliced and hacked to pieces. Only one person I knew would do this.

Maven.

I spin on my heel, leaving the study and heading back for the throne room. On the opposite side of the one, dark throne, the door to the queen's chambers hangs open ominously.

I step inside, wincing as the wave of silence hits me like a boulder. Why are the queen's chambers full of Silent Stone? I step inside and look down.

I almost pass out at the sight.

Mare lies on her back, unmoving. Her crimson blood seeps from her side.

I drop to my knees beside her. "Mare! Mare, please. Can you hear me?" I barely notice the tears streaking down my cheeks as I press my hands to her side tenderly, trying to staunch the blood. So much red blood, pouring, flowing. I feel her neck for her pulse. It's slow, but still there. "Please, Mare. I'm here. I'm here. Don't leave me. Please."

I close my eyes. Mare will be fine, I tell myself, she's strong. By my colors, let her be strong and survive this.

When I open my eyes a moment later, Kilorn is right beside me. "Is she-" he breathes, his hand hesitantly reaching to touch her hand.

"Alive? Yes," I say. I try to compose myself, for everyone's sake, taking slow, shuddering breaths. I turn to the jumper. "Take Mare to Sara Skonos. Please." I say.

"Yes, your majesty." he replies automatically.

I almost let it slide, then stop.

"No," I say. I wipe the remaining tears from my eyes and straighten my back.

"I'm not a king anymore."

The jumper nods respectfully. "Yes, Tiberius."

"Cal, what's this?" Kilorn pulls something from Mare's hand. Something small and shiny. A dagger? Kilorn passes the strange object me.

"It's - a letter opener," I mutter incredulously, inspecting the object. My father's initials carved into the iron handle. The blade is covered in blood. Both colors.

I had nearly forgotten about Maven.

Where is he? Did he do this, and get away? If so, he didn't make it far.

I scoop Mare up in my arms as gently as I can. I don't want to move her, but the jumper can't jump surrounded by Silent Stone. Her warm blood soaks my shirt as I carry her out of the Silent room. Sighing with relief as the silence leaves my body, I plant a kiss on her head, then pass her limp body to the jumper. "Take Kilorn too."

"What? Aren't you coming?" Kilorn asks.

I shake my head. Kilorn's eyes widen with understanding. "Will you be okay?" he asks gently.

No, I won't, I think to myself. How could I possibly be okay? What am I going to find? What am I going to have to do? But my eyes drift to Mare, lying helplessly in the jumper's arms. I have to finish what she started. I owe it to her. I square my shoulders.

"Yes, Kilorn. I'll be fine."

Kilorn frowns, but takes the jumper's hand. They disappear from the palace, leaving me alone. Well, not completely alone. Maven must be here somewhere.

I don't move for a moment. I'm stunned. I take a shuddering breath. Be strong. Strength and power. But the once comforting words go sour on my lips. I shake my head, trying to get my wits together. Where would Maven be?

I step back into the dark room for a moment, letting the silence wash over me once more. I bend to pick up the letter opener from where I had abandoned it on the floor. The healers will want this, for evidence. It is only when my fingers close around the cold iron that I hear a voice, so soft it is almost incomprehensible. I freeze. I know the voice.

"Cal," Maven whispers weakly from the Silent room.

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