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“Good.” She was scared to ask but had to. “How many are … not alright?”
Leora paused. “Many.”
“And dead?”
After dropping her head, Leora said, “Many.”
Thessa sighed, rolling to her side. “There’s no point in leaving this tent. It was a fool’s dream to stand a chance against them.”
“That’s not true. Their forces retreated as fast as ours, thanks to Soren’s serpent friend.”
Echidna.
Her last memory of the serpent was not one she wanted to remember. She wondered if Soren could feel her loss. He must. Thessa groaned into her pillow, feeling unworthy of the soft reprieve beneath her cheek.
“Come on. Let’s stretch those legs of yours. I know quite a few people who can’t wait to see how you’re doing. Pennique is really strict, she wouldn’t allow any visitors overnight.” Leora stretched an arm around Thessa’s back, helping her off the cot.
Ivy and Beatrix were only a step away from the tent, shooting to their feet when they saw them. Beatrix openedher arms wide before pulling Thessa into a giant hug. There wasn’t room to object, especially not as Ivy did the same, squeezing her from the other side. Thessa would’ve stumbled had they not been holding on so tight. Leora couldn’t help herself, stretching her long arms around all of them. The ball of Celestials infused her with enough energy to shake a small smile from her.
“I love you all, but I can’t breathe,” Thessa said. After they released her, she zipped in a breath and asked, “How’d you all do it?”
“Do what?” Beatrix asked.
“Gather enough Celestials to distract an entire army?”
Ivy answered, “Have you met Leora?”
A genuine smile escaped Thessa’s lips. “And that slice of moonlight? Amazing.”
Ivy smirked. “The Celestials in Greenshire taught us.” She eyed Beatrix before saying, “We’re planning to move up north and learn more.”
Beatrix reached for Ivy’s hand. “You’re not just saying that for me?”
“No. I think you’re right. We should do it.”
Beatrix squealed before kissing Ivy hard enough to knock her back a few steps.
Thessa remembered the mountains and trees Eiliana had drawn. “I hope you both love it there.”
“We’ll write of course,” Ivy added.
Thessa was grateful for friends that saw the light in the darkest of places—friends like them. A rough throat cleared from behind her, and Thessa turned to see Jussal eyeing her with concern.
Sila smiled and said, “I’m glad you’re feeling better.”
Jussal inclined his head toward the tent. “We should talk inside.”
“Let’s go get Thessa something to eat.” Leora steered Ivy and Beatrix toward the braziers while eyeing Sila.
“What?” Thessa asked as she moved back inside the tent. “He’s going to be okay, right?” Hearing it again would help. She scanned Sila’s face for the truth.
Sila answered, “That’s what the healers say, but?—”
“But what?” Thessa interrupted her.
Lips pressed flat, Jussal said, “He won’t eat.”
“Not yet, you mean.” Thessa looked to Sila for reassurance.