CHAPTER 86
915 Words
The alarm rang before dawn.
It wasn’t the usual signal for drills. The sharp, repeated clang filled the compound like fire in dry grass. By the time Elise reached the courtyard, warriors were already rushing to their posts, weapons in hand. The gates shook under the pounding of enemy strikes.
“They’ve come in numbers,” Lucien barked as he strode past, sword strapped across his back. His calm was gone, replaced by sharp efficiency. “Archers to the wall. Shields up.”
Elise’s chest tightened. She didn’t even know who the enemy was yet, only that the air was thick with fear and urgency. She caught sight of Kai at the far side of the yard, directing men into formation. His shirt was already bloodstained, though she didn’t know if it was his or someone else’s.
“Stay inside,” a guard snapped at her when she moved forward.
“I can’t—” she started, but the words died when the gates crashed open.
Figures poured through, armored and armed, their shouts filling the night. The clang of steel against steel split the air. Warriors clashed, arrows flew, and the courtyard dissolved into chaos.
Elise stumbled back as two men fought barely an arm’s length away, blades flashing. She had nothing—no weapon, no training. Her heart raced, but her feet refused to move.
A heavy hand grabbed her arm. She turned and saw one of the enemy soldiers grinning through a broken mask. His grip was iron, jerking her forward.
Before she could cry out, Kai was there. His blade sliced clean across the man’s arm, breaking his hold. Blood sprayed. The soldier collapsed, screaming. Kai shoved Elise behind him without a word, his eyes fixed on the next threat.
For the first time since everything fell apart, she felt the shield of his presence.
“Stay close,” he ordered, his voice clipped, low.
She obeyed without hesitation, following as he cut down two more attackers. Each strike was precise, merciless. She had seen him fight before, but never like this—each movement meant survival, each blow meant life or death.
Lucien appeared on their left, dragging back three warriors with him. “They breached the west side too. We need to clear the courtyard before we’re surrounded.”
“Then move,” Kai growled.
The two men fought as though they had done this a hundred times before—Kai striking, Lucien blocking his flank, both pushing forward without a break. Elise stayed behind them, ducking whenever a blade swung too close, her breaths shallow and fast.
An arrow hissed past her ear and buried itself in the wall. She froze, her legs locking. Another enemy soldier charged, raising his axe high. Elise’s mouth opened, but no sound came.
Kai turned at the last second. His sword flashed upward, catching the axe mid-swing. He shoved the man back, slammed his knee into his chest, and drove his blade straight through. The soldier fell.
Elise’s knees buckled, but Kai grabbed her arm and steadied her. His grip was firm, grounding. Their eyes met briefly—her wide and shaken, his burning but unreadable. Then he pushed her forward.
“Move.”
They fought their way toward the west side, where the clash was thickest. Lucien led the charge, cutting through three men in quick succession. Blood splattered across his cheek, but he didn’t slow.
“Hold the line!” he roared, rallying the pack’s warriors.
Elise pressed herself against the wall as the fight raged around her. She hated her uselessness. Every cry, every clash reminded her she was nothing but a burden here. But Kai never let her drift from his reach. His hand caught her shoulder when she stumbled, shoved her aside when a spear thrust too close, pulled her behind him without breaking his stride.
At one point, she tripped over a fallen body. Her scream caught in her throat as another enemy raised his blade. But Kai was faster—he yanked her up, twisting, and his sword struck the man down. His arm stayed wrapped around her for a moment longer than needed, holding her upright.
Their eyes met again. This time, her breath caught for another reason. He was still angry, still distant—but he was here. Protecting her. Fighting for her.
For a moment, it almost felt like they were on the same side again.
The battle stretched on, hours that felt like days. Slowly, the tide turned. Lucien’s commands cut through the noise, pulling their warriors into tighter formation. Kai’s strikes broke the enemy’s front. Step by step, they forced the invaders back through the shattered gates until only bodies and silence remained.
When the last cry faded, Elise sagged against the wall, her legs trembling. Sweat clung to her skin. The courtyard was painted red, the air thick with smoke and iron.
Lucien leaned on his sword, breathing hard. “It’s over.”
Kai wiped his blade clean with quick, sharp motions. He didn’t look at her. He didn’t say a word.
Elise took a small step forward. “Kai…”
He sheathed his sword, turned, and walked past her without a glance.
Her voice broke, soft and desperate. “Wait.”
But he didn’t stop. His footsteps carried him through the courtyard, across the blood-soaked ground, and into the shadows of the hall.
Elise stood where she was, the weight of silence heavier than the battle had been.
- Writer
