Blake couldn’t stand the screams. Liera had drawn all the nora she could from the drugs. Pleasure and memories gave her no more of the magic she needed. All that was left was pain. Torture, constant and unimaginable. It was her only chance to have enough nora in her soul to survive, Asah had said. Without it, her mind and body would no longer communicate, and she would die. Blake found it unbearable despite it all. Every bellow of pain, every plea for her brother and every mention of his name dug into his heart. He blamed himself for not trusting in his instincts. They should have never gotten involved with this damned war and things beyond their power.

Blake shook his head and drove those thoughts away before knocking on Vince’s door. The man must have been sick with worry already. No need to pile up even more guilt. The door opened slightly and a chain to its side rattled to stop it. Vince peeked through the gap, then opened up for Blake.

“Sorry,” he said, locking again. “Had an incident earlier today and I’m still a bit wary.”

“What incident?” Blake leaned back onto his father’s bed. He was too anxious to sleep last night, and the tiredness was starting to show.

“Asah burst into my room with some rather… Strong words about my conduct and my duty.” Vince sighed, then sat next to Blake on the bed. “It should be good now. We talked it through and I managed to change her mind.”

“You’re worrying me even more,” Blake said. “What’s going on?” His eyes fell on a full sack by the door, with Vince’s weapon right next to it. “Wait… You’re leaving already?”

“I have to deliver the news myself,” Vince replied. “There’s only so much I can include in a report that might be intercepted. Remember, we already know of one traitor in our midst. Who knows if there are others?”

Blake stood and stared at him in disbelief. “She’s dying. Your daughter is dying. You can’t just up and leave.”

“What do you want me to do, Blake?” Vince looked away. “I’m not a doctor or a mage. I can’t help her. Besides, I have–”

“Don’t give me that shit!” Blake sprung up, unable to quell his anger. “You haven’t visited her once. Not once! If you cared even a little, you’d know just being there would help.”

“Then why aren’t you with her right now, huh?” Vince shot up as well, finally facing him. Despite his age, he stood a few inches taller. “You think I can bear to see my child suffer more than you can bear to see your sibling? Besides, what good would it do? Liera hates me.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Blake replied. “Even if she does, it’s your duty as her father to be there. To hold her hand.”

“My duty is to make sure the only damn nation left that can protect the rest of us survives the next six months!” Vince snapped back.

Blake shook his head in shock and tears gathered in his eyes. “You’ve already left her behind, haven’t you? She’s as good as dead to you.”

“I don’t have time for this, I really don’t.” Vince let out a long breath and rubbed between his eyes. He turned, knelt next to the sack and started tying its strappings.

“Is it that easy for you?” Blake laughed bitterly. Something inside wanted his father to hurt, to know the same pain he felt. “I’m almost jealous. I guess you have experience after failing to protect Rane and Cecilia.”

Vince let his head drop forward and clenched his fist around the leather sack. “Didn’t that teach you not to rely on me?” he asked with a lowered voice.

“Oh, but you relied on us, you bastard. You dragged us there!”

“It was always your choice to come.” Vince said without turning. “And if I suspected an outcome like this, I would have never taken you. But that is what conflict entails, and we all have to learn how to live with it. Even if you hate me for my choices now, one day you will thank me.”

“You know, Liera was right about you,” Blake said. “Ever since we lost them, you’ve grown cold. So leave. Go deliver your report. There’s nothing for you here.”

Vince glanced at the door, then nodded to himself. “Maybe you’re right.” He threw his sack over his shoulder and walked out.

Blake was left standing alone in his father’s room, staring at the floor. It was so hard to process the utter disregard Vince had shown that he didn’t even cry. He didn’t know what he’d expected when he came. Perhaps a little empathy or sorrow. Not this. Blake scanned over the room one final time, before shutting the door behind him. Even standing there made him sick. He went back out onto the streets and took a few deep breaths to calm himself. At this point, he didn’t care about the war anymore. All he cared for right now was Liera’s safety. If she survived the week, they could plan ahead for the six month grace period they’d been given.

Blake wandered through the city, trying to keep his thoughts from spiralling down into pessimism and despair. Perhaps that’s what he had hoped for when he visited his father, some solace. In the end, there was only one person left who he could truly confide in. He rounded a corner to the road that housed Sasha’s smithy. Even from a distance, he could tell that the forge was cold and that no one worked the anvil. Normally, Sasha opened the smithy at dawnbreak. Had something happened while he was gone? His heart wouldn’t be able to take it. He tried to open the door, but found it locked. “Sasha?” He knocked with worry in his voice. “Are you here?” He heard metal clanking on metal, then steps.

“The smithy is not taking new commissions,” Sasha said from the other side of the metal door. “Please leave.”

“Sasha, it’s me.”

There was a pause. “If it’s repairs you want, there’s other smithies open.”

“Don’t do this.” Blake leaned on the door and pressed his head against the cold metal. She was all he had left. “I just want to talk. Please… Please don’t abandon me too.”

“You’re the one that left!” Sasha pulled the door open with force and Blake nearly lost his footing. “I was never enough for you, was I? You need someone who can be true to you. Someone not cursed the way I am.”

Blake looked at her in shock. “Sasha, I–”

“I don’t blame you,” she cut him off, “but you shouldn’t have lied to me. Important mission my ass... In the end you just didn’t want to see me.”

“That’s not true! I’m glad to be back.” Blake shook his head. “Please, I want to talk.”

“Stop with the lies!” Sasha pushed the door against him. “Leave! Go find someone right for you. I can’t–”

“Liera is dying!” He snapped, louder than he intended. The resistance faded and Sasha opened the door to look up at him, eyes wide.

“You don’t know what we’ve been through… what we’ve seen.” Blake bit his lip to stop himself from crying. “I always thought it would be me, you know? She’s much stronger than me in so many ways.” Hot tears streaked across his cheeks, finally free. “So in case I never returned– I just didn’t want you to be sad. I didn’t want you to wait for me. I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry too.” Sasha pulled him into a hug and Blake broke out to tears entirely. “I’m here for you. I’m here.”

“Thank you,” Blake managed between sobs. “I don’t know what to do. Vince is gone and I don’t know how to save her.”

Sasha pulled him inside and locked the door behind them. “Sit first, take some deep breaths…” She brought him a cup of water. “Where is Liera now?”

“In the infirmary.” Blake tightened his hands around the cup before setting it down. “There’s a mage treating her. She says the odds aren’t good.”

“Trust in her strength.” Sasha sat beside him and placed a hand on his back. “You said it yourself, didn’t you? Liera is strong in many ways.”

Blake let his head sink into his palms. Sasha was right. There was little he could do but wait and hope. “I should have insisted,” he said. “We should have never accepted to be ambassadors. We should have never gone to Trauka.”

Sasha flinched away. “You went where?” She seemed shocked at the thought. “Why would they make you of all people do that?”

“I keep asking myself the same. I don’t think I understand anything anymore, Sasha.” Blake reached for her hand and held it tight. He had strict orders not to tell anyone what they had seen, but he didn’t care. “If Liera survives, we should all leave. There’s places we could go to, in the far south, where no one will ever find us. We could start anew.”

“You know my Oath forbids leaving Danira.” Sasha ran her hands through her hair, bringing some locks forward. “I wouldn’t mind leaving with you, but why should we? What’s going on?”

“War, Sasha.” Blake’s hands trembled. He looked up at the ceiling and titled his head back. How had it all gone so wrong? “In six months from now, Andre is going to start another invasion.”

“No...” She distanced herself from him a bit. “It can’t be true. We have a peace treaty. They can’t–”

“That piece of paper?” Blake chuckled ruefully. “You think that would hold Andre back?”

“Then…” Sasha sat in silence for a few moments, posture withdrawn and eyes glazed over.

The realisation of what war meant for Silyra must have dawned on her. They could never win, everyone knew it. Blake thought she’d panic. He readied himself to stop her, to calm her down.

Sasha simply shook her head. “If six months is all we have, then I want to spend them with you.” She hugged him again, tighter this time, until her warmth seeped into him. “I know it’s selfish, asking you to stay behind for me, but I don’t care. I love you, Blake Tovale.”

Blake looked at her and gave her a bitter, guilty smile. “I would have stayed even if you begged me not to. If I am to die, I want it to be beside you. I love you too, Sasha.” He breathed in deep and gave her a small peck on the lips.

“Ah!” Sasha’s eyes went wide in horror. She brushed a finger against her lips and her whole body trembled. “What– What did you just do?”

“I kissed you…” The realisation struck him. “I kissed you!”

“My father is dead.” Sasha struggled with the words. “My Oath!” Her hands touched her forehead. The scar’s black color was missing. “It’s finally gone.” Sasha drew sharp breaths like a child giddy with joy. “Do it again.”

Blake felt his heartbeat quicken. He nodded and leaned in, planting a long kiss on her lips. It was awkward and ticklish, but they held it, feeling each other in a way they never had before. He held her close and his arms wrapped around her. For a few moments, nothing else mattered.

“Do you know– how long I’ve waited for this?” Sasha stammered, fighting back a hiccup.

“You’re so cute when you smile.” Blake laughed and stroked her blushing face. “I’ve waited for this too, for as long as I can remember. Then… Can you tell me your name?”

Sasha gave him the purest, brightest smile he’d ever seen her wear, even with the tears running down her cheek. “Of course, Sir Tovale,” she said playfully. She stood in front of him, smiled, and delivered an unpracticed curtsy.

“My name is Sasha Nost.”