I was still partially numb when the rebel base reappeared around us. An earth shattering cry rang out and then the entire base shook violently, swiping the ground from underneath us. I barely had time to get my bearings and shakily get back up, before another shock wave was sent through the entire base again.

"Someone's sending shockwaves into the tunnels!" Xylin roared. He had to shout to be heard over the screaming and frantic orders to evacuate. I dizzily took him in. He looked at me and I could have sworn hurt crossed his face. This time I knew why. I had lied to them all. Not just about my wings. I still hadn't told them about--my powers. Or what I possessed of them.

I must have looked as miserable as I felt as Kanin let go of my hand, despite us being flung all over the place, and looked me in the eye. Well, as best he could with debris and dirt raining down on us. He nodded as if to say 'It's okay. Explain later.'

The others saw the look but instead focused on taking in our surroundings. "So what do we do?" Kalinier shouted over the rising panic, "We got the kidnapped rebels back, now they're probably just going to get crushed to death anyway!"

"Not helping, Kronixian!" Clane roared, melting a rather large chunk of hard dirt as it flew for us.

I looked up and squinted. Squinted because that was sunlight above us. The others followed my gaze.

"That's an insane plan, Raila." Xylin said. I shrugged and flared my wings, still out in the open and bloody.

"Kalinier, teleport as many people as you can out of here into the trees or wherever provides the most cover. I can hear the majority of the fighting happening above ground now."

"I'll get Nej to heal these rebels first. I know it's risky, but they can help fight or something." Some of the ghostly-pale rebels mustered enough strength to look up and nod with determination in their eyes. Good. Their spirits weren't completely crushed.

I looked at him and nodded. I had just survived a bloodbath. No more petty thief. He smiled grimly before slipping into a pocket between worlds, taking the rebels we had just rescued with him.

"And us?" Kyra offered. They all looked at me expectantly. Even Kanin.

"We go up there and fight. I'd rather end this battle here and now before it turns into a war."

"That's the Raila I know," Kanin said, grinning at me despite our situation. I grinned back.

Out of the corner of my eye, I sensed Xylin relaxing. As if knowing the truth about me and having someone still look at me the same had made him realize something. As Kanin created a makeshift stairwell out of stones and dirt for us to run up to the surface, I realized what that look in Xylin's eyes had meant.

He was letting me go.

Because I was Raila Astrin Halythern, the rightful heir to the throne of Ithyneia. And I would not lose this war no matter what.

And he--he was Prince Xylin Seriphyn, heir to the throne of Arien.

My supposed enemy.