The rebels would triumph. I would make sure of that—the rebels!

As if reading my thoughts, Kalinier held me tighter, "The rebels are safe, but we lost a few...they died fighting bravely."

"And my father?" Clane asked, not a trace of emotion in his tone.

Kalinier snorted, but there was a hint of admiration in his voice as he said: "Your father is a fighter, Brokivere, I'll give him that. He managed to get a handful of rebels out before I teleported him out despite his commands. He's safe, overseeing the injured and dead last I checked."

Clane's voice was still emotionless, but he whispered a 'thank you' to Kalinier, surprising us all.

"Kanin," Kyra suddenly said, "you're offly quiet." Indeed. I turned my gaze on him, only to find him looking at the ground instead, deep in thought. I avoided the urge to look behind me at Aunyai's body still motionless on the ground.

"How did Renithyn know where the base was? It was so secure. Hidden from every angle, and not just because of the harsh snow storms. No spy could have seen it, every rebel knows not to return to the base if they think they're being followed."

Silence.

And then—

"I told him." No. Not him. That voice I've grown so use to. Not you. "I told him," Xylin repeated.

"You did what?!" Clane roared. Xylin made a choked-off sound as Clane took him by the front of his shirt and slammed him against the nearest tree. Hard. Ribbons of gold and blue flame appeared behind him.

I was too stunned to stop it. "I told him," Xylin repeated for the third time. He didn't even sound sorry, "I told him because I received a letter addressed to me two weeks and three days ago. King Renithyn threatened to kill my father, the King of Arien. He threatened to kill him and put the blame on me. It would have made Quintus king. It would have made two murderers ruling the two most powerful countries. I did what I thought was right."

"You did what a coward would have done!" Clane roared, "You would risk dozens of lives to save one?!"

"Yes! He is my father! You would have done the same!"

"No, I wouldn't have. My father would rather die if it meant others could live!"

"Clane, put him down," Nikolei said roughly. I was surprised to hear him speak. Nej, he's worried about his little sister.

Clane did. More like shoved Xylin down. Nikolei sighed in pity and looked down at Xylin's prostrate figure, "You fool," he whispered sadly.

Xylin rubbed his chest, "I'm sorry."

"Save it." Kalinier snapped angrily. His arms had tightened around my waist, "Let's deal with this later. Right now, I think we all need some good news, I suggest checking in with Brokivere Senior." Clane scowled.

I leaned into Kalinier in thanks at trying to lighten the mood by calling Clane's father a horrible nickname.

Kanin gestured at Kalinier to teleport us to them.

"Leave me here. I don't deserve your company," Xylin said suddenly.

I moved out of Kalinier's embrace then as I crouched down in front of Xylin. I took his cold hand in my own. He stared up at me and the agony and guilt and fear...of me and my powers in his bronze eyes made me forget to breathe, "Why?" I whispered.

"Raila, I—"

"You chose your kingdom over me. Because of what I represent? Who I really am?"

"No. I don't know. Don't make it sound complicated, I was trying to save my father."

"No, Xylin. You were thinking like a prince, like an ambassador of your country with few options. I'm not entirely mad at you, or disappointed. I'm just trying to understand."

He looked at me and let out a quiet sob, "You were the one that chose to ignore who I really was. I'm a prince, the heir to the throne of Arien. I don't belong with rebels."

"And I'm the heir to the throne of Ithyneia. Your point?" I said lightly.

"I was trying to prepare myself to let all of you go. To let go of you."

"Things are changing, Xylin. You're actively in this war now. You can't return to Arien without facing a number of questions and accusations. Quintus will testify against you. Were you expecting to return home and thinking nothing would have changed?"

His voice was barely above a whisper as he said mournfully, "No. You're right, you're always right. I have nothing left for me back home. I saved my father, he probably wasn't even aware of the threat."

"Until Quintus is no longer a threat, you can't go back home. You can't go back in general, no one can change the past. You can only come to terms with the choices you made, face them head on, and continue."

I could feel the others taking this in as well. They were all trying to fight against their ghosts.

"You're right," Xylin repeated.

"You didn't kill those rebels, Xylin. Renithyn's soldiers did."

"But I gave him everything he needed to stage his attack."

"You sure did." I bared my teeth at Clane. He snarled right back.

I whirled back on Xylin, "I might be defending you because I love you, but I'm also defending you because you and I, we're the future of our countries. We can change this war-- together. We can put aside our countrys' feud and work through this. One attack does not mean it's all over."

Xylin gave me a thin smile, "Together." He rose with me, still holding my hand as he said: "You sound like a queen."

I scoffed at him, "I technically am a queen. We'll think about the bright future later."

Xylin grinned at me, his fighting spirit sparking back to life, "Let's go to war."

I smiled at him as the world dissolved into darkness and Kalinier teleported us to the surviving rebels with an impatient sigh.