Those four words kept going on endlessly inside my head as we followed the rebel leader further into their underground network. Xylin grunted as he leaned his weight against me and the both of us hobbled after Clane, the rebel leader's son muttering curses as the three of us separated from the main group and arrived at a closed-off section of the base that was purposefully tucked away so they wouldn't spread whatever sickness was behind the curtain of large leaves.

Clane peered over a shoulder and flicked a finger for us to follow, "Nej!" He shouted suddenly. A short, too-skinny brown-skinned teenage girl came running over, blowing a loose strand of black hair out of her face annoyed as she saw who had summoned her and smiled brightly.

The closer she got, I could see the details of her. She turned her uptilted brown eyes towards me and offered an exhausted smile, sticking her hand out and placing the other on her hip, "Hi, I'm Nej. What's your name?"

I shook her hand just as Clane pushed her lightly out of the way and she huffed as I led Xylin over to one of the leaves I assumed was a makeshift bed, laying him down gently as Nej came over swiftly, "I'm Raila. And that's Prince Xylin of Arien," I said warmly.

She delicately sat down beside him and hummed quietly, "Both very lovely names. I'm Nej Jensper."

I started, "You're related to Nikolei?"

"Mm hmm, he's my brother. Annoying as he is."

I laughed, "I met him briefly, he seems nice. Are you a medic?"

"In training," she sang. Xylin stiffened at that. She laughed loudly, "Don't worry, I do know the difference between a scar and a birthmark."

That didn't seem to reassure Xylin. I went to my knees beside him and took his hand, "Don't worry. At least she knows the basics."

"Not helping," Xylin rasped. I winced at the way his voice sounded. Nej hummed quietly to herself as she drifted her hands over Xylin's body.

"Nothing broken at least," she mused.

"How can you tell?" I asked incredulous.

Clane decided to make his presence known again, "Nej is one of our best healers here whether she admits it or not. She has the power to heal any wound, even non-physical ones such as soul wounds."

"How old are you?" I asked surprised.

"Thirteen," she replied unconcerned.

"But you're not—"

"Twenty?" She suddenly growled, "Does it matter honestly? I'm using my powers for good anyway." She ignored my apologetic look and placed her hands on Xylin's stomach after lifting up his shirt. I watched in awe as blue light flared under her hands and Xylin's breathing became steady again as the multiple slash wounds Captain Sadrien had inflicted slowly disappeared until not even a drop of blood was left.

"Not that one," Xylin suddenly interrupted just as Nej was about to heal a rather large one that would surely have scarred.

The teenage girl looked at him weirdly, "Are you sure? It will scar, from your chest to your stomach."

"Leave it. Let it be a reminder," he whispered. I knew why. Nej just shrugged.

I looked at Clane for an explanation, "She's good like that," He started, "Yes, the normal age to get powers is twenty, but no one knows how she got her powers at such an early age. It's strange."

I lowered my brows in thought, "Strange indeed."

Nej rose and wiped her hands on her already dirty pants, "Well, I believe my job here is done."

I looked up from my kneeling position, "Thank you."

"Don't worry about it. I practically do this twenty-four-seven."

Clane nudged her lightly, "You do not," he jerked his chin towards the other injured rebels, "We're fine now. Go help them." She ran off, or more like skipped off, towards where Clane had directed and knelt down beside another rebel who had a large gash down his left arm. I turned my head around as that same blue light flared under her hands and a startled gasp could be heard from behind.

"She is so into you," I laughed, giving Clane a look as he glared down at me.

"I know. Don't worry thief, I only take it as far as treating her like a sister." I grinned up at him as he scowled.

"And here I was thinking you were just another dumb brute who didn't care about anyone."

   Before he could answer, a soft voice sounded: "Raila." Xylin's voice had me whipping my stare to him. I saw my gaze soften when I looked at my reflection in his eyes. And three moons, I looked terrible. After Xylin was up-and-about, I added 'finding a place with clean water' to my list.

I was still gripping his hand. I held it tighter. "Hey, Nej has pretty cool powers huh?" I said softly.

"Extraordinary," he breathed. The way his voice sounded took the breath out of my lungs. I might have just stared at him for a few seconds before I blinked and reminded myself to breathe.

"I'll give you two lovers a minute," Clane grumbled. I grinned but kept my gaze for only Xylin. When I was sure he was gone, I unfolded my legs from beneath me and sat down on the rock-solid floor.

"I'm sorry for what happened back in the palace." He turned his head away from me, not able to meet my concerned look.

"It's no ones fault but mine, Raila. This—this sick game of his has been going on from the minute he arrived."

"You want to talk about it?" I prodded.

His eyes told me the answer before he whispered: "No... not right now, Raila." I knew it pained him to admit it.

I pulled my hand back in understanding. He had just been betrayed by his own step-brother and wanted some space as the truth settled in, "If you want someone to talk too, I'm right here, Xylin. I'm not leaving you."

He whispered a hoarse: "Thank you."

I nodded and got up, patting him on the shoulder once before heading towards the leaf-curtain. As I pushed the leaves aside, I could feel Xylin's gaze burning a hole in my back as I stepped through the archway and turned left, heading towards the sound of laughter.

Now I had the matter of figuring out what I had missed during my time in the prison wagon and my time in the prison cell.

It appeared Kalinier had a few questions of his own to answer, and quite frankly, I had a few questions of my own that needed answering.

. . .

I followed the sound of laughter that was unmistakably Kalinier's, turning another corner and leaning against the doorway to the rebel groups shared quarters.

They all laughed as Kalinier continued his story, grinning like a little child, "And just as we teleported into the palace, we found Captain Sandrien tied to a wall, bruised and battered and knocked unconscious—" Laughs of delight mixed with groans sounded, "and then—"

"And then Raila Felynis stepped into the room and walked up to her partner demanding answers," I interrupted as five pair of eyes shot to me. I took another step into the room and crossed my arms, watching Kalinier's mouth hang open as I narrowed my eyes angrily.

"How did you—"

I snorted, "You're not exactly quiet, Kal."

He grinned and returned his gaze to our companions, "Would you please leave the room for a minute?"

They got up eagerly, sensing the tension and slid out the door soundlessly one after the other. Kanin winked at me before following Kyra. I didn't find that helpful.

Kalinier's gaze remained fixed on the doorway as I strided over and peered down at him. He scratched the back of his neck nervously, "So..." He started, looking up sheepishly.

"So, you have powers." Not a question.

"Yeah."

Silence.

"And you know how to use them?"

He smirked, trying to lighten the mood, "I thought I made that pretty clear when I saved your hind."

I didn't smile. He gulped and gestured to me, "You've changed." Not a question either.

"I did. Prison taught me a few things."

His eyes narrowed in what could have been suspicion. Something cracked inside of me at the look of assessment, "Such as luring people into a trap and using their feelings against them?"

Cold clanged through me and I knew my face had turned into a merciless, hostile look, "So Kanin told you," I drawled. I hated myself for the look of shock that Kalinier barely managed to hide.

"He told me everything," He snarled right back. A sudden sharp instinct within me propelled me to suddenly grab Kalinier by the lapels of his plain brown jacket and slam him against the wall. I let out a quiet breath, arkryllians were so sensitive. I swallowed the rising anger and unfolded my arms.

"How much is everything?" I asked just as coldly. Just as unwelcoming. A small part of me was shattering my consciousness, You haven't seen him in weeks and this is how you decide to talk to him?

He peered up at me and the corner of his mouth started twitching upward, "He told me that you kissed the prince because you wanted out and you gave him hope, only for it to be shattered in the end. I knew you were a liar, Raila. What I didn't know was that you would lie to even yourself."

I did grab him by his jacket and slam him against the stone wall this time, snarling into his face as Kalinier's form slowly began to turn into mist. Not this time Kal, I'm not leaving you this time.

"You've most definitely changed," He murmured softly, "What happened to my best friend? What happened to the girl I loved with all my heart?"

I dropped him out of surprise. I took a step back towards the door. Kalinier loves me.

Kalinier stopped coughing and looked up at me, something like regret shone in his eyes and my legs finally gave out from under me. Kalinier was instantly at my side despite our 'little' arguement.

He embraced me fiercely as I wept onto his narrow shoulder, sobs escaped me despite my efforts to remain strong, "I'm so sorry, Kal. I'm so sorry, Kal," I whispered over and over.

Kalinier seemed at a lost for words as he idly stroked my back, "I lied when I said Kanin told me everything. What happened to you, Raila? There were rumours, inklings, about how your father died." Kanin hadn't told him or the others about my wings and my real ancestry. The arkryllians. I didn't know if I was glad or not.

The sobs stopped at that.

I didn't know what to tell him.

Despite him comforting me, he was right. For the first time in a long time, I lied to my best friend, "I'm fine. We're fine. My father faked his death."