I take a deep breath as I find my footing on the twisted root bridge. My arms are out to help me keep my balance so I don't fall. I slide my foot forward, careful to not rock too much to one side and possibly slip and fall to my death.

I try my best to not look down. I don't need to see the never-ending sky that I would keep falling down into. Never stopping. Would the impact of the wind kill me before I hit something solid?

I look up as I shake the thoughts off. I can't think like that. I don't have much root bridge left so I keep my focus on the little I have left to go instead of looking at Peggy. But even from the little out of the corner of my eye peek I take I can tell she isn't in good condition. Her head is resting on the ground and her whole body seems to sag as the white glow around her dims. But even as her power dims the islands beyond keep growing and sprouting back up.

That's good, right? It means the ritual worked and that Tace is saved. But what about Peggy? Is she now going to die?

I reach the end of the root bridge. Instead of hopping off like I want to I slid down the roots and land on both of my feet before taking off towards her. "Peggy!" I cry.

She doesn't look up. But a twitch in her stillness makes me believe she heard me.

I skid to a stop as I stand above her crumpled form. Dust rises around me as I fall. Not bad dust, like the kind you'd find when something crumbles and dies but the kind where the ground is alive with health.

I place my hands on Peggy's shoulders. Should I shake her? Or would that cause her more damage? "Peggy?" I whisper. "Hey, can you hear me?"

"Ma...gg...ie."

I sigh in relief. My shoulders slump as it feels like somethings been lifted off of them. She's alive. "How are you doing?"

"We...ak."

I rub her back. "It'll be okay. You'll be okay. Healing Tace just took a lot out of you." At least that's what I'm telling myself, so I'm hoping she'll believe it too.

She moves her head to the side so she's looking at me. Never have I ever seen her brown eyes look so exhausted. The golden flecks that had dotted her pupils are now gone. And the brightness that used to shine in them has been wiped clean. Part of my heart breaks at the sight of it.

I pull her head into my lap and help her move so she no longer faces the ground. I part her pink hair away from her face like curtains. "You're okay. You did it. You saved Tace."

She nods but there's no joy or pride in her face.

I take a deep breath. She's exhausted and just needs to rest. The best way to provide her with that would be to get her into a bed. But, how can we do that when it's near impossible to pass over to the other island. I don't think I'm strong enough to carry her over.

"Mattie!"

My head whips up at the sound of my name. The sight I see almost makes me cry out. Om and Cam are racing across the root bridge. I look down at Peggy, my eyes wide and tears filling them. "Help's on the way," I tell her.

She manages a weak smile. Some of the light returning to her eyes.

When I look back up Om and Cam are almost right on us.

"How is she?" Om asks, skidding to a stop beside me.

"She's hanging on." Barely.

"We need to get her somewhere where she can rest."

I nod. "How are we supposed to move her safely though?" I don't want to voice it but I don't think the three of us are strong enough to carry her. Especially across the root bridge.

"Could Tace help us?" Cam asks.

Om shakes their head. "I don't want to risk it. Tace is still gaining its strength back."

"Shouldn't that be Taces choice?" I ask. "It did help me get over here."

"Yes. But that took less effort than moving a person."

I find that hard to believe. "So then what can we do?"

"I can carry her across."

My head jerks up as Za walks out from behind Cam. When did he get here?

"Are you sure?" I ask. I glance down at Peggy. Her face is scrunched up with what I assume is disgust. I can't blame her,

Za nods. "I'm the only one who's strong enough to lift her."

"Hey!" I'm not sure who said that but it could have been all three of Cam, Om and Peggy.

Za sighs. "Can we please not argue? And just get her somewhere comfortable and some healers?"

I nod. "Za's right." The words feel weird as they come out. I turn to look down at Peggy. "Are you okay with this?"

Her gaze flicks to him and then back to mine. "I don't want to but I will be." I sigh in relief. "But I want to go home." Her mask of pride seems to falter.

"I know," I whisper. "And we will. I promise."

She nods but I'm not sure if she believes my words. I'm not even sure if I believe them.

Za bends down and scoops Peggy up off my lap. I stand quickly after them as he adjusts Peggy till she's more comfortable and safe in his hands. Ironic considering he's the one who kidnapped her. Then he takes off carrying her bridal style and back towards the main island.

I take a deep breath but before I can take off after them Cam grabs my arm. I look down at his hand around my arm and then up at his blue eyes.

"Are you going to talk to her?"

That's when reality hits me in the face with a fish. I look away from him. "I'm not ready yet. And now's not a good time considering," I wave my hand around gesturing to the situation we're in.

He sighs. "You have to talk to her or nothing will change."

"I've changed," I whisper, still not meeting his gaze.

"But does she know that and acknowledge that?"

I look towards where Za and Peggy are now half way across the bridge. She doesn't. And I know Cam is right but when is a good opportunity to talk to her? "I'll tell her."

Cam releases me. "I hope so. Or you'll just fall back into your old routine."

I want to tell him I won't, but deep down I know he's right. If I don't ever talk to her I'll just be a puppet at her side again. She'll be the main character and I'll be the supporting best friend in my own story.

I nod and don't say anything else. What else could I even say? That I'm scared? How do I know she'll even want to be friends after I tell her how I'm feeling. I know deep down that that wouldn't be such a bad idea, but the thought of not having her in my life at all is a reality I'm not ready for.

I take a deep breath and jog to catch up to Peggy and Za. They've now made it the whole way across and as Za carries her the crowd around them parts but just enough to barely let them through while they cheer and clap their king on the back. I have to resist an eye roll. He's not the one who saved Tace, so why are they celebrating him like he is the hero?

I take a deep breath. It's okay. It doesn't matter that they don't know the truth. As long as I, Cam, Om and Za know it. As long as Tace is okay that's all that matters.

I sneak my way through the crowd and follow Za back to the palace. I hadn't realized how much time had gone by until I spot the sun hiding behind the tip of the pyramid. It's been at least twelve hours since we broke into the palace to save Peggy and now we're taking her back there after she's just saved everyone.

I turn around and spot Cam only a few paces behind me. I slow my walk until I'm beside him. He raises an eyebrow. "You okay?"

I nod and take his hand.

His eyes widen but he doesn't let go. Instead he grips my hand tighter.

Everything's going to be okay.