"We should be careful traveling through these parts," Lir said.

    Kalian nodded his agreement. He walked alongside Commander Lev's horse, while Lir and Malachi rode behind them. They were still at least a day out from Selcouth, but the Commander was pushing the group hard enough that Kalian figured they might make it there sooner.

    "Merchant reports say bandits have been halting caravans and robbing them at night," Malachi added. "Lir is right. We might need additional guards out tonight." His gaze slid to Kalian. "Trustworthy ones."

    Kalian didn't bother to meet the man's gaze, though cold anger settled in his stomach at the accusing tone in his voice. He was growing tired of Malachi's constant jabs and sneering. Apparently, Commander Lev was too. Her eyes, dark as burning coals, settled on Malachi.

    "Kalian, assign a few additional guards for the watch tonight," she ordered. "I want you with them."

    Kalian hid a smug smirk. "Yes, Commander." He slowed his pace, letting the three of them pull ahead. Kalian strained his ears, listening to what they said next.

    "You trust him to assign guards?" Malachi spat.

    Commander Lev faced forward. "I trust any man to do what it takes to ensure his own safety." Kalian rolled his eyes, but kept listening.

    "He'll do well," Lir agreed. "I'm sure Bellamy will help him."

    "Bellamy Rame is a poor excuse for a soldier," Malachi huffed. "He'd rather spend his time flirting and fucking, rather than fighting."

    "Are you just mad that he hasn't offered to suck your dick?" The Commander retorted. Kalian barely swallowed a laugh. Lir, however, let his own ring out.

    Kalian turned on his heel, weaving his way through the soldiers walking behind him. Occasionally, a few of them bowed their heads in acknowledgement. Others continued to ignore him. Many more were whispering. Kalian didn't try to hear they were saying. He could already guess. They were either praising him for working his way into Commander Lev's circle so quickly, or condemning him for supposedly fucking his way there.

    He kept his wings folded close to his back, dodging around packhorses carrying weapons and armor. He soon came across Bellamy, who was carrying satchels of medical supplies. Delilah walked alongside him, chatting eagerly. She fell silent as soon as she caught sight of Kalian.

    Kalian bit his lip, then offered her a smile. "Hello, Delilah."

    She returned his smile, but said nothing. Bellamy did it for her. "There you are. I wondered where you'd run off to."

    "Commander Lev needed my help with a few matters this morning," Kalian explained.

    "Ah. You're working your way through the ranks at record speed." Bellamy snickered, elbowing Kalian's side. "I imagine Lir and Malachi aren't too happy about the extra competition?"

    Delilah stiffened at the mention of Malachi's name. "Malachi hasn't expressed any complaints to me," she remarked. "He's perfectly happy where he's at."

    Kalian and Bellamy exchanged knowing glances, but didn't contradict her. "Lir doesn't seem to care so much," said Kalian. "He's in an unusually good mood today."

    "Maybe he likes the weather."

    Bellamy shook his head. "I think he's got a sweetheart in Selcouth. He's just happy that he's going to get to see her."

    "Lir has a sweetheart?" Delilah's lips parted in surprise. "That's not possible."

    "Malachi is sweet on you, isn't he? I'd say that makes anything possible."

    Delilah didn't bother with a response. Kalian chose to break the silence after several minutes. "Commander Lev asked me to assign additional guards for tonight's watch. Lir is worried about bandits."

    "I'll volunteer," Bellamy offered. "I've been walking without my crutch just fine. I'm still not supposed to overexert my leg, but I think I'll be all right standing guard."

    Kalian nodded. "Any more suggestions?"

    "Samson Vesemir?"

    "He's a medic," Delilah pointed out, knitting her brows. "Medics aren't usually required to stand watch."

    Bellamy averted his gaze and rubbed the back of his neck. "I know, but if we're worried about bandits, he'd be good to have on guard. That man can see a mouse hiding in a bramble bush in the dead of night. Plus, he's an excellent shot."

    "I'll see if he's willing," Kalian replied. There was a hint of a blush in Bellamy's cheeks when he flashed Kalian a grateful look.

    "I should go see if Annalie needs help with the cooking equipment," Delilah murmured. She darted off before either of them could offer a farewell.

    "She seems a bit jumpy today," Bellamy noted. "Maybe she didn't like what I had to say about Malachi."

    "I think you can say whatever you want about Malachi. He..." Kalian caught himself.

    "He what?" Bellamy urged. "What did he do now?"

    Kalian clenched his jaw. "He insulted you."

    "Oh. That's not unusual. Malachi doesn't agree with my...preferences. He thinks they're unnatural." Bellamy smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.

    "I think Commander Lev likes you though," Kalian added swiftly. "She said Malachi is probably just upset because you don't have any interest in him."

    "Really?"

    "Well, those weren't the exact words she used."

    "What were the exact words? Tell me, please!"

    Kalian raked his fingers through his hair, blowing out a resigned breath. He repeated Malachi and Commander Lev's words to Bellamy, keeping his gaze fixed on the wagon rolling in front of him. When he finished, Bellamy barked out a laugh.

    "I've never heard Commander Lev say anything like that before," he said once his laughter had stopped. "She rarely chooses sides when it comes to rivalries or disagreements." Bellamy slung an arm around Kalian's shoulders. He flinched, caught off guard, then quickly shifted his wings so Bellamy wouldn't bump into them. "But she chose our side today. Who would've thought of that?"

    Certainly not me, Kalian couldn't help but think.

☽◦༻◦☽◦༺◦☽

    Moira sat on her bedroll, marking out known Faerie camps near Selcouth on one of her maps. The night was quiet so far, but Lir's warning had set her on edge. Despite Kalian's thorough selection of guards, she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight. Her thoughts were too loud, as was quite common.

    She couldn't stop picturing the look in Kalian's eyes as he spoke of his wife and daughter, and what had happened to them. Despite the vague details he'd given her, she thought she could piece together most of the story. When she saw the scars on his wrists, scars she hadn't even noticed before, many memories she'd tried to hide had found their way to the surface.

    After what happened to her own family, Moira had been overcome by anger and besotted with revenge. She had grieved, yes, but she'd never tried to take her own life. Her first thought had been to slay the monsters who took her parents and her fiancé from her. Her pain had been great, but her anger far greater. How great had Kalian's pain been if it had driven him to that point?

    She lowered her pencil with a sigh and massaged her forehead. "No wonder he's so withdrawn and reserved," Moira murmured to herself. "After a loss like that, I'd be afraid of getting close to people too." She was anyway.

    Regardless, she still hadn't let go of her suspicions. There was more to Kalian Deirdre than what he'd revealed. She was determined to find out as much as possible. And not just to ease her own suspicions. No, she wanted to find out how similar they really were, and if there was a way he might be able to help her through her rage.

    Moira closed her eyes, letting her head fall against her chest. She was so tired of being angry. She was ready for something to change. She just didn't know what. Could she still lead her unit without blinding anger guiding her, or would she be forced to follow another path? She didn't know. She just didn't know.

☽◦༻◦☽◦༺◦☽

    Kalian tensed, hearing soft footsteps on the ground behind him. He glanced over his shoulder and caught sight of Commander Lev. Once again, she wore only a beige tank top, her leather pants, and a pair of boots. Her hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail and she carried no weapons.

    "Are you...all right?" Kalian asked hesitantly.

    Commander Lev nodded and came to stand beside him. "I just couldn't sleep. I figured I'd check in and see how things are out here."

    "All is quiet. I haven't heard anything from the others yet." Kalian's gaze swept over the expanse of land around the camp. The Vetiti was just a dark blot several miles away. They were safe from the creatures that roamed the forest.

    "I'd like to know more about your family."

    "I thought you just came to check in."

    "I also came to talk."

    "You wanted me to stand watch." Kalian glanced at the Commander, half a smile tugging on his lips.

    "You can watch and talk, can't you?"

    "I suppose, but I can't talk about my family. That will distract me too much."

    "All right. Just answer this question then, and we'll talk about something else. Why did you live in Cosette? That was a Faerie settlement."

    Because I'm a Faerie, Kalian thought, shifting his wings subconsciously. "Calandra was a healer. She wanted to learn more about the practice from Faeries and Witches."

    It was true. Calandra's healing magic was stronger than most Faeries'. She had hoped to develop her skills under the careful tutelage of wiser Witches and Faeries. Kalian drew a steadying breath and carried on, still keeping a careful eye on their surroundings.

    "Cosette was a safe village. The Faeries, Witches, and Scindoes there were friendly. They never tried to harm the Humans who shared their lands. The only danger we ever faced came from Ironblades."

    "Like I said, that attack was sloppy, and far too many innocents died."

    Kalian stiffened, recognizing the opportunity that had presented itself. "Do you know which unit headed the attack?" He felt her dark gaze on him, but didn't meet it.

    "I don't," she said at last. "It was off the books. An experimental attack, to test new weapons and tactics, I believe. All I know is that it had to have been done under the supervision of a high ranking officer. Another Commander, perhaps."

    Kalian swallowed the hard lump in his throat. "I see."

    Commander Lev sighed. "Maybe I can find something about it next time I..." A shrill whistle split through the air. Kalian whirled, grabbing her by the waist and throwing her to the ground. "What are you doing!" She screeched.

    Kalian flung his arms over her head and shielded them both with his wings as burning arrows whizzed through the air. Commander Lev gasped and flames erupted from the tents behind them. A dozen riders on horseback emerged from the gloom, all wearing cloth masks and waving swords.

    Kalian hauled the Commander to her feet. "Get your weapons," he ordered.

    "You just..." she stared at him, shock flooding her gaze. "You protected me."

    Kalian drew Asar from its sheath on his back. "Not the first time, Commander. Now go!" He didn't wait to see if she obeyed him. Kalian took off running towards the front of the camp, where the alarm had been sounded. Where Samson had been standing guard.