Chapter Eighty-One:

  “Thrown a Bone”

  The embers of battle had faded, but no one felt victorious.

  As the tension lifted, the doors of the inn finally opened, no longer held shut by trembling hands. From within, two young voices broke the silence.

  “Ma!”

  “Momma!”

  The twins, a boy and a girl, barely into their teens, rushed past the threshold, their small feet pounding against the dirt. Their cries shattered what little stillness remained as they flung themselves toward Enya’s lifeless body.

  Asha stiffened at the sight of them. Twins. A fresh ache rose in her chest, a wound that hadn’t even begun to heal. Amari. His name flashed in her thoughts, a silent nod, a blink of respect before she forced herself to push past it.

  Lucinda moved first, stepping toward the grieving children. She crouched beside them, wrapping an arm around each as their sobs wracked their small frames. She held them close, whispering softly, her voice calm, soothing, the only light in the darkness of their grief.

  “Come now, come inside.”

  They didn’t resist. They burrowed into her, their tear-streaked faces pressing against her chest as she guided them gently toward the open doors of the inn.

  The night remained still, loss lingered, thick, pressing down on everything and everyone left behind.

  Outside, villagers moved with quiet purpose, wrapping Enya’s body with care. There were no wails of mourning, no shouts of grief, only the silent efficiency of those who had seen death too often. They lifted her gently and carried her away, toward the place where Emberwood laid its dead while they awaited their return to flames.

  Inside the inn, the once comforting aromas of savory food and fresh drink seemed colder now. The twins, their faces still streaked with tears, sat close together, breathing deeply, pulling themselves back from the edge of sorrow.

  One of them, the boy, spoke first. His voice was quiet but steady.

  “Thank you for bringing justice for our mother.”

  His sister nodded beside him, her fingers gripped the edge of her dress, grounding her.

  They exchanged a glance, then looked up at their guests. “This inn belongs to us now. The Sleeping Embers is your home for as long as you need.”

  From the corner of the room, Ember Sage Kaelith, who had been watching over Raya in silence, finally stepped forward. His eyes fell on the blade resting nearby, Souleater.

  “I can take it,” he offered, his voice measured. “I know someone who can hide it. Someone who can keep it safe.”

  A long silence followed before, one by one, they nodded. There was no hesitation. Only understanding.

  It had to be done.

  Sage Kaelith wrapped his hands around Souleater’s hilt, his brow drawn in thought as he lifted the blade. He gave a small nod, the weight of the task settling over him.

  “Rest well,” he said, his voice steady. “You’ve done enough for one night. Enough for a lifetime.”

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  He turned to leave, pausing at the threshold. “And… thank you, for everything.” Then, without another word, he stepped out to the night, disappearing into the quiet streets of Emberwood.

  The grief inside the inn lightened, just a bit, a quiet exhale after the storm. The villagers who had remained inside stirred from their places, murmuring among themselves. Now that the danger had passed, they moved toward their rooms or out the door, eager to return to their homes and loved ones.

  Outside, the last remnants of Leo's flames had been extinguished. The trees that had caught fire stood charred but strong, faint wisps of steam rising from their bark. Emberwood’s people understood fire, and with sure hands and careful magic, they had seen to it that it did no further harm.

  Back inside, the twins exchanged a glance before turning to their guests. The boy gestured toward the stairs.

  "We can show you to your rooms… if you want."

  They all followed as the twins led them upstairs, their footsteps soft against the worn wooden steps. Exhaustion settled in, dragging at their limbs, every step heavier than the last. But the night refused to release its grip just yet.

  At the landing, the twins hesitated. "We, uh… never introduced ourselves before. I'm Ashen. And this is my sister Sienna."

  Sienna nodded, her voice softer. "Sorry for forgetting formalities. It’s just…"

  She didn’t finish the thought. She didn’t have to. Everyone understood.

  Leo and Ankit were shown to a room first, Ashen pushing the door open before stepping aside. "This one’s yours."

  Across the hall, Sienna gestured to another. "And here… for all of you."

  They took in the spaces before them. They were simple, warm. A place to rest. Sienna and Ashen both looked at them, shifting on their feet, as if unsure whether to leave or linger.

  "Thank you," Sienna finally spoke. "For everything."

  Ashen nodded quickly. "A hundred times over. More. Just… thank you."

  There were no more words, only small nods in return. As always, it was Ankit who tried to break the tension. He grinned, stepping backward into his room, raising two fingers in a casual peace sign.

  "Peace."

  Raya met his gaze, her eyes lingering on him a moment longer than necessary. There was something in them, not quite gratitude, not quite amusement, but something that acknowledged the effort. A slow breath, then "Night."

  The doors closed.

  Leo sat on the edge of his bed, rolling the tension from his shoulders as Ankit kicked off his boots and stretched out with a satisfied sigh. The room was quiet, the warmth of the inn settling around them, a quiet reminder of how quickly everything could change.

  Leo glanced over. "Really nice moves getting that sword... really, you saved the day."

  Ankit scoffed, waving a hand. "Oh, quit. You’re gonna make me blush."

  Leo chuckled, but the sound died in his throat as his gaze caught the ruby glinting in the candlelight. His chest tightened, the warmth inside vanishing, replaced by something hollow, something he couldn’t name.

  Ankit noticed. His smirk faded. "You really loved her, huh?"

  Leo turned the ring slowly between his fingers. His voice came quieter this time. "With all my heart. I just really wish I knew why. I mean... I loved a girl named Sarah, but I feel like... like Keira and Sarah were one and the same."

  For once, Ankit didn’t have a reply. He just nodded as if he understood. He didn't.

  A long beat passed before he moved, forcing a grin back onto his face. "Well, goodnight, Leo. Don't let the bed bugs bite."

  Leo didn’t answer, just laid back, staring at the ceiling as he turned the ring in his fingers, lost in thought.

  The girls’ room was warmer than expected, the soft glow of lanterns casting golden light against the rich wooden walls. Bunk beds lined the space, their thick blankets inviting after the exhaustion of the night. A large circular window allowed the moonlight to filter in, adding to the quiet stillness that had settled over the inn.

  Asha ran a hand along the wooden railing of one of the bunks before sinking onto the edge of a lower bed, exhaling slowly. Lucinda sat nearby, stretching out her fingers, the last traces of magic still faint in her hands. Raya leaned against the ladder of her bunk, her gaze moving between them, while Ani, chewing on a nice, juicy bone that Ashen and Sienna had given him, stretched out at the foot of Raya's bed.

  For a moment, no one spoke.

  Then Asha broke the silence. “Feels strange, doesn’t it?”

  Lucinda looked over, arching a brow. “What does?”

  “Sleeping somewhere warm. Having a full stomach, an actual bed.” Her fingers brushed over the blanket beside her. “Just... feels strange after everything.”

  Emily let out a slow breath, staring at the ceiling. "I wish I could think of our next move… where to go to from here."

  Asha scoffed, rolling onto her side. "I wish I could get my hands around Sterling's neck before he regains full strength."

  Luci smirked. "Well, it's not like we know where his hideout is or anything."

  Raya straightened from where she had been lying, her expression lightening. "Well, that's not necessarily the case."

  Emily, Asha, and Lucinda all turned to her. Ani kept chewing on his bone.

  "What?"