Chapter 31

Sylvi

“I left Stina in the Champion’s camp”, Kim whispered quietly, and her remorse sent a wave of guilt flooding my heart.

I put my arm around her and pulled her closer.

“It is okay,” I said softly and tried to smile, my eyes filling with tears.

There was nothing I could do to take away her pain, no matter how much I wished for it. I ruffled her hair and began to sing for her quietly, wishing that my song would at least disperse some of the sadness she felt.

“I am a coward.”

She sobbed and burst into tears, pressing her face into my shoulder.

I took a deep breath and tried to regain my balance, but pushing against the darkness that had taken root in my heart made me feel so helpless that I surrendered to her pain. My head spun, and dark flames danced on the edges of my vision, threatening to consume the world and everything I held dear in a burning inferno, and I gasped for air.

“Silvi..?”

Kim looked at me with teary eyes. The flames dissipated, and I tried to smile at her.

“It’s okay”, I whispered and continued my song.

“Stupid horse, she’s so useless.”

Cat stormed into our small camp, kicking the ground, and anger and frustration cut through the air.

“Pathetic”, she hissed.

She kicked some dirt into the fire, making it burst with a myriad of sparks and fuelling the flames that had almost consumed me a few moments ago. I could feel Kim’s body tensing up and pressing into mine in search of comfort.

“Stupid, useless horse… I should..”

“Cat”

I softly called her before her hand had a chance to rest on the pommel of her sword. She looked at me, and I could see flames dancing in her eyes, sending cold shivers down my spine, but her body relaxed, and a faint smile appeared on her face.

“Silvi…”

I pushed away the darkness once more and reached out my hand to her.

“Come, sit with us”

She took a few hesitant steps and sat down next to me, and I put my arm around her and pulled her in.

“It’s okay, Cat, we are safe here”, I said softly and slid my fingers through her hair.

Her body started to soften under my touch, and a spark of hope flickered in my heart.

“We are a team, Captain”, Kim smiled, touching her dagger.

Cat nodded and slowly lowered herself, putting her head on my lap, and took a deep breath.

“We are a team….”, she said quietly and closed her eyes, letting me play with her hair.