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Long after she had left the ridge, Thalia's palm still felt the weight of the dagger. The chilly metal whispered of future wars, like a ghost of the past. Killian was observing. He wished her to be aware of it. But something else, something fiercer, was writhing in her chest instead of terror.

Resolve.

With a short exhale, she shoved the weapon into her belt folds and entered the war camp's murky light. Long shadows were produced by the flickering torchlight, extending against the tattered tent fabric and the exhausted bodies that moved between them. Huddled around little fires, warriors licked their wounds, stole what little rest they could, and spoke to each other.

This battle was theirs.

However, the fight was far from ended.

Thalia glimpsed faces—men and women who had been strangers but now shared a common banner, soldiers she had battled alongside. Their eyes possessed a fire that had never been there before, a calm strength. Not only in them, but also in her.

She had changed since she had been cast aside as an afterthought. She had struggled. She was bleeding. She was powerful now.

She was startled out of her reverie by a voice.

"You didn't return right away."

With his arms folded across his wide chest and his eyes fixed on the map in front of him, Ryker stood close to the command tent. Battle-worn but unwavering, his dark hair still wet from perspiration, a slight smudge of dirt marking his jaw, he looked every inch the warrior he was. His eyes lifted as he felt her coming.

His eyes strayed to the dagger concealed in her belt.

"You discovered something."

With a nod, Thalia took the weapon from where it lay and held it up just far enough for him to see.

His face clouded at once. "Killian's."

She clenched her fingers. "I got it from him."

Ryker felt a muscle in his jaw tickle. "He is engaging in game play."

"Yes," she whispered. "But I am, too."

He smirked slowly and appreciatively, but it didn't quite make it to his eyes. "You were always able to reverse the situation."

"The best taught me."

There was a beat of silence between them, broken only by the crackling of flames in the distance. Ryker stretched for her hand carefully after that. He held on with a solid, warm grip—an anchor.

"Come along with me."

Thalia raised an eyebrow but allowed him to guide her through the camp's twisting alleys. As they went by, scouts and warriors lowered their heads in silent recognition, their eyes wide with something fresh. Show respect. Faith. the conviction that she could guide them to a brighter future.

She was no longer just the abandoned Luna. She was powerful.

Ryker led her past the main tents to a remote ridge with a view of the camp. Above them, the moon hung heavily, illuminating the huge expanse of land that had been her prison and was now her battlefield with silver.

Quietly, he said, "I thought you'd want to see this."

Thalia gave him a quick look. "Observe what?"

He kept his eyes on the horizon. "What you constructed."

Looking out over the region she had previously run from, she let out a quiet exhale. Once dispersed outlaws, warriors now stood together. Once-unknown allies now fought together under the same banner. Additionally, she stood stronger than ever in the middle of it all.

She developed a lump in her throat. "It's not finished yet."

"No," Ryker concurred. "But it's just the beginning."

She looked him in the eyes, probing his face. "Don't you think we can win this?"

He looked into her eyes, sure and unflinching. "I have faith in you."

She felt a tightness in her chest. The ease with which he uttered it was odd. How easily the words flowed from his mouth, as though they were indisputable.

She was someone Killian had never trusted. No one really had.

So far.

She looked away and swallowed hard. "I have no idea what will happen next."

Ryker didn't think twice. "What comes next is up to you, Thalia."

She shook her head and exhaled quietly. "What if I am unsure of my desires?"

Slowly and deliberately, his fingers touched her wrist. "After that, we work it out together."

She looked at him, really looked. The way he was solid and unflinching, the way his eyes met hers without hesitation. She had been waiting so long for someone to betray her, to take what little she still had and turn it against her.

Ryker, however, had never let up.

Instead of standing in front of her, he had always stood by her side.

The realization sank in.

She slowly allowed herself to sag little against him. Enough. She was grounded in a manner she wasn't aware she needed as his warmth soaked into her.

Ryker didn't press or move. He just left her alone.

And she breathed for the first time in a long time.

However, the moment was short-lived.

From the fringe of the camp came a loud yell. Immediate. Worried.

Her instincts flared, and she and Ryker both jerked to alert.

Breathless and wide-eyed, a man ran toward them. Elias, a young but shrewd warrior who had shown himself in combat, was one of the scouts.

"Alpha—my lady," Elias exclaimed. "You must watch this."

Thalia's heartbeat accelerated. "What is it?"

Elias paused, looking at each other, and then he spoke in a solemn tone.

"Someone is at the northern boundary. They are requesting your name.

A shiver ran down her back.

Tension was high as Thalia and Ryker looked at one other.

"Who?" She made a demand.

Elias took a deep breath.

"They say they are a Killian envoy."

The moment of silent triumph was abruptly broken.

Thalia's face grew serious, her thoughts already racing. It came too soon. Too methodical.

"Were they by themselves?" Ryker's voice was stern as he asked.

Elias gave a headshake. They are escorted. They are not too armed, but enough to imply that they are more than merely messengers.

Thalia tightened her jaw. Killian would never send someone without protection, of course.

Ryker's gaze grew strained. "Now, where are they?"

"At the northern ridge's edge, waiting," Elias stated. "Without permission, they won't come any closer."

It was a calculated move. An act of phony deference. It indicated that Killian had a desire.

With a calm exhale, Thalia braced herself. "So let's avoid making them wait."

Her cloak billowed as she strode toward the center of the camp, turning abruptly on her heel. As she went by, Warriors stood up, feeling the change in the atmosphere.

It wouldn't be a straightforward message, whatever this envoy had to convey.

Ryker dropped into place next to her, his presence a wordless but unflinching barrier.

She had a new idea as they got closer to the perimeter.

Killian had left a message with his dagger.

Was it a warning, though?

Or an invitation?