A swoosh and a flash of light off a wide curved blade. The sharp edge of the dadao sliced right through Tohon’s neck, decapitating him.

A wall of energy slammed into me, shattering all thought.

Destroying all sensation.

Erasing all life.

Kerrick

KERRICK

He kept a vigil by the Peace Lily, refusing to budge. He stayed there day after day after day. Flea and Noak gave him the strength to physically survive the winter, fighting off the desire to go dormant. The monkeys and Belen provided company. They took turns while they chased down the rest of Tohon’s dead troops. The living soldiers quickly surrendered after Tohon’s death, relieved to be finished with the fighting. Noak and his warriors returned to their positions near the Milligreen Pass, planning to surprise Cellina and her troops when they crossed into Pomyt Realm in the spring. With Estrid locked behind her borders, the war would truly be over.

Emotions twisted inside him. Fury that Avry had lied to him. Utter grief that Tohon had taken her with him. If the Lily didn’t save her, he planned to join her. Of course, he wouldn’t share that desire with anyone or they’d never leave him alone.

Instead, he chatted and learned what else had happened the night of the attack. Quain and Loren’s story provided the most entertainment.

“We retreated into the tunnels, leading the dead on a merry chase,” Quain said.

“Beau showed us a shaft that looped around and half of us got in behind them,” Loren said.

“Yeah, then it was just a matter of time.” Quain snapped his fingers.

“What about the guards waiting outside the shaft?” Kerrick asked.

“Child’s play.”

“Uh-huh. I heard one of Noak’s teams had to rescue you,” Kerrick said.

“We were fine, they assisted.”

“And we did our job. Well, sort of.” Loren added another log to the fire. “I did put an arrow through Tohon’s heart. Wrong Tohon, but for a moment it felt very fine.”

“How did you know they weren’t in the tent?” Quain asked Kerrick.

“Noak spotted Avry going into the cave. The rescue went as planned, except...”

They all glanced at the Peace Lily.

Except.

When Belen joined Kerrick one evening a couple weeks after the attack, Belen shooed the monkeys away. Something was up.

“Prince Ryne is here and he wishes to speak to you,” Belen said.

Kerrick just stared at Belen.

“Don’t be like that. He didn’t know what would happen to Avry.”

“Don’t make excuses for him. He was well aware of what would happen.”

“Will you talk to him? Please?”

He could never resist that look. “Only if you stay with us.”

“Why?”

“So I don’t kill him.”

“Good reason.” Belen left and returned with Ryne.