The heart, if you used it, just grew in its capacity to give.

“She says I’ll be fine,” I told him quietly.

“She is not right, but you will go on,” he replied.

“Cass?” I called, tipping my head back.

“Yes, Ellie,” he answered, dipping his chin down.

“To the sun and every star beyond,” I whispered.

He dipped even farther, and in a return whisper against my lips, he said, “To the sun and every star beyond, my darling.”

Prince Cassius

Night Heights Mountain Range

AIREN

Three days hence, Cassius entered the cottage at the queen’s behest.

He moved to stand by her bed.

She stared up at him.

“You do?” she asked, her voice a memory of what it once was.

“I do,” he answered, his voice strong as granite.

“You will?” she asked.

“With my all, with my life,” he answered.

“Take my hand,” she ordered.

He bent to take her hand.

She closed her eyes.

He waited.

Then he felt a curious sensation, like a feather was brushing his palm.

She opened her eyes, he let her go and straightened.

“When they come, as you first hold them to you, their heads cradled in your palm, whisper in their ears, ‘Your grandmother loves you,’ and they will know.”

He felt his jaw flex as he clenched his teeth.

“Promise me, son,” she urged.

“It will be done,” he gritted.

“You were loved,” she shared.

His voice was thick when he replied, “I know.”

Her head made a slight movement against its pillow, like a nod.

“I must rest.”

He bowed to her and moved to the door.

Before he opened it, he turned back.

“You were loved,” he told her.

“I know,” she replied.

The Squad of the Sisterhood of the Nadirii and the Airenzian Battalion

Night Heights Mountain Range

AIREN

Four days hence, the Sisterhood of the Nadirii formed circles around a platform made of piled stones, pinecones and dirt.

These circles of sisters started small and tight to the altar atop which lay the body shrouded in coral and purple. Close to the backs of the circle at the altar formed the next. And close behind them, the next. And so on.

The Airenzian soldiers stood at the back, not in circles, amongst them The Drakkar and his princess.

All except for the crowned prince of Airen, and his lieutenants Macrinus, Antonius and Nero.

These men stood in the circle at the front along with G’Liam of the Go’Doan and his chosen one, Saira.

The queen’s lieutenants moved silently around the edges of the altar, placing candles on the ground and in the stones and lighting them.

The hums began when Melisse, Lucinda, Agnes and Julia joined the circle closest to the altar and everyone amongst all the rings held hands.

The hum sifted through the sisters, rising higher, as bodies swayed side to side.