“I know how I would feel if it was you lying there, Gal,” she retorted, indicating Jasmine’s shrouded form with her hand. “And I’ve known you but weeks. My sister lost her true sister this day. And I will guard her.”

“There is naught around to harm her,” Brix said gently.

“She is a lieutenant to the queen, fallen in battle. She receives this honor in her death, Brix. Now go. Find Cassius. Report what you learned this day. And then find somewhere to sleep.”

“We’ve already reported,” Gal told her.

“Right, then, just find somewhere to sleep.”

Her friends studied her in an entirely different manner than Hera had done.

They eventually looked to each other before they made their decision.

Gal came forward and touched her hand before he moved away.

“You’ll be all right,” Brix said, then he followed his friend.

Serena watched them go before she assumed a stance of parade rest, standing guard over her queen’s fallen sisters.

And although she found it difficult, she did not move a muscle when she saw his shadowy form approach, his visage blackened by the fires burning beyond him in a field covered in tents that had earlier been covered in bodies.

His features came into focus by the light of the moon when he got close to her and stopped.

“Little mouse,” he said tenderly.

“Trusted,” she returned neutrally.

She watched his face absorb the word she used to refer to him, and how much he did not like it.

And she also watched him move beyond that.

“The enemy is in full retreat,” he shared.

“I know this,” she replied.

He looked to the ground then to her.

“Nadirii custom when the queen’s lieutenant has fallen,” she explained. “She has a guard until she joins the veil.”

“Ah,” he murmured then shifted. “I will keep you company.”

“I rather you did not.”

She watched his frame string tight.

“Serena—”

“You need to see to your king.”

“I need to see to you.”

“I have no need for that.”

“You do not speak truth.”

You would know all about that, she thought.

“I am seeing to my duty and it is the duty of a Nadirii,” she said instead. “You are not welcome to join it, Trusted.”

“It would seem your sister and you have made amends,” he noted.

That is none of your business, she thought.

“We are at war,” she pointed out.

“It was more than you in battle I witnessed before I made it to you.”

She shrugged.

He moved closer.

Her hand shifted to her dagger.

He did not miss her movement, thus he stopped.

“I am a Nadirii guard to Nadirii fallen, Trusted,” she said low. “Respect that.”

“We must talk. Not in the now. Later. When your duty is done.”

“There’s naught to say.”

“There’s much to say,” he disagreed.

“It has been said.”