Page 70 of Tears for a Broken Sky
“Want to share?” Maddie asked, half-grinning. “Full disclosure—I kind of forgot mine. Well, technically I didn’tforgetit. I just… didn’tbringit.”
I chuckled. “Sure. Let’s do it.”
Working together, it didn’t take long. Soon we had the tent up, pitched neatly beside the others, flaps tied and blankets unrolled.
It wasn’t much. But it was ours.
“I’m going to get some water.” I said.
“All good. I’m just gonna melt into a puddle here if that’s cool.” Maddie replied.
“Fine.”
Leo and Caelen were checking supplies nearby while Phoenix crouched near the growing campfire, focused and quiet. Slade was barking orders to the soldiers, assigning roles with his usual bite—but I caught him looking my way more than once.
“Where are you going?” he asked, finally.
I shook my canteen at him. “Water.”
“Take someone with you.”
“I’ll be fine, grumpy bear. It’s just over there.” I gestured toward the lake.
He didn’t argue. Just crossed his arms and waited.
Of course he did.
“I’ll go,” Caelen offered, just as Leo pushed off his knee to stand.
Leo froze mid-motion, glaring at the prince.
Before either could speak, the fire Phoenix had been tending suddenly flared—blazing a foot high, flames snapping loud enough to make a few nearby soldiers jump.
Everyone stilled.
Phoenix didn’t look up. But his jaw was tight. His hands steady.Toosteady.
I wasn’t entirely sure what was going on here, but it seemed like everyone else knew.
“Um… okay. Sure. All are welcome,” I muttered.
Then I turned and walked off—still uncertain, but very clear on one thing:
I wanted out ofwhatever that was.
The air was cooler near the water. I followed the shoreline, boots crunching over pebbles. In the distance, a few of the soldiers were already swimming, their voices carrying faintly over the surface.
I kept going. Let the quiet settle over me. Let it all fall away.
Caelen followed behind me, carrying a large saucepan—because of course he did.
We found a quiet spot a little away from the noise, crouched near the water’s edge.
The breeze off the lake stirred the trees, soft and cool.
After a while, he asked, “So… did you bring the… you know?”
I glanced around—nervous of being overheard without really knowing why—and nodded.
