Page 142 of Fallen Nocturne

Miss Bernadette turns to face the assembled creatures of Astefar, all seventeen of them ranged across the plateau, and something passes between them. An acknowledgment.

The ancient fae part for her without being asked. Even Hellios lowers his burning head as she pads toward them, enormous white paws cracking the stone beneath each step. Miss Bernadette takes her place among the others as though she has always belonged at the front of nightmares.

The runes gutter out one by one, and the strength goes out of me with them.

I sway.

Arescaine catches me before I can fall, one arm wrapping around my waist while his other hand steadies my shoulder.

“Enough,” he says quietly.

I want to argue, but my knees tremble beneath me and my throat tastes of blood. Across the field, eighteen creatures of Astefar wait for my command. It has to be enough.

I look up at him and manage a weak smile. “I’m still standing.”

His hand tightens at my waist, but he lets me straighten. I step away from him slowly, forcing my legs to obey as my gaze returns to Blaire.

There is something different about her. Something I can’t quite place.

She’s not afraid. That’s what’s wrong.

“Blaire,” I say carefully, studying her face. “What happened to you?”

“What do you mean?” She keeps her eyes on Miss Bernadette.

I nod toward the enormous white bear.

“You used to tremble whenever we were sneaking in her territory. You could barely speak her name. Now she says she came here for you, and you do not seem frightened at all.”

Blaire is quiet for a long moment.

“People change, Rhianelle. We survive impossible things and it changes us. You of all people should understand that.” She holds my gaze without flinching. “I am not the same naive maiden who entered Myrkheim.”

There’s truth in her words. Still, I can’t help but feel there’s something she’s not telling me. But there’s no time to ask. We have mere hours before the fae army reaches the Great Plateau and everything descends into chaos.

“Blaire,” I say quietly. “Whatever happened, promise me you’ll tell me when this is over. Promise me there are no secrets between us.”

She smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach those borrowed lilac eyes. “When this is over, we’ll have all the time in the world.”

I turn to her one final time and pull her into a fierce hug.

“Come back safely,” she whispers against my shoulder. “That’s all I ask.”

“I will.” I squeeze her hands once before I let go. “Thank you, my friend. My sister.”

She smiles, and for a moment she’s the Blaire I’ve always known.

Blaire looks past me to the creatures waiting on the field. Her face changes. She lowers the visor of her helm and becomes the Queen of Aelfheim.

Siofra and Darstan mount their Noctrals while Blaire climbs onto mine. Darstan takes his place on one side of her and Siofra on the other. Together, they turn their horses toward the front line.

The creatures of Astefar follow.

Jessica pauses at the plateau’s edge and looks back at me.

I’m famished, she says pleasantly.

Several nearby soldiers pale.