It was two more days that we remained in Sorentina while the six girls joining us on the trip back to Catania packed and made arrangements for their homes while they were gone. Assuming they come back, of course. My thoughts had turned absurdly pessimistic since our arrival, no matter how hard I pushed them away. Keke made a habit of staying close at my side, and I felt the comfort of her warm hand in mine when they surfaced. Guess my emotions were on my sleeve after all.

Ceres took the extra opportunity to help Mercy redistribute duties to seasoned veterans that would, in turn, teach their new recruits. Just from chatting with a few of the guards, I learned that their schedules were packed from dawn to dusk. Training, rebuilding and patching the wounds still remaining on the city, cooking, cleaning, fortifying, and then more training. I wondered if they ever had time to themselves. Ceres reassured me that they took turns on duty, giving each girl at least two days off per week.

Keke, Cannoli, Ravyn, and I wandered the city proper, visiting many reopened shops and restaurants. Compared to when we’d left right after the mud golem’s attack, the place looked brand new. None of the dirt or debris remained in the streets and pathways, and most of the houses and storefronts were immaculately repaired. A few buildings on the outskirts of town were still worse for wear, but it looked like the restoration swapped between the walls protecting the city and the dwellings that remained.

Tristan and Ara vanished on their own, assumedly also patrolling the city and talking with more of its residents. Tristan had so far done a great job in taking ownership of his role on the island. Wish I could say the same for myself.

“Hey,” Keke whispered. “You have that look again.”

We were standing in the back of a tailor’s shop while Cannoli and Ravyn perused the array of expensive dresses and cloth combat equipment.

“Yeah, sorry.” I rubbed the back of my neck and shook my head. “I was just thinking about Ni Island and how I should be there protecting it. I’ve been gone for too damn long.”

“But what we’re doing is so you can help protect it better, remember?” Keke’s fingers twined with mine, and she inched closer so our arms touched. “I really believe this is the right thing to do. The other islands need help, and you won’t have to face it all alone.”

“I know.” I sighed. Saphira came to mind. How long had it been since I’d seen her? Over a month at least. Was it obvious that she was pregnant yet? How was she feeling?

“You’re letting your thoughts run away with you, Matt,” Keke cautioned. “You can only take this one step at a time.”

I blinked and shook my head. I’d said something eerily similar to Marianne while I was teaching her gardening. Eat your own advice, Kelmer. “You’re right. I know you’re right. I’ll try harder to focus.”

Cannoli giggled, and I leaned to the right to get an eye on where she was standing. She and Ravyn stood in the center of one aisle with Cannoli holding a frilly pink number up in front of Ravy’s body.

“You don’t think you’d look cute in this?” Cannoli laughed.

Ravyn gagged with disgust and pinched the side of the dress, slowly drawing it away from her. “I’d look fucking ridiculous.” She squeezed one of the ruffles with her free hand and wrinkled her nose. “I mean, what the hell are these? Why so many frills?”

“No fucking way! Squawk! No fucking way!”

Buttons crawled from behind Cannoli’s hair, then skittered up the length of her arm and hopped on Ravyn’s shoulder. He poked his head above the neckline of the dress and looked at Cannoli expectantly.

“There. Your blazard can wear it,” Ravyn cackled.

“You look wonderful, Buttons!” Cannoli marveled with a gasp.

Ravyn caught us staring. “What do you think, Matt? Me or Buttons?”

“Buttons, for sure.” I gestured to the dress. “That doesn’t have nearly enough straps or slits for you.”

“Nani? Why don’t you come over here and say that a bit closer where I can hear you, boy?”

Keke grinned, then murmured, “See? You’re never alone.”

All I have to do to keep it this way is everything I can and more.

Back at the tavern, everyone who would travel in the morning met one final time. We wanted to hash out the details and have a battle plan ready on full stomachs and sharp minds. Well, as sharp as they were going to get, at least. Mercy was in attendance, at Ceres’ suggestion, to offer advice where she could.

“We should move in two groups,” Ceres stated. “Nine in one, ten in the other. The first group can lead with the second behind.”

“Keep one at the front within visual range of the second. Make sure you are always able to see one another,” Mercy added.

I nodded. “I think the second group should have three capable fighters guarding the six foragers and artisans. The first group should have everyone else.”

“Will we not be likely to attract more attention this way?” Jazz asked, her silken voice drifting over the bar. “I thought the point was to stay out of sight.”

“It was the first time. But with the obvious threats out there, we should stay closer together,” Keke provided. “Six of us per group obviously weren’t enough to take down a Defiled if it came to it.”

“Oh? So all nineteen of us can be rent to shreds together? An excellent death indeed.” Jazz studied her fingernails as if they were the most interesting thing in the world. “Please bury us side by side.”

Why did you have blood on your hands, Jazz? I ground my teeth and breathed.

“The nine in the back should not intervene. Not for anything,” Cannoli said softly. “We promised to keep these girls safe, and if the ten of us in the front fall, then they can sneak the rest of the way to Catania on their own.”

I glanced at Jazz. What about my girls? I could see it written all over her face. But she had kept a promise to Mercy, who was coincidentally staring at her as if issuing a challenge to speak.

“I agree. If the first group should fail to dispatch any Defiled or Encroacher threat, the second group should hide in wait until it is safe to continue in their travels,” Ceres said.

“What if it isn’t safe?” a girl in the back raised her hand and asked.

“I’ll be there to guide you,” Sanaia said proudly. “You can count on me.”

“And so will—” Jazz began.

“No. You’re with us, Jazz.” I had too many reservations to let her go off with these girls alone. I wanted to keep an eye on her.

“I don’t really think that’s necessary,” Tristan whispered over the table. “She’s a great fighter.”

I glanced at Tristan, and my expression silenced him.

“Jazz is with us,” I repeated.

“It’s nice to be wanted.” Jazz smiled daggers at me and narrowed her eyes. “I won’t let all this popularity go to my head, dear Matt.”

“Give it a fucking rest,” Ravyn sighed. “Back to the plan, please? Some of us want to sleep before the big shitty day.”

Thanks, Ravyn.

“I think Ara and I should go with the second party,” Tristan announced. “I-I know I’m only a [Mage], but I should be able to do some pretty good damage if it comes to it. And Ara! Well, I don’t have to say how good a fighter she is.”

Ara blushed and bowed her head. “Young Master, you needn’t say such things,” she murmured.

“Of course I do! I trust Ara with my life. I think all of you should do the same,” Tristan continued.

Wow, I didn’t know Ara could turn so many shades of red!

Ara muttered an incoherent reply, letting her hair mask her face from the rest of us. Ravyn snickered.

“Then we have Sanaia, Tristan, Ara, and the six from Sorentina in the second party. Then Lord Matt, Keke, Cannoli, myself, Jazz, and the remaining four from Catania. Any final adjustments?” Ceres called.

“Lord Matt?” Jazz sputtered. “My, my, what an impression you’ve made on this island! Not just with Marianne, it seems!”

I hadn’t realized I’d moved. I blinked and Keke’s hand was on my forearm. In my white-knuckled grip was my axe.

“No,” Keke hissed. “She’s doing this on purpose.”

Her and Cailu would make a hell of a pair. I relaxed my hand and willed the axe away.

“That sounds perfect, Ceres,” Cannoli called over the tension. “I’m so excited to have you back!”

Mercy tilted her head at Ceres with a wry smile. “Got yourself a fan club already, eh?”

Ceres bowed deeply. “They are my comrades, Mercy. I request you remember that.”

Cannoli beamed. Ravyn and Keke glanced at me with varying stages of worry. I constantly reminded myself that I only had one more day in Jazz’s company before I could quit this place.

Just one more day.

When everyone was in agreement and fed, I climbed the stairs back to my room. Keke slipped inside with me and closed the door behind her.

I chewed my lip and ran a hand through my hair. “Keke, I—”

“Shh.” She pressed a soft finger to my lips and shook her head. “That’s not what I want.”

I was surprisingly relieved to hear that sentence. Some dumb part of me kept telling me that trying to be intimate with anyone the night before we left assured their death. Yeah, correlation and causation, I know. But dammit, the thought of losing anyone the next day was tearing my insides to shreds.

“Okay,” I said when she dropped her hand.

Keke gently smiled. “I just want to be close to you tonight. That’s all.” She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around my waist, then leaned her head against my chest. “If you don’t want me here, it’s okay. I’ll go.”

I kissed the top of her head between her ears and returned her embrace. “I’d like that.” She was so warm. Her hair smelled like rain. “Thank you.”

“I’m glad,” she whispered into my shirt.

My heart sped against my chest, and I inhaled her scent one more time.

Her arms tightened around me, and I felt the first hint of damp tears streak down her cheeks. “We’re going to be okay.”

I had no idea if that was true or what awaited us. But I wanted it to be, with every damn inch of my being. “Yeah. We’ll be okay.”