I wanted to go to Perranth with you.

The words echoed in her head. Mocking her. Taunting her. Reminding her what a fool she had been to trust him. Never mind the truth that had seemed to shine through as he had said those words, his actions negated all of it when he had crawled towards that witch.

"Elide?"

Her head snapped to the side at the sound of her name. Lysandra sat up on her bunk in the war tent, looking at her with her head tilted to the side. The image of her queen. Another mockery. Another failure. Elide looked up at the canvas roof.

"Sorry, I was… somewhere else. What were you saying?"

"Are you ready to go?"

Right. Back to Terrasen to meet with the army that Chaol and Nesryn had amassed. She would finally get to see her home again. Maybe even catch up with Finnula on her way through to Suria.

I wanted to go to Perranth with you.

Elide shook her head, dismissing the traitorous thoughts. She refused to waste any more time mourning what might have been, what he had shoved in her face on that beach. Elide sat up.

"I'm ready."

A ruckus in the campsite drew Lysandra out of the tent as Elide made the final preparations for her trip. Her few belongings were already packed in her bag. She quickly dressed in a tunic, pants and sturdy boots, and grabbed a few rations to add to her pack. She would fill up her water skin when she reached the stream. Before she could leave the tent and find her escort though, Aedion burst through, his face white as a ghost.

"Aedion, what's wrong?"

Aedion ignored her, going straight to one of the beds and stripping off the sheets, laying a medical sheet over it, getting new pillows.

"Aedion!"

He paused long enough to whisper, "They're back. They've got her."

A smile sprang to Elide's face and she turned once more to exit, but Lorcan stood in the doorway. Their eyes met for a brief, painful moment before he stepped aside, holding the tent flap open for Rowan. Rowan indeed carried a woman in his arms, but could that possibly be Aelin? Her face, arms and legs were covered with scars and oozing sores. Her hair was matted with dirt and blood. She clung to Rowan with tenacity, but her limbs were shaking.

"What did they do to her?" Elide whispered.

A muscle tightening in Rowans jaw was all the answer she received and she thought she probably didn't want to know all the details. Rowan tried to set Aelin on the bed, but she clung to him desperately.

"Fireheart," he murmured as he disentangled her, but stayed close, holding her hand, wiping her hair from her face. Tears sprang to Elide's eyes at his gentleness and care for her. Aedion approached with some broth and Rowan growled up at him, softening when he realised who and what it was.

Lysandra burst into the tent then, followed quickly by Yrene – hauling a pack of healing supplies. Lysandra turned before Yrene could lay eyes on the queen and hissed.

"You tell anyone about this – you tell one soul, and you are dead, understand?"

Yrene nodded calmly in the face of Lysandras thread and moved to see the patient. Lysandra turned to Elide, shoulders drooping.

"This doesn't change anything yet. I still need you to go to Suria."

Elide dragged her eyes off the queen and nodded. Aelin was in no shape to fight. They would still need the allies. She could feel Lorcan watching her quietly as he stood guard near the entrance. She felt a flicker of his magic brush against her ankle – looking to brace it, but finding it healed and whole thanks to the work of Yrene and her healers. Lorcans face was unreadable as the magic retracted. Lysandra glanced over to where Lorcan stood by the entrance and then back at Elide, who had refused to look at him after that first moment, despite his eyes resting on her since the moment he walked in.

"Lorcan," Lysandra addressed the demi-fae, "It would set my mind at ease if you would accompany Elide."

Elides jaw swung open and she saw Lorcan snap his head towards Lysandra, eyes wide before his glance returned to Elide. She glared up at him, it would be no use to deny that his presence would be useful, and with the other guards as well, she probably wouldn't have to interact with him all that much. She closed her mouth and shrugged.

I wanted to go to Perranth with you.

Well now's your chance you stupid bastard.

Lorcan nodded wordlessly at Lysandra and followed Elide as she made her way out of the tent.

KC