Abigail, Adil, and Raelle had arrived back on base just a few hours later. Adil was sent off to his quarters while the two girls were sent to Alder. They were all brought down to the warding circle as a precaution. General Alder had remained silent and stoic as Abigail and Raelle told them everything—at Tally's behest. It had made Alder smile at the way Tally was able to make everyone be as honest and open as she was. It was truly remarkable.
Rae was okay, but a bit shaken after the whole ordeal. She had told them all what happened, and how they killed her multiple times and each time the Mycelium brought her back. She told them about her mother showing up; how she'd been with the Spree all this time; how she had sacrificed herself to save her but had abandoned her.
At that, Alder had moved to Raelle and clasped her shoulder—giving it a squeeze and hoping that she was conveying her sentiment without words. And Raelle surprised everyone when her tears fell and she began to sob.
Sarah had pulled her in, wrapping her arms around her and rubbing her back soothingly. Raelle's head was pressed against Sarah's chest as she sobbed—earning a worried look from all the women in the room.
"I understand the pain of losing a mother, and I am sorry that you had to experience it twice, Raelle." Alder gently pushed Raelle away some so that she could look her in the eyes. "Your mother loved you, daughter. Allow that to bring you whatever comfort it can."
Raelle had released a shaky breath before Anacostia came over and wrapped Raelle up in her arms, followed by Abigail, and then Tally.
Abigail had told everyone what she and Adil were up to when they discovered Raelle. Alder wasn't pleased that Abigail and Adil had put themselves in danger. It was reckless, and Alder told her as much. However, she also expressed her gratitude for bringing Raelle back safe, and destroying the Camarilla hideout as well. A bonus in Alder's opinion.
She then debriefed them on the Batan situation. They would be departing at 0500 tomorrow with three more units, totaling their battalion to nine. They were to present an opportunity for peace and to temporarily join forces; if Nicte refused, which was highly likely, they were to capture her and bring her back to Fort Salem. Alder stressed the importance of being on their guard at all times, as well as how Nicte has a penchant for mind games. She urged them to be careful before dismissing them.
They had eaten dinner as a unit—supporting each other and talking about the day to come. When it was time to retire, Tally bid them night before heading to Alder's quarters. She was anxious to be in her arms.
When she entered the bedroom. Alder was sitting on the bed, shirtless, with her head in her hands.
"Sarah," Tally addressed softly as she took a seat next to the older woman. Tally guided her back gently to lay down before joining her and pulling Sarah close to lay on her chest.
Both of them released relieved sighs at their closeness—and then Sarah released a choked sob.
The events finally caught up with her and she allowed herself the comfort of Tally's arms while she cried all of her hurt and anger out. The betrayal of her biddy hit her hard—and she had felt so powerless being trapped in the warding circle with her cords burned.
They'd dozed off for a few hours, waking around 0330 and laying together in silence, wrapped around each other.
"How are you feeling?" Tally finally asked, breaking the silence that they've been in.
"Physically I feel better," Sarah replied before scooting up and laying her head next to Tally's. She brushed some hair from Tally's face. "Mentally and emotionally…"
Tally knew that, of course. She could feel how deep the turmoil and tiredness went. She leaned in and kissed Sarah softly, content to take her lips with her own and caress them for as long as she could—which Sarah was more than happy to oblige.
When they finally broke for air, Sarah pressed her forehead against Tally's. "I was worried about you when I heard Raelle had been abducted. I could feel you through the connection but it was…hard. It was like you were blocking me out."
Tally's eyes widened. "I couldn't feel you at all, I was so scared that maybe I wasn't able to feel you because of it."
Sarah hummed in understanding. "That's very possible." She gently stroked Tally's lower lip with her thumb. "There is one more thing to be concerned about though."
"What?"
"Nicte Batan knows who you are, and who you are to me specifically," Sarah said ruefully. "She had access to a biddy, of course she would receive all sorts of reports."
"I know the risks," Tally started.
"Batan will most likely use me in her mind game with you. Whatever you do, Tally, don't allow her to get to you." Sarah cupped her cheek. "Pay attention to every detail. If she gets in your head and has you see things, look at everything. Not everything can be in a proper place. It could even be words."
"So high alert," Tally replied.
Sarah nodded.
"Um," Tally began hesitantly, "would you hold me?"
Sarah couldn't help the soft smile that spread across her face. "Of course, darling."
Sarah moved onto her back as Tally wrapped herself around the side of her body. Her head rested comfortably on Sarah's chest, and she could feel how much Tally enjoyed listening to her heart beat in her chest. A sign she was alive and okay.
"How are you feeling?" Sarah murmured against Tally's head.
"Nervous for the mission. Scared to leave you. Still a little shaken from you being attacked," Tally told her as she snuggled her face into Sarah's chest more.
"You will have your unit mates with you and I know that you'll protect each other. I will be okay. The traitor was found, and they are already briefing the new biddy to be. As terrible as it was for me...I am so sorry that you had to see it. I can't imagine it looked any better than it felt." She kissed the top of Tally's head and held on a little tighter.
"I'm just glad I was there," Tally said softly. She could feel a tear fall from her eye to Sarah's chest, and the General's arms tightened around her.
"I as well."
The deployment time came quickly for them. They hadn't gotten any more sleep, and had quickly dressed before heading outside to meet the others near the helicopters.
Everyone was present and while Tally met up with Rae and Abigail, Alder moved to the two other units and checked in with them.
When she approached their group, the other two teams were already in their bats and waiting for the signal to depart.
"Look out for each other and stay close. Nicte is extremely dangerous with her mind games," Sarah called over the whirring of the blades. "Miss Ramshorn is meeting you all at the drop point. Sergeant Quartermaine sent word to her."
The unit nodded in tandem.
"All of you, come back safe," Alder said firmly. "That's an order."
"Yes, General," came the swift replies.
Before she signaled them to leave, she reached out and grasped Tally's hand. Her eyes silently pleaded for her to be careful, and they exchanged waves of comfort through their connection.
They parted and Alder gave the signal, watching as the bats all departed—leaving her and her biddies behind.
"Stay alert and follow our lead," the squad leader told everyone.
They began combing through the forest, all on high alert and moving slowly but surely. Scylla had appeared shortly after they had landed. To say things were a little tense between her and Rae was an understatement—Tally could feel the tension wafting off them, and briefly wondered if this was how they felt with her and Alder.
"There's something there," Tally told them. She pointed to a thicket of branches high up in a tree.
Once they drew nearer, the sound of flapping could be heard as a swarm of bats burst from the tree. They swooped low, screeching as they wrapped around each of the members before departing.
"I fucking hate bats," one of the witches growled.
"Keep moving!" the squad leader yelled.
"Something isn't right," Tally murmured. She felt...off.
It was like there was magic around her, but she couldn't see it. She turned to ask Raelle and Abigail, finding them nowhere near her.
When she turned back around, she was in General Alder's office.
She could have sworn she was out on a mission...wasn't she?
"Cadet Craven," Alder addressed as she stood from her desk.
Her hair was loose from the braid, cascading down her back in rich dark waves. Blue eyes held her brown for a moment before flickering down to her lips.
Tally went to speak, to ask Sarah what she was talking about...it was weird she was calling her Cadet Craven when they were completely alone in the office. She wanted to ask what was going on but decided to hold steady.
"I called you here to discuss your insubordination," Alder told her as she rounded the desk.
Insubordination? Tally thought. That was definitely weird.
Alder approached, coming to stop in front of her. Tally could feel her body heat from the closeness, and she wanted to just fall into her arms. But the look in Alder's eyes...it was...hollow—almost cold.
Since they'd been together, she hadn't looked at her with anything other than warmth—and seeing the cold look in her eyes sent a wave of anguish through her body. Had she really done something wrong to deserve that look?
She reached out through the connection, to feel whatever Sarah was feeling...and she felt nothing.
Panic set in. This wasn't Alder. It wasn't real.
"Nicte," Tally stated firmly. "This is Nicte's work."
"Well aren't you a smart little Knower. I can see why Sarah is so enamored with you," Nicte said through the fake Alder.
The vision dissipated quickly, and Tally suddenly came to. She was laying on the ground, barely able to breathe due to her scourge wrapped around her neck. She managed to rip it off and tossed it to the side for the moment as she caught her breath.
Pure fear was flowing into her and it took her a moment to realize it wasn't her own.
Sarah.
"Tally!"
"I'm here," Tally responded, still catching her breath.
Relief flooded her immediately.
"What happened?" Sarah demanded.
"Nicte's mind game. I'm okay"
"Find the others!"
Then she felt the connection close off.
Tally knew that Sarah was paying attention still, but hoping to remain just enough underneath the surface that Nicte wouldn't notice. She didn't waste any time as she jumped up and grabbed her weapon. She could hear noise to her right and ran for it. When she broke through a thicket, there was Abigail floating off the ground, controlling some weather working of tornadoes.
Raelle and Scylla were beneath her, yelling upward for her to stop.
Tally threw her scourge out to wrap around Abigail's ankle, and she tugged. Abigail flew downward, landing on the ground with a thud as the tornadoes disappeared. When her eyes blinked open to stare up at Raelle, Scylla, and Tally—who had rushed to her side—they were wide with recognition.
"Nicte?" Abigail asked, voice raspy as Raelle and Tally helped her to her feet.
"We need to find the rest of the squad," Tally told their group.
She could tell that they were all shaken from the experience. Abigail looked gaunt, Raelle had tears in her eyes still, and Tally—well, she was more shaken than she was letting on. The ease with which the hallucination began…seamless…that had her worried.
They set back through the woods, trying to find the others. Then they spotted them.
All six of the members were lying dead on the forest floor. Some bore knife wounds from where they slit their own throats, others had their scourges wrapped around their necks...Tally instinctively touched her own at the sight.
"They're all dead," Abigail murmured, crestfallen at the loss.
"We need to continue on," Raelle told them. "We have to at least try."
"The working is in the bats. We keep an eye out for those...we should be able to take them out," Scylla told them.
The other three nodded their agreement.
Tally could feel a surge of emotions go through her, but she stamped them down and put all of her focus on the task at hand.
It wasn't long until they spotted a few more bats and immediately set to destroying them. They spotted the cabin up ahead in the clearing and they all shared a glance before they slowly approached.
"Tally, do you see anything?" Abigail asked quietly.
Tally focused on the cabin. "The source is definitely in there...but I can't get a sense of it."
They approached cautiously, taking a moment before they all entered.
A man was slumped in a chair, his head tilted back with a solidified matter cascading down his front. Then they noticed the woman that was strung up, star fished, with her limbs extended unnaturally.
"This was where she tried to kill Sarah," Tally told them quietly.
"Oh no no no. I told him not to go," Scylla murmured mournfully as she approached the dead man in the chair. "I told him this wasn't his fight. He shouldn't have come here."
It didn't take long for the cabin to come alive. Before Tally could really process what was happening, Abigail had immediately jumped on Scylla's words.
"He was Spree. He got what was coming to him, and you will too," Abigail said seriously.
Raelle stepped closer. "We wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for her. She woke me from the mindfuck Nicte caused. Back off," she defended. She stood in front of Abigail.
"Yeah, well you wouldn't be alive if it weren't for Adil and I breaking into that Camarilla lab," Abigail shot back, coming to stand right in front of Raelle.
"Guys," Tally warned carefully between them.
"You weren't there for me! You swooped in right at the end and tried to take all the credit. Typical Bellweather."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Abigail growled.
"Guys, come on," Tally pleaded.
"Tally, quit whining," Raelle shot before looking back at Abigail. "What it means is you constantly putting yourself in the spotlight and trying to remind everyone how fancy your name is. But that's all it is, just a name."
"You want to talk about names? Yours was worthless even before your mother joined the Spree. It took a bunch of fungus to make you stand out from the crowd," Abigail retorted, stepping closer.
"I knew you were still mad about that."
"Not mad. I feel sorry for you. The Witchbomb is all you have, and it's not even yours. No wonder your mother abandoned you."
Tally pushed herself between the two. "Abigail, think about what you're saying."
Abigail rounded on her and pushed her back. "I'm so sick of your prattling peacemaker bullshit!"
"My mother loved me," Raelle interrupted, pushing her way past Tally. "She died for me. But you wouldn't know anything about that. Because the only value you have to your mother is your womb!"
"Stop it!" Tally yelled, pushing them apart. "We have to find Nicte."
"It's your fault we're even on this mission!" Abigail shot. "You're so self-absorbed, Tally."
At this, Scylla finally spoke up. "Says the most self-absorbed person on the planet."
Abigail moved then, engaging in hand to hand combat with Scylla. It didn't take long before Raelle joined in.
Tally watched them, defeated and pissed. She could hear a subtle sound...like a scratching noise...almost a screech.
Her eyes glanced around the cabin, and then she saw it. There was a black tendril of magic flickering around the room and leading outside.
"Screw this. You can tear each other apart. I'm going to find Nicte," Tally said to no one in particular as the three others fought amongst themselves.
She exited the cabin, releasing a heavy breath as she felt the influence of the cabin leave her body.
She looked around, catching the tendril working its way through the trees. She followed it carefully until she came to an open patch in the woods.
"Well well well, if it isn't Sarah's most coveted possession, Tally Craven," Nicte said. She appeared from behind a tree, and leaned against it.
"Nicte," Tally stated.
"I admit, I was surprised when Sarah sent you on this mission. I would've thought for sure that she wouldn't let you go. She has a way of keeping her playthings wrapped around her finger."
Tally bristled at that. She knew she wasn't a plaything to Sarah, but it still stung.
"How would you know that?" Tally asked, voice even.
"Because I was one, Tally," Nicte answered with a smirk. "I did everything for her. I didn't question a single order. I trusted her with my work. I trusted her with my life. How did she repay me? She murdered innocent witches."
Tally remained mute.
"Oh. Did she not tell you about them?" Nicte smiled eerily.
Of course Tally knew. Sarah had showed her, willingly...but Nicte seemed to be under the impression that Sarah never did.
"So, what, you're jaded because she didn't want you?" Tally pressed.
Nicte's eyes hardened. "I did everything for her. And once she had what she wanted she discarded me. She'll do the same to you, make no mistake."
Tally took a breath. "Nicte, we aren't here to kill you."
At this, Nicte seemed surprised. Then realization fell over her face. "Oh so you're here to capture me and take me back so I can be executed?" She laughed.
"Wrong again," Tally corrected. A smirk played on her lips now. "For someone who claims to know Alder so well, you don't seem to know her at all."
Nicte said nothing, merely waiting for what came next.
"She sent us on this mission to extend an olive branch. The Camarilla are gathering in numbers that...are very concerning. We need to work together against them. If we don't...it doesn't matter to them whether we are dodgers, Spree, or Army—they want us all eradicated."
Nicte hummed thoughtfully. "I know that. What ancient enemy did you think we were trying to warn you about? This sounds more like I might have the great General Sarah Alder on the ropes. Probably shook her up after trying to kill her. How is she by the way?"
Tally snorted and it elicited a questioning eyebrow from Nicte.
"She already decided we needed to have a temporary truce to take out the Camarilla before you tried to kill her…and her decision hasn't changed," Tally explained.
Nicte actually seemed conflicted about that information.
"You already killed the rest of our squad…all witches, Nicte. We're all on the same side when it comes to the Camarilla. You know they don't care what side we are on, because the only good witch is a dead witch to them," she pressed. "I know that working with the Army…and Alder, in particular, isn't ideal—but I know it's necessary if we want to survive."
Nicte tapped her lip as she mulled it over. "Or I could just hurt Sarah and kill you and the rest of your unit and worry about the Camarilla myself." An eerie grin fell across her face. "I think I like that option."
She threw a knife and Tally managed to dodge just in time. She wasn't even sure how her reflexes were that fast but she wasn't going to complain. She made a run for her, throwing her scourge out to land a blow—only for Nicte to roll out of the way at the last moment.
They met in hand to hand combat and Tally quickly realized she was out of her depth here. A flash of panic went through her as they continued to fight. She somehow managed to block Nicte's next swing, and flipped her over onto the ground. She needed to knock her out, but she wasn't sure how that would work out. So she grabbed a nearby rock and used it as a weapon when Nicte attacked next. She managed to hit her across the face with it and the witch dropped to the ground.
Tally breathed a sigh of relief. If Nicte was unconscious, the work in the cabin would stop and her unit could get themselves together. She could hear them call for her in the distance, and turned to call back to them.
Then everything went black.
This was by far the worst thing Tally could've imagined happening. She was beneath a scold's bridle, feeling very distraught—as Nicte sat next to her unit wearing her face.
She had only looked away for a moment after she knocked Nicte down, but the witch hadn't been knocked unconscious. When Tally turned, the Spree witch had jumped up and knocked her out, and clearly stole her face while she was out.
She looked down at hands that weren't her own, shaking and trying to not allow herself to cry. Sarah would know. She would be able to tell. Right?
Tally had tried to reach through the connection for her, but it bounced back. It seemed anytime she was distressed she couldn't get through her own block to feel Sarah. This only made her more upset. Not only had she gotten knocked out and had her face stolen, but now she couldn't even open the connection.
She was feeling like a massive failure.
She had tried to warn Rae and Abigail when they hauled her into the bat, but Nicte—appearing as Tally—had shushed her and made it clear that she wasn't to speak.
When they had arrived back on base, she could see that Sarah was there with her biddies, a few soldiers, and General Bellweather at her side.
She tried again—still blocked.
Tears clung to her eyes as she was hauled out of the bat.
Sarah's eyes quickly fell on Tally—who she thought was Tally. Relief was evident on her face, and then there was confusion written all over it.
Tally internally cried out in joy. Sarah knew it wasn't her.
"This is truly a joyous occasion," Alder said loudly. "Nicte Batan, leader of the Spree, is now in our custody. I want to thank our soldiers, both those here and gone, for their service and sacrifice."
Tally struggled against her restraints and cried out—the sound muffled by the bridle.
It drew Sarah's attention.
Tally watched the realization flash in Sarah's eyes—so quickly that she was sure she was the only one that noticed.
Thank Goddess, Tally thought to herself. Her heart was racing as she waited for what would come next.
Sarah's eyes moved to Tally's impersonator.
"Cadet Craven," Alder addressed as she carefully descended the stairs. Her hands were clasped behind her back as she moved to the real Nicte. "I want to thank you for your bravery in capturing Batan."
As soon as her impostor moved, Sarah had easily sidestepped the attack and grabbed her arm, flipping her down to the ground and pinning her, much like Tally had done earlier.
A laugh left Tally's mouth that wasn't her own as a lighter was held to her face—burning away the façade to reveal Nicte. A gasp went through the small crowd.
"Hello, Sarah, you're looking surprisingly well," Nicte said with a manic look in her eyes.
"Tally?" Abigail and Raelle cried out as they spun to quickly take off the bridle from her.
She felt a warm sensation all over her and looked down to see Nicte's appearance melt away from her.
"Restrain her," Alder barked to the nearest soldier, eyes never leaving Batan's.
"Miss me?" Nicte asked with a smug grin.
Alder snarled as she stood and allowed the soldiers to place a gag over Nicte's mouth. She wasn't sure where the scold's bridle came from…she abhorred those things. A gag sufficed well enough.
She moved to Tally immediately, who had tears running down her face and marks on her skin from where the bridle had sat. She also had a bloody wound on her head from where Nicte hit her to knock her out. The blood was dried but clumped amongst her hair. Sarah wanted to reach out and pull her against her, but there was an audience.
"Take Batan to a cell. Collar, Bellweather, Craven, with me for debriefing, now," Alder ordered before turning and walking back to her biddies.
The trio followed after her without saying another word. Her shoulders were tight with tension. She hadn't been able to feel Tally, and when she saw her emerge from the bat—relief had flooded her…until she looked in Tally's eyes. Gone was the warmth that she was used to. There was no fondness in those eyes, only cold hatred.
She knew then it wasn't Tally, but another one of Nicte's tricks.
Her biddies, all seven of them—she'd received her replacement not long after the unit had departed—followed diligently behind her as they all filed into her office. She turned and stood facing the door, waiting for everyone to enter.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Sarah moved to Tally and pulled her into her arms.
"Tally," Sarah breathed out.
Their connection thrummed to life and a sob escaped Tally at the feelings surging through their connection. Sarah had been so scared…and that had sent Tally reeling. The General never seemed afraid, ever…but she was completely terrified of something happening to Tally.
"Sarah," Tally sobbed out as she buried her head into the older woman's neck.
"Tell me everything," Sarah ordered the other two as she stroked Tally's back.
They didn't waste any time, explaining everything that had happened that they were aware of. When they trailed off after finding Tally and an unconscious Nicte, Tally spoke from her place against Sarah's neck.
Sarah listened as Tally told her the events, including the mind game Nicte chose for her…she also replayed the memories for her so she could see everything and hear every word Nicte told her.
"You've done well. Get some rest, cadets," Alder ordered the other two. "I'll take it from here."
Raelle and Abigail placed their hands on Tally's shoulders, told her they love her, and then left them alone in the office.
Sarah dismissed the biddies as she held Tally close.
"I was so scared," Tally admitted once they were alone. "I can't believe I let her get the jump on me. I'm so so sorry, General."
Sarah pulled back to regard Tally—confused at the formality. She smiled softly at her as she gently cupped her cheek.
"Darling, look at me," she requested, hoping the affectionate term would ease some of Tally's pain.
When brown eyes opened to meet hers—flooded with tears and insecurity, she felt her heart clench painfully.
"Tally, I am in no way disappointed in you. You did so well. If anything I should be apologizing to you. I should have sent more units with you."
Tally shook her head. "They all would have died too most likely."
"Regardless," Sarah began, "I am sorry I couldn't be there with you. But, Tally, you've made me so proud."
Tally's teary eyes widened. "I have?"
Sarah couldn't help but chuckle. "Yes, sweetheart. You managed to take on the leader of the Spree by yourself. It may not have gone the way it was planned, but you freed your unit mates from Nicte's work in that cabin, and you managed to disarm her. You three haven't even finished your first year of War College…and yet here I am sending you on missions that even experienced soldiers didn't come back from, because you three are so capable and formidable as a unit. You three are powerful. And, as your General, I am so proud of the soldiers you've become." She slid her hands down Tally's arms to grasp her hands. She raised them to her lips and kissed her knuckles.
"Thank you," Tally whispered, a small smile on her lips.
"And, as Sarah, I am proud to call you mine, simply because of who you are. All the other things are merely bonuses."
Tally released a choked sob and fell back into Sarah's arms.
"You're safe now," Sarah murmured against her hair. She placed another kiss to her head.
They stood there for—Tally had no idea how long. But eventually, her sobs calmed and left her feeling incredibly drained. It was then that Sarah tilted her head up.
"Do you feel up for a short walk?" the General asked.
Tally nodded her head, and Sarah wrapped her arm around her waist to help support her as they walked out of the office.
Tally briefly worried about people seeing them like this when they left the room, but Sarah had sent waves of reassurance and warmth through the bond. As if to say, 'let them look.'
And people did. They were clearly curious as they watched a bloodied, dirty, Tally Craven, be led by General Sarah Alder, with her arm wrapped around her waist.
They entered the greenhouse then and Sarah escorted her over to a chair.
"I need to clean your wound. I'm not much of a fixer, but I figured it might be better if I was the one that was touching you," she told her as she began gathering some fresh herbs and tools.
Tally didn't bother with a verbal response this time. Frankly, her entire mouth ached from that damned bridle. Instead, she sent her appreciation through the bond. She really didn't want anyone but Sarah tending to her wounds.
Tally remained silent as Sarah set to gently cleaning the blood from her hair and around the wound on her head.
"It doesn't look bad," Sarah told her as she inspected it. "The blood always makes it look worse. Scalp lacerations bleed more than people think." She gathered some of the paste she made in her hand. "This is going to sting initially, but then you should begin feeling some relief."
Tally winced as a hiss of pain left her lips. Sarah hadn't lied—it did sting. But, shortly after, a warmth spread through the wound leaving it numb, and Tally sighed in relief.
"Now, the bridle wounds," Sarah murmured as she knelt down in front of Tally. "I will be as gentle as possible."
Tally nodded.
Sarah carefully touched the wounds as she gently cleaned them. The skin was rubbed fairly raw and she could feel anger stir in her belly. But she pushed it down as she tended to Tally.
"Where did you acquire the bridle?" Sarah asked as she began applying the poultice to the wounds around Tally's mouth. She certainly hadn't sent any of them off with one.
"Petra gave it to Abigail before we left," Tally said through the link.
Alder's hand stilled just before it touched Tally's face.
Tally couldn't just see the anger in Sarah's eyes, but could feel it coursing through her veins as if it was her own.
"She had no right," Sarah growled. "I'll be having words with her about that."
Tally leaned into Sarah's touch. The raw spots around her mouth definitely hurt, but everywhere Sarah touched seemed to be instantly soothed.
"I've never allowed the use of scold's bridles on any witch. I'm vehemently against them," she told her as she applied more of the paste to the corner of Tally's mouth. "Not only is it painful to wear, for even a short amount of time, but it is dehumanizing. I refuse to use devices made by witch hunters on our own kind, no matter they be friend or foe. It is why I outlawed their use."
Tally couldn't help but smile slightly at that.
Sarah noticed, stilling her hand before applying more of the paste to the other side of her mouth. "What is it?"
"You're good, Sarah. Nicte couldn't be more wrong about your heart," Tally told her.
Now, Sarah's eyes shimmered with tears. Those words meant more to her than—well…she supposed that Tally did know how much that meant for her to say.
A little flash of insecurity went through Tally, and Sarah didn't miss it as it went through the connection.
"What is it, darling?" Sarah asked as she applied the rest of the paste. "This needs to stay on you for at least an hour."
"Nicte…she said that I was just one of your play things…that she was one of them…" Tally explained.
She expected Sarah to be angry but instead her eyes were soft.
"I don't have play things," Sarah told her honestly. "I never did. I meant what I said before, Tally, I do not take this lightly…our relationship. I wasn't even going to give into it initially…but fighting it did more harm than good." She took Tally's hands in her own.
"So," Tally tried to speak. She wet her mouth and tried again, "Nicte lied."
"Yes," Sarah replied. "Nicte had a rather intense fascination with me. We worked well together on the battlefield. We knew each other's methods and fighting styles as well as our own. We were quite the sight fighting side by side. I had considered her a friend even…once." Sarah smiled sadly. "I didn't return her affections and that made her angry. Often times my methods only made her angrier. When I used her Work against the rebels…that was the final straw."
"I remember seeing you fight together in the memories. You're right about it being a sight. You seemed so in sync." Tally frowned a little.
Sarah hummed—a soft, knowing smile on her lips as she caught the brief flash of jealousy. "I also fought very well with a cadet in the Tarim. Exceptionally talented Knower. In the midst of a dust storm brought on by our ancient enemies, she called out their positions so that I could take them out. That was before she did me an even greater service," Sarah told her passionately, as if Tally hadn't been there for every moment.
Sarah made sure Tally could feel what she had felt fighting alongside Tally—the exhilaration, trust, power that it gave her; the deep respect and gratitude she felt when Tally offered herself; and then how Sarah felt the moment Tally became a biddy.
Tally was sporting a faint blush at the appreciation that willingly poured from Sarah. It was a heady feeling, and it brought her immense joy to know Sarah had felt those things before they had even linked.
"Would you do anything differently?" Tally asked after a few moments, referring to what happened that caused the formation of the Spree.
"If anyone else would ask me that, I would tell them no. I can't afford to second guess my decisions or worry about what might have been if I had chosen differently," she explained. "But for you? Yes. I would not have used Nicte's work against those rebels. I would have accepted their surrender. I would have allowed them to escape and hide. The penalty for dodging is worse than death. But that was long ago and unfortunately, being alive for so long allows you to see the consequences of your decisions…your mistakes." Sarah kissed Tally's hands.
"I know you know how much that means to me, to hear you say that," Tally told her with shining eyes.
"I know," Sarah answered as she stood from her kneeling position. "Come, let's finish getting you cleaned up."
She helped Tally stand from the chair and wrapped her arm back around her waist to lead her from the room.
"People are definitely staring," Tally said through the bond as they traversed the halls.
"Does it bother you?"
"No. I'm just worried about you. Petra…she seems to have her own agenda."
Sarah hummed her agreement as she opened the door to her office for them. When the door closed, she locked it and led them to their bedroom.
Sarah actually stopped in her tracks at the thought. She wasn't completely sure if it was her or Tally that had created it, maybe they both did. When she looked back to meet Tally's eyes, there was so much emotion swimming in her brown orbs.
Sarah tightened her arm around her waist and ushered them through the bedroom to the bathroom.
"You can undress while I ready the bath," Sarah told her as she set to running the water and plugging the tub. She was grateful to have a clawfoot tub in her quarters now more than ever.
Tally slowly stripped, taking added care to mind the paste on her wounds.
"Will you join me?" Tally asked as she shimmied out of her dirtied pants.
"Of course." Sarah added in a decent amount of Epsom salts. She knew how much Tally ached and wanted to make sure she could do as much as possible for her. She then added some lavender and eucalyptus bubble bath until there was enough.
When she finished, she turned and held her hands out for Tally to take. She helped her step into the tub, waiting until Tally sank into the bath before moving away. She began stripping—taking care to fold her jacket and pants before setting them to the side. When she was bare, she stepped into the tub behind Tally and sank into the water.
Tally leaned back against Sarah, sighing loudly as all the tension left her body. Sarah wrapped her arms around Tally's front and allowed her head to rest against the back of the tub.
They soaked in silence—just enjoying the warm water and being with each other.
"What're you going to do about Nicte?" Tally asked finally. She felt stable enough to ask. Being in the water and against Sarah was making her feel like a freshly boiled noodle.
Sarah chuckled as she caught the thought, then she sighed. "I'll present terms to her. If she has the Spree fight with us then we can offer her a deal…what that will entail I have no idea. Other than seeing me dead, I'm not sure what Nicte wants." Sarah reached for a washcloth and deposited it in the water before putting some soap on it.
"And if she doesn't accept?" Tally questioned.
Sarah began washing Tally's shoulders, lathering them as she mulled over her answer. "There won't be a trial."
Tally stiffened.
"Tally," Sarah pleaded tiredly. "Nicte will have to be executed. If this were some civilian I don't doubt the President wouldn't allow an execution to happen without trial. But something of this magnitude…she's killed so many innocent people, Tally."
Tally could feel Sarah's sadness at the thought.
"She is one of my daughters. As are all of you. Seeing any of my daughters take the lives of innocents…"
"But you did too," Tally murmured.
Sarah's hand stilled a moment before she brushed Tally's hair aside to wash her back. "I have. You are right. We are both guilty of that. Our reasons are different but—I do not doubt that Nicte fully believes that what she is doing is right…as do I. If it were up to me, I would have Nicte stand trial for her crimes and have her locked up for the rest of her days. The problem is that it will not be."
"Can't you reason with the President?" Tally pressed. She turned in the tub to meet the General's eyes. "Sarah, there's been enough death. Hasn't there?"
Sarah's gaze softened considerably—and Tally could feel the cause through the link. Again, Tally was forgetting that Sarah was hundreds of years old. She has seen and caused so much death and again and again, she does want it to just stop. But it doesn't. There is always something else that stands in the way. They may have a decade or two of peace, but without fail there is always another group that rises…or an old one thought to be extinct. Tally was looking through the world with a tiny lens. Sarah, on the other hand, had too far a wide one.
She had seen the same things happen each time. It was exhausting. But she also was able to protect those that depended on them, and that was worth all the death and blood that was shed.
Tally's head dropped, a feeling of shame going through her.
"Tally," Sarah said. She reached up and cupped Tally's chin, forcing her to meet her gaze. "I will fight for Nicte to be imprisoned, not executed, no matter what she decides."
Tally's eyes widened. She went to speak but Sarah shook her head.
"You continually question my decisions, and as infuriating as it can be," she said with a tender smile, "it keeps me honest…it keeps me human."
Tally smiled and leaned in, asking for a small kiss. Sarah obliged immediately, kissing Tally's lips softly and minding her injuries.
"I hate that we can't make out," Tally told her with a grimace.
Sarah chuckled. "As do I."
"I think I earned it," Tally whined.
Sarah laughed loudly before she gently kissed all over Tally's face, minding each of the wounds before she captured Tally's lips in another soft kiss.
"You certainly did," Sarah replied, voice filled with amusement. "Now, let me finish washing you so we can retire. I can feel how tired you are."
Tally conceded, allowing Sarah to continue her ministrations—she even massaged some of the sore muscles Tally had from the fight. By the time Sarah finished, Tally was struggling to not just pass out in the tub right there.
When they finished, Sarah stepped out of the tub first and grabbed a nearby towel. She quickly dried herself off before grabbing another and helping Tally from the bath, then drying her off as well.
"Sit," Sarah requested, pointing to the closed toilet lid.
Once Tally did, she carefully cleaned the paste from her face and head—inspecting the wounds as they were revealed.
"Perhaps I'm not too bad of a fixer," Sarah mused lightly. "Do they hurt?"
Tally worked her mouth a little before she beamed. "Not at all."
"Excellent. The marks are still a little visible so there may be some discomfort in the morning, but I can apply more of the paste then."
"Thank you," Tally told her sincerely.
Sarah's hands moved to undo the braid and remove the beads—placing them on the sink. She massaged the back of Tally's scalp some to loosen the strands of hair. Then she offered her hand to Tally.
She took Sarah's hand in her own and kissed it before she stood.
Both had forgone any sleepwear, deciding to just slide under the covers in nothing so that they could touch each other fully.
Sarah laid on her back before Tally curled against her side, resting her head on Sarah's chest.
Tally was out before Sarah could blink, and she followed after her shortly after.