Morning comes early. Gregor had stayed on watch the entire time. His thoughts had been spinning throughout the night and the thought of sleep had seemed ridiculous. Not only did he have to think about how he had given into being a rager the day before, and about how close they were to rescuing Lizzie, but he had kissed Luxa last night. Or rather, she had kissed him. But he definitely wasn't complaining. It had been perfect and he thought, knew, that he was falling in love with her once again. She knew him, knew his strengths, his weaknesses, and appreciated him for things that nobody else would've even noticed. Instead of praising him for being a Rager, she had thanked him for helping her, for things he had actually wanted to do. He wanted to be better when he was around her, and to make up for all the hurt and lost time. And he knew she had feelings for him too.

But she was still engaged. And she was still the queen. Knowing that her engagement to Carter was mostly a political move did nothing to slow his jealousy. But more than jealous, he was sad. Not for himself, he would never deserve her. But she deserved to be with someone she loved, who she chose out of love rather than politics. He did understand, and he didn't blame her for pulling away, but knowing that didn't stop his heart from aching and his thoughts from racing.

By the time the others were waking up, Gregor had restarted the fire and was preparing some of their dwindling rations for breakfast. Hazard woke up first, and Gregor paused to check on his arm. He had been right the day before, there was a bruise, but Hazard said it didn't feel like any type of sprain or break so Gregor assumed he would be fine. As he stood up from checking on the younger boy, he felt a set of eyes on him. Luxa was watching him, with an expression of exhaustion and sadness. Gregor wanted to talk to her, to let her know he wasn't mad and that he didn't blame her, but he settled for a soft smile that he hoped was more of reassurance than heartbreak. She smiled in return, but it was full of all the sadness he felt. Gregor turned away before his emotions took over. They were rescuing his sister today and he needed to focus.

Howard was much better, if tired, but they were able to gather the supplies and continue their way down the path. They were extra vigilant as they made their way past the fallen bees, but they somehow knew they would not encounter any more trouble till they reached the gnawer's home.

The sleepless night was making Gregor feel all sorts of jittery, and nerves were taking over. He knew there would be a fight once they finally arrived, and that he would have to use his rager skills. The thought made him sick, but it would be worth it to finally get Lizzie back.

After several hours, the path widened leading to a grouping of trees. The glowing flowers had thinned, giving the area a nearly sinister darkness. Barely visible through the trees was the entrance to what appeared to be a tunnel underground. There was something so eerie about the thought (they were already underground, how much further into the Earth could they go?) that he nearly shuddered.

It was agreed that Hazard and Howard should both stay behind. They both protested of course, but with their injuries, it would be safer for everyone. Besides they needed someone to watch the packs. There was very little talking between them. The general plan was to try and go undetected for as long as possible, but without knowing what they would find it was impossible to plan much more than that.

Before Gregor really knew what was happening they were entering the cave. It was dark and cool and it took his eyes a moment to adjust. There were lanterns set up, but they were few and far between. He could feel his heart racing, but before he could begin to overthink, Luxa looked back at him and gave him a nod of encouragement. He nodded back and they continued further down into the dark.

The cave was essentially a series of tunnels. Gregor was certain they were going in circles at points, but so far they hadn't run into any gnawers. He was about to give up hope, maybe this wasn't the right place, when Luxa and Carter came to an abrupt stop in front of him. Looking ahead of them he could see two gnawers guarding a door. Of course there was no guarantee that Lizzie was behind the door, but at this point they had no other option. They couldn't keep going in circles forever. He was conflicted, but the three of them shared a silent look, agreeing to take the chance. Luxa counted down with her fingers and they sprung into action. Gregor drew his sword and felt the rage bubbling up inside of him. This time instead of fighting it down he let it out, letting his mind go blank and letting his body take over.

When he came to, he had blood splattered across his arms. Luxa had a streak of red across her face, and both her and Carter were breathing hard. "Are you okay?" Luxa asks him breathless as he looks at the bodies of the gnawers lifeless on the ground. Gregor nods with shaky breath. Carter raises an eyebrow and nods towards the door. Gregor nods back and the three raise their swords once more before pushing open the door and rushing in.

There is no need though. The only occupant of the room is Lizzie who lets out a scream as the door slams against the wall. Gregor drops his sword in an instant, running to her side. The room is devoid of any furniture or decor and Lizzie is kneeling in the center. He rushes to her, dropping to his knees and pulling her into a hug. She hugs him back and he can feel her body shaking with tears. "Gregor, I was so scared," she gasps into his shoulder.

"I know," he whispers, heart breaking, and pulling her closer. He finally pulls back to look at her. For the most part she seems fine. A bit dirty and shaken, but he can't see any injuries. He's dimly aware of Luxa checking out the rest of the room and Carter standing watch by the door, but his focus is all on his sister. "Are you okay though? Can you stand? We have to get out of here."

"Yes, I'm fine," she says through tears, "but Gregor, it's a trap, they knew you and Luxa would come, that's why they took me."

Gregor shakes his head. His sweet sister, always concerned about everyone else. "It doesn't matter, Liz. We're getting you out of here no matter what.

"We need to go," Carter says from the doorway and he raises his sword. Gregor can distantly hear the sound of feet running towards them. Gregor helps Lizzie stand on shaky feet and they start down the tunnel the opposite way of the oncoming fight, Carter leading the way, and Luxa following close behind them. Lizzie is holding his hand in a death grip as Gregor holds his sword in his other. His heart is racing and he knows he's ready to turn into a Rager at any moment.

The moment comes sooner than he expected. They are nearly to the entrance when they are suddenly ambushed on three sides by at least ten gnawers. Gregor is torn; Lizzie is still clinging to him, but he knows that their best bet is if he becomes a Rager. But he can't leave Lizzie on her own in the middle of the fight. Luxa seems to read his mind and is at his side in an instant. She takes Lizzie's hand in her own, pulling the younger girl to her side. "Go," she says, nodding at him, "I'll protect her."

Gregor nods back, taking a deep breath before raising her sword and giving himself over to the rage. He's vaguely aware of what's happening, but the fight comes to him in strange snippets. His shallow breath, the flash of Luxa's silver hair, sweat dripping down his back, the clang of Carter's sword as it hits rock. And finally silence.

His eyes seek out Lizzie and Luxa first. Luxa has dropped her sword and has her arms wrapped around his sister who is sobbing. He rushes to their side and he pulls them both into a hug, not caring anymore. Lizzie shifts to wrap her arms fully around his neck, nearly strangling him and burying her face in his chest. Luxa pulls away with a weary smile, but Gregor stops her with a brush of his fingers against hers. "Thank you," he says sincerely, before she steps away to join Carter who is standing at the entrance to the cave, sword out, checking for stray gnawers.

With shaky feet they make their way back out of the cave. Lizzie takes a shuddering breath once they are finally back in the open and they make their way back to the path. Howard and Hazard meet them halfway back to where they left the pack, anxiously checking them for injuries and wanting to know what happened. They're all a bit stunned and exhausted, but they force themselves to keep walking further away from the carnage they left behind.

Lizzie tells them what happened as they walk, keeping a firm grasp on Gregor's arm and insisting Luxa stand to her other side. She tells them about how the Gnawers grabbed her and carried her through the woods on one of their backs. They hadn't hurt her and had mostly left her alone, except to feed her once a day and taunt her about Gregor's death. When Gregor heard that she had barely eaten he forced the group to stop and dug out the last of his rations, insisting she eat. Luxa did the same, handing over her portion without question.

Exhaustion was evident on all their faces, but adrenaline kept them going until they were stumbling over their own feet. They eventually stopped and set up camp. Howard took the first watch and the rest of the party fell into a dreamless sleep instantly.

Gregor didn't know how many hours had passed when he finally woke, but it had been enough that Luxa had replaced Howard on watch. He could see the others still asleep around the fire and Luxa with her back to them staring back up the path where they had come from. He thought about getting up and joining her, but before he could move he heard a faint voice.

"Luxa?" It was Lizzie. She had fallen asleep beside him, but she must have woken up sometime in the night. He could see her joining Luxa further up the path.

"Hey," Luxa answered, "how are you feeling?" Luxa's voice was gentle and Gregor felt an instant stab of fondness for her.

"I'm…" Lizzie hesitated, "okay." Gregor could tell from the shaky tone of her voice that she was not okay, but he saw Luxa nod. "I… I wish I could've been more help," she adds.

Luxa laughs, "You sound just like your brother. Being able to fight does not determine your value. I am sure there are many other ways in which you are helpful."

Gregor swallows thickly. It feels wrong to listen in on Luxa talking about him, but his heart aches at hearing her talk about him so gently.

There's silence for a moment before Lizzie asks, "Do you have feelings for my brother?" Her tone is curious and Gregor would give anything to see Luxa's reaction.

"I…" Luxa's voice fades out. "I do not," she starts again. "I am actually engaged to Carter."

"Oh," Lizzie responds, confused. "I just thought… you two just seemed close again. I didn't know if something had happened."

"Nothing has happened," Luxa snaps, before sighing and starting again softly, "we have become friends again, but nothing more is between us. Nothing can be between us."

There is silence again and Gregor thinks he sees Lizzie nod. Neither of them speaks for a long time and Gregor almost convinces himself to go back to sleep, before Lizzie speaks up in a quiet voice.

"You know, Gregor might have forced himself to forget all of this, but I didn't. I couldn't. But I think he did it because he missed you so much. I don't think he ever got over missing you, even if he didn't remember."

Luxa doesn't say anything for a while, then she sighs. "It is complicated. Gregor has been gone for so long. Just because he is back now does not mean I can forget everything else."

"It doesn't seem so complicated to me," Lizzie says matter of fact. "Do you like Gregor or not?"

"Yes, okay," Luxa finally spits out, "yes I have feelings for your brother. But there is nothing I can do about it."

Gregor's heart is almost thudding out of his chest, but Luxa and Lizzie seem to be done talking. He rolls onto his back and tries to force himself to fall asleep, to forget about what he's just heard. He doesn't know how long he lays there, forcing his eyes closed. Eventually Lizzie comes back and lays down. He hears her breathing even out as she falls back to sleep, but Gregor is dying inside.

Eventually he gives up, standing silently, his heart thudding in his chest. He steps around the group's sleeping forms and joins Luxa. She looks up at him with a smile that doesn't reach her eyes. "Hey…" she starts, but he cuts her off, taking her hands in his.

"Luxa," he whispers roughly, "don't marry him." His voice breaks, but the words are spilling out.

"Gregor-?" she asks confused, "what?"

"I heard you, Luxa," he explains in a rush, "I know you have feelings for me. Please, just… just don't marry him."

Luxa's face collapses, and sadness spills across her features. "Gregor, please don't do this. I know Howard told you. You know I have to…"

Gregor takes her arms, pulling her closer, "But do you want to?" he asks desperately.

"It's not that simple," she insists, looking away.

Gregor brushes his thumb across her cheek. "Do. You. Want to?" he asks again, staring deeply into her eyes. He feels like his world is falling apart and the only way he knows how to fix it is by hearing her answer.

Luxa lets out a choked gasp before collapsing into him. He wraps his arms around her, pulling her in close, and nearly misses her quiet "no," muffled by her face pressed against his chest.

Gregor lets out a sigh. It's not perfect, but knowing she wants him, she doesn't want Cater, that she feels the same he does, is enough. He pulls her closer and hugs her tight until the others begin to wake.