Page 104 of Lethal Souls
The gentleness of her voice seems to piss Danica off more. “I ran away because I no longer trust you or your sister,” she spits back. “All this time I worshipped The Regals. I prayed to you, trusted in you, believed you were guiding me, but everything I love has been ripped away from me because of you!” Danica moves closer with her sword, but Korah lifts a hand, and like a magnet, the katana flies from Danica’s grasp to settle in Korah’s palm.
“Right,” Danica grumbles. “Take that away from me too. What does it matter anyway?” She tosses her hands in the air with defeat.
“You’re here because you heard about the war,” Korah says, ignoring her statement.
“Yes, I heard about the war. I was in Vanora when Queen Alora delivered the message about it. She’s recruiting fighters, warriors. Their guards are looking for those who know a thing or two about battle. I matched the criteria.”
“And you ran away so you wouldn’t have to fight?” I ask. I wouldn’t blame her in this state.
Danica rubs her milky eye with a sigh. “I didn’t run away. I came to Blackwater because regardless of what has happened, I’m indebted to Caz. If there is a war, I want to be a part of his army. That bitch Selah took my mate from me—she tormented him for weeks, and I want to be on that field so I can watch her bleed. I hear this is more Caz’s fight than anyone else’s anyway.”
“It’s everyone’s fight, but yes, Caspian is an important factor,” Korah responds.
“How about I do you one better?” A voice rises from a distance, and Korah smirks, not daring to move, as Danica and I crane our necks to find the voice.
Like a stallion decked in gold armor, Hassha strides across the field to meet us. Her ivory skirt gives her a feminine touch, and her sandals are strappy, climbing all the way to her calves. Her midsection is exposed, revealing a strong set of abs.
A few giggles catch my attention, and I spot Minka and Maia running onto the field too with Carra and Milandra trailing behind.
“Hassha,” Danica says, breathless. It seems no matter how much she blames Hassha too, she still admires her. Still worships her in a way. Perhaps it’s because she’s a Kessel descendant and it’s rooted in their blood.
Hassha gives Danica a gentle smile as she places a hand on her shoulder. “You can fight alongside the Kessel warriors, just like your mother once did.”
Danica’s lips move like she wants to say yes but stop like she’s changed her mind. “I’d rather fight for Monarch Harlow. At least he isn’t a traitor.” She turns her nose up at Hassha, yanking away.
Hmm. I digress. She’s just as pissed at her as she is at Korah.
Hassha looks Danica over. “In this state, you won’t even be able to witness the war. You’ll be dead long before that.”
“And whose fault is that?” Danica retorts.
“You are upset, Danica, and you have every right to be,” Hassha says, “but we need your skills, and you cannot let them go to waste because of your anger. I’ve read your mind thoroughly, and I know dying this way isn’t what you want, no matter how heartbroken you are. If there was a way we could save Warren, we would have done it, and you know it. I never betray my women. Ever. It is my duty to do what’s best in order to protect them.” Hassha’s eyes flicker with a spark of blue. “I can heal you today and swear you into the Kessel tribe. That is a dream of yours, correct? Ever since you were a little girl, all you wanted was to become a warrior like your mother. I can give that to you, give you a family who loves you. You’ll never be alone again.”
Danica’s glances at Hassha before focusing on the twins who are collecting flowers and stuffing them into a woven basket Carra is holding.
After several silent, thick seconds, Danica says, “Fine.”
Hassha smiles. “Very good.” She then puts her attention on me. A prickle scatters across my brain, and I wince. “Change of heart?”
“Guess so.”
She provides a curt nod. “Wise choice. I have something for you.” When Hassha lifts her hand, a gold urn appears in her palm.
My eyes stretch as she hands it to me. I study the sleek urn, catching my reflection in it. Warren’s full name is engraved on the side, and the sight of it brings tears to my eyes.
Danica gasps. “Is that Warren?”
“It is,” Hassha answers. “I promised Willow I’d bring the ashes to her.”
Danica’s eyes shimmer.
“You’ll help me decide what to do with him,” I promise her.
Her throat bobs. Then she nods, forcing a smile at me.
I’m not sure how to feel about having the ashes. On one hand, a part of me is still angry that he’s gone. On the other, I’m glad I have something left of my brother.
I swivel my gaze to Hassha’s, blinking my tears away and shoving the anger aside. “Thank you, Hassha.”