Halfway back to the town’s center, alarms rocked throughout Nighthelm. The people had returned to their homes and likely locked all their doors and windows. Marching feet started echoing through the streets, and Sophia knew they would never survive another fight. Especially with Nighthelm’s entire army.

She found her men with the wraiths in the town center. She breathed a relieved sigh as she wrapped her arms around each of her men and placed a kiss on their cheeks. She was glad they were relatively unharmed. Andreas even seemed to have been doing better. He smiled at her.

Edric said, “We have to go. The soldiers will be here any moment now.”

Sophia nodded. “Where can we go?”

“I talked with my brothers,” Andreas said. “We have a town we set up in case of persecution. We have been invited to join them.”

“We can’t stay here any longer,” Ozul said. “Not now that we openly stood against Nighthelm guard.”

Sophia frowned. She didn’t think of the consequences at the time. Now she felt responsible for alienating an entire race from their homes. “I’m sorry.”

Mica snorted. “Don’t be. We’re liberated.” He smiled, and she felt a little better. Not much, but still. “We have to go now.”

“Lead the way,” Sophia said.

Her and her men followed the wraiths through the Shade to an exit at the far end of the city. They filtered through the gate and fled into the woods. Sophia kept her eyes peeled for grimms. They were still after her. Thankfully, the alarms from Nighthelm faded into the distance. Not long after that, the group’s pace slowed to an even march.

The trees grew thinner, and Sophia could see the tiny houses and a firepit already lit. Other wraiths were already there, setting up shops and settling in. Once she crossed the threshold, she let out a breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding. The tension in her shoulders eased, and Andreas led them to a small house nearby that was reserved for them.

After settling down for the evening, they were able to enjoy a hot meal and fill their bellies. Sophia relaxed with her men. Andreas was all bandaged up and looking better than ever. She smiled as she was grateful his injuries weren’t worse. It was too close this time, and she would never be able to live with herself if the worst had happened.

But it didn’t. And she thanked her lucky stars for that.

“What do we do now?” Ezekiel said. “Nighthelm is sort of off limits and we still have yet to figure out who that girl is.”

Sophia nodded. “First, I think a good night’s rest will do us all some good.”

“I agree,” Edric said. “But we do need to come up with a plan.”

“Sleep first,” Andreas said. “We can talk about plans and taking over the world tomorrow.”

“Hopefully, the Nameless Master won’t usurp the duchess before then,” Sophia said. But she knew he was right. They had fought long and hard. They needed the time to rest and recuperate without further talk of war on the horizon.

“How do you know that?” Ezekiel asked.

Sophia shrugged. “I just do. It happened right before the vexsnare attacked. I can’t explain it, but it was like I knew these things.”

Ezekiel stared at her, waiting for more information. When she didn’t speak, he added, “That’s it? Nothing else?”

“For now, that is it. I’ll talk about the rest later.” Sophia laid back on the ground, tucking her arms behind her head. The stars above them twinkled brightly, and a gentle breeze blew over her, giving her a small reprieve from the heat of the fire nearby. She smiled to herself as her men laid down next to her.

Sophia had come so far from where she was just a short time ago. She was so close to living up to the purpose the oracles had given her. Though she still had a long road ahead of her, she felt closer than ever to the heirs. She felt it deep within her, filling her with hope.

Rest now. Fight later.

Before she realized it, her eyes had become difficult to keep open. She was safe where she was, with her men and the wraiths. All she had to do was sleep. Peaceful, restful, and well-earned. And with that, her eyes closed, and she drifted off.