Fearless (Nameless #3)(90)
“We’re taking him back to the Nest for burial,” said Talon. “My sister will not be strong enough to make the journey.”
“Talon?” Raca’s eyes fluttered open and Murtog dropped to his knees by her side. As gently as he might pluck a wildflower, he lifted Raca’s hand as he pressed it to his lips.
Raca’s other hand reached out to him, her fingers trailing the length of his brown jaw. “I was so worried for you,” her voice a whisper.
“I’m here, little bird.” He cleared his throat, the muscles in his jaw flexing. “When I heard you followed us,” he coughed back emotion, “that you were injured … ” He kissed her hand again, unable to finish.
Talon glanced at Zo and smiled before walking out of the tent.
Zo backed away as well, far enough to hear the faint, deep rumblings of Murtog without understanding his words. She turned to find Gabe standing behind her, his left arm bound in a sling. His hair was wet from the rain, turning it a light brown instead of its usual blond. The handsome smile she’d come to expect from him didn’t quite reach his eyes as he navigated the bedrolls on the ground.
So many wounded. So much loss. But there was something tangible in the air. A mist of collective hope radiating from the injured that made it easier to see happiness in the midst of so much suffering.
“What is that for?” Zo gestured to the pack slung over Gabe’s good shoulder when he finally reached her.
“I’m leaving right after the Commander’s burial and wanted to say goodbye. The Alpha is sending me to lead a group of Wolves back to the Allied Camp location. The surviving Ram—mostly women and children—need men to help erect homes. The crops are already planted and will be enough to give them a decent beginning.”
“You’ve done so much already. Can’t he send someone else?”
Gabe cleared his throat, and looked away. “I actually volunteered.”
Zo didn’t know what to say.
“Gryphon’s a good man, Zo,” he said. “You and Tess will be well cared for. I really am happy for you.” He smiled again, this time a hint of his usual mirth filling his features.
“Thank you, my friend,” said Zo.
Gabe bent down and kissed Zo’s cheek. “You are the waxing moon, Zo. None of this could have happened without you.”
“Without us,” she corrected.
Gabe offered a nod and tapped the end of her nose with his fingertip before leaving her to stare after him.
Suddenly her hand filled with Tess’s. She smiled up at Zo, looking more like their mother every day, as a subtle stream of peace emanated from the little hand.
“Thank you, bug.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Dear Gryphon,
If you are reading this then you have led the Allies to victory. I would have given anything to see you face down such a mighty force.
By now you know that I was the man who left you and your mother all those years ago. I can only imagine the shame you felt for having such a father.
I want you to know that leaving you and your mother was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But I won’t apologize for my actions, just like you shouldn’t apologize for the circumstances that took you from the Gate.
There are so many things that reside outside of a man’s control, son. True courage is not measured in battles won. It is in finding the right course of action and following it, no matter the repercussions. You are a leader. It is your destiny. I formed the Allies to protect those who could not protect themselves. Don’t let these people down. Be their advocate, Gryphon. They will need you.
All my love and respect,
Your Father
Gryphon carefully folded the letter after rereading it for the fifth time.
“They’re ready to start, Gryph.” Zo stood by the door of the tent wearing a long white gown that fell gently over her curves. Half of her midnight hair was braided in a crown atop her head. The rest cascaded freely down her back. Tess stood by her side wearing the same striking white. Each protected the young flame of a candlestick from the evening breeze.
Gryphon rose from his father’s pine desk that had been brought over from the Allied Camp and tucked the letter into his shirt. He accepted his own candle from Zo. Her warm lips brushed his ear as she whispered, “You look very handsome, Commander.”
Gryphon let his candle feed off Zo’s light then together they stepped into the starry night. Gryphon swallowed a gasp as at least a thousand candles lit a path to the resting place of his father.
Joshua held Laden’s giant shield with reverence to his chest. The same shield that used to hang above Gryphon’s family hearth. Tess walked over and took Joshua’s free hand, her tiny tears dancing in the light’s reflection.
“Let’s go,” said Gryphon.
Zo threaded her arm through his and together they followed Joshua and Tess down the lighted path that led to Laden’s final resting place. As they passed, Raven, Wolf, Kodiak, and Freemen all knelt in respect, the lights of their candles held high to illuminate the pathway to heaven for their fallen leader.
A Ram custom.
Among them, Sara stood with baby Jax in arms, her sister, Eva, and new brother-in-law, Stone, at her side.
At the bottom of the hill, Murtog nodded to Gryphon and used his torch to light two giant pyres on either side of the grave. Once the blaze caught, he stepped back in line with Raca, his newly betrothed. The casket sat before the cavity of earth, ready to find peace beneath the soil of Gryphon’s new homeland. Women offered flowers to Zo and Tess, who each tore petals from the stems and muttered words lost to the night’s breeze as they sprinkled them over the casket.