Chapter Forty-Six
After the last of the wolves’ tails disappear amidst the shadow of the trees, Undine maidens come onto shore. They help the wounded back into the water. They collect Undine arrows and the few pieces of broken bows. Colored scales and dark blood, the only evidence left behind by battle will be washed away at high tide.
Serena returns to Kai, and burgundy scales, brilliant against the pale sand catches her eye. Cordelia emerges from the water, racing toward Ervin. Before anyone can stop her, she reaches him and turns him over. She leans back, gasping at the sight of his disfigured face. She is dragged back into the water, crying and screaming as someone picks up Ervin's trident. Others wait until Cordelia has gone under, then begin the task of wrapping his body, preparing to transport him home in the most gracious way they can.
Kai moves next to Serena and they lean into each other, wrapping their arms around each other's shoulders. Serena still limps and Kai clutches his chest wound. They stumble into the waves, allowing the maidens to escort them back to their kingdom alongside the dead.
The Rising Page 52