The Savior's Sister

by Jenna Moreci

“I imagine it changes a few circumstances, but it certainly has no bearing on how I feel about You.” He smiled. “Or maybe that’s a lie. Perhaps I love You more now. Because the more fully I see You, the more I love You.”

  Her tears defied Her, and She burrowed into the curve of his neck.

  “Why are You crying?”

  “I just didn’t think you’d be so kind,” She said.

  “I love You. No matter what shape or form You come in.” He brought Her face to his. “If You’re the Healer, then I love a healer. If You’re a goat, then I love a goat.” Leila giggled, and his smile widened. “If You’re The Savior…then I love The Savior.”

  The tension within Her dissolved, a heavy breath held for far too long finally released. She was weightless, would surely float away had it not been for the strength of Tobias’s arms.

  I love The Savior. She’d heard those words before, but for the first time, someone meant it. Someone She loved back.

  He threaded his fingers through Her hair. “You could’ve told me. I would’ve kept Your secret.”

  “I wanted to,” She said. “But…”

  “But what?”

  Scowling, She mimicked his voice. “I can’t stand The Savior. I loathe The Savior. Please, let me hate The Savior—”

  “Cosima. I thought The Savior was Cosima.”

  “Yes, but you still said My name. That you hated Me. I hadn’t a clue how you’d react. And any negative response… If you turned against Me—”

  “I would never—”

  “I’d be dead,” Leila said. “You understand why I feared the risk. And of course, the moment you find out, you’re enraged. And I can’t blame you. This tournament, all of your suffering—it was because of Me. I’m not blind to that. Seventeen men entered for Me, and thirteen of them were slaughtered by My father’s bidding. You think that doesn’t wear on Me?”

  Tobias wavered. “Twelve men. You killed Neil Yourself.”

  “Oh. Right. And then there was Caesar, but we both know he had it coming.”

  Tobias burst into laughter, and Leila frowned. “Tobias, this is a very serious matter.”

  “It’s ridiculous. This whole thing, it’s just…so tangled.” His shoulders drooped. “And You had it all on Your shoulders. Alone.”

  “I had Delphi.”

  Tobias’s frown didn’t lift. Taking Her face in his hands, he kissed Her. “No more secrets. Promise me.”

  “I promise. There’s still so much to tell you, but I swear you’ll hear it all.” She raised Her hand, Her light flickering as She wiggled Her fingers. “This, however, was the most vital point. And the whole assassination detail, of course.”

  Tobias’s gaze strayed, visibly consumed. “What’s that look for?” Leila said.

  “I just can’t understand why anyone would want to hurt You.”

  “Power is very seductive. And I happen to have a lot of it.”

  He nodded only to wince. Stitches, bruises—She saw them again, standing at attention. “God, look at you…”

  “I’m fine,” he said.

  Her hand danced through his hair, his curls looping around Her fingers. “I’m so sorry for what My father’s done to you. You’re kind, and you’re brave, and you’re so good. The greatest man I’ve ever known… And My father chooses to torture you.”

  “You saved me.”

  Leila’s throat caught. “I love you so much.”

  He kissed Her again, and light beamed behind Her eyelids, refracting from blinding white to pink and yellow—his love.

  Tobias spoke against Her mouth. “I hope this dress isn’t one of Your favorites.”

  “Why?” Leila straightened Herself. “Oh God, you’re not going to rip it off Me, are you? Because now’s hardly the time.”

  “Actually, I’m bleeding on it.”

  Red trickled from the stitches along his ribs. “Oh, darling. Be still. This might sting.” She patted the wound with a bedsheet, then pressed Her hand to it. Power pulsed from Her touch, until suddenly Tobias’s lips were yet again pressed to Hers.

  “Tobias, I’m trying to bless you.”

  “And I’m trying to kiss You. We can multitask.”

  Snaking Her arms around his neck, She lost Herself in his vibrant colors. So much in Her life was wrong, but this, right here, was right.

  Delphi burst into the chamber without so much as a knock, juggling satchels and linen throws. “Oh good, you’re not tearing each other apart.” She dropped the items onto the bed. “Look at that. You got blood all over my sheets.”

  “Apologies,” Tobias scoffed. “The Sovereign had me the slightest bit tortured prior to today’s Culmination.”

  “A likely excuse.” She turned to Leila. “There’s a horse waiting out back. Help me gather everything.”

  Leila’s stomach dropped. Tobias had to leave. Feigning a smile, She gave him a kiss. “You stay here.”

  She took root at Delphi’s side, sorting through the trove. Herbs. Blankets. Blades. Tobias would need all of it. She stuffed the satchel, while Tobias watched with his brow furrowed. “What’s going on?” he asked. “What are you doing?”

  “Preparing.”

  “For what?”

  “Brontes,” Delphi said. “And the shitstorm he’s about to usher in.”

  Tobias straightened. “But wait… Kaleo, Drake, Antaeus—all the assassins—they’re dead. It’s over.”

  Leila sighed. “It’s not as simple as that.”

  “How is that the simple part?”

  A shirt. He’d need that too. She tossed it his way. “Now’s not the time.”

  “Of course it’s the time. You said You’d tell me everything.”

  “Sweet puppy dog, it’s a very long story,” Delphi added.

  Scowling, Tobias dressed himself. “You’re the Ruler of the realm. Brontes is beneath You. Surely You have the means to stop this shitstorm, whatever it is.”

  “Except I don’t,” Leila said. “Brontes made sure of that.”

  “But You’re The Savior.”

  “And I’ve been made prisoner for it, with no domain of My own realm. I’m The Savior, yet I have no control. Just My light. Nothing else.”

  “But it doesn’t make sense,” Tobias said. “Thessen is prosperous thanks only to The Savior’s reign. It’s for the good of the people.”

  Leila snorted. “Yes, well, when you act exclusively for your own self-interest, the good of the people becomes irrelevant.”

  “What if the realm falls apart? What if You’re gone, and everything reverts to the hell it once was?”

  Delphi stopped her sorting and let out a condescending laugh. “Love, do you think men like Brontes care for the greater good? Whatever lies beyond this fortress is meaningless so long as he owns it all.”

  “Then we’ll kill him.” Tobias’s voice came out hard. “I’ll kill him.”

  “You assume he works alone?” Leila said. “If he dies, I lose all hope of finding his network.”

  “God, I have so many questions…”

  “I know. And I meant what I said, I’ll spare no detail.” Leila hoisted Tobias’s satchel up and took a seat at his side. “But not right now. Now you’re in danger. And now you must leave.”

  “Wait, I must leave?” Tobias gaped at Her. “You make it sound as though You’re not coming with me.”

  “I’m not.”

  “Leila!”

  She shoved the satchel his way. “This should be everything you’ll need.”

  “No, Leila. I’m not leaving without You.”

  “My father plans to rip Thessen out from under Me,” She said. “I can’t let that happen. I have to stay here.”

  “Stay here and die?”

  “You don’t understand—”

  “You said just moments ago Brontes left You with nothing.” Tossing the satchel aside, he took Her hands. “But You still have me. If You come with me, I can protect You.”

  “It’s not your job to protect Me.”

 
“You’ve helped me throughout this entire tournament. Please, let me help You now. Please.”

  Say yes. An impulse She had to fight against. Desperate, Tobias turned to Her sister. “Delphi, reason with Her.”

  Delphi exhaled. “He’s right.”

  Tobias faltered. “Oh wow, I wasn’t expecting that.”

  “Are you mad?” Leila spat.

  “Brontes has us in a corner,” Delphi said. “There’s nothing You can do from here.”

  “I can’t just abandon My people.”

  “You’re not abandoning them, You’re saving their Queen. And in doing so, You save them from destruction.”

  “Delphi—”

  “They will suffer under his rule,” she maintained. “Thessen turns to dust if You stay here. You know this.”

  Protests bombarded Leila’s thoughts, but She resisted.

  Delphi was right.

  “Leave with him.” Delphi cocked her head at Tobias. “Save Yourself. Then once You’re able, You can reclaim what is rightfully Yours.”

  “You forget, this fortress is My prison,” Leila said. “I can’t leave.”

  “Yes, You can. You can shadow walk.”

  Tobias glanced between them. “Shadow walk?”

  “You know,” Delphi said. “She’s here one moment, then suddenly, poof?”

  “For the thousandth time, I can’t shadow walk to places I’ve never been before,” Leila groaned. “I’ve never left the fortress.”

  “But he has.”

  Leila froze, staring at Tobias. She hadn’t considered it before, too hellbent on taking down Her father, but now the solution was blatantly clear.

  Tobias was Her escape.

  “Give him the gift,” Delphi said. “He’ll take You out of here.”

  Tobias’s eyes widened with understanding. “Wherever You need to go, I’ll take You. We can figure out a way to defeat Brontes together.”

  Freedom. Leila had dreamt of it for so long, but never did it look quite like this. Running for My life.

  She spun toward Delphi. “Are you coming with us?”

  “Later. You’ll come back for me.”

  “Delphi—”

  “There are people in this palace who are loyal to You. I can’t leave them to be slaughtered.” Delphi shrugged. “I’ll round ’em up. We’ll join You shortly.”

  Leila tried to find the words, but they escaped Her. Delphi crossed her arms. “You know full well I won’t let that worthless shit lay a hand on me.”

  Absolutely not. She’d drag Delphi kicking and screaming if She had to. Then the faces of Her servants filled Her mind, along with dear Pippa, sweet Hylas. What would become of them?

  “The watchtower.” Leila’s voice came out meek. “We’ll meet there.”

  Delphi rifled through Her pile of supplies, snatching up a second satchel. “For You.” She tossed it at Leila. “And I lied, there’s two horses waiting.”

  “You sneaky bitch.” Leila let out a laugh muffled by fresh tears. She lunged at Her sister and hugged her tight, memorizing the feel of her skin, the warmth of her embrace. The journey ahead suddenly reeked of betrayal, Her resolve splintering as the seconds crept closer to their parting. With a shallow breath, She pulled away from Delphi and into Tobias’s arms, his hold the only thing keeping Her standing.

  “We’ll see you soon,” he said.

  “Keep Her safe.” Delphi’s voice wavered, an uncharacteristic weakness in her words. “She’s the only family I have left.”

  He leaned into Leila, whispering against Her hair. “It’s all right.”

  “This wasn’t supposed to happen,” She murmured.

  “Everything will be fine. You are the strongest person I know, and I’ll be by Your side through it all, no matter the obstacle. You remember—You are everything.”

  Leila wiped Her tears. “Where are we going? I don’t know My way around, I don’t…I don’t even know My own realm.”

  “I know my way around. That’s what I’m here for, darling.” Tobias glanced between the two sisters. “We’ll go to the Krios woods. They stretch for hundreds of miles. If we keep moving, Brontes will struggle to find us.”

  The Krios what? Judging by the emptiness of Delphi’s gaze, she didn’t know either. Leila nodded. “All right.”

  Delphi cocked her head at the door. “You should go now.”

  No more tears. Leila stifled their flow, feigning as much strength as she could. She slid Her hand up Tobias’s chest, summoning the comforting heat of Her light.

  “To the woods?” he said.

  Not without My sister. The words sat on Her tongue, begging to be spoken.

  My sister.

  “Wait.” Leila met his gaze. “We have to make a stop first.”

  A shack. That’s what stood before Her, with flaking plaster walls and a dry, thatched roof. Tobias had called it a cottage, but they had always looked quainter from Her watchtower. Up close, everything was so small.

  This is how My people live.

  The mutterings of passersby nipped at Her, and She tugged at Her hood, hiding Her face. Tobias had already disappeared inside, but She’d insisted on waiting. “For politeness’s sake.” She’d promised not to lie anymore, but this one was innocent. She fiddled with Her dress, staring at the wooden door in front of Her.

  What was She so afraid of?

  “Leila.” Tobias’s muffled voice sounded from within the shack. Cottage. “You can come in.”

  She headed inside.

  A crooked table, a fire, a rocking chair. This was the smallest room Leila had ever seen, and it was a home. A woman with grey-streaked hair darted between the cupboards, packing leeks and potatoes into a satchel, while Tobias crouched by a younger woman of his likeness—same bronze skin, same dark eyes. Naomi, his sister. Leila would’ve smiled had it not been for the sunlight pouring through the window, illuminating the space.

  Holding Her breath, She lowered Her hood.

  Naomi gasped. Leila wove through the cramped cottage, stopping as She reached Tobias’s side. His sister was sitting on a lumpy pillow in a wooden frame—a bed, most likely—her legs tucked to the side, her feet feeble and grey.

  “It’s an old injury,” Tobias said. “I don’t know if anything can be done. But she suffers a great deal, and the pain is—”

  “Something can be done. Perhaps not a cure. But something.” Leila turned Her attention to Naomi. “Your back… Can you show Me?”

  Naomi said nothing, her eyes lit with the same vacant awe Leila had seen a hundred times before. At least she didn’t faint. Tobias swatted his sister’s arm, and she came to life, lowering the straps of her dress and turning her spine Leila’s way.

  Tobias rested a hand on Leila’s shoulder. “Do You need me?”

  “Go.” Leila gestured toward the other woman. “Help your mother.”

  He did as told, leaving Leila with the bared back before Her. She pressed Her palm to its curve.

  Pain crackled against Her touch, bursting like lightning, and She yanked away. Cursing Herself, She slowly, hesitantly placed Her hand back into position, wincing as fire lashed through Her flesh.

  “I know this is a stupid question.” Naomi’s voice was soft and sweet like a ripened peach. “You’re glowing, and it’s plain as day, but…are You The Savior?”

  “Yes,” Leila said. “I’m The Savior.”

  “And not the other one. The redhead.”

  Leila frowned. “No.”

  “Who is she?”

  “She’s no one.”

  “Well then, The Savior wields a blade and calls no one a vile bitch. That’s my kind of queen.”

  Naomi’s smile was warm, so very much like her brother’s, but it waned soon after. “Do You know where we’re going?” she asked.

  “I honestly don’t. Some forest, I believe.”

  “But why?”

  Leila tensed, watching as Tobias darted in and out of the cottage. “It’s best if we tell you together. The story is ra
ther complicated.”

  Another bolt to the palm. Agony splintered through Naomi, a spider’s web of burning rivulets cascading down her spine. A latticework of suffering.

  “I don’t have to walk,” Naomi said.

  “Pardon?”

  “I don’t have to walk. If it isn’t possible, I’ll manage. I’ve accepted my circumstances, and I will live my life as fully as I can without a moment’s self-pity.” Her eyes welled. “But if You could do something for the pain…I would be eternally grateful.”

  Her legs. Leila had forgotten about them entirely, consumed by the torture rippling down Naomi’s back. They lay curled beneath her, ashen. Perhaps Leila couldn’t help with that. But the pain was fresh and alive. She could work with it.

  “I don’t want false hope…” Naomi said.

  “I’ll do everything I can.” Leila took her hands. “You have My word.”

  “Leila?” Tobias stood by the doorway, a barrow at his feet. “It’s time to go.”

  They loaded what they could onto the two horses, latching the barrow to one of the saddles like a cart. Villagers had emerged from their homes, and Leila shrank beneath their stares.

  After knotting the final rope, Tobias turned to Leila, pointing toward his shirt and the blessing beneath it. “How exactly does this work?”

  “Imagine the place we are to travel. See us there, and it will be so.” She looped the horses’ reins around his arm. “Hold on. We can’t leave anyone behind.”

  He scooped Naomi up against his chest, while Leila threaded Her arm around his waist, gesturing for his mother to do the same. Her heartbeat throbbed behind Her ears, and She closed Her eyes, stilling Herself.

  “They’re here!”

  A horse charged up the main road—three horses, ten, each carrying an armored soldier.

  Brontes had targeted Tobias’s home.

  “Shit,” Tobias hissed.

  His mother paled. “What’s going on?”

  “Everyone keep calm.” Tobias looked Leila in the eyes. “Are You ready?”

  She squeezed him tighter. “Do it.”

  “Seize them!” a soldier shouted.

  Crested helmets and drawn spears rushed closer. Burying Her head against Tobias’s shoulder, Leila breathed in his colors, tasting sugar and cinnamon.

  She wasn’t afraid.