The Rising (The Rising #4) - Kristen Ashley Page 0,31

only remaining blood, her sister, faced grave challenges on multiple fronts.

And her sister had not only forgiven profound affronts, even with the history Serena had created between them, without delay and without hesitation, she had settled her trust on Serena’s shoulders.

Indeed, before they began building Jasmine’s and Rosehana’s pyres, Elena had taken Serena aside and said, “We will travel to Sky Bay soon, to regroup after these battles but also for my wedding. And if you will have the post, I would wish you to be my top general in this war we wage with the Airenzian against the Airenzian. And as such, I would have you by my side.”

Serena hesitated nary a second in assuming that command.

She knew instantly her decision was the right one, for she watched her sister’s eyes grow moist before Elena nodded and moved away.

And Serena no longer felt confusion or alarm at the feelings that came to her in the new bent of decisions she was making.

For her sister had lost a sister.

And Serena was giving her a new one.

And that felt right.

So, she was moving on, choosing family and nation above all else.

As her mother would do.

As her sister would do.

Thus now, this, with Heloise, she would not do.

And as such, her reply was simple, and obvious, for Heloise, with the others, had watched her do it.

“Yes. I helped to build Jasmine’s pyre.”

With that, she turned to regain her path to her tent.

Heloise moved to stand in front of her, forcing Serena again to stop.

“She died fighting with Airenzian for Airen,” Heloise stated.

“I know. I was there. Fighting with Airenzian for Airen,” Serena returned.

Heloise’s face twisted before she hid it and asked, jerking her head in Chu’s direction, “Who is that man who follows you?”

“He was the love of my life before he was lost to me.”

Heloise did not attempt to hide her disgusted shock before she whispered, “The love of your life?”

“Yes,” Serena confirmed.

“A man?” Heloise queried.

And Serena’s patience slipped. “Yes, sister, your eyes are not deceiving you. He is indeed a man. Very much so.”

“Who you loved,” she stated with disbelief.

“Who I loved,” Serena stated with conviction.

Heloise now appeared confused. “How is he lost to you when he’s sitting fifteen feet away?”

“It’s a long story,” Serena mumbled.

“As it is clear you do not wish to share it, fine then,” Heloise retorted. “But now tell me, why do you travel with gnats?”

Oh no.

Bloody no.

Serena’s back shot straight as fire scorched through her veins.

This reaction must have registered on her face as well as in her body for Heloise took a step back.

“Those males are my friends,” she clipped dangerously. “And when I could not trust you to call upon to be at my side, at my back, involved in my life, for you would not comprehend my mission and my purpose, they were. It was dangerous, Heloise. I could have been discovered by The Rising, and in their machinations, they shared clearly they did not mind dealing hostilely with those they thought were enemies. And a royal title made those dealings all the sweeter to them.”

She drew in a deep breath, and with it a slender thread of patience, before she leaned toward her friend and finished.

“And if you…ever…refer to my friends, or any fucking gnome any-fucking-where, Heloise, as a gnat again, I will challenge you, and I will unhorse you and then I will draw my sword and I will humiliate you in a way that you will never forget it.”

Heloise knew Serena could do just that, and this was why her face paled before she started, “Rena—”

Serena leaned back with a snap of her spine and interrupted her.

“I serve the Nadirii Sisterhood. I serve Queen Elena. I serve my blooded sister as she takes her crown as the Princess Regent of Airen. And if you, Genia and Darma do not share these philosophies, I am honor bound to report that to my queen. I will advise her that she then relieve you of your duties in the Nadirii army. However, rest assured. Elena is fair. She will find you something else you are adept at doing.”

It was Heloise whose spine snapped straight at that.

“I will remind you, I’ve been at your side since training,” she declared.

“And I did not invite you to leave it,” Serena retorted. “I simply told you the terms you must accept to remain at it.”

Heloise glared at her.

Chu was watching, Serena was keenly aware of that, so she did not have time to allow Heloise the