Turning the Tide

*Ainslee*

“Ainslee! Ainslee!” Lucia bounds into my room while I’m staring at my canopy, resting my hand on my throbbing chest. “Rallegrad’s being pushed back to the northwest! Reports are coming in that Longclaw, Shadowglade, Warfang, and some half-breed forces are winning now!”

I raise my head and smile weakly. “That’s wonderful news.”

She plops down beside me on the bed, taking my hand. “It’s only a matter of time now.”

“Yes. Shadowglade will win the war. Or wars, I suppose. Tormentia never did breach the border, did they?” I chuckle.

“Not one man. It’s incredible!” She laughs. “It’s wonderful and incredible, and when the Longclaw troops are back, you can go home.”

I shake my head. “Not unless I can convince my father, Lucia. Remember, I promised.”

“But you’re dying!” she says, exasperated. “I mean, I know this is the high road and all, but you need to think of Rafe and your children.”

“I am,” I insist. “If I go back on my word, Longclaw might declare war on Shadowglade, and we’ll