Aila was never one to give up.

The fact that Kaiden had stayed, that he hadn't pushed on and attempted to reach The Dragon Temple first meant that he wasn't truly angry at her. He was simply hurt by her words, which was understandable.

She emerged into the clearing with nerves fluttering in her stomach. She dropped her rucksack beside his, and lay down using it as a pillow like he was. He was lying on his back, his eyes locked on the darkening sky above them.

"I'm really sorry for what I said Kaiden," she said sincerely. "It was wrong and I had no right to speak the way I did. You are neither dull nor incompetent and it was very loyal, compassionate and thoughtful of you to try to help others the way you did. It's why I think you'll make a great king someday."

She took a breath, pausing to gauge his reaction. An subtle change in his breathing told her that he hadn't expected that last part, and the silence that followed indicated that he didn't know how to react.

"I took it as an insult when you questioned Merelia's stories because I love my kingdom, and it irritated me that you had resources and knowledge that I didn't have at my disposal," she continued.

She inhaled, having finished what she'd come to say. After a few seconds of silence, Kaiden spoke quietly.

"Do you like the stars, Aila?" He whispered, his gaze leaving the canopy above him and locking on her inquisitive green eyes.

Aila smiled as her heart released the guilt that had simmered there all day. A breath of relief escaped her.

He was bringing back the dialogue from their first encounter so many years ago. It was his beautiful way of saying he accepted her apology, and that he wanted to talk to her the way he had that day. As he registered the recognition and contentment in her features, his eyes twinkled and she smiled as she answered.

"Very much," she murmured, rolling onto her back to look at the stars shining above them. She was extremely aware that his eyes were still fixed on her, analysing her as if she were a star.

"You're injured," he observed. "I thought Castor would take care of it."

"I had to speak to you first," Aila shrugged.

Kaiden made a face that conveyed how nonsensical he thought that was. After sitting up, he reached into his backpack, procuring a water pouch and one of his clean shirts. As he held them up with a question in his gaze, Aila nodded and he gently took her arm in his. She watched as he first cleaned the wound, captivated by the focus in his piercing gaze. He then tore his shirt into large strips, and her cheeks flushed and she was forced to look away as the act emphasised his muscles. When he wrapped his shirt around her arm like a bandage, she felt gratitude building within her.

"Thank you," she replied appreciatively, to which Kaiden gave her a dismissive gesture as if it weren't anything of importance. A few minutes of silence ensued, in which he repacked his water pouch and lay down beside her again, regarding her as if she were the sky.

"I guess you were right," he whispered eventually. "We're going to be the ones to end the war."

She heard the sombre tone in his voice and understood what he meant. When this was over, only one of them would take the chalice home. The war would be over, but only one kingdom would win.

"Things always work out in the end," Aila replied softly. "We just have to have hope. You once told me that the stars gave you hope."

"They still do," he responded.

Aila could still feel the intensity of his gaze burning the side of her face. Her heart skipped a beat, and courage took over her tongue all of a sudden.

"You once told me that I was a star."

A pause.

"You still are," he whispered.

Aila inhaled sharply. She focused her gaze on the bright specks above her, certain that if she were to turn and face Kaiden, she'd either say or do something that she'd regret forever.

"I reckon a rematch is due," she changed the topic abruptly, also not knowing how to respond to Kaiden's earnestness.

He immediately knew she was talking about the fight that day, the one that had ended in a truce.

"Perhaps tomorrow," he suggested. "You must be tired from walking all day." There was a teasing note in his voice that brought a smile to Aila's lips and she rolled onto her side, facing him.

"I would still beat you regardless," she laughed.

"Lies," he grinned.

"I took on four of the men today, two with an injured arm."

Aila could've sworn Kaiden's eyes darkened in response, but with night falling, she couldn't be certain. He cleared his throat and averted his gaze back to the blanket of stars above them.

"Perhaps you must reconsider whether or not you'll truly win against me tomorrow." His tone was light, despite his change in attitude.

"Thanks to this I'll be all good," Aila patted her makeshift bandage. "It'll be nice to win against you again."

"We called a truce," Kaiden scoffed in denial, a competitive edge alighting within him. Amusement was again evident on his features as he met her eyes.

"Yes and if I recall, you were the one who suggested a truce after I knocked your royal behind into the ground twice," she replied smugly.

"Semantics," he shrugged.

"Well, if you need tonight to prepare mentally for your loss, then tomorrow is fine by me."

Kaiden laughed, and the sound brought a grin to Aila's face. When a yawn escaped her, his eyes softened.

"Sleep," he said. "Tomorrow you've got a big defeat to face."

"Alright Wildfire," she mumbled. "Now that you don't owe me a life debt, please don't kill me in my sleep."

"No promises, Starlight," Kaiden smirked, but the twinkle in his eyes, the smile on his face and the shirt that was currently wrapped around her arm assured her that he wouldn't hurt her.

At least not tonight.

She closed her eyes, and fell asleep.

Again, no Author's Note needed... ;)

~ MaddyWilson 💙