That snapped everyone out of their trances, "You knew?" Kyra barked, still partly sounding like a mountain cat, especially with the hidden snarl laced underneath her words. Kanin rubbed the back of his neck uneased, probably realizing what he had just said as Clane shook his head disapprovingly at him.

I stepped forward to take the attention off of Kanin. They all instinctively took one back, "Yes, he did, but it wasn't his secret to tell," I stated calmly, trying to ignore the fact that I had two silver wings peeking over my shoulders in full view.

Xylin stepped towards me as if to apologize, but at the last second stopped and helped Kalinier to his feet instead. Like he was afraid. They all were. I could smell it--their fear.

I stood there uncomfortably, starting to regret showing them, until Xylin gulped and Nikolei spoke up, "We have arkryllians at the rebel base, yes, but I've never seen one with silver wings before."

"I'm a half-breed." Xylin winced at my casual tone.

"There are half-breeds there as well," Clane demanded, suddenly furious, though I had no idea as to why, "but even they don't have silver wings. You mind as well be ringing the dinner bell with their brightness. A defect maybe." A jerk of his chin towards my wings. They rustled in response.

"Do you ever have something decent to say?" Xylin snapped. Flames flared to life in Clane's eyes but vanished just as quickly.

"When I want an opinion, Princeling, I'll ask you," Clane snarled. The snow around his feet glowed an eerie orange and began to melt.

"Enough." Kanin snapped, "We all know Raila is part arkryllian now. Can we move on?"

"Yes. I do believe the next question would be what in the moons are you doing here?" Clane demanded, zeroing in on Xylin again.

I briskly walked over and moved in front of Xylin, pushing him back as my wings flared slightly in warning. The grin Clane gave me was terrifying and I hated him for it. Arkryllian senses or not, he was a real hot-head, "Ah, it's the little thief protecting the prince now, is it?"

"Shut up, Brokivere. You can be jealous of me for being half arkryllian all you want. You can hate and curse the world because your father doesn't care what you do with your life. You can despise Kanin for being the captain of this team, but do not take your anger out on anyone who is currently present here. We're here to rescue rebels and nothing else." Clane was stunned into silence. I wasn't one to make dramatic speeches like that often.

Kanin pulled me back gently, "Raila's right. We came here for one thing. This...can be discussed later. Now since we've all eaten, let's pack up camp. We continue our trek in five minutes."

Clane growled. "Five minutes," Kanin repeated more sternly before storming past us all and heading into the cave. The others quickly dispersed until it was just me and Xylin. Clane glowered at us over his shoulder before casually flicking a hand and extinguishing the flames from our breakfast.

I imagined Kanin's voice in my head while we were still in the prison cell, telling me to imagine my wings as an arm to bend. Xylin's sharp intake of breath told me it had worked.

I opened my eyes and glanced at him. The world suddenly looked less vibrant. If only I could keep my wings in the open forever. Poor Father, forced to hide his true form for all those years. Until that day...I forced the traitorous thoughts out of my head and looked at Xylin.

"We should talk," He said tensely. That was a mild way of putting our situation. I nodded and followed him until he suddenly sat down near the edge of the mountain cliff.

He sighed and looked at me, and I suddenly remembered how much I had missed him. Xylin must have seen it in my expression, because he drew me forward until my cheek was pressed against his chest. I threw my arms around him and wrapped them as tightly as I could. He wrapped one arm around me in return.

"I missed you," He breathed onto my hair, planting a light kiss on my head.

"You probably followed us the entire way." I mumbled against the fabric of his shirt. His laugh rumbled in his chest.

"And if I did?"

I pulled back and swatted him on the leg. He laughed again and caught my hand, kissing the back of it and placing it on his lap before twining our hands together, "And if you did, don't ever do it again."

"Raila, you do know that I can turn invisible and send out bursts of raw power?"

"Only if you're angry."

He huffed, "True. Kanin taught me a little bit about my powers before you all left. I've been practicing on our way here. Short bursts here and there."

I raised an eyebrow, "Were you the one that sent that wave of snow at us? I could have sworn it resembled a mini crater."

He looked behind us and shushed me. I laughed and kissed him, "Why are you here?"

"Can't I make sure you're safe?" He said teasingly.

"Xylin."

I glared at him until he finally groaned, "Very well, you've rooted me out. I'm here looking for any signs that the rightful heir to the throne of Ithyneia is alive."