Neyxa had been playing the long game.

  Three days in the border town. Three days of walking slow, pointing at fake trails, leading the two assassins around in circles like they were kids on a cursed scavenger hunt.

  They didn’t question her much at first. But now… she could feel their eyes burning holes in her back.

  “You sure this leads anywhere?” one of them asked, tone dry and cold.

  Neyxa gave a tired smile. “You want to go sniff trees yourself, be my guest.”

  They grunted. She left them bickering, claiming she needed a moment to “check the perimeter.” Instead, she slipped off into the nearby market.

  And that’s where she saw her — Thessia, standing tall in a sleeveless top, arms crossed, brows furrowed at the bakery window like she was ready to throw hands over a dry pastry.

  “Thess?” Neyxa blinked.

  Thessia turned, surprised — but smiled. “Neyxa! What are you doing here?”

  Neyxa’s eyes flicked toward the alley. “Nothing serious. Couple of tagalongs from the guild. Just… forest scouting.”

  Thessia’s smile dimmed slightly. “Those two guys with you… they feel off.”

  Neyxa deflected. “You know guild types. All business, no soul.”

  Thessia didn’t press. “Well, come on. You and I haven’t had a second to breathe since Rell went rogue. Let’s go be women for a bit.”

  Neyxa wanted to say no. She should’ve.

  But she nodded.

  They walked the town. Shopped. Ate too much spice bread. Thessia made jokes about jungle sand getting into places sand should never be. Neyxa tried to laugh, and did — but her chest felt hollow.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  “You know,” Thessia said at one point, twirling a ribbon between her fingers, “this might sound weird, but… I’m glad we’re stuck with each other.”

  Neyxa raised a brow.

  Thessia chuckled. “I mean it. This sister-wife thing? It ain’t so bad. I always wanted a sister I could look out for.”

  Neyxa froze.

  Her breath hitched, just for a second.

  That damn memory again.

  Her real sister.

  Pale skin. Unmoving.

  That curse mark pulsing slowly under her ribs as Neyxa held her hand, powerless. Worthless.

  She had sworn she’d find a way.

  She had joined the guild. Bled for them. Killed for them.

  And now she was betraying someone else.

  Again.

  “Don’t say that,” Neyxa snapped.

  Thessia blinked. “Say what?”

  “I’m not your sister. You don’t know me. You don’t—” Neyxa cut herself off, swallowing the fire. “Forget it.”

  “Neyxa, I was just—”

  “Forget it!” she yelled louder this time. “You don’t know what I’ve lost.”

  Silence fell like a blade between them.

  Then Neyxa turned and walked away.

  Back near the guild alley, one of the assassins stepped forward.

  “You alright?”

  She didn’t answer.

  Just brushed past him, lips tight, heart loud.

  Behind her, Thessia stood on the edge of the street, shoulders drooped.

  Eyes down.

  Thinking.

  Rell vanished.

  Umbwe hated her.

  And now… Neyxa?

  Maybe the problem was her.

  But she wasn’t the type to sit and cry about it.

  She turned and started walking.

  Not toward the inn.

  Not toward Neyxa.

  Toward the forest.

  But not to see Rell.