(A/N: I’m timeskipping quite a lot, but I assure you not much happens in the in between that I skipped)

It was early morning back in the Imperial City. The conclave hadn’t started yet, and most of the Golden District lay silent, but the Noctierre estate rarely shared that stillness.

Five aircraft stood on the landing field, each one being loaded with food, firearms, gunpowder, and multiple imperial battalions alongside my own men.

After everything with Faye and Reina, I’d decided to take it easy and talk through the aftermath with them in my room. Before I knew it, I’d fallen asleep.

And the moment I woke up, I received the news: Edward had disappeared at Ravenhold, along with Anastasia and Rerick, requesting supplies.

"Of course, just hiring two elite generals won’t be enough to turn the tide of battle..."

I muttered to myself, pinching the bridge of my nose. I wasn’t sure what I had expected. In the novel, after I reviewed it while heading to Helios, I learned that Anastasia and Rerick’s skills were impressive, formidable, even. But apparently, even they had their limits.

"Reina, are you sure about this?"

"Yeah." She stood beside me, watching the preparations. Dressed in a simple tunic and pants she could move easily in.

With Helios taken care of, Faye romanced, and my training machine broken, I didn’t have much left to do except head to Ravenhold myself and reinforce the line.

And while my previous excuse of not being confident in my own skills worked before. It didn’t work now after I heard the news...

Edward going completely MIA after engaging with the B-Class he warned me about. Without him, my life here as the new Cassian would completely crumble. I had to rescue him, no matter what.

As for Reina and me, a succubus and an incubus.

"You’re sure our scent can distract beasts?"

"Yeah. Definitely. Even more than humans, depending on the beast’s intelligence."

We were bait.

I watched the loading crews work, my arms crossed over my chest. The morning light was pale and cold, doing nothing to chase away the chill that had settled into my bones the moment I’d read Edward’s dispatch.

Well. The lack of Edward’s dispatch.

Reina’s tail brushed against my calf, a brief, grounding touch. "We’ll find him."

"You sound sure."

"I am sure." Her violet eyes met mine, steady and certain. "You’re not the type to let your people die."

You make it sound as if that’s enough for me to somehow influence people’s fates from cities away.

"Well... a girl can dream."

Behind us, boots clicked against stone. I turned to find Faye approaching, wrapped in one of my coats, her hair still sleep-tousled. She stopped a few feet away, looking past me at the aircraft, at the soldiers loading supplies, at Reina in her functional clothes.

"You’re going," she said. It wasn’t a question.

"Edward’s missing. The line at Ravenhold is close to breaking. I have to—"

"I know." She crossed the distance between us and pressed her palm flat against my chest. Right over my heart. "I’m not trying to stop you."

Her hand was warm. Even through the layers of my coat and shirt, I could feel the heat of her.

"Then what are you doing?"

Faye’s jaw tightened. For a moment, she looked like she was going to say something sharp, something scared. But then she exhaled, and her expression softened into something more resigned.

"Making sure you come back."

I covered her hand with mine. "I will."

"You’d better." She rose onto her toes and kissed me. "Or I’ll find a way to drag you back myself."

"Noted."

She stepped back, pulling the coat tighter around herself. Her gaze shifted to Reina. "You’re going with him."

"I am."

Faye laughed, looking back at me. "You know, with how tight your schedule is and how often you go on trips, it almost makes me wish I’d fallen in love with a more normal noble."

"Do you regret it? Choosing me?"

"Of course not." Her smile softened. "But you’re definitely the most skilled person I know at making me worry. And that’s saying something, considering my parents’ idiotic business ventures."

"I’ll come back. I promise."

It wasn’t a lie. I wouldn’t be fighting on the frontlines. My job was simple: draw the beasts toward our aircraft, keep their attention on us, and buy Anastasia and Rerick enough time to recuperate.

Meanwhile, the other aircraft, the ones carrying actual fighters, would hunt for Edward and bring him home.

No need to show off my skill. No risk of looking incompetent. It was the best middle ground I could hope for.

And maybe after this, I’ll actually start studying about politics and leading once my schedule is cleared. Allowing me to finally start acting like a duke and not pretending to be one.

I still had my learning boost ability from before, after all. I could rely on that.

Faye’s hand lingered on my chest for a moment longer, then dropped.

"When do you leave?"

"Within the hour." I glanced at the aircraft. The last of the supply crates were being secured, soldiers climbing aboard in disciplined lines. "The situation at Ravenhold can’t wait."

Faye nodded slowly. She looked at Reina again, and something passed between them, not quite understanding, but close. An acknowledgment.

"Keep him alive," Faye said.

Reina’s tail curled. "That’s the plan."

Faye turned and walked back toward the estate without another word. Her shoulders were straight, her stride measured. She was holding herself together, but I could see the tension in her spine, the way her hands had curled into fists inside the pockets of my coat.

I watched her go until she disappeared through the main doors.

"She’s stronger than she looks," Reina murmured.

"She’s stronger than she knows."

"Maybe." Reina’s tail brushed my leg again. "But she’s scared. I could smell it on her."

"So am I."

Reina looked at me, surprised.

"I’m not immune to fear, Reina. I just don’t let it stop me."

The loading crews were finishing up. A lieutenant jogged over, saluted, and reported that all supplies and personnel were aboard.

"Your Grace," he said, "the aircraft are ready for departure. We’ve received word from Ravenhold. Anastasia reports the line is holding, but casualties are mounting. They need reinforcements as soon as possible."

"Then we don’t wait." I started toward the lead aircraft. "Let’s move."

Reina fell into step beside me. "You’re really doing this."

"I am."

"No grand speech? No dramatic farewell?"

I glanced at her. "Would you like one?"

She considered this as we climbed the ramp into the aircraft’s cargo bay. The interior was utilitarian, rows of jump seats bolted to the floor, crates of ammunition secured against the walls. Soldiers looked up as we entered, their eyes widening when they saw me.

"Your Grace!" They scrambled to their feet, snapping to attention.

"At ease." I waved them back down. "Save your energy for Ravenhold."

They settled back into their seats, but their eyes kept darting to me. To Reina. To the horns curving back from her temples.

Reina ignored them with practiced ease, settling onto one of the jump seats and stretching her legs out. Her tail curled around her ankle.

"I’ve never flown before," she said.

"You’re in for a treat."

The engines rumbled to life, a deep vibration that shook through the floor. Through the small windows, I could see the ground crew scrambling clear, the estate shrinking as the aircraft lifted.

"Cassian." Reina’s voice was quieter now, meant only for me. "When we get to Ravenhold. When we’re out there, acting as bait... what’s the plan?"

"Draw their attention. Keep them focused on us. Don’t die."