I sigh as I shut the door behind me.

All I want to do is crawl into bed.

Going to check on Larcen hadn't eased my worries.

In a way I'm relieved that we go to battle tomorrow.

I don't think any of us can handle more waiting.

"Sonia."

I only barely stop myself from jumping at that voice.

"Helena, I thought you were sleeping."

I didn't expect her to wake up so soon.

"I woke up."

Obviously.

A glint of light draws my attention to the necklace dangling from her hand.

She follows my gaze and smiles bitterly.

Then she lifts it towards me in offering.

"What..?"

"Take it."

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Her eyes are still fixed on the pendant swinging in a lazy arc between us.

I push down the urge to snatch it.

"Why? It's yours..."

Father gave her that necklace when she first came to stay with us.

I tried to steal it once in a fit of jealousy.

I can still remember his disappointed look when he realised what I did.

He made me give it back and apologise, of course.

Still, she's guarded it fiercely since then.

"I won't need it anymore."

There's something almost wistful in her voice as she says it.

It's unsettling.

"Helena?"

"Please."

She looks so young.

I'm still not sure if I'm doing the right thing as I lift my hand to take the necklace from her.

She allows it to pool in my hand but doesn't let go.

She smiles serenely.

"Thank you."

Then she looks at me with a hard expression.

"If you see the King don't show him mercy. He won't offer it to you."

With that she lets go.

Any response I would have given was drowned out by the sudden tidal wave of emotion that threatened to drag me under.

When I recover, she's already gone.