CHAPTER 354: HONORABLE DISCHARGE

They stumbled into the military camp like drowned rats who’d been through a blender.

As soon as Melisa arrived, her eyes landed on her friends. And, Isabella’s hug nearly broke Melisa’s ribs.

"You absolute fucking idiot! I thought we were gonna find pieces of you scattered across the forest!"

"Nice to see you too," Melisa wheezed.

Armia checked Raven’s broken arm with gentle efficiency.

"Goodness... What happened to your arm?"

Raven wiggled her fingers slightly.

"It’s functional enough."

"That’s not what I asked, Raven," Armia replied with a wry smile. "You need healing."

Raven looked down at herself again.

"I can do it in a bit, just... give me a second," Melisa said, dry-heaving. She still wasn’t used to this much running around.

Captain Fenris strode over, taking in their mud-covered, blood-splattered appearance with professional assessment.

"Looks like the mission was a success." Fenris allowed herself a small smile. "Good work, all of you. Textbook extraction."

[If textbook extractions involve cutting off hands and nearly drowning, sure.]

"We can’t relax yet," Fenris continued. "They’ll want payback. Double the watch tonight. Sleep in shifts."

Just like that, the camp began to buzz with controlled activity. Soldiers checked weapons, reinforced perimeters, prepared for an attack that might come at any moment.

Melisa collapsed onto a log near the fire. Every muscle ached. Her head still throbbed from where Sirah had hit her with the flat side of her sword.

"Here." Someone pressed a flask into her hands. "Drink."

She took a swig and immediately regretted it. Whatever was in there burned like liquid fire going down.

"What the fuck is this?"

"Darian whiskey," the soldier said. "Took it off a dead raider last week. Figured you earned it."

[Great. Now I’m drinking dead people’s booze.]

Night fell like a thick blanket. The camp settled into watchful quiet, half the soldiers on guard while the others tried to rest.

Melisa found herself on watch with Isabella around midnight. They sat on a fallen tree at the edge of camp, eyes scanning the darkness.

"So," Isabella said, tail swishing with barely contained curiosity. "The tribe. What was it really like?"

"Violent. Brutal. Exactly what you’d expect."

"Come on, give me details! Were the warriors all muscled and sweaty? Did they walk around half-naked showing off their abs?"

Despite everything, Melisa snorted.

"Is that really what you want to know?"

"I mean, I also want to know about tactical stuff. But mostly the muscles thing."

"They were... impressive. Physically."

"How impressive? Like, on a scale of one to ’step on me mommy’?"

"Isabella!"

"What? I’m curious! You got captured by barbarian warriors. That’s like, one of my biggest fantasies!"

Melisa blinked.

[If Isabella had been the one to get kidnapped, she may not have wanted to even come back, then.]

"Their leader ’claimed’ me," Melisa said quietly.

"WHAT!?"

Melisa nodded.

"Sirah. She was..."

"Hot?"

"... Terrifying."

"Those aren’t mutually exclusive."

Melisa thought about Sirah’s hands on her body. The way she’d moved in bed, all controlled power and overwhelming presence. The piercings that had made everything more intense.

And...

"She had the biggest cock I’ve ever seen."

Isabella’s eyes went wide.

"Bigger than Armia’s?"

"A lot bigger. And pierced."

"Holy shit. How was it?"

Melisa licked her lips.

"Complicated."

"Damn." They sat in silence for a while. An owl hooted somewhere in the distance. The fire crackled and popped. "For what it’s worth," Isabella said eventually, "I’m glad you’re back. Even if you are all mopey about your barbarian ex-girlfriend."

"She wasn’t my girlfriend."

"Sure, sure. Just your captor who you had mind-blowing pierced-cock sex with. Totally different."

[Why do I tell her anything?]

---

Dawn came without incident. No darian war party. No revenge raid. Just birds singing and morning mist.

"Pack up!" Fenris ordered. "We move in twenty minutes!"

Soldiers broke down tents with efficient speed. Melisa helped where she could, trying to ignore how her hands shook from exhaustion.

A sound cut through the morning bustle. Wheels on dirt. Horses.

"Stagecoach approaching!" a scout called.

Everyone tensed. Weapons appeared in hands. But the coach that rolled into view bore Syux military colors.

It stopped near Fenris. The door opened and a uniformed officer stepped out, looking crisp and official and entirely too awake for this early in the morning.

"Captain Fenris?"

"That’s me."

"I’m here for the nim mage and her companions. As per your orders, ma’am."

"Good." Fenris nodded. "Right on time."

Melisa blinked.

"What?"

"You’re going home, Blackflame. Your friends, too." Fenris turned to address the group. "Soon as we started piecing together the plan to get you back, I called to have you picked up. After what you’ve been through, you’ve done more than enough. I arranged transport back to Syux."

"But the mission—"

"Will continue without you." Fenris’s tone was firm but not unkind. "It’s not that I don’t appreciate your assistance, but you’re no soldier. After what you went through, I have no desire to extend your time with us."

"What about the deal with the queen?" Melisa asked.

"The queen’s reasonable. I’m sure Her Majesty will understand when I explain the circumstances."

Armia stepped forward.

"Captain, we appreciate this, but we can still—"

"No." Fenris held up a hand. "You four came here to help each other, not to fight our war. You’ve done that and more. It’s time to go home."

The stagecoach door hung open, plush seats promising comfort and safety and a return to normal life.

Whatever normal meant anymore.

"Well?" the officer said. "We should depart. Long journey ahead."

Melisa looked at the camp that had been her world for such a short, intense time. At the forest where she’d left pieces of herself behind.

At Fenris, who was watching her with something that might have been concern.

"Thank you," Melisa said quietly. "For everything."

Fenris nodded.

"Take care of yourself, Blackflame. All of you."

One by one, they climbed into the coach. Isabella claimed the window seat immediately. Armia settled across from her. Raven took the corner, already closing her eyes.

The door closed with a final click. Wheels started turning. Through the window, Melisa watched the camp shrink and disappear.

[Damn... I guess we’re going home.]