Lola took Russel’s words to heart. She had already burned the faces of Drake and his other wolves into her mind. She knew those would be with her forever even after they were dead and gone. But she needed more. She needed to keep the image of Gloucester burning with her as well and she needed to feel that pain, always. That was her penance. Her punishment. She knew it wasn’t her fault, not really. She hadn’t asked for this or even knew to expect it but that didn’t change the facts. They were all dead because of her. Gloucester was gone because of her. She would never see them again.

Her parents.

Her friends.

Everyone she had grown up with.

Drake had wiped them all off the face of Saven just to get to her. Nothing would ever make that right. Even killing him. Killing the others with him. They would be dead but Gloucester would still be gone too.

The pain of that knowledge stuck in her chest, making the hurt a physical pain and not just emotional. That was fine with her too. She would keep that as well. Keep it all, really. Part of her even hoped she would feel that pain for the rest of her life.

“Are you ready?” Russel asked.

She didn’t hear him at first. Her eyes continued to stare at the dwindling flames. He asked her again a second later and that time, it managed to get through. She turned to him, her tears making tracks through the grime and filth on her face.

“No,” she said, sad. “But I guess I’ll have to be.”

“I want you to come with me,” he told her, completely spur of the moment. He hadn’t even considered taking her to his kingdom, especially since his father wanted her dead too, but here he was, the words blurting out regardless of that extremely bothersome fact. “I can protect you there and no one will be stupid enough to come for you in our territory. We will also be a lot freer there and can train without fear of getting caught.”

She looked up at him, hesitation in her eyes. It was true he had saved her life and he should give him the benefit of the doubt but what if there was someone, or a lot of someones, there that wanted her dead too? Could he protect her then?

She wasn’t sure but the sad truth was, she didn’t have a whole lot of other options available to her. She had no other family. Nowhere else to go. She was all alone except for Russel and he was extending her an invitation to his kingdom so she would be safe. She’d be a fool not to take him up on that offer. Plus, it would give her more time to train with him. More time to learn how to fight so she wouldn't be weak anymore.

“Okay,” she told him. “I’ll go with you. There is nothing left for me here and you’re the only one I can trust.”

He took a step closer to her, their eyes locking again, and hugged her. She felt the strength of his arms and enjoyed the way they made her feel warm. They might not know each other, but his act of kindness and hug of comfort went a lot toward making them feel closer. With the deaths of everyone she knew, it felt a little better knowing she had him to lean on.

They stayed that way for several long seconds until finally, Russel released his hug and took a step back. His mind was constantly yelling at him and calling him a fool for offering to bring her to Oclan but his heart was showering him with praises. He told himself he didn’t care though. He was an idiot for blurting out the invitation but he also knew he would protect her.

It was the right thing to do.

He would force his father to see that and anyone else that got in his way. Or he would simply have to be strong enough to make them. For the first time, he realized training with Lola might do him some good too.

He put his pinky fingers into his mouth and let out a high-pitched whistle. Five or six minutes later, he heard the sounds of hooves hitting the ground at a full gallop.

“This way,” he said right as Serk broke through the tree line and headed over to them. “Your ride is here."