Warrior Everlasting by Wendy Knight

born and raised in Paradesos. Our huts were only steps away from one another’s. I loved that boy from the day I was old enough to realize I had a heartbeat. It beat for him.”
    The story sounded remarkably familiar to Scout and Trey’s. Scout clutched at her heart, where it felt like it was crumbling in her chest, and, with monumental effort, she focused on Aella.
    “We grew. We trained together. We found every opportunity to be together. Our dearest friends were Ariston and Eleni.”
    Ah, the girl who caused this centuries’ long war had a name. Eleni. Scout leaned forward, waiting for the rest of the story.
    “We planned to wed. It would have been a grand reception.” Aella smiled sadly. “Ariston was a Corste rider. Eleni fought with us on the Irwarros, and in one battle, the Taraxippus tore her soul. She grew weak. And then sick. And Ariston grew desperate to save her. We all looked for a cure. The Leerhas could not heal her. There was nothing to be done.”
    “But Ariston found a way,” Scout whispered.
    Aella nodded, eyes searching Scout’s face. “He somehow made a deal with the Taraxippus master. The creature was dying. Only the horn of a unicorn would heal him. If he died, the Taraxippus died as well. An entire world’s lifetime of fighting would be done. But Ariston could not see reason. Only the master could fix Eleni’s soul and make her well, so Ariston agreed to trade the horn if the master would heal his beloved.” Aella’s voice became mechanical, lifeless, like she’d relived this memory so many times that it was a mere nightmare now. “He lured his unicorn away from the others and killed him. He cut off his horn and tried to leave Paradesos. But Iros saw the rest of the Corstes fall. He and Havik attacked Ariston and took the horn, using it to pull Ariston’s soul and keep it in Paradesos, away from his body. Then they threw him from Paradesos.”
    Scout didn’t know what to say. What did one say after a story like that? But Aella wasn’t finished. “Iros was inconsolable. He loved his brother so much. The betrayal was more than he could bare, and the fact that he’d had to take his own brother’s soul nearly killed him. He still fought in our battles, but with only half a heart.”
    She looked down, and Scout could see translucent tears tracing their way down her cheek.
    “I tried to make up for Iros. But I could not. I was not strong enough. I didn’t see Ariston’s trap until it was too late.”
    “And he’s kept you here ever since? Tormenting you with half-true visions of Iros?”
    Aella nodded.
    “I wish I could kill him.” Scout growled, her fingers clenching into not-very-menacing fists.
    “Don’t let bitterness rule your heart, Scout. Ariston pays for his sins. He is tormented by pain.”
    Yeah, well. I’d like to torment him with a little more pain. She didn’t say that aloud though. Instead she said, “Why doesn’t he lock me up like he does you?”
    “Perhaps he knows these cages couldn’t hold you.”
    If Scout didn’t know better, she’d think Aella was grinning mischievously. It was unexpected from the soul’s somber countenance.
    “Well, if I could figure out how to break them, I’d set you all free.”
    “If you set us all free, the Taraxippus would feast. It is safe in our cages until there is a better way to escape.”
    “Oh. Right. Good point.” That was what Ashra had said, too. Stupid, Scout.
    “Sleep, Scout. Rest while you can.”
    Scout’s stomach growled, loud and angry. She hadn’t eaten for over twenty-four hours.
    “I didn’t think about feeding you.”
    Ariston’s voice nearly caused her to jump out of her skin. She spun, tangled in her blankets, to see him standing right behind her.
    “Awesome. You’re supposed to feed the dancers, Ariston. Otherwise they can’t dance.”
    “I can purify your food the same way your unicorns can.” He tapped his chin, glancing around the room like he thought perhaps the food would present