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If Leaf had less control of his decorum, he’d have flipped up his middle finger at the wolf shifter. Nova touched her fingers to her lips and pushed them down and toward the king.
“Nova’s gift amplifies clean mana,” Leaf explained. “So we can have two portals being used concurrently.”
“Great.” Jasper returned to Leaf. “But you need to know we discovered a corpse inside the sarcophagus with an inscription proving she was Mithras and Maebh’s changeling daughter.” He paused. “She was too young to have borne a child. So your plan to use this woman in Crystal City to appeal to Maebh will not work.”
“I’ll stop you right there,” Leaf said gruffly. “We don’t think Rory is her granddaughter. She’s her daughter from the old world. Nero is Nova’s twin. That’s how we found out.”
“You didn’t tell us?”
“We wanted first to get a message to Crystal City or Maebh. We failed. The battle is on at this point, so her identity likely makes no difference unless Maebh agrees to a parley.”
Jasper wanted to say more, but Leaf didn’t give him the opportunity. The first unit of Helianthus soldiers arrived, and he directed them through the second portal.
“I’ll wait here for ten minutes,” Leaf said to Jasper. “Then I’m holding the portal from the other side. If we’re attacked, I must close the portals and join the fight.”
“Fuck.” Jasper turned his horse and galloped away, riding along the marching army and barking orders for them not to dally. Some soldiers were airborne, but most were on horse or foot.
The Seelie had fewer winged shifters than the Unseelie, but if this battle raged for days or weeks, then the Seelie would have an advantage. Leaf glanced up at the moon. Midnight wasn’t far off. That Maebh made her play now—when the night was half over—likely meant she expected an easy massacre, and the battle would be done before dawn.
Leaf didn’t like the unease in his gut. Surely, Maebh wouldn’t be such a fool to believe they’d go down that easily.
Aeron stared at Leaf for a long, hard moment, then at Nova. Thoughts raced in his silent gaze. He would have questions. Jasper didn’t respond to hearing Nova’s relation to Nero. He’d probably not paid attention, focusing on the fact they had little time to move an army instead. But Aeron was more astute. Leaf prayed they would remain alive long enough for him to answer Aeron’s questions. The moment the king galloped away, a youthful voice spoke up.
“So it’s true?” A gangly figure walked out from behind the closest portal. Tall, with blond shaggy hair, golden eyes, and a sense of entitlement.
“Prince Aspen,” Leaf greeted. The boy was a toddler the last Leaf had seen him. He was perhaps thirteen or so now. His ears were fur-tipped, so he likely took after his father and could shift into a wolf. He wore a defiant expression like armor. “Do your parents know you’re here? It’s not safe.”
Nova squeezed Leaf’s hand and raised her brows.
“He’s Jasper and Ada’s son,” Leaf explained.
“I asked if it’s true,” Aspen repeated, glancing at the portal with a look that made Leaf uncomfortable. “Is Maebh at the Order?”
“She’s on her way, yes. Why doesn’t anyone believe us here?”
“Dad received messages that the battle was still at Cornucopia.” His eyes widened as he looked at the portal. “If it’s true, then I should go and help.”
Leaf blocked the teen’s way and grabbed him by the scruff of his embroidered collar. He pulled him toward the glowing citadel walls.
“You must remain here,” Leaf said.
“Yes,mijo,” Nova added with much more compassion. “You’re much safer here. Your mother will be worried if she can’t find you.”
But Aspen thrashed and twisted, trying to escape Leaf’s hold. “Is Jasmine coming here?”
“Haze’s daughter is none of my concern,” Leaf replied, his tone hardening. He let go of the boy and gestured for him to go. “And we don’t have time for this. Go before I make you.”
“You can’t make me do anything.”
“Aspen? I’m Nova. I saw Jasmine only moments ago with her mother at the house. She’ll probably come through the evacuee portal.” Nova pointed to the closest one, where the steady line of people continued. “Your best bet is to find a place to see the line and wait for her.”
The prince’s gaze narrowed on Nova, then at her glowing Well-blessed markings.
“You’re like my mother,” he said with a note of pride in his tone.
“Yes,” she answered.
“And your mana can stabilize the taint?”
