“What if we could get some of the Blood Court soldiers to side with us?”
“You can’t be serious!” Luce threw her hands in the air dramatically.
“How would we even do that?” Nico pressed, curiosity lining his voice.
“Once we get closer to their camp, we could sneak in,talk to the ones you know—the ones you think might switch sides—who might be easily persuaded.” I paced as I spoke, the idea coming clearer and clearer in my mind.
“They could turn on us in battle,” Declan countered.
“Or they could turn on the Blood Court.” Lennox smiled.
“This idea is mad.” Luce shook her head.
“But it’s mad enough it might be fucking brilliant.” Lennox’s face lit up. “How many do you think could be persuaded? Would it be worth the risk?”
“Dec? You trained them…”
He sighed, his brows furrowing. “Many of them might be loyal to me if I asked. I might have been a hard ass in my training, but they respected me. And you know who they didn’t respect?—”
“Lorenzo,” I finished for him.
“Exactly. Any time Lorenzo showed up in the barracks or at training, many of the soldiers made it well-known how much they disliked him. He’d always tried to offer them tips, but you know Lorenzo, he was in no position to be offering fighting tips. I heard them talking about him behind my back more than once. I have no doubt a large chunk of them might join us, even only for the opportunity to oppose Lorenzo.”
“I think we should do it.” Lennox sat in one of the chairs around the table, her eyes scanning over the map in the center. “It’s worth a shot anyway.”
“Is there anyone you trust enough to send a letter feeling them out?” I asked.
Declan was quiet as he thought. “There is one I trust, but I still don’t think we should send a letter with any kind of information.” His wings rustled. “But I could ask him to meet me. Explain in person, I’d feel much better about that.”
“How soon can you go?” Lennox asked eagerly.
“For fucks sake, you want to do it now, don’t you.”
Lennox smiled coyly. “I don’t see why not. We’re at the beginning of a war, I have no intention of dragging this on any longer than necessary.”
“Can I at least have the night to think about it? This isn’t something we shouldn’t rush into.”
Lennox sighed. “Fine. But I want your decision by noon tomorrow.”
Declan dipped his chin. “Anything else,Your Majesty?” he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Lennox’s eyes sparked. “Well well well, it looks like I’ve finally tore through Declan’s defenses.”
I leaned back in my chair, trying to hide my smile.
“Did you know this side of him existed?”
I chuckled. “Yes, I just never thought you’d see it so soon.”
“Sassy, Declan. I love it. I want to see more.” She shoved him in the leg with her elbow. “Got any more to give?”
“Stop,” he grit out, crossing his arms over his chest.
“C’mon, Dec. Give us a little smile,” Nico cooed.
“Stop,” he repeated.
“C’mon, Declan,” Luce and Kara cooed in unison.
