Matthew
Iknew Lachlan was here as soon as we heard the booming echo of the wards falling. I could not explain how I knew, but some kind of otherworldly chill sent a smattering of tingles down my spine. It had refused to leave, and now I was much more on edge than before. While a small part of me assumed he would have stayed behind and let his men do his dirty work, I knew he would not miss his chance to fight his son's head on.
There’d been no word from the battalion we had left behind, and we were coming up on nearly an hour since Luka and I arrived back at the palace. I feared they’d been killed, and the thought of Trystan bleeding out alone sickened me to my core.
Eva came running in moments later, rushing to the window at my side. The Horde had grown in number, their dark presence dominating the fields where they awaited their orders.
Now that the wards were down, Lachlan wouldn’t be stupid enough to only allow his men to rush the eastern side. Obviously, it was where they would begin their assault, but he would soon order others to work toward the palace and hit the north and south walls until we were surrounded.
But Eva had already thought ahead, and I saw the glimmer of silver armor against the sunlight as our soldiers moved into their locations on both points.
I would have kissed her right then and there if the situation hadn’t been so dire.
She took a deep breath beside me, blowing out quickly. “I have to go down there,” she said, turning toward the door.
“What do you think you are doing?” I asked, gripping her arm and jerking her back toward me. “You aren’t stepping foot out on the city streets yet, and you sure as fuck weren’t going to get away without so much as a discussion.” My grip loosened, and I raised my hand to cup her cheek. She leaned into my warmth, closing her eyes. “We will go out together.”
She nodded, slowly bringing her eyes up to meet mine. They were filled with questions about our future and our possibilities of survival, but I had no answer to give her.
“I will defend you and Helia with my life,” I said softly. “You and your people will walk away, no matter the cost.”
Eva’s brows furrowed, that tiny little crease between them becoming more pronounced. “The cost fucking matters, Matthew.”
“It does not. What’s important is you and the good you will do in this world.”
She jabbed her finger into my chest, taking me by surprise. “It matters to me,” she said sharply, each word punctuated with each strike. “Because if I lose you, there will be no going back. If I lose you, I will lose myself to the darkness to get you back.” She reached up, gripped my head, and pulled me forward. “There is no future without you—I do not want one—so we will both walk away today because there is no other choice.”
The air filled with the smell of smoke, but not from the war raging outside. Instead, Eva’s body began to burn with her anger, soft flames licking her skin and clothes, but they did not burn as expected.
I stepped back, watching how it traveled along her arms and legs. Wherever they touched, amber armor formed around her body like a second skin. It glistened in the light like a living entity, swirls of colors mixing around like oil and water.
Her eyes grew wide as she watched, lifting an arm to admire the gleaming metal and I couldn’t tear my gaze away. It was mesmerizing.
“Beautiful,” I whispered. “Absolutely beautiful.”
The door burst open, and I rushed to push Eva behind me before I realized it was Renai. Her forehead was damp with sweat, and her chest heaved as she fought to catch her breath.
“They’re here,” she choked out between labored breaths. Eva and I both nodded. “Am I still assisting in the courtyard?”
I looked toward Eva, deferring to her. My mate stepped forward, clasping Renai’s hand in her own. “Stay outside the gates, just beyond the courtyard. Men, women, and children will need a sense of calm amidst this storm. You can provide it, while also ensuring they remain protected against any enemies who slip through the cracks.”
Renai nodded, and I knew Eva’s words had bolstered her spirit. She had always been passionate about helping those who could not help themselves. No harm would come to anyone if my friend could help it.
“Where will you be?” Renai asked us.
Eva turned to me, an eyebrow rising. “We are going down to the eastern side of the city to greet an old foe,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest. “It’s time to put my father in the grave once and for all.”
* * *
Kalenand I walked behind Eva as we descended the palace stairs. A small side gate led past the commotion in the grand foyer, which would allow us to slip out undetected.
I had already been dressed for war before the wards fell. Weeks ago, I had approached Alric and asked him if I could be fitted with Helian armor. The pride in his eyes was one I had only dreamed of seeing from my father when I was a child. But, unfortunately, those dreams had long been squandered.
But instead of gifting me the attire of every other high-ranking sentry, the former king had something new crafted.
The armor was the color of a midnight sky, the navy absorbing all the color in the room. It was designed to be the opposite of everyone else’s for a reason. He’d noted how my shadows clung to darkness and had the armor fashioned to blend in with them. The silver would have been harder to conceal, more revealing, and I was more than honored at his thought behind the creation.
“Ready to see how many men we can kill? I reckon I’ll get more than you will,” Kalen jested, nudging me in the shoulder.
