I stiffened.
“Something’s happening,” Caelen said, turning toward the door. His voice was clipped. Alert.
“We have to go.”
Chapter 15
Elira
Caelen and I emerged into chaos.
Soldiers ran past us, heading toward the front of the castle. Orders were being shouted from multiple directions, and the sharp clatter of armour echoed across the courtyard.
We were both filthy—smudged with soot and ash, torn fabric and sweat.
I didn’t care. I spotted Phoenix near the steps, speaking with a captain.
I made my way toward him, my pulse still thudding from everything I’d just seen.
He turned at the sound of my footsteps—and froze.
His eyes flicked from me to Caelen. Then back again.
“Where have you been?” he asked, voice tight.
“We were just… exploring,” I said, trying to sound casual, but I already knew it didn’t land.
“Exploring what, exactly?” Phoenix’s voice sharpened.
“Phoenix—” I began, a warning. “What the hell is happening?”
He blinked, just once, before forcing his voice back into something controlled.
“The garrison’s been attacked. We’re mobilizing a force right now.”
My heart dropped.
“How bad is it?”
Phoenix hesitated. Just for a second.
Then: “Bad enough that Queen Syrena is preparing to evacuate the northern families. We’ve lost contact with two scout patrols and the main gate at Frostwatch is under siege.”
Behind him, Leo appeared, striding fast and grim, his shirt blood-smeared, his knuckles raw.
He paused when he saw me—sawus—and his jaw tightened.
Great. One more set of eyes reading this wrong.
Phoenix’s tone dropped low. “We’ll talk later.”
“Can’t wait,” I muttered.
The Queen appeared at the front of the gathering crowd, her presence immediate, commanding. She raised one hand.
The chaos stilled.
“It’s true,” she said, her voice calm but carrying. “The Veilguard garrison at Frostwatch is under attack by Vael’s men. We need volunteers to help bring it under control.”
