“No shit, where’d you figure that?” Danny asked. “I’m with Ava. We don’t need to overthink this. Let’s put our cocks in our hands and go.”
That settled things. “How are we getting there?” Kallie asked. “There’s no way in or out of Ilamanthe except through the hole you made, and the city is being watched. If any of the Warden’s spies see us leave through it, they’ll find a way in.”
“That’s where you come in. I need you to create an illusion of the beach that projects outward, so any of the spies that are looking at it will just see a normal, empty beach. Once you do, we’ll move the army there, and slip through the hole. The illusion will conceal any movements we make. Then the Elves will create a mirror portal out of the reflective surface of the ocean, and we’ll teleport through it to the lake in Malovia,” I explained.
Kallie nodded. “Makes sense. If we’re going to do this, we need to move. Nightfall is approaching, and we have to be ready to move our army the minute it gets dark.”
People began moving to get ready for the fight. Charlie approached slowly, Oberi padding behind him.
“I can’t believe it,” he started. “Cameron gave you his power.”
“Words can be stronger weapons than swords. I just had to give Cameron what he wanted in return.”
Oberi snuggled his head into my lap, and I patted his furry ears.
Charlie shook his head. “I should’ve relied on you all along. You’re smarter than me. We could’ve come up with a better plan than the one I made. My idea got people killed and nearly ripped the empire apart.”
“That’s all in the past. We need to move forward now.” I gripped the wheels of my chair. “I need to get my throwing knives and my bow. I have to be just as prepared as everyone else is.”
“You can’t go into battle. You don’t have any magic. You’ll be a target out there,” Charlie argued.
“This was my idea. I need to lead these people into battle, and show that I believe in them, and you can’t stop me. Help me be ready for it instead.”
Charlie paused. Oberi pawed at his leg, wagging his tail.
“What’s he saying?” I hated that I had to ask.
“Oberi says he’ll keep you safe,” Charlie admitted reluctantly. “I guess if you’re coming with us, it’s the best option.”
“Of course it is.” I sighed. “I just wish I had more gear. I’m not prepared for this.”
“Princess?” Drea’s voice called from the door. I turned my attention to her. She was already in her armor and waiting to depart for battle. She approached once my eyes were on her. “The Firebirds are waiting on your command.”
“The Firebirds?” Charlie questioned.
“My private military force,” I explained, and his eyes grew wider. “I’ve been training them for months, getting them ready for war.”
“What exactly have you been doing since we split up?” Charlie asked, baffled.
“Keeping myself busy.” I looked to Drea. “I have to gather my weapons. I’m going in along with everyone else.”
Drea nodded. “If you’re to lead us into battle, you need armor. I have just the solution.”
She indicated I should follow her, and I did, Charlie and Oberi trailing behind. She led me to an armory close by, throwing open the double doors. My jaw went slack as I entered into the armory, wandering past the swords and spears to find a set of armor hanging upon the wall.
The armor was gorgeous, the metal dyed an array of silver, red, and gold. Intricate details forged into the armor created the design of burning cinders, the shoulders flared to look like the edges of flames. A long red cape flowed behind the armor, stitched with the design of a white phoenix rising to the heavens.
“This was Aponi’s armor, forged by Cassiel himself for his bride. As you are next in line to become Empress, it is rightfully yours,” Drea said. “I had a few adjustments made to symbolize your leadership as the commander of the Firebirds.”
The armor was so beautiful that it rendered me speechless. Drea helped me put the set on. It was skillfully crafted and exceptionally light. Elven armor was meant to only cover the most vulnerable parts of the body, to leave room for soldiers to move quickly. I could maneuver in the armor easily, and any spells that weren’t deadly would bounce off the metal without causing me harm. It felt as if I was wearing fire itself, a symbol of a woman emerging from the flames to bring an inferno upon her foes.
Drea stepped back, observing me with an admirable gaze. “You’ve truly come into yourself.”
My skin glowed underneath the weight of the armor. Oberi’s eyes sparkled, and I told Charlie, “Come on. We need to hurry.”
We swung by the training room. I gathered my bow and arrows, along with my throwing knives, which fit in my armor. Charlie pulled a sword with a golden hilt from one of the racks before sliding it into a sheath around his waist.
“Since when do you know how to use a sword?” I wondered. He’d wielded one before, but it wasn’t his first choice. Charlie had always been one to fight with his fists.
