All this time…the humans had been completely innocent. Jace hadn’t even known about velaeno berries whenwe were lost in the forest—he even wondered how information could have become lost to humans over the years. I should’ve known then.
His animalistic ears pointed backward as a scowl worked its way up his face. “Do not blame us for protecting our herd against a threat and for your kind’s lack of investigation against the deaths of their own people.”
My teeth were clenched so hard I thought they would crack as my eyes bore into his. “The queen has my sister. She holds my people hostage in the city she occupies, and she stole my throne. I’m asking for your aid in a war you accidentally began. More innocents will die. Who is to say that Idina will stop there and not raid the forest next? Without a Valderre on the throne, you know very well that the realm, as we know it, will cease to exist. It is against Mother Goddess Terra’s wishes. The Valderres are her only true heirs—Iam her true heir.”
His eyes roamed over me, but he said nothing. It was then I knew I would never get through to him.
“My army will be in Isla in four days’ time to fight for what is right. They are fighting to reclaim their lives against the evil that has sunken its claws into the crown by murdering their way there. Bruhn, I’m not demanding you assist in eliminating a race. I’m asking you to do what is right.”
The creaking sound of shifting bows filled the forest air as the centaurs all lowered their weapons.
I huffed at them as the entire herd’s stares were fixated on me.
Bruhn’s gaze continued to roam over me multiple times as I stood beneath him and his colossal form. “Goodbye, Elianna Valderre,” he dismissed me and then turned away in a gallop, his herd moving to follow his lead.
I remained at the edge of their deserted camp in defeat until the sounds of their hooves faded away, and then I willed myself back to my body.
Chapter sixty
Veli
Elianna let out agasp for breath as she returned to her physical body. Her arms flew out as if reaching for something until they met the stone table.
“Lia, Lia!” Jace boomed. “It’s okay, you’re back. You’re alright.”
Zaela’s eyes kept flashing back and forth to Elianna and myself, as if I had any answers for her.
Once Elianna finally caught her breath, she looked around the room at each of us, a sadness in her eyes that told me all I needed to know—her last resort for allies had refused.
“What happened?” her mate asked in a whisper.
Her deep breaths caught my attention, and I raised a brow.
“They will not be fighting for us in the war,” she stated, and everyone's shoulders sagged in defeat. “But I did learn something of value.”
“And what might that be?” I asked.
Elianna had been unraveling at the seams for some time now, and this certainly wouldn’t help on top of losing Avery. I knew centaurs were the most stubborn of creatures,but even I had hoped they would prove me wrong—and Iloathedbeing wrong.
She told us everything the leader of the herd said about how they had ventured beyond the Sylis Foret over a century ago and murdered the queen’s father and brother.
My eyes flared at what she had uncovered—these moronic half-horse beasts started a war they had no intention of fighting in. I had half a thought to break into their minds and force them to finish what they accidentally began, but that would go against everything I stood for.
Jace placed his head in his hands as his elbows rested on the table. “I can’t believe this.”
“I know,” Elianna whispered.
“And they won’t even help us end what they started,” Gage growled.
“It appears that way,” she answered.
“Can this information be used in any way for us? Could we use this against that bitch queen by letting the realm know she started all of this on false accusations? Fae have died, not just humans. Your people will be upset that they have lost family members for her failed revenge,” Zaela stated.
I truly liked this blonde girl. Quite a bit.
“I’m not sure that we have the time, but if we could somehow get this information to them, it could cause a revolt in the city,” Elianna said.
“What about that witch whispering spell? Could we try that again?” Gage asked.
