“Now, I know you all adored my late husband and king and that some of you believe in the false claim that the treasonous Lukas Salvinae declared regarding the proper ascension of the throne. I am here to put an end to your blind allegiance to her because of some statement screamed by a traitorous guard. Where is Elianna Solus now? Do any of you see her among you?”
The crowd’s occupants turned from side to side, looking at one another as if they were attempting to search for her within the masses.
“No, and you will not. Would you like to know why? Because she has turned her back on the Kingdom of Velyra. She turned her back on the crown and the family of the king that she declared to love so much…all so she could build up the armies of our own enemy. And what did she do with this army? She murdered your heir and rightful king! Kai Valderre’s life was brutally taken by her in cold blood.Your prince and future king, dead! All because she believes she has laid claim to the throne. A bastard daughter. An unwanted burden of your late king.”
Shouts of agreement rang out all around, and my eyes flashed back down to the princess, whose neck was straining as if she was internally screaming, begging for the words to come out of her.
I swallowed thickly at the sight, remembering what it felt like to be caught under the witch’s talons.
“Yes, you heard me correctly. Elianna Solus now leads an army of mortals straight to our city. My own daughter,”—the queen turned and pointed to the princess—“barely escaped with her life as she came back to warn us of Elianna’s treachery and can still barely speak of the acts she has witnessed. My Finnian is still a prisoner to the mortals. Only the gods know what is happening to my only living son.”
My eyes remained on Avery as her stare of burning hatred bore into the back of the queen’s head.
“Now, I know you have not always had a love for me as you had for Jameson. You fear the company I keep and the wyvern that soars above the city, but these are all for your protection. Every choice made by your queen has been in your best interest.”
I smirked to myself, knowing damn well that these were strictly to incite obedience—it had nothing to do with protection.
“The lords of Velyra have graciously sent us their soldiers to protect their realm’s capital and its citizens. They will beled by your fearless captain, Kellan Adler, and we will put an end to the treasonous usurper once and for all!”
Cheering roars of agreement came, but echoing from the outskirts of the crowd—from the soldiers she spoke of. Not a single cheer came from the masses of citizens, who still looked mortified at everything occurring before their eyes.
The queen held up a hand to silence the troops. “The streets may be quiet and empty now, but soon they will be filled with the clashing of steel. Remember who brought it to you when that day arrives. Consider who tried to protect you and who brought blood and flame to our gates.”
The queen lifted her stare to me and gave me a nod, signaling our show of power.
I dug my boot into the wyvern’s side and willed it to launch into the air. With a deafening screech and a crouch from its powerful legs, the beast shot up into the sky, soaring over the crowd below as they ducked and tried to run for cover.
I peered down as we circled Isla from above and watched as the civilians dispersed and were ordered back to their homes. Azenna then grabbed the arms of the royals and pulled them through a rift she had conjured to return to the castle.
Chapter sixty-three
Elianna
Our days given forpreparation were over, and it was now time to storm Velyra’s capital and end Idina’s reign over the realm once and for all.
I stood in front of the vast window of the war chamber that overlooked Alaia’s great city. My eyes wandered over each building, civilian, and alleyway in sight. My mind raced, realizing that this could be the last time I saw this beautiful sanctuary that Jace had helped build. There was a large chance that many of us would never see it again, and it left a gaping wound in my heart.
Walking up to the center table, I picked my dagger up from where it sat. I admired the way the early morning sunlight glistened off the obsidian blade. A small smile formed as my gaze moved to the wyvern wings adorning its hilt and the antler carving of Nyra.
I thought of everything it represented and how this blade was the true beginning of the rebellion. How my father gifted it to me as a surprise when he declared he wished to have named me his heir.
This blade protected me from Kellan’s crew on his ship, opening my eyes to the male he truly was and would alwaysbe. It had then been taken from me and used against Jace before being shattered. The scream that tore from my throat when I witnessed Kellan's attempt to kill him will forever haunt my mind, as will the heartbreaking sight of it being destroyed. But much like myself, the blade rose from the ashes of what it had been dealt—and I had my mate to thank for that.
My fingers tightened around the hilt, fueled by the burning desire to exact vengeance on the usurpers who had ravaged my kingdom, stolen my crown, and mercilessly ended the lives of my parents, Lukas, and countless others.
I strapped the last of my weapons to my leathers and blew out a breath as the door to the chamber opened. Turning to the doorway, I came face-to-face with my mate, who wore his full suit of armor—a sword strapped on each of his sides, daggers hidden beneath metal flaps, and the commander’s helmet held in his hand.
Our eyes were locked on each other as love radiated down the bond, bringing me a sense of comfort.
He placed his helmet on the stone table and took my face in his hands, pressing his lips to mine.
When our eyes met once more, he spoke. “We’re ready for you, my Lia.”
I opened my mouth to speak but couldn’t find the words—consumed by the fear of what lay ahead.
As we planned, Veli, Empri, and Madalae would open the rift directly beyond the Islan gates. Jace would lead our armies through the portal on the ground while Nox and I took to the skies. Zaela, Gage, Leon, and Landon were the pointed leaders of designated battalions. And then, onceeveryone was on the other side of the rift, the witches would join us in our fight.
My plan was to try to convince Idina to surrender before the battle, but I knew she would never yield—it didn’t matter, though, Ihadto try. If only to convince myself I did absolutely everything possible to avoid bloodshed. So, once the fighting ensued, my task was to find Avery and get her to safety before returning to the battlefield to join my mate, court, and kingdom in one last fight for freedom.
