“I will never be able to take back the part that I played in this war before your commander opened my eyes to the true horror of it all, but you must know that where my heart lies now and for the remainder of my existence is withyou. The innocents of it all. Both the innocent mortals and fae that have been roped into a gruesome war of power and greed.”
“We do not fight for glory graced from the gods or for unfathomable riches. The fight we wage is for the very essence of our existence, the lands that have nurtured our hopes, and the people we hold close to our hearts. We fight because we are the last line of defense against the cruel, malicious beings that usurped my throne through treason and murder.” My words were a battle cry that echoed through the sky.
My hand clenched into a fist at the mention of the queen and all she had done.
“This battle will not be easy. There will be bloodshed, and our spirits will be tested like never before. The enemymay outnumber us, but we have something that they do not—hope. The false queen rules and leads by inflicting fear on anyone beneath her. That is not who I am, nor who I will ever be. Her soldiers fight you because of her greed. Our soldiers are fighting back for theirfreedom!”
Cheers and shouts of agreement erupted down the lines, their echoes resonating through the valley.
The burning intensity in my eyes mirrored Nox’s flames. “Battles and lives have been lost over the last century, but today, you do not fight alone. We fight as one, both mortals and fae—a formidable force that will shatter the darkness lingering in the realm and ignite a new dawn for our people. A people united together as one under my reign!”
The air reverberated with the echoing roar of the assembled warriors, the clash of swords against shields filling the space with harmonious chaos. I unsheathed the sword from my hip and raised the blade high above my head as I remained balancing on Nox’s shoulder.
“Today, we march not towards death but towards the triumph of light over darkness. Now, let’s make our enemies tremble as they hear the thunder of our march and our roars for battle. For a better realm!” I screamed.
As if commanded, Nox let out a booming roar of triumph into the air. I leapt down onto my saddle and he turned to face my court, who remained behind us, smiles beaming on each of their faces.
“I love you,” I whispered down the bond as I met Jace's stare.
“Don’t whisper that as if it’s a goodbye. I will see you on the other side.” His eyes radiated concern. “I love you more than anything in this world and beyond. The realm needs its queen.”
“Remember, we don’t want to distract one another, so we must only use this in a time of true need,” I reminded him, and he nodded as his eyes remained on me.
I looked to Nox’s opposite side, where Nyra sat, and then my eyes met Lynelle’s. “Take care of her until we return?”
“Of course,” she answered while guiding my wolf off to the side of the lines. My heart ached as my stare followed her walking away, but this would be too dangerous for her.
My eyes found Jace, Gage, Zaela, and Veli as they all stood before Nox. “Remember, no fighting within the city. It must be prevented at all costs, and we will stay beyond the gates unless Jace or I state otherwise. That is essential. If Idina or Kellan don’t come to negotiate a surrender before the battle begins, I will ride Nox above the city and try to get to Avery or the queen, whichever comes first.”
The veins in Gage’s neck strained at the mention of my sister. “We will get her back.” His voice was low, with the promise of revenge evident.
I gave him a curt nod. “That I promise you.” My eyes moved to Veli. “It’s time.”
“Aye, and just in time. The sirens have arrived at their destination,” she announced to me with a wink.
Her eyes radiated their golden, fuchsia glow as a wicked grin formed, and she turned from me, facing the distant fields that awaited our army. Empri and Madalae met her on either side, the three of them interlocking their taloned fingers to further combine their power.
The twins raised their outer hands and lifted them towards the open valley, Veli’s hands bound to theirs as their grounding power.
Whispers carried on the wind, and then I heard the barely familiar words, “Odium Embulae.” A crack splintered through the realm, mimicking a bolt of lightning crashing from the sky above. In a display of immense power, the three witches worked together to create a rift large enough to accommodate an entire army, their veins and muscles visibly straining against the force of it.
I shielded my eyes from the blinding sun as the thundering stomps of hooves and armored boots echoed from behind me. A growl of anticipation rumbled from Nox’s chest as his wings shot out from his sides, readying himself.
My heart was galloping in my chest while my eyes were fixated on the power exploding before us all.
And then Isla appeared through the rift.
Chapter sixty-four
Kellan
Dawn was on thehorizon of the Vayr Sea as I inspected some of our vessels and their crews that awaited in the Islan harbor. We made sure to be prepared for the imminent arrival of Elianna's fleet, which we expected any day now.
I gazed out at the sea, the only thing I would ever truly love, and a grin formed on my face as I imagined what it would be like to finally end this pointless fucking war and make my move to sit upon the throne.
Once the battle was won, and the witches exited Isla and took what they had bargained from the queen, the opening to force my way into the crown would be vast once again. Even I couldn’t stomach the thought of sleeping with that cold-hearted cunt to get there anymore—no, I would rip the crown right from the top of her fucking head.
My eyes glazed over as I imagined it all, my fingertips brushing over the wood of the ship’s wheel.
