I wasn't sure what to expect, but it certainly wasn't a massive estate, with sprawling land that extended far beyond the structure in every direction.
My brow raised slightly and Zaela caught it from where she walked at my side. “My father commanded the armies, Lia. We weren’t raised in a hut.”
I chuckled softly. “I just wasn’t sure what to expect, but it certainly wasn’t an estate that could fit all of us.”
She walked ahead slightly and then turned around, walking backward as she faced me. “Well, I managed to squeeze us all into my townhouse, didn’t I? My mother has empty nest syndrome for a reason,” she said with a wink, as she turned to face forward once more and caught up with her mother at the front.
Nyra trotted at my side, and I reached down to scratch her ears as we moved up the gray cobblestone walkway and through the wrought-iron gates that marked the entrance.
The Cadoria Estate stretched over acres of rolling hills, surrounded by towering ancient oak trees, creating a natural barrier. The manor itself was stunning, adorned with vines of ivy that climbed the walls, reminding me of the wisteria vines at Castle Isla.
Lynelle opened the front door and guided us into the open foyer, where a staircase rested in its center, with a dining room on its left, and a living space on its right.
“Your home is lovely, Lynelle,” I said.
“Thank you, Lia. Now there are plenty of bedrooms upstairs, although I’m sure Zaela will retreat to her old room.” She turned to Jace. “You, of course, can move wherever you wish to, nephew. Your mother’s homeremains untouched.” She gave him a soft, sympathetic smile.
He nodded and gripped my hand, pulling me toward the dining room. “Unfortunately, we don’t have time, Aunt Lynelle. We will make our way there as soon as possible.”
“Of course, I will go make you all a nice, hot meal.” She swiftly made her way down the hall.
The silence was deafening as we all funneled around the room to sit at the dining room table. The tension continued to grow as we settled, and I stared down at my hands as they rested atop the aged wood. Nerves took over me as I picked at the edges of my thumbs, desperately searching for words that I owed them—a plan.
A plan that we all needed in this moment that would carry us through to the end of this century-long war.
I nicked the edge of my thumb too hard, and blood pooled where my nail met its bed. I let out an involuntary hiss.
Jace’s hand was instantly placed atop my own as he sat beside me, lacing his fingers with mine. My eyes remained on our now interlocking hands, but I felt everyone else’s stares as they bore into me.
I slowly lifted my gaze to the seven pairs of eyes that searched my own for answers.
I blew out a breath. “Did you think we would make it this far a month ago?”
The room instantly felt lighter as the corners of their lips graced their faces with knowing smiles.
“We now need to strategize our next move and devise a plan to dethrone the queen,” I said. “We have no way of knowing where Kellan and Callius are, or if they havealready made it back to Isla. To ensure readiness, we must anticipate the worst—and right now, it is that they have made it back to Castle Isla, and the queen is aware that her son is dead.”
Zaela gave a curt nod. “First, we must start with getting an estimated count of warriors on our side.”
“I have an idea of what to expect, but Leon will be able to confirm a more accurate number of how many have been training and cleared on this side of the peaks since our last visit,” Jace said. “We should have the numbers.”
“And I have a wyvern.” I gave him a wink.
“We need the logistics of where the war will come to a close. Where and how far do we plan to make our soldiers travel? The majority of us are mortal, after all. Our men would be worn out faster by a journey across the continent than by a battle alone, leaving us weak and disheveled upon arrival. We must be smart about this,” Zaela interjected.
My jaw locked. “I don’t want the queen’s army anywhere near this side of the Sylis Forest ever again. We get as close to Isla as possible.”
“Well, if we’re moving on foot, we will need to take it slow to avoid exhaustion,” Gage chimed in.
“We are running out of time. And the slower we go, the more of a chance they have at closing in on us once again. We can’t afford to take it slow,” I countered.
“Lia, you have never fought alongside an army of men aside from the Battle of Ellecaster. Humans are different from fae,” Zaela stated.
“She knows that, Zae,” Jace growled.
“Well, she isn’t acting like it,” she retorted without removing her stare from me. “Our men are now your men. Don’t doom them because of impatience.”
I was silent for a few moments, taking in her words. “You’re right, and I’m sorry. How many ships do you have here?”
