My eyes drifted over to Zae as she sat next to Veli, and to my surprise, her stare softened at the witch’s confession.
“But you can call these witches to a formal meeting?” Jace interjected.
Veli snarled. “I can. But I will do no such thing.”
Avery crossed her arms and glared at her beneath furrowed brows. “Interesting to see you fear something,sorceress.”
“Watch it,” she snapped, lifting a taloned nail in her direction. “You once again forget your place, Avery.”
“Her place is directly at my side,” I said sternly. “And there it shall remain. She isn’t speaking anything that the rest of us aren’t thinking. You fear your coven, Veli. That much is clear and laid bare now.”
Veli leaned back in her chair, causing the front legs to lift from the floor. Her eyes roamed over me lazily, as if assessing me. “You arm yourself with mortals and inexperienced rulers, thinking you will win the great century-old war. I have pegged you for many things, Elianna, but a fool had never been one of them—until now.”
The sternness of my face faltered. “I have armed myself with awyvern.”
“You have obtained apet,” she spat back. “Yes, it wields flame in its breath, but to what end? As time has proven, the wyvern’s fire cannot be solely depended upon. Be smarter.”
“I’mtrying!” I bellowed across the table, breath heaving.
The air in the room was thick with tension. Everyone’s gazes averted from the two of us as we stared down our noses at one another from across the table.
Veli’s stare shifted to Jace. “And you follow your mate to no end. A commander in his own right, taking the knee to his enemy queen—leading his people to slaughter as if they’re cattle.”
My lips curled into a snarl.
Jace silently placed his elbows on the table, lacing his fingers together as he leaned closer to Veli. “Please continue to speak as if you know me, witch.” Veli’s intense stare didn’t falter. “For you are correct, Iwillfollow my mate to no end. Do you wish to know why?”
When Veli didn’t answer, he continued. “I have met no one more selfless, caring, or determined than the female that sits before you—before all of us. You see, witch, you have healed her physical wounds, but I have seen and felt what lies and aches in her beating heart—for its beats echo into my own.” He tapped his chest softly with a fist as his eyes remained on her.
My breath caught, and my eyes wandered around the room. Everyone remained silent, watching them intently. Avery's mouth popped open in surprise as she listenedto Jace, and when she made eye contact with me, her soft smile conveyed her admiration.
“So, Miss Veli, you asked me if I will take the knee to my enemy queen and lead my people to slaughter—and the answer is absolutely not. However, what Iwillbe doing is standing at my mate's side, leadingourpeople to victory, and bringing justice to all those who have lost their lives for the false queen’s bidding. Elianna wasnevermy enemy. If you wish to name someone a fool, then it is I for initially taking so long to see that.”
His posture relaxed slightly and my hand fell to his knee, giving it a squeeze of gratitude.
Veli remained speechless in her seat.
I leaned across the table once more, my breath huffing through my nostrils as our stares met.
“You’re stating I need to be smarter. That I arm myself with false bravado, weakened bodies, and limited flame. I am trying to do right by my people, both fae and mortal alike. So, Veli, what I ask is that you cooperate andhelpme. Help us. The fate of the realm depends on it.”
“You wish to risk the wrath of some of our world’s most malevolent beings to aid you in your war?” she asked.
“You are of their blood and race. If one is benevolent, perhaps more are as well,” I challenged. “We won’t win this war without allies, and if I can offer that to our troops, then I’m willing to take the risk.”
When she didn’t answer, I continued. “Be honest. With both us and yourself. Do you see us winning this war without additional powerful allies?”
The silence of the room was deafening.
“No,” she finally answered, and while everyone else looked solemn at the word, my heart rate picked up in anticipation of what else I could sense was on the tip of her tongue.
A subtle upward tilt appeared at the corner of Veli's lips, barely noticeable. “May the gods be on our side for what I am about to show you. We will certainly need them to be.”
Chapter twenty-one
Veli
Night had fallen bythe time the argument regarding my cooperation ceased. Zaela’s mother returned to the room with a feast prepared only moments after I agreed to summon my coven to help Elianna win back her rightful throne. They accused me of fearing my witch-blooded sisters, and I loathed that they were correct—they just hadn’t a clue as to the reasoning.
