“I don’t have a count. But I estimate half.”
“It’s not your fault, Casimir,” Jorrar said, knowing exactly where his mind had gone. “We couldn’t remain that close to Frosthaven. Besides, we wouldn’t have been able to provide care with no shelter.”
Casimir nodded. Though he knew Jorrar was right, every death plagued him. He was responsible for the safety of his army, and he’d failed them. They had lost too many.
The camp was set up swiftly, a large fire roaring against part of the makeshift wall near the healers’ quarters. The leaders gathered around the flames, faces gaunt with exhaustion, huddled together for extra warmth as they ate their dinner.
“What’s our next step?” Raine asked, waving his spoon. “Now that this damned weather has delayed us?”
“We move out as soon as our injured are stable. We can’t remain in the cold for long,” Casimir answered.
“Our forces will be exhausted by the time we arrive at our capital,” Thalia said. “We’ve already pushed them hard.”
Maeryn stared into the flames, clutching her bowl. “Once we are a few miles away, we will make camp again to recover. We shall keep an eye on the daemons’ movements until we’re ready to move out.”
“And then?” Ava asked.
Aelerion’s orange eyes filled with determination. “And then we take back our home.”
14
Ava couldn’t take her eyes off the white plumes now visible in the distance as they closed in on Igneothenia, the snowy weather of Frosthaven’s territory left behind. Hardened lava flows covered the ground, the igneous rock an ebony contrast against tiny green plants growing from the cracks.
“We’ll be in the territory of Igneothenia within the hour!” Casimir announced from behind her as they rode Aro. “Stay alert and remember our plan!”
Maeryn stayed beside them on her horse, taking charge with Casimir, joined by Saxumdale’s general on a gray and white horse while Aelerion and Thalia remained at the front with Astrid.
“Are you nervous?” Casimir asked.
“A little.”
“Only a little?”
“Okay, that was a lie. I’m terrified.”
Casimir squeezed her thigh. “Being scared is a part of war. Just don’t let it consume you.”
“And what about you? Are you scared?”
“Of course I am. Everyone is. But we must put that aside to focus on the task at hand. There is too much at stake to allow fear to take hold.”
She leaned into him and sought the comfort he always brought, pondering over his words. She’d learned this lesson first hand. With the Elderoak journey; when she faced Andras in Oakshire; when she almost gave into her panic before she killed Vazgeth.
And though she had thrown herself into the previous battle without a second thought, the build up for what was to come had her stomach in knots. Reclaiming an entire city would be different than being ambushed. It would take planning and strategy.
And Ava would be at the front lines, using her portal abilities to aid in infiltrating the capital.
They continued through the rocky terrain, the heat growing more intense with every step. It was time to say goodbye to their companions, the environment much too harsh for them to come along. They’d be waiting in a nearby forest while the fae continued their campaign.
Ava climbed off the giant bear, gave him a kiss on the head, then scratched behind Luna’s ears before the cat bounded to the trees, joining Aro and the others.
Maeryn halted the company and turned to address their army. “Now’s the time to drink your potion. We are about to cross the border. The heat will get worse. The potion will keep you from death, but you won’t be comfortable. It shouldn't be long before we stop to set up camp.”
Ava pulled the concoction from her pocket and uncorked the vial, tilting the bright orange liquid into her mouth. She swallowed, wincing at the burn, and coughed, her throat raw.
They continued over the coal-black ground, soon stepping around small rivers of bright red-orange lava. The heat wasalmost unbearable. Ava pinched the front of her sweat-drenched tunic, attempting to fan herself.
“Have you ever been here?” she asked.
