Page 107 of Maleen

I remove my helm, placing it on the bed beside her as I lean down, pressing my lips against her chilled forehead. “I love you, mother. I’m going to finish it today. I’m going to get our vengeance for what was done to our family,” I whisper against her skin, and a familiar tingle rushes down my body, like when I made the promise to Killian not to do anything reckless.

Straightening, I breathe in a shaking breath and nod to Aemon before giving my mother one last glance and leaving the room.

NERO SOARS IN the sky above me as we fly out to the base at the front lines. Nerves gather in my stomach as I debate all the decisions that led us here. Did I make the right choices?

“Calm yourself, Lost One,” Vasari murmurs. “Everything is how it should happen. We cannot change the course the Fates have laid out for us. We can only feel the moments we live in. Remember what this feels like so you can avoid this kind of thing in the future. War doesn’t do anyone any good, but sometimes it is inevitable when it comes to creatures like Craven.”

I take in her words, and she’s right. I blow out a breath, trying to force the nerves to settle. “Whatever comes of this Vasari, I’m—”

“No. We will not be doing that. We are only flying to the location. Wars can be slow to start. Just enjoy the ride and keep your mind clear, because as soon-to-be Queen, your realm is counting on you, just as the dragons are counting on me.”

She’s right. The realm needs me to see this through. Sure, I could sit on a cushy throne and hide behind the castle walls, but I’m a firm believer that leading means doing. That if I’m not willing to do something myself, why should I let others do it for me?

My grip tightens on the saddle and I let myself look around. The sun is still rising into the sky, just barely having broken over the horizon. Pink and orange fluffy clouds surround us and the air is crisp. It’s a beautiful morning, and I get to spend it flying with my family in the skies—all of us together, facing down what might be an impossible task.

It’s not long before we begin making the descent toward the earth. As soon as we break from the clouds, purple and gold tents, for as far as the eye can see, stretch in front of us, next to massive plains of green—a landscape that in the coming days will become a graveyard for many.

My stomach knots and bile builds in my throat. No, we can’t think of that right now.

Our dragons land on the outskirts where over a hundred others rest, their riders tending to them. Those nearby bow when they see us and I dip my head, unable to do much more at the moment.

Silver-armored guards with purple-trimmed gear jog up in formation, surrounding us.

“Princess Ravina.” Theo Numix, my captain of the Royal Guard greets me with a deep bow. “Captain Batsil and I have been awaiting you and your consorts’ arrival. The war tent is ready for you to give your orders.”

My bonds give me the assurances that I need as I climb down off of Vasari.

“Remember, you are the Queen-to-be, and I’ll be more than happy to eat anyone who pisses you off,” my dragon states.

Nero settles on my shoulders. “And I will take their eyeballs before you burn them to a crisp,” he adds.

I scratch his head, making my way over to Captain Numix with my mates flanking me. “Let’s do this, shall we?”

He bows again and I retain my wince, still not enjoying the whole bowing thing, but I’m sure that will ease in time… Hopefully.

We walk with haste through the many tents, fae of all kinds preparing for the battle ahead until a familiar face has me widening my eyes. My former Wilderness Survivor instructor from Phixmery, Captain Reiner, is talking to a satyr in front of a tent opening.

His eyes widen when he sees me. “Cadet Solace, or should I say Princess Maeven.”

“Captain Reiner, what are you doing here?” I ask bewildered, calling off my Guard as they go to step in front of me.

His chin jerks towards Aemon. “I was one of his spies planted at the academy. When the call to the rebels went out after what happened on the Vathian front lines, I left and came to join the cause. You know, I always knew there was something special about you.”

I smile. He was probably one of my favorite instructors. “I’m happy you escaped there, and thank you for being here. Once this is all over, I plan on reopening Phixmery to be an actual academy. We will have to talk more later if you are interested.”

He nods, bowing. “Of course. I look forward to it.”

I smile, and before I know it, I’m hurrying to keep up with the Guard as we rush into the war tent. Everyone is already here, minus those who came with me. I take my spot at the head of the table with my mates on either side of me.

The faces here are grim yet determined. “Well, let’s get to it. What do we know?” I ask before taking a seat. My mates sit next and then the rest follow.

Batsil stands, passing me parchments of correspondence. “The enemy has set up camp about a three hour walk from here. According to our latest pixies, they’ve begun mobilizing their troops, even if they haven’t left camp yet. We expect them to be on us by noon.”

I hold the parchments in my hands, slowly reading them over, using the table to hide the small tremor and remembering Aemon’s words. “Well we should get moving to meet them. Halfway to their camp should do well as ground zero?”

Killian nods his approval and a part of me preens.

“I’ll send the pixies," a male states, running out of the tent like his ass is on fire.