Page 231 of Spring Guardians & Songbirds

“Eight million soldiers,” Albius said with a grave tone. “And four and a half million Aura.

Sebastian added, “And probably thousands more in recruiting as we speak. Word has it that there have been boys and girls seen leaving homes at night toward the war camps up north. Another fair mention goes to the new deal they might be striking with the unblessed. We have no numbers on the unblessed, but I would think they have plenty of human lives to spare in their search for the glory Silas is offering them.”

“Not to mention that geographically they’d attack Adriata first,” Cai said. “Then Silas has the continent in his clutches—surrounded.”

“I’m afraid I might have to add a bit more fuel to this fire,” Nia said, coming into the meeting room along with Mal. The two were worn out and bloodied and fear shot up to the root of my hair. “Eldmoor is aiding Silas.”

Mal plopped to a chair, tired. “Every witch from Asra to Heca has gathered in the capital and are being picked up from soldiers at the borders between Aru and Brisk. Elias just sent Memphis back with word that the witches are being housed north of Tenebrose and servants say the Crafter chambers of the castle have been reopened.”

“Oh gods,” Alaric grumbled, and it wasn’t on the news. He was staring at me. “What now, kid?”

“Do we have any news on the unblessed princes?” I asked Sebastian.

He nodded. “They are planning to leave in three days’ time.”

Leaning back on my chair, I said, “Numbers versus numbers. It is how my father has made the whole realm be at his fear. I’ll give him numbers.”

“The unblessed are pledging to your father,” Albius said. “There is no way to persuade them otherwise. I’ve seen the princes, Snow. They are blinded by what your father has offered them. They will not sway.”

“No one said anything about persuasion, Albius. I’m not good with words as I am with actions. Father will lose their support and metal.”

“You’re too sure,” Moriko said.

“I’m never too much of anything, Mor dear.”

“We must make the Vayrs aware of it all,” Alaric said. “They deserve to be aware of who they are siding with.”

“If you are thinking of an alliance, you are thinking of war,” Moriko pointed.

“This doesn’t seem like it can be avoided,” Nia said, taking a seat beside her, linking a hand with her and I could swear that the Autumn Queen’s shoulders relaxed a little.

She seemed shaken by the thought. “Are you ready to plan one? Are you ready to plan a war?”

Kilian rested a hand over mine under the table. “If we have to, we will. Question is, will we have allegiance?”

Mor sighed and nodded. “Hanai would be honoured to fight beside both of you.”

Both of us.

When did the wheel turn?

When did we become allies in all of this?

Thora pushed from the balcony pillars where she’d leaned all through the meeting and set down one of the war gaming figurines on the middle of the map splayed on the table.

“You have discussed everything,” she said, picking up the king figurine. “Except for killing our father.”

“Rora,” I said, my smile wide. “It was the first thing I’ve considered, but the bastard cannot be killed.”

She frowned. “How so?”

Sebastian leaned in. “He has a craft veil around him and a Magi healer has also tethered lifelines to him, feeding mana onto him. Other people—countless people. You won’t know how many times you have to kill him to actually kill him. Not to mention he is protected all around all the time. And I am not talking about Isjordian soldiers.”

She set both hands down on the table. “Snow killed the beast. We kill the Magi healer. And we kill the witch.”

Visha flinched a little, throwing her pleading gaze at me which soon went downcast—my witch knew I’d done worse.

“The witch is pregnant,” I revealed. “With our father’s child.”