Page 171 of The Reaping Rose

Our realm is dying, but I refuse to let this be our final stand.

“Ready?” I spin, and Wilder nods.

The surety in his smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “Callum is already at the Arch, working with Rior to reinforce it.”

“Have they had any success?”

Wilder nods. “Rior is hopeful.”

Unlike the Arch to the Mortal Realm, we tested the Arch to Lyrichia as part of our preparations for today’s battle. With the sheer number of bodies that will move through, we needed to know it will hold. It flickered, seeming strong. But Callum and Rior are working on ways to stabilize and strengthen it.

I meet Wilder at the door, but he catches my hand before I can walk past.

“They’re waiting on us,” I remind him.

“They can wait a minute longer then.” His eyes soften. “I was thinking we could have lunch in the upper courtyard tomorrow. Just the two of us.”

“Tomorrow.” My eyebrow ticks at the hope in that single word. We don’t know that we’ll survive the day, but I don’t crush his optimism. “That sounds perfect.”

Wilder lowers for a kiss, and I wish it didn’t feel like goodbye.

“It’s not.”

I cling to the reassurance. I let the hope he sends down the thread be a blanket that wraps any doubt. After our last battle with Malachi, I lost Wilder for months. I refuse to do that again.

On a final kiss, we leave our room, but Perame stops us in the hallway on our way to the Gate. She says her goodbyes, frustrated that she can’t join us today. Aurora and Perame will keep eyes on the palace while we go ahead.

Wilder opens a Gate to Andare, and we’re the last to arrive, meeting Darvel’s army at the shore.

I make my way to Callum and Greer. His silver armor is polished, shining beneath the crack of sunlight filtering through the clouds. Even now, he fights with the colors of Lyrichia on his back, battling for the ideals of a kingdom that no longer exists, but I sense he hopes someday it will again. Greer, on the other hand, skipped armor, opting for black and gray leathers. She represents no kingdom. If anything, today is a battle of justice for her parents.

“What do you think Malachi will have waiting for us?” I perch against a tree, skimming the beach as the army readies.

“Hopefully a challenge.” Greer shrugs, gripping her sword. “I’d hate to go all that way for him to disappoint us. Not that he’d be the first male to do so.”

Callum chuckles, dragging his hair back. “Males don’t stand a chance around you two.”

Greer’s eyes cut to Atlas, her gaze quickly falling to the ground when he peers in her direction.

Callum doesn’t notice as he turns to me. “Not even your mate.”

“Something he’s well aware of.” I grin, glancing at Wilder through the crowd.

A smile stretches his beautiful face. He likely heard my comment, even though I sense the thread is empty of his presence.

“Do you think this is going to work?” Greer asks, glancing at Esen.

She’s standing near a tent at the edge of a group with Rior, tugging on her pants. It’s a stark change from the corset dresses she wore in the Mortal Realm, and she’s clearly adjusting.

A dull pulse radiates out of her. It thrums along the beach, even as she contains the void to the best of her ability. The energy emitting from her is so strong; we’ll have to keep her hidden as long as possible, or Malachi might sense her.

Rior’s job today is keeping Esen far from sight. He’ll bring her in at the last moment when we’re ready.

“I think she’ll do all she can to help. If that will be enough…” I let that trail, not sure. “I suppose only the fates know the outcome of this battle.”

Callum hums, straightening as Wilder, Atlas, and Darvel approach. This might not be Callum’s realm or his king, but he’s a warrior at heart. Loyal and determined to fight for what is right, no matter the cost. Just like when he helped my father hide the truth about the existence of a Fae prisoner’s daughter on a cold, wintry island. Callum might prefer order and law, but he chooses his battles based on what is right.

“We’re going through first,” Wilder says, glancing at me. “I want you to hang back with the next wave.”