Page 149 of The Starlight Savior

“Maybe we’re not the only ones who can access fancy portals.” Baron’s lips curled into a scowl as his hand tightened around the hilt of his sword.

The mortal men and women crested over the hill until all they could see was green. In the center of the hoard, a single man was spotted riding in the front. Hadeon’s smile was vicious as he raised a hand, giving a small wave as he led the Brevillian army right towards them.

Chapter 57

The river behind Saige roared with life, drowning out the blood rushing in her ears. There was no escape from the army of soldiers surrounding them. Not without using violence. She couldn’t tear her gaze away from the trio of men approaching her. Blinking rapidly, she ignored the ache snaking through her body, urging her to retreat. She needed to remain grounded, keeping her focus on mitigating the mist.

Hadeon sat at the front of the crowd, stroking his horse’s sleek black coat. His hair was slicked back to his scalp. Scrapes and bruises blossomed across his cheek. His teeth glistened like moonlight as he smiled upon Saige and her companions. Beside him, General Kadence’s crooked nose protruded from his scowling face. Yet the third man drew the attention of every living soul upon the field.

Despite never seeing the King of Brevil, Saige recognized the power radiating off him. A dark green mantle sat upon his shoulders. Even in the starlight, the pins and silver swirls of King Brennus’s lapel glowed. His hair was grayed around the edges, brown locks pushed back against his head. She fought the urge to bow before him, keeping her attention upon the blades of grass biting into her skin.

“I command you to halt and surrender yourself,” General Kadence shouted, chin raised to the darkening sky.

“We refuse,” Conor said smoothly. “Saige, keep going. Pay them no attention.”

Easier said than done, she thought.

King Brennus’s horse trotted forward, stopping before the four of them. His voice was heavy as he spoke. “I’d suggest reconsidering, warlock,” he drawled, looking down at the lightning trailing up Conor’s arms. “My whole army stands behind us. There is nothing you could possibly do to stop them, magic or not. But if you surrender now, we may consider exile instead of execution.”

Saige didn’t wait for Conor to respond. Her skin bristled as she rose from the ground, ignoring Conor’s icy glare. She faced the Brevillian army, taking a step forward. There were more soldiers than she could possibly count. It was impossible to imagine the four of them defeating such a force. But they had to try. If they didn’t, all of this would be for nothing. The mist would continue moving. Her life would be forfeit. The kingdoms could form as many shields and protective barriers as possible, yet who would save Opela from drowning?

The gates of her magic opened as heat flared into her palms. “I’m only going to say this once,” she said. “Take a step back from my friends so we can finish what we’ve only just started.”

“You magic-wielding swine will damn our land even further!” General Kadence spat. “Terrus watches over our kingdom. Protects us when all other deities have failed!”

“I’m here to heal Opela.” Saige’s voice projected clearly across the field. Her fingers twitched with the urge to shove starlight down the general’s throat. “The mist will fall at my hands only, something none of you are capable of even fathoming.”

“You won’t be doing anything with our land.” Hadeon pulled out his sword, stepping down from his horse.

Her eyes widened as her childhood friend strode forward. “Hadeon, you have to understand—”

“Don’t speak to my nephew,” King Brennus barked.

“Nephew?” Baron and Saige sputtered at the same time. She looked from the king to Hadeon, studying every line and divot in their faces. Both of them had the same light brown hair and bright emerald eyes that she once adored. Their frowns were even mirrored as they looked down upon her.

The consequence of putting up protective walls was it also kept information out. Saige barely knew of Hadeon’s lineage, only that his parents passed from an illness. He and his grandmother lived in Denholm for almost as long as Saige did.

“We don’t have time to compare family trees,” King Brennus said sharply. “This is your final warning. Surrender or ensue violence. As much as my men love to spill magical blood, you are more useful to me alive.” His gaze fell on Saige, heavy and intense. “If what you’re speaking of is true.”

“I will not surrender,” she shouted, tears blurring her vision. From the folds of her cloak, her veins lit up brighter than she’d seen before. Heat expanded across her skin, sending beads of sweat dripping down her forehead.

Baron pushed forward, swapping his daggers for a sword. Conor’s lightning reflected off the silver blade.

“Baron,” Hadeon said, “you’re going to go against your vows? Your brothers? For her?” He pointed a trembling hand towards Saige, lips curling at the sight of her power.

“I stand with Opela,” Baron bit out, “no matter what blood runs through their veins.”

“You’ve chosen your path then, brother.” He looked at each of them, lingering on Saige for a moment longer. For a split second, she thought she saw remorse. But then it was gone as he raised the sword in his hands. “I hope you can stomach being on the wrong side of history.”

General Kadence turned to one of the soldiers on the sideline, giving him a curt nod. The lanky man held up a pole with two hands, a blue flag fluttering in the sky.

The ground shook as the sound of a horn reverberated through the earth. The mortal soldiers began to cluster together as each of them looked off into the horizon. Cresting over the hill, blurred figures walked forward on foot, joining the Brevillian army. Cloves and smoke filled Saige’s nose as Conor stepped closer. His arm wrapped around her waist.

Hadeon’s eyes were still locked upon Saige as a smile spread across his full lips.

“What have you mortals done?” Conor whispered to himself.

The flurry of stomps echoed all around them as hundreds of figures came into view. The night sky illuminated their entrance upon the grand hill. Saige squinted at the large crowd, surprised to find their uniforms weren’t the same earth-tone hues of Brevil. As they got closer, her eyes widened. Small scales reflected in the moonlight upon slick fighting gear. Orbs of water danced upon their fingertips, weaving between oiled blades.