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“We made your banner,” Bard said.
There were moments when we hardly knew what to say to each other. It was slow going, making up for the turns Bard and I had stood at odds. In these moments, he looked as loving and loyal as Hagen.
“My banner?”
Bard smirked and removed a wooden charm much like Kase’s whittled raven I still wore around my neck. This charm was of finer craftsmanship, but of the same design. I blinked; my thumbs traced the ridges of the carved raven clutching a blooming rose in its talons. The intricate carvings surrounding the raven and rose, if painted in black, would be as shadows.
“Every kingdom must have its banner, Mal,” Tova said, propping her chin on Bard’s shoulder from behind. She popped a few nuts onto her tongue, munching in my brother’s ear. Then again, Tova was not one who fretted over personal space.
Bard didn’t move away, either out of fear of her knives, or maybe he simply didn’t mind.
“Bard thought of it,” Hagen said. “Isak designed it. The rest of us made them.”
I lifted my eyes to the redhead hidden in black battle paint. He winked.
“You made more than one?” I held my breath as, one by one, the Kryv removed their own medallions strung about their necks.
“We are with you, lovey,” Raum said from the back. “Our shadow queen of thieves. To the end.”
Each swallow was as though sand clogged my throat. I took the medallion and gingerly placed it around my neck. Damn them. I blinked rapidly, refusing to sob like a bleeding little, and offered up a curt nod. “To the end.”
“There it is.” Herja cried out. “The signal!”
I snapped my gaze to the trees. All gods. It was time. A blue glow rose over the black bowers of aspens, coiling up the branches of evergreens toward the sky like masquerade ribbons.
The flames were too unusual, too misty and bright to be anything other than Tor’s fire magic.
Elise had remained silent most of the day and into the night. No longer.
The Northern queen faced her people and lifted a short blade crusted in gemstones on the silver hilt. “Not so long ago, we fought for freedom; we shed our blood to crush the heads of tyrants. We do so again this night. We fight for Etta, to keep her shores locked in peace. For your families, for your people, fight. Fight for your king who sacrifices himself for you!”
The warriors pounded their chests and roared a battle cry.
A cruel grin spread over my face. I glanced at the Kryv. Tova chuckled as if this were all a game. Raum winked. Each of us clutched our new medallions like a new breath of hope filled our lungs from the small wooden pieces.
“Let’s give them pain and misery, my friends,” Niklas shouted.
“Fight to the end!” A collective roar issued from the Kryv, filled the night with a new power. One that latched onto the bones, filled the blood, and sank into the heart until our fear bled into strength.
We sprinted into the trees. Fire burned my throat. My breaths came harsh and angry, the pulse of blood through my limbs urged me onward. Pushed me faster.
It was a stunning sight. From the ferocity of war grew a heady thrill. Beside me, I watched as men and women, fae and Alver, burned the same. We did not fight for power tonight. We did not fight for a throne or greed or titles. Tonight, every heart pounded with the fight for our people, for our families, for our friends.
And that was a fight worth dying for.
By the time the imposing stone walls of the ruins came into view, the blue fire raged across the indoor forest. Chaos reigned inside the walls. Shouts and cries of guards rattled in my skull. The air grew heavy with the heated tang of blood, piss, and bowels as dozens of scattered bodies littered the grounds of Felstad.
“We find the littles first,” I shouted. “Take out as many skyds as you can on your way.”
My cry was answered by wicked laughter and shouts of agreement. But another distant roar sent a chill down my spine.
Valen was in there, lost in blood. He’d been our way in. Now, we had to get him out and docile before he unknowingly slaughtered the rest of us or the young ones.
“Lynx,” I said, gripping his thick arm. “You know what to do should you see the king.”
Lynx gestured at Sol. “We’ll see to it, Mal. Get to Ash and Hanna.”
Once they disappeared into the smoke and shadows, I let out a rough breath. Our steps had led us here. Unease prickled up my arms, lifting the small hairs. I knew tonight would shift this battle. This was the beginning of the end.
