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Xavier smirked, his hawkish features twisting as he placed a hand on Caelia’s lower back. “And House Amyntas will rule beside you.”
Raenisa’s face went cold at his words, her expression unreadable. She stepped forward slowly; her gaze flicking between Caelia and Xavier before finally settling on her. “Is a crown worth all this, Cae?” She asked, gesturing all around. “Do you think that it’ll fill that hole in your heart? Because I knowhewon’t.“ Raenisa’s voice shook, tears threatening to fall. “Cae, please. We’re trying to make a better world for everyone. One where you and I could be together. We wouldn’t have to worry about any more of this bullshit. We could be happy.”
Caelia’s expression softened. “Rae,” she whispered, reaching out and taking her hands in hers. “Xavier and I discussed it. You and I can still be together—“
Raenisa tore her hands out of Caelia’s grip, her lips pressed into a thin line before looking back up at Caelia with wet eyes. “What?” She asked harshly, a sob riding her words. “As your mistress? Your concubine?” She shouted, anger and hurt radiating from her. “Do you know how little that means to me? That I’m worth less than a crown?” Her voice broke on the last word. “Why? Just because your grandfather filled your head with tales when you were a child? Those are his dreams, not yours. I—I can’t listen to this. We’re done.” She spun on her heel, storming off.
“Rae. RAE.” Caelia shouted, making ready to follow her, but Theron blocked her path.
Theron shook his head, his lip raised in half a snarl. “No,” he said, his voice cold. “I won’t let you do this to her.” He stepped closer, locking eyes with Caelia. “I didn’t want to fight you today, but after seeing what you’ve been doing to Raenisa... I’d gladly kill you and spare her the pain.” He gestured around him with one hand. “This is the last chance you’ll get. Join us now and support me in my reign. Or I’ll see you on the battlefield and make you pay for what you’ve done to my best friend.”
Caelia shot him an ugly look. “As if you have a moral leg to stand on. You have your concubine here—“
I cut her off with a growl. “His concubine, who will tear apart the earth from underneath your army if you don’t concede.”
“Fine,” she growled, her lips stretching into a tight smile. “I’ll meet you on the battlefield.” She and Xavier turned away, walking back to their waiting army.
Xadrian hesitated, his eyes searching for something in my eyes before he followed her.
“Xadrian?” I called softly. “What are you doing? You said you’d stand with us.”
“I can’t... I can’t risk it.” He ran a hand through his two-toned hair. “I have to protect my sisters—not just Caelia, but Aracel too.”
“But the rebellion—“
“I won’t hurt any of the rebels, I swear.”
Theron shot him a dismissive look before turning to me. “Come on,Sihaya. He’s made his choice.”
“But—“
“Come on, Kael.” Roza gripped my arm, pulling me away. “I knew we couldn’t trust this fucker from the beginning.”
Xadrian held out his hands. “It’s not like that. I can’t betray my family.”
Roza scoffed, pulling me along. “As if any of you care about family. Come on. Let’s go tell Haemir what’s going on.”
I nodded, leaning into Theron’s side as he pulled me close.
“Alright. Let’s do this.”
Chapter 18
Kael
Thesunblazedinthe sky, casting an unforgiving light upon the expanse of the battlefield. The distant horizon shimmered in the heat, the gathered soldiers flickering in and out as I watched. On one side was Caelia’s army, in their splendid armor, well-rested and fed. On the other, our ragtag force of both elves and Remnants, exhausted from a prolonged march up dangerous terrain.
Theron’s forces advanced with the unity and rhythm that only the weight of excellent training could bring. Each step, a heartbeat. Each clang of metal, a breath drawn. Raenisa walked on my left, Roza on my right, both warriors ready to protect me as I cast my magic.
“Don’t do anything stupid,” Roza murmured, her gaze darting across the looming enemy. “If you die out there, the Marshal will have both our heads. And I’ve grown quite fond of mine.”
I smirked, “Oh, so now you care? Wasn’t so long ago you’d have left me to the lobaros.”
Roza snorted, her eyes sparkling. “I tried. You were just too fast.”
Raenisa didn’t join in our banter, her gaze fixed on the advancing army.
“When does the fighting begin? Is there like a horn or something that starts the battle?” I asked, glancing around. I’d been through dozens of raids, but nothing as formal as this.
