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I nod. "I'm sure. I knew he was quick on his feet, but by the sound of it, he's never run faster."
Tristan turns away, glancing back through the arrowslit at the first hints of sunlight creeping up on the horizon.
'Nico, is that you out there?' he asks. The mindlink has basically become an open channel for the Rovers, and I'm supposed to pass messages on to my father and the nightwalkers.
'Nico? Are you nearby?' he tries again. 'Can you hear me?'
There's a moment of silence, and then, 'I read you, boss. I've got some good news and bad news.'
The boy sounds out of breath, even in his mind, and I immediately alert my father. I can feel the rest of the Rovers standing at attention.
'The good news is that the sky is pretty cloudy, and the morning is thick with mist, so the nightwalkers should have an easier time staying out of direct sunlight. Also, the entire Bane army definitely won't get across the bridge. When they breach the gate, they'll have to break formation. '
We knew that already.
'Nico, what's the bad news?'
'The bad news is they won't fit across the gate because there's that bloody many of them. Viktor must have recruited forces from at least five packs.'
Five packs guided by fear and hate against a bunch of rogue wolves and a clan of nightwalkers, trying to survive long enough to see a better world.
'And the worse news,' Nico adds, his thoughts coming in ragged and muffled. 'The worse news is that they're right behind me.'
'Get to the bridge. Amara and Mark will meet you there. Keep your eyes open and your head low.'
His brow furrows in concentration for a moment as he passes on orders to specific members of the pack to get everyone prepared for the battle, and I pass on the message to my father.
'It's okay to be afraid,' Marco replies, and I know the words are just for me. 'Just don't let them see it. If you get hurt, Lucy will get you out, and if you need help, Helena or I will be at your side in seconds. No goodbyes, princess.'
I love you, Dad.
The phrase creeps up in my head, but I bite the thought back before it can get out. He already knows.
'No goodbyes,' I echo.
Tristan takes my hand in his, drawing my attention back.
"Amara, Mark, and Helena will hold the bridge as long as possible, and we will thin them out as much as we can. But sooner or later, they will breach the gate. I have to be there."
Our archers are ready along the wall with silver-tipped arrows. They will take as many of them down as they can, and when Nico gives the signal, Mark and Amara will retreat through the gate and join my father's forces on the other side. From there, I expect all hell will break loose, and we'll use the layout of the fortress to scatter the enemy's army as they trickle in through the gates.
And Tristan will be right in the middle of it.
"I know," I answer with a sad smile. "I know you are not the king of Alpha that stays in a tower while his pack fights. I know you, my king."
I slip my hand out of his, turning away from his so he cannot see the fear in my eyes.
"Please don't tell me to go join Sophie in the square. Don't send Lucy to drag me out. I know I'm not a soldier, but I can't stay on the sidelines."
I will not hide at the back while the man I love dies at the front. I can't.
"I'll stay out of your way. I'll be careful. I'll do as you command, just please don't send me away. Please."
He silences me suddenly, grabbing my wrist gently and tugging me toward him while his other hand rises to my face, his fingertips pressed against my lips.
"Haven't you been listening to a word I've said, little flower? I nearly lost my mind when I thought you'd been taken from my side. Viktor will be coming for you, and when he does, we will be waiting. Together, come what may."
He presses a kiss to the back of his knuckles, but I know it's not his hand separating our lips. I have never hated anything or anyone, not even Viktor. But I hate this curse.
