He would never. It isn’t what it seems. It can’t be.
“Have messengers been sent to the other realms to beg for aid?” Magnus asked.
“Aye, Your Highness. Only the Imperial Heir has promised his support. The Elder Council of Nachthelliae have refused, citing their own complications. No word from the Kohamaian Queens.”
Araxis misted to her side and bent to her ear. “I know we just escaped. I know you think you aren’t ready to be known, but controlling Illamiata means controlling the Evesong. AsKeeper, you commandlegionsnow, Lunara. Unconditionally. Every adult Sorcerit will gladly do your bidding, if you have the strength to call upon them.”
What!
It was a struggle to slog through the hatred. To toss aside the bitterness rising up over the fact that, mere hours ago, she’d been dead to them—and that a majority of the Elders knew themselves to be partially responsible for her and her parents’ deaths. This male included.
That’s for later.
Right. Still.
“That’s disgusting,” she hissed. “I can wield their loyalty, hold their lives and futures in my hands, because ofwhatI am? No training. No knowledge or guidance.”
“That about sums it up.”
“That’s fucking wrong. Unspeakable.”
“Yes, well…” His jaw ticked, eyes falling to the floor. “What is unspeakable power for, if not exactly this?”
“Change. As soon as this bleeding shite is over with.” Lunara stood, a cold calm suffusing her bones even as her heart sought to hammer its way out of her.
You can do it, just this once. For Brand.
“You will go to the Evesong, Andreus.” She was amazed her voice could sound so steady. Reaching through the ether, she plucked up the crimson pillow the Tear Stone had just been resting on and stepped down to place it in his hands. A message. “You will tell them the Keeper sent you and orders the legions to Thodelebor—half to the Ghostbor chasm, half to the Thodelemaia.” She looked back at Araxis. The details of rank were muddled, beyond her, but it was his own words forcing her to act, so fuck him. “The Fifth Imperial Son will lead them in the west. I will meet the others near Glynmor, in the fields.”
Andreus darted his gaze between Magnus and Lyriat, clearly unsure of what to do, and something in her snapped. “Don’t look at them, Andreus. Look at me.” Her tone was far more gentle than she felt. When he did, she let some of her new power surge to the surface, to harmlessly batter against all who were present in the hall. “I am Lunara the Moonweaver, Keeper of Illamiata, and blessed mate to Brandir aht Bordoroth. I hold as much sway as any of these other males, andIam telling you to go.Now.”
Impeccably dramatic.
The silence was deafening.
Thaddeus cleared his throat. “I’m with you, Andreus,” he said, stepping forward to clap a hand on his shoulder. He looked older, somehow. So serious. “First to the Evesong, and then back home. My father needs us, aye?”
Andreus blinked rapidly, awe written on every line of his young face. “Aye.”
“Ach, get on with it then. We’ve got work to do.”
Shaking his head, Andreus drew himself up and nodded, spinning and sprinting for the portal.
“I’ll see it done, Lunara.” Thaddeus backed away, a fist to his chest. “You bring my cousin back.” With that, he and Andreus were gone.
Hedda and Faldir appeared through the throng to take their place, towering over her.
Lunara let her power die and stumbled down the remaining steps as Hedda knelt in front of her and leaned in close. “Bloody well done, Sorcerit.”
“Thank you, I think. Except now, what?” She’d exhausted the limits of her wherewithal. Had no bleeding clue how to proceed. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Good thing I am their Second Commander, then.”
Hedda and Lyriat shared a look, the king giving a firm nod. “I will lead half of ours with Araxis,” he said, then turned to Lunara. “The other half is yours.”
Umm…
“Mine?”
