I took a moment to reflect on the interaction. It was nice, yes, but to me it was more than that. “I know my parents never meant to treat me poorly, but they always handled me like I would break. I didn’t have magic then, and everything they did was to protect me, but I just can’t help but think about where we might be if they had any sort of faith in me. If they’d believed I could handle the truth about what we’re facing as I got older.
“Some of our most loyal, caring, and attentive Fae are the ones who have seemingly the smallest role to play. I never want anyone in my kingdom to feel like the work they do doesn’t matter. Everyone is important. Everyone deserves to be treated equally with kindness and respect. Even the Fae with the littlest drop of magic in their blood will be rewarded for their loyalty and generosity. We have a long way to go to win this war, but I want us to start building the kingdom we dream of now.
“While I know I won’t make everyone happy with every single decision I make, I will always choose to make choices that are in the best interest of my people. I will be a queen of and for the people of Brookmere.”
“That’s my girl.” Kade beamed.
I was proud of myself too.
Looking down at the tattered letter, I opened it. Another city answered our call to fight. They’d meet us at the border in a few days’ time. My hand trembled as I held the paper. Ian and Corbin had done well during their initial visits, traveling to the locations the Hidden Henchman had assisted to rally an army. Now even our riders who were unfamiliar with what our group had done for Brookmere were calling Fae to arms and being well received.
I moved the marker on the map, another burst of hope flooding the air around us.
Ian rose, walking toward me with a satisfied smile when a cacophony of cawing rattled the windows.
A few screams rose from outside of the room and we jumped from our seats.
No, no, Thames couldn’t be here yet.Please.
My heart raced as I ran to the window to see what was happening outside.
“What in the Fates is that?” Storm asked, his face turning ashen.
A massive group of strox flew through the sky, their battle cries filling the air while pure pandemonium ensued on the palace grounds below. There had to be at least a hundred.
Guards and staff scattered, running and screaming as the massive birds circled ahead.
“Come on, we’ve got to get outside, now,” I shouted, running out the main war room doors.
I didn’t wait to see if the others followed, continuing urgently to get outside. No one, besides those in this room, knew these beasts weren’t going to harm them, that they were loyal to me and my line. At least I hoped that was the case and there hadn’t been some chance that Thames got to the beasts in the woods as well.
Regardless, I wouldn’t let anyone—fae or strox—be hurt on my watch at their appearance.
Sprinting through the halls and down the stairs, the sound of footsteps trailed behind as the rest of my friends followed my direction.
I burst through the palace garden doors, squinting against the sun to see the beasts fly overhead. “They’re heading toward the back of the palace,” I shouted, continuing to run toward the incoming army of strox.
I stared in awe as their numbers hovered above the arena, waiting. The very same arena where we’d battled them not too long ago.
Though cries in the air echoed with fear, nature gave the impression it was pleased by the strox’s presence as we ran toward them. There wasn’t a single cloud in the dimming sky as the beasts circled above.
I ran upward, taking the steps to the royal dais two at a time, and as I crested the landing, I stared at the arena below. I gasped at the overgrown, devastated sight of the once magnificent structure. Andras had left it in shambles, allowing the remnants of our fight to remain. A stark reminder to those who opposed him versus those who had claimed victory that day.
I shivered before moving to the edge, one I’d stood at what seemed like a lifetime ago.
The few Fae brave enough to follow outside screamed, pointing to the sky. Royal guards rushed out in droves, preparing their weapons as their battalion leaders barked orders, pointing up at the beasts.
“Ian,” I turned, yelling for him behind me. “I need you to tell the guards’ leaders not to shoot—that will be the fastest way to stop them. Tell them not to hurt the strox.”
Ian nodded as he jumped over the ledge of the dais and ran toward the rows of guards.
I grabbed Raya’s arm. “Go with him. Maybe you can use your mind magic to try to get some of them to listen. They're scared and might react without thinking.”
Without hesitation, she took off, catching up to Ian and joining him as they waved their arms to get the attention of the soldiers.
Storm, Kade, Jax, Kalliah, Leif, and I all continued down the steps into the arena. The strox were beginning to land, cawinginto the evening sky. The ground shook as they dove down in groups.
A few guards poured in through the tunnels the contenders had used to enter during the marriage trials.
