Pain crashed through me at all that he’d endured in just a few days’ time.
How would we reverse Rhistel’s hold on my mate’s mind? And when we did, how would Vale cope both with what had been done to him and what he’d done? He was a warrior, but he longed for peace. To be only a shield and not a sword.
An earth-shattering sound came from outside. Fae on our ship screamed and shouted, and wood cracked and snapped.
“What was that?” I asked, though I was afraid to know the answer. Afraid of so much.
Qildor crossed to the window, pulled back the curtain. His mouth fell open. “You’re going to want to see this.”
Chapter 54
ISOLDE
Icouldn’t see the king, though I knew he had to be responsible for what I was witnessing.Howexactly Magnus had managed to create such a thing, however, I could not fathom. The great ice wall in the middle of the sea was a marvel.
And a great peril.
By the light of the ships and fire attacks, I sized up the wall that had devastated nearly half of our incoming ships. Those at the back of the fleet were changing course, but ships didn’t turn so easily in the best conditions. And if they managed to bend the sea to their will tonight there were still enemy vessels waiting to deal them damage.
Fae flew from the sinking vessels and soared around the wall only to land and immediately be engaged in combat. Others soared for the water and pulled our soldiers from the waves.
My stomach heaved, and the thunder booming in the night sky echoed my despair. I’d seen Magnus’s magic before. I’d been the recipient of one attack and witnessed others. None of the times he’d worked magic around me had been like this. None of his threats and attacks had been so powerful.
“We have to shatter it.” It was the only way I could see to give the rest of our fleet a path forward. Or at the very least, allow their magic to attack at a distance.
But I couldn’t leave Vale unattended in this cabin, and only someone stronger than him could truly keep him in check. By the same token, we needed every available fighter we could get. There was only one thing to do.
My shadows came to the surface more slowly and with greater effort than before. I had far better control than a week prior, but my endurance was lacking.
Youwilllisten.Out with you. As many as will come.
Only two emerged. They’d have to do.
“Remain here and guard the male in that bed. If he awakes, knock him out, but using as little force as possible. If the ship begins to sink, save him and take him to a ship with fae loyal to me on it. Make sure he’s locked away there too. Do not harm him in any other way.” I paused, trying to determine if I should add another command. With shadow figures it was best to be explicit. “Only those fighting for my side may enter.”
The shadows, created in only the faintest image of a person, nodded what I presumed were their heads. I looked around them, prepared to give the order to move out, but the others were already standing at attention, their weapons drawn. I took them in, my gaze lingering on Sigri’s fallen body last. Stars, how I’d failed her.
We exited the cabin to find Saga and Sayyida still at the door, weapons drawn and the hum of magic in the surrounding air. A mage lay dead on the deck, mere paces away.
“Saga, Vale is safe and being guarded by shadows, and I know you probably want to see him, but I need you.” I gestured to the ice wall. “Think you can help Thyra and me collapse that thing?”
She swallowed. “Maybe.”
I turned to Vidar and Sayyida. “You two stay with the ships. Try to attack vessels on the edges of the wall so the rest of our fleet can get through.”
The Virtoris siblings dashed off to give their crews orders.
“This way.” Saga led us to where the gryphons and pegasi waited, protected by a trio of sailors. Arava pushed the sailors out of her way and trotted towards me.
“I’m fine, girl.” I patted her muzzle before I mounted. “See that ice wall? We’re going to shatter it.”
“Saga, you should ride with me.” Qildor waved for her to take Sigri’s spot.
I saw the question of what happened to the dwarf in the princess’s eyes, but she didn’t speak it as she joined Qildor.
My pegasus beat her wings. “Caelo and Halladora, find Thyra. Saga and Qildor, with me.”
We soared for the wall, and my tether to the shadows watching over Vale stretched tight, a link to me, and an energy sink. Wherever Thyra was, I hoped Caelo and Halladora would locate her quickly because the closer I got to the wall, the more certain I became that Saga and I would need assistance. Up close, the black wall was thicker and more menacing than it appeared from a distance.
