The plan remains the same no matter what, she reminded herself.Get the Roizan away from Morkai. Keep him from amplifying his powers through his well of dark magic. Then kill him.
Still, thoughts of Teryn lingered in the back of her mind. If they didn’t surrender…
They must surrender. They must. It’s the only way he lives.
Something soft bumped into her shoulder. She turned to find Valorre at her side, his presence immediately settling her nerves. With a weak smile, she stroked the side of his face, then rested her hand at the base of his horn. She frowned at the layer of cotton surrounding it. Even though the Forest People kept their hiding place safe behind wards and illusions, Cora figured extra precautions couldn’t hurt. She’d glimpsed the Roizan at a distance a few times, stalking her brother’s camp with its loping gait. She wasn’t sure how far it could sense a unicorn’s horn, but she wasn’t willing to find out. Not when Valorre was so integral to their plans. If there was one thing that could separate the Roizan from its master, it was a unicorn. “That isn’t uncomfortable, is it?”
I am not so easily bothered, he said, in contrast with the flutter of embarrassment that rippled through him.I must look foolish though.
“No, you look rather imposing in that pink floral pattern.”
Do I? All right.
“You don’t grasp sarcasm, do you?”
I…don’t think so.
Cora’s laugh was cut short by her sudden awareness of an approaching presence. Her walls had been kept down to allow her to perceive nearby threats. But this presence was no threat.
Salinda appeared a few moments later. She was dressed the same as Cora, in britches, a wool tunic, and a boiled leather breastplate and gauntlets. With a warm smile, she came up beside Cora and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Rianne has seen it. The meeting will happen very soon.”
Her mouth went dry. “Did she see how it would end?”
“She saw possibilities,” Salinda said. Rianne was a seer but that didn’t mean she could see the future. Her magic was more about catching glimpses of possibilities. Quiet magic, not certainty. Salinda gave Valorre a reverent nod. “Speaking of seeing, I still can hardly believe what stands before my eyes. He’s a faerytale come to life.”
I am majestic, yes,Valorre said.She may pet me if she wishes. One could hardly blame her. I am so very strong.
Cora rolled her eyes. She hadn’t introduced Valorre to the entire camp, only the small party she’d come here with. Not wanting to overwhelm him with a flurry of starry-eyed admirers, she’d waited until their task force had begun their journey to Centerpointe Rock before revealing him. He’d received a warm welcome and had relished their adoration. It made her think he wouldn’t have minded being the center of the entire commune’s attention after all.
Salinda gave him a gentle pat on the side of his neck, then turned to Cora with a more serious expression. “Are you ready?”
Cora nodded, one hand wrapping around her bow. It may not have been the bow she favored, for she’d lost that one at Ridine Castle, but it was still a bow. Her preferred weapon. A source of comfort and strength. She brought her other hand to her belt and the three knives slung there. She froze when her fingers brushed the hilt of the dagger she’d finally removed from the bottom of her quiver that morning. Repulsion shot through her, but she breathed it down. She hated carrying a weapon that had been wrought from death and suffering, but if Valorre’s role in her plans became compromised, it might help to have alternate means to draw the Roizan away from Morkai. She wasn’t sure if the blade was as potent as a living unicorn, but it had brought Prince Helios to his unfortunate doom.
She lifted her hand from the dagger and balled it into a fist at her side. “I’m ready.”
Silence fell between them, the burden of what was to come hanging heavy like a shroud. Together they stood watching the valley.
Waiting.
Waiting.
Waiting.
Until someone strolled onto the field.
Cora’s blood went cold as the figure left Dimetreus’ camp. With slow, confident moves, Morkai walked toward Centerpointe Rock.
Cora met Salinda’s eyes. The woman gave her a knowing nod.
It was time.
48
Teryn didn’t put up a fight as he was hauled from the prison tent. He knew where the guards were taking him as they dragged him through camp, their pace too fast for him to keep his feet beneath him. His legs felt like water even when he did manage a few steps, as he hadn’t been allowed to walk much since arriving at Centerpointe Rock. He’d been chained, guarded, and given only the bare essentials to keep him alive. Now he was about to see his father for the last time. His only regret was that he wouldn’t get to speak with him. The gag tied over his mouth wouldn’t allow him to tell his father it was all right. That he could let him go.
Hopefully Cora had. Otherwise, his father might not know enough about Morkai to reject his terms for surrender. And that…that just wasn’t a possibility. His kingdomhadto fight, war or no. They could not yield to the mage. They had to destroy him.
The guards halted just outside the camp at the edge of the wide-open field. Teryn gathered the crisp morning air into his lungs, savoring what might be one of his last easy breaths. Several more guards and soldiers were already waiting, along with King Dimetreus. Teryn looked out at the field, seeking any sign of the opposing camp, but the valley was enormous. He could see nothing beyond the shape of the rock. Before it, however, was the silhouette of Morkai. Once the duke reached the Rock, he climbed upon it. It was brazen the way he stood unguarded, as if he were taunting the other side to act against him. Teryn almost wished they would. Any act of violence would result in retaliation. Should anyone attack Morkai now, Teryn—as hostage—would be put to death.
