A war was coming, and it would only be a matter of time before it made its way to our borders. Despite the mountain range shielding most of our Kingdom, the southern border left our people entirely unprotected.
Queen Arden had promised to help shield us from Oras assaults along the southern side, but protecting us from the kingdoms in Crofea was never part of the agreement.
Micah, Amalee, and I started planning for the attacks we all knew were imminent. We’d shifted some personnel from the seeps to join Kuroden’s military, but it still wouldn’t be enough, especially if we were attacked by more than just Rivale. We thankfully had a few dozen people with Divine magic who wielded either fire, wind, water, or land. Amalee tried to situate them along the cliffs to assist if the witches returned. It was a lotto ask of people who’d been prevented from using their magic, but with some training, they would be a crucial part of our defenses.
I still hadn’t spoken to Queen Arden, but if what she warned was true, I could expect more kingdoms to join the fight against us, possibly even her own. I needed to speak with her and convince her to finally involve her husband in our agreement.
Negotiations between the royals should have begun, but hadn’t, which meant politics were shifting. I had continued supplying crude to each kingdom, and still received a steady flow of imports. But I wasn’t sure just how long things would remain.
With the influx of residents, we could produce more fruits and vegetables, but not nearly enough to sustain the people altogether.
I shifted on my feet, pulling back the drapes of the window even further. The sun was setting, and her cream-colored shirt clung to her back as she worked to grow tomatoes in the front yard. She was perfect. The only things missing were a ring on her finger and Kuroden’s sigil inked on her back. I hadn’t asked her to marry me yet; we’d only just returned, and I wanted to wait until we found the perfect place for her family to rest.
“Do you have a second?” Micah pushed open my bedroom door and walked to my side. He followed my gaze down. “It’s pretty incredible what the land wielders can do.”
“She’sincredible,” I said, as another tomato bloomed on the vine.
Edithiya ran down the street and wrapped her arms around Audryn’s back, nearly toppling her over. Audryn laughed and twisted the girl around, pulling her into a hug. She steadied Edith on her feet and handed her a plump red tomato. The girl’s eyes lit up as she grabbed the sweet fruit and bit into it.
I pressed forward to get a better angle and, as expected,found Dolcie standing several dozen feet away. The woman knew better than to press her luck.
“Are you just trying to get me to agree so you can punch me again?” Micah blew out a breath and smiled. He bumped his shoulder into mine, knocking me slightly off balance. “I’m not gonna fall for that trick a second time.”
I chuckled and roughed up his curly hair with my hand. He was always someone I could count on, and I was lucky to have people like him at my side. He and Amalee were constant sources of support.
“Did you need something, or did you just come to watch my future bride with me?” I turned back to the window. A handful of children were plucking tomatoes from the vines.
“The Graystorm Coven sent word.” My brother hesitated and ran a hand through his hair. “They’re ready to make a move, and they’ve requested a meeting.”
I knew I would have a short timeline when I made the deal, but I hadn’t expected them to want to move so suddenly. Fighting a war in Crofea while also in the Oras would be more of a challenge than I’d ever faced. As long as Audryn was safe, nothing else mattered, including whatever might happen to me. I only hoped she’d understand when I told her what I had done.
“How long can we hold them off? There’s some things I need to get done around here first.” I ran a hand over the shadow of hair I had let grow across my jaw.
Micah shrugged. “I’m not sure. You’re the only one who knows what you’ve promised.”
“I promised resources—fae.” I paused as Audryn looked up at the window and waved; I smiled back. “We need to make sure we’re ready for a battle here first. I won’t risk the safety of my people to secure the land for the witches.”
“You mean Audryn. You won’t riskhersafety.”
“She would be one of them.” I nodded.
“Word spread that we’re accepting people. We’ve receivedseveral missives requesting transport from every kingdom. Perhaps some of them would be willing to fight to secure our land.”
“Theirland,” I corrected. “Whoever comes, this is their home as much as it is ours. We need to be sure they’re not treated like outsiders.”
Bringing dozens in and allowing them to take residence had become a point of contention with the locals. The rift between Kuroden and Rivale ran deep, and despite the good nature of my people, some things were difficult to get past. Add in limited housing options and it was a recipe for disaster.
I had housed the Suttons' royal staff at my mother’s, and Fisher did his best to get the guards integrated as quickly as possible. Micah opened his home to Maris and another female, which definitely wasn’t a hardship for him at all. But if more people continued to arrive, we would need to find more accommodations. And if the locals refused, it might leave me to forcefully guide them into making the correct choice.
“So we’ll allow them in?” Micah raised a brow. “Do you want to provide transportation as well?”
“Yes, those who want to live here should be supported however we can.” I would rather risk our guards getting caught sneaking people out, than let the people plan their own escape. We had to be clever about it.
With Rivale nearly gone dark in all their communication, I couldn’t be sure if the travel ban was still in effect or if executions had resumed. I hadn’t even been told if King Sutton died and, unsurprisingly, had not received an invitation to Leanna’s acceptance of the throne. I was completely cut off from every kingdom communication-wise.
“One last thing.“ Micah handed me two missives, one on aquamarine paper. “It seems like there was a mix-up with the messenger hawks, and these arrived late.” He left the room, closing the door behind him.
I opened up the blue missive expecting a note from Leanna, only it wasn’t a note from her; it was the invitation to the wedding of Ryder Sutton and Audryn Clair. My stomach twisted, and I shoved the paper into my pocket. Even in death, the asshole was still getting under my skin.
