Shuddering against her body I held on to Evanna tighter.
I couldn’t let her go. I wouldn’t… Not even when I was no longer by her side.
Evie fell asleep in my arms not long after, exhaustion claiming her being, but I remained there, still, unwilling to move. Glancing at her profile, I memorized the sight and feel of her like this, so she would always be with me.
“Your magic protects…”
Placing my hand over Evanna’s heart, I gathered all the extra energy my being had absorbed from Raithian’s blast, feeling it stir in my palm.
“Protect her,” I begged in a whisper. “Engulf her so no harm can ever come to her. Stop any weapon, magical or physical, from injuring her. Shield the woman I love from anyone who seeks to hurt her. Keep my queen safe.”
When the intention was set, the magic eagerly left my hand, extending over her sleeping form. It settled over Evie like a shield of shimmering gold before it became invisible. The feeling made her rustle in her sleep, and she turned to face me, resting her cheek on my chest instead.
A wave of relief swept through me as I closed my eyes, and wrapping her in my embrace, I let exhaustion take me too.
33
A heavy blanket of darkness still covered Caelisium while Evie and I finished getting ready. Reaching for my father’s cloak, I secured it to the shoulder guards and turned to help Evanna. I didn’t normally wear all the pieces of my father’s armor, but today was different. He’d transformed an once symbol of oppression into one of hope and perseverance, then left it to me to continue his legacy.
Today, every piece of his armor belonged on my body—including the sculpted breastplate with the Devenish Dragon Crest on the chest.
Lifting the black cape specially made for Evanna, I stood behind her and secured it to her shoulders, finally turning her to face me. The outfit she wore looked like mine, but it was silver and black, it’s every detail purposely designed as part of our plan.
For a moment, we just held each other’s gaze, a million words swirling in their depths. Words we had already shared but that I hoped to the Sky Gods I could share a million times more once all of this was over. Our foreheads pressed together, and we just stood there for a few minutes, drinking each other in before duty took over.
“I’m sorry for interrupting,” Asher called from the entrance. “Everyone is ready.”
A steeling breath expanded our chests, before Evie and I exchanged a soft kiss and held hands, heading out the door.
When we reached the formal training grounds, everyone was present—all dressed in silver and black, just like Evanna was. Our Elevated Warrior guards lined the formation of warriors that extended almost all the way to the market, every man and woman there had fought with them before. Today they were ready, but most of all, willing to fight again, and I was grateful for everyone.
My gaze swept the guards, noticing those who had paired were sharing a moment like Evie and I had. Elijah and Harper glanced at each other, holding hands to give each other strength. So did Finn and Fletcher, Kingston and Willow, and even Skylar joined Asher’s side. Those who weren’t a couple shared a moment in friendship and family too. Edward and Charlotte hugged each other as the heaviness of what was to come visibly weighed on them. It didn’t deter their courage though.
To my surprise, Harrison and Imogen shared an intimate moment too, one that said they had connected deeply, and I was glad they found each other. Granted, Imogen was going to turn him inside out, but I was happy for them.
Our attentions shifted when Thea and the rest of the swordsmith women walked towards Skylar, each pulling a cart with voluptuous bags. They’d worked tirelessly for two days to forge what we needed and support us in the fight like only they could.
“Here,” Skylar offered, taking one of the bags and handing it to me while the women proceeded to give each Elevated Warrior one too.
Glancing into the satchel, I found the Dragon Crown—crystals and all—except I couldn’t feel the jarring energy within it anymore. “Is this a replica or…?”
“Do you really want to know?” she asked cheekily.
“Yes,” I reluctantly answered, only because the pieces of theAnima Crystallumwere too important to misplace.
“It is the original,” she confessed. “My magic is not meant to undo, but I think I was able to influence its power. It will work with you once, just once, so choose your moment wisely.”
With a nod, I pulled her into a brief hug, securing the crown to the belt, on the side of my hip, and hiding it under the cloak. “Thank you, Larie.”
“It’s my pleasure to help, my king.” She narrowed her eyes at me as though it felt funny to say it and I chuckled, wondering if it would ever not feel weird.
Evie took my hand again, bringing my attention back to the waiting army.
“I know you are all expecting a grand speech from me, from us,” I began, standing to my full height before them, “but I’m afraid I don’t have one to give. I just want you to know that I feel what you feel. I am proud to be able to use whatever abilities I have, physical or otherwise, to fight for a cause bigger than you and I. I must confess that a part of me is scared, because I know this might be our last war. And yet, I am also encouraged to fight, because I know that this might be our last war.”
“Yeah!” many shouted in support, raising their weapons in the air.
“We are truly thankful,” Evie continued, “because today we are not alone, and this wouldn’t mean anything without you. We fight for you and the future of our beloved Caelisium just as you do for us. Whatever happens, I am thankful to have shared a life with each and every one of you. To have fought by your side, and to call you, my kin. May the Sky Gods bless us all and give us strength. May the Celestials be there with us in that battlefield, leading us to victory!”
