DuringtheirmarchtowardsAthusia, Emmeric was bitter that he could not steal all of Iyana’s time.He was able to spirit her away into the woods a few times, where they clutched at each other’s skin with a desperation that spoke to both of their anxiety.However, he could never steal her for very long and their time together was always shorter than Emmeric would have liked.
There were times he wished she was not the Aztia, and he was not the Kanaliza so that they wouldn’t have to attend war council meetings or determine the best way to lose the least amount of lives possible.Because there would be loss of life, and Emmeric hated seeing the soldiers joking and laughing around fires knowing that not all of them would make it back to their families.
And while he sometimes dreamed of another life for himself and Iyana, there was no way he would trade the bond they had for anything.Especially because when they were in the middle of a meeting, he could always sense when she was beginning to spiral, and he would send her soothing thoughts.Or sometimes he’d simply tell her he loved her, just to see her shy smile.She always said it back now.
The days apart from Iyana seemed too long and the nights holding her in his arms too short.Before he was ready, they reached the outskirts of Athusia.
There was an area before the city that was comprised solely of small, rolling hills without any dwellings nearby—a perfect spot for a world-changing battle.Emmeric had expected to find the full might of the stars awaiting them on the opposite side of the field, but there was nobody.Not a single star was there to greet their army.
“He’s trying to create panic,” Scuti said when they met in their war tent.
“Rigil does nothing without purpose,” Tara added.“He wants there to be uncertainty.If he makes you wait, he knows the men will slowly devolve into what-ifs and create a general unrest.”
“Is there anything we can do to draw him out?”asked Zane.The emperor had been getting quieter the closer they got to Athusia, and Emmeric understood without having to ask.They were returning to his home, where he should be sitting on the throne and defending his empire instead of fighting for it.Also, Emmeric knew he worried about Talon and all the possibilities that war brought.Em was concerned about the same things.
“We could try waving around one of those powerful objects you have,” Okab said.“See if that lures him out into the open.”
Iyana glanced at Emmeric, her eyes wide.They purposefully hadn’t told the stars about the artifacts in case they were still working for Rigil and acting as double agents.They’d taken the risk of trusting them and the small group of stars they’d brought along, but that didn’t mean they had to tell them everything.Okab glanced between the two.
“What?You thought we wouldn’t notice?Those things are practically shouting ‘magic.’Any star would be able to sense them.”He pointed towards Iyana’s bag.“The one you carry is particularly dark.I’m not fond of the idea of using it, or of Rigil getting his hands on it.”
Well, that’s just fantastic.Iyana rolled her eyes at his thought.
“What about the other one?”Zane asked.“Can you tell us anything about it?”
Okab frowned at Zane’s bag.“It’s less dark than that one, but more…how do I describe it?Turbulent.”
“It’s loud,” Scuti added.“It sounds like agonized screaming.”
“That is not at all concerning news,” Talon said, dryly.“We’re still going to use the box that’s screaming?”
“If we absolutely have to, yes,” Iyana said.
Kaz was jumping on the balls of her feet, an excited gleam to her eye.“I want to see what it does.I say let’s use it, anyway.”
“And this is why you’re not in charge of the artifacts,” her brother, Zahar, said.
The shifter pouted and crossed her arms, grumbling, “I’m trustworthy.”Sekhan snorted, and she showed him her middle finger, which only made the younger Tsenira brother laugh harder.
“So, we should just go wave one of those around and see if Rigil comes running?”Zane asked, getting them all back on track.
“Essentially, yes,” Tara said.“I’d choose the one that’s screaming.He’s more likely to sense it because of how loud it is, and I agree with my brother—I do not want Rigil to get his hands on whatever darkness is radiating from the Aztia’s bag.”
None of what the stars were saying was comforting in the slightest.Emmeric did not want to use the Lurra or Khollo’s Downfall at all if he could help it, but, realistically, he thought they were inevitable.They debated the merits and drawbacks of luring Rigil out versus waiting for him to make a move, and they all decided it would be better to do things on their terms instead of his.The plan was disseminated through the camp.The next morning, Team Save Arinem—plus their extra tagalongs—would try to flush Rigil out.They’d discuss an option of peace with him, but everyone was prepared for war.Nobody thought the Alpha would take them up on their offer.
Emmeric and Iyana spent the night wrapped in each other’s arms, memorizing their lover’s face.Emmeric knew they needed as much sleep as they could get for the next day, but he couldn’t bring himself to glance away.
“No matter what happens tomorrow,” Iyana whispered, “just know that I love you.”
Giving her a stern look, he tucked a strand of hair behind her hair.“Don’t talk like that, Mouse.We’re both walking off that battlefield tomorrow.”
“Em, we need to be realistic.We’re probably going to—”
Emmeric stopped her from talking by sealing his lips against hers and kissing her languidly.Clothes stayed firmly in place; he simply wanted to kiss her for a few moments before the nine hells erupted on the earth.The way Iyana sighed and melted into his body told him that she needed this comfort as well.
Words were no longer needed, and they spent the night trying to stretch the minutes into years.Emmeric couldn’t stop thinking about his future with this amazing woman in his arms, and he was going to do everything in his power to ensure they had that time together.
Eventually, exhaustion overtook them and forced them into a restless slumber.Nightmares plagued both of them, and the sun rose sooner than either of them would have liked.
