The civilians had been relocated to safe rooms beneath the palace and plans were in place to lead them toward the ocean’s edge should the Dark Fae breach the redwoods.
He clenched his fists. There were boats prepared, but even if everyone escaped, they’d only be fleeing into the arms of another enemy. The Siren’s teeth were just as sharp.
Sive had chosen to remain with the civilians. She was still too weak after sealing off the library. But her partner was somewhere on the field, ready to lay down his life so Sive and his newborn infant stood a chance, no matter how slim.
Eimear was to his left, dressed from head to toe in light armor with a golden sheen to it. It was something she’d had crafted centuries ago. The High Lady stared at it, twisting and turning her arm as if she couldn’t believe she’d needed to put it on again. Flowers and vines crawled around her body, fanning out wherever she walked. It reminded Talon of Rion’s magic, in a way. Perhaps he’d inherited the inability to contain his power from her.
Talon tilted his head back and stared up into the heavens. Gray clouds rolled across the sky. Rain would aid those from Móirín, but he worried about its effects on the warriors from Fiadh and Rion.
Talon’s mind wandered to Ellie next. She’d still been in the infirmary when he’d left. He’d done his best to explain, but she’d remained a shell of her former self. Gavin had promised to look after her. Talon glanced at said male. His wide eyes hadn’t left the horizon, as if he could already see the horrors marching their way. Gavin was only there to see them off and aid in amplifying their voices to give the final command. Once that was over, he’d head back into the city.
Commotion from behind had Talon turning to find Rion marching straight for him with a pack slung over one shoulder. Talon’s heart ached for him. The male looked defeated already, and the battle hadn’t even started. He supposed the meeting with Arianna hadn’t restored her memories after all.
It was Talon who had told Rion to go to her. He’d watched the male pace after she’d left, running his hand through his hair, constantly peering out a window. It had only taken a single sentence. “Go tell her goodbye.”
Rion hadn’t even put up a fight.
Talon watched him now, along with those who stared at him in passing. Some still grabbed for their weapons, others bared their teeth, but no one was stupid enough to attack. But there were others who looked at him differently now, almost with a sort of reverence. Perhaps those were the few he’d saved in Ruadhán. Maybe others were Fae who’d learned the truth and had chosen to believe it.
Talon waited for Rion to climb the small hill and take in the frightened warriors below before he asked, “How did it go?”
Rion’s jaw worked. “As well as it could.”
Talon inwardly cursed. He hated this. Hated Vairik most of all for causing it in the first place. “Are Avalon’s warriors still with her?”
“They’ll stay and help her escape if it’s possible.”
“She won’t leave.”
“I know.”
“I give it a few hours at most before she joins us on the battlefield, backup or no.”
Rion grimaced. The truth of the matter was that they could all be dead before that even happened. Which would leave Arianna to face the end alone, if the breaking of their bond didn’t kill her first.
Talon cleared his throat and focused on the task at hand. “What do you propose we do about this?” He didn’t need to be specific. Their fear was nearly palpable, permeating the air with an acrid taste that left him nauseous. Hatred and anger were there, too. Even if those from Brónach had shown mercy to the civilians, they’d still taken in an enemy. Past grievances were difficult to erase. The death of a mate and High Lady, even more so. He’d been surprised Avalon hadn’t tackled Alec the moment he’d laid eyes on him. Perhaps other things were more important.
Rion tilted his head toward Gavin. “You can amplify my voice over the crowd, right?” Gavin nodded. “Follow me.”
Rion took two steps with Gavin in tow, then let his magic rise, forming into a small platform that lifted him and Gavin a few feet above the ground. Gavin spread his hands a bit to steady himself but otherwise remained composed. Perhaps Talon hadn’t given the male enough credit from the start.
Gavin’s magic floated through the air, casting a wide net that Talon hoped would reach the back of the crowd. He still didn’t understand Pádraigín’s magic. Most didn’t. Yet another thing to rectify after the war.
“Fae of Alastríona,” Rion said, his voice echoing evenly over the crowd, hitting each space as if he were standing right next to them.
“Once, I was an enemy. To many, I still am. My actions toward those in Brónach have been inconceivable. For years, I carried a hatred in my heart for my own people that will never be excused.
“I don’t ask you to forgive those actions. I don’t even ask you to forgive one another for the deaths and injustices that have occurred between our countries. What I do ask is that you bury your grievances. Let the reason for your anger be a thing of the past as we focus on the greater enemy.”
The crowd was silent.
“I was appointed commander by the High Lords due to my experience on the field. Regardless of your feelings toward me, I ask that you rely on that experience now. On the experience of those who have led you before and now stand ready to lay down their lives for their comrades.”
Rion took another breath, steadying himself. “I know you expected your queen to stand before you today. She is coming, but she needs time. Without that time, we fall.
“Everything is riding on you. Every single one of you. Even one person can make a difference in the outcome of this war.
“Many of you have seen your queen’s miracles firsthand. Many of you have already been willing to lay down your life for hers. I ask you to stand for her now. I ask you to fight for her now.”
