Nori stretches her hand out beside my sister. Tiny red flames dot up around the city, their light flickering in the water. Representations of Sira’s army.
There are so many.
“This is just a guess, of course,” Nori says. “We have no way to know where Sira will drop her army. Based on the numbers she let into the arena, this is a safe conclusion.”
“Plus, we don’t know when Kairyn will come slinking back,” Delphie says.
“If my brother returns, I’ll deal with him,” Ezryn says. “Again.”
“We also don’t know where the Nightingale or the Bow of Radiance are,” Rosalina adds.
“What about your new friend?” I ask, nudging Farron’s shoulder. “Think Cas will be of any aid?”
Farron shakes his head. “I think he’s trapped in a different way than we are.”
Ezryn sneers. “Yes, he’s trapped to reside over the city his mother conquered.”
“Either way,” Farron says slowly, “we can’t expect his help in this.”
“No word from Kel or my father?” Rosalina asks, stepping closer. “Your plan worked. Surely, my mother’s cage must have broken. It would explain why Sira is so upset. But Kel still feels so far away.”
Farron crosses to his mate—toourmate—and wraps an arm around her shoulder. “Kel can handle himself. We’ll see him soon, I’m sure.”
Rosalina nods and gazes at the water model of the city.
“So, what are you all saying?” I say, arms out. “We retreat? Leave every Summer citizen to Sira’s cruel will? You heard her, if they don’t submit, she’llkillthem. Summer fae don’t submit.”
Ezryn gives a long sigh. “With the Huntresses, newly recruited Queen’s Army, your legionnaires, and your magic … it would have been enough to stop the forces Kairyn brought into the city.”
“But not Sira’s skeletons and shadows,” I finish for him.
“Even if this is a hopeless cause, the Huntresses will see it through,” Valeria says. “We have vowed to serve the Queen, and we will do so unto death.”
Justus walks forward. “Even the Queen herself knew that sometimes a battle must be lost to win a war. Perhaps this is one of those times. I cannot see a way to save Hadria.”
“We can’t just admit defeat,” Delphia yells.
Voices clash with one another as everyone begins talking at once, contradicting each other, arguing.
“Wait,” Rosalina’s voice rings out, silencing us all. She holds us with her gaze, eyes appearing more golden than brown. Rosie hovers her hand above Hadria, then points to the representation of the sea, where the water begins to bubble. “What if we didn’t save Hadria? What if we destroyed it?”
Delphia sits at the helm of the ship, face toward the clouds, dark curls blowing in the wind. On her lap rests a juvenile Pegasus.
“Who might this be?” I take a seat next to her.
“This is Drusilla,” Delphie says. “We rescued her from a harpy’s nest. She was supposed to stay back at the Ribs but looks like she followed us here.”
“Sounds like a certain spirited princess I know.” I tuck a curl behind her ear. “You did well. We never would have been able to bring all those people to safety if you hadn’t found the Huntresses.”
Delphie smiles and returns her gaze to the horizon. “You did well too, brother. You feel different.”
“My curse is broken.”
“I know but it’s something deeper.” She turns and taps my heart. “In here.”
For once, I think I know what she means. “Once this is all over, you deserve all the time in the world to flit about and ignore duty. Twenty-five years, in fact, with interest.”
Delphia laughs, weaving her fingers into the mane of the Pegasus. “That might not be so bad. Bet I could get around the Vale quickly on one of these.”
