Nothing in my arsenal can hurt him—not even my death power. Not when Caledon’s a vast black hole, swallowing up any celestial magic sent his way. I’ve learned by now I can’t fight his darkness with my own; he only feeds off it.
An idea comes to me then, smacking me in the face so hard I stop walking altogether. After I assure Tira I’m not about to faint, I reach out across the mooring.
“Leon,”I call.
“Yes, my love?”
“There’s something I want you to add to your message to Fairon.”
Chapter 29
Morgana
By now, I’m used to the sound of an army on the move, the incredible din of hundreds of horses, wagons, and marching feet moving constantly forward. It’s become like a heartbeat thundering in my chest over the past twelve days, reminding me of the power I have behind me. And the responsibility I bear.
I squint at the horizon, trying to make out the green band that indicates we’re nearing the Miravow. There’s a spot in the distance I think might be it, but it seems painfully far.
“It’s only another day at most,”Leon assures me as he pulls his horse up beside mine.
It feels like we’ve been on the road an eternity, every day another mire of tension and worry to wade through. What if we don’t get there in time? How will we stop Caledon if he succeeds in capturing the cup? At first, those were the questions spinning through my head. It was only when I’d nearly driven Leon mad with them that my mind started throwing up new ones. I’ve never been in a war—what if I can’t handle it? What if my generals decide I’m not fit to be queen and mutiny?
It was Tira who settled that issue for me. One night after we’d made camp, she helpfully pointed out that even if Iwasa crap leader on the battlefield, I came with Leon. And the Nightmare Prince definitelyknew how to play this game. I’d sarcastically thanked Tira for her compassionate insight, but admittedly, itdidmake me feel a little better. On that point, at least. There’s no shortage of other scenarios for me to worry about.
But it’s been nearly a fortnight of that, and evenI’verun out of anxious thoughts now we’re finally nearing the border. Either we’ll make it or we won’t, and all the will in the world won’t make our armies march faster or our horses grow wings. I breathe in Leon’s earthy scent, letting it ground me, only to have my focus drawn to movement in the distance.
“Do you see?—”
“Yes,” Leon answers as a line of soldiers behind us also start pointing at the shape barreling toward us. It’s moving incredibly fast, like an arrow flying through the air. As it gets closer, it takes on the shape of a horse and rider, moving so swiftly across the ground, it’s like the animal’s feet are barely touching the earth.
A shout comes down the line, an order to prepare for attack.
Then the rider lifts something into the air—a flash of blue—and I see Harman break rank, bolting forward beyond our front line.
“Hold fire!” he shouts. “It’s one of ours!”
“Must be aesteri magic,” Phaia says as we watch Harman ride out to meet the newcomer. Hyllus is at my elbow, while Stratton’s on the other side of Leon. We’ve been riding at our own pace, in shifting groups, but they all closed in around the pair of us at the first sign of trouble.
Aroundme, I realize. They’ve fought alongside Leon long enough not to worry too much about his safety. I make a note of this for later. Right now, Harman’s coming back to us with the other rider at his side. The woman looks windswept, but her horse seems unaffected by having traveled at such supernatural speed. I mentally agree with Phaia; it could only be aesteri magic that allowed them to go so fast, which is very useful if you need to deliver?—
“A message,” Harman explains, his face tense. “From our spies near the border.” He looks toward the woman and nods.
“The Temple forces entered the Miravow this morning, but they don’t seem to be moving toward Starfall,” she says, a little breathless. I’m sure she knows how important the information she carries is.
“What are they doing instead?” Leon asks.
“They’ve spread out throughout the forest, a long line from east to west.”
“Like they’re looking for something,” I say, my eyes meeting Leon’s. “Caledon must think the cup is hidden in the Miravow itself.”
“Damia, go update Becane,” Leon orders, and the fae soldier takes off toward the Trovian general.
Alastor sighs. “I was looking forward to getting some sleep tonight.”
I share his disappointment, but he’s right. We can’t stop and rest now. Caledon’s forces will likely stop searching the Miravow when the sun sets, but that’s the precious time we need to catch up to them.
And when morning comes, the war will truly begin.
“You really love to test me, don’t you, Ana?”Leon says, glaring across the tent at me.
