The broken and fractured kingdoms joined for the sake of their people.
And marched as one.
It wasn’t long before daemon soldiers and ice fae appeared, sprinting toward them with their own battle cries. Casimir gripped his sword, readying himself as he waited for the inevitable clash between the two opposing armies.
He took a quick look at Ava beside him, her eyes wide but face resolute. She gave him a nod and he returned the gesture. They faced their enemies yet again…prepared to fight.
The battle was here.
Their archers released a volley of Ingeothenian arrows into the advancing army, taking down many before repeating the motion. Golems grew from the mud, swinging their massive fists into the enemy unit, tossing soldiers aside. Rocks erupted. A flash of lava to the left. A vine bursting from the ground to the right.
It was a blur of motions and colors, a whirlwind of violence. A cacophony of sound invaded the air—the screams of soldiers, the snarls of their animals, blades clashing.
A clang of steel rang out as a soldier met Ava’s sword. Pride ran through Casimir as she parried with ease before her blade met the flesh between the daemon’s plates of armor.
A whirlwind of ice flew toward Casimir. He dodged it with a roll to the left. Pax lunged from the right, impaling the ice fae with a roar, then disappeared into the melee.
It was quickly devolving into chaos, impossible to remain organized when they fought in such a formation. All the plans they’d made, the strategies they’d reviewed, were meaningless now. The daemons had forced them into a different style of warfare—fight back and survive.
Aelerion charged, facing off with several daemons. Casimir stepped forward to help, but the raucous king didn’t need it. Dark armor glinting in the moonlight, he extended a yellow-veined arm. A ball of lava formed above his palm, oranges, yellows and reds writhing within. With a push, he tossed it forward. Reaching the daemons, it exploded, magma hurtling outward and burning through their armor.
The whistle of a blade caught Casimir’s attention. His arm vibrated as his sword met the blow. With a snarl, he pushed forward, knocking the daemon’s sword away. The man advanced again, thrusting forward. Casimir dodged with a swift spin. A low growl came from his left, and Aro barreled into theenemy, pinning him to the ground and tearing his head from his shoulders.
An ice fae took the daemon’s place, focused on Casimir. Forming a glistening spear in her hand, she spun it around before sprinting forward. Casimir crouched, planning to jump away. He pushed, but his legs buckled, feet frozen in place. Literally.
Fuck.
Ice encased his boots and the ground around him, rendering him unable to move. With a frustrated snarl, he struggled, trying to yank himself free. But the ice was too thick. Too heavy.
Raising a hand, he prepared to use his astral magic to melt it, but the woman lunged with her spear before he had the chance. With a swipe of his sword, he barely deflected her attempt, unable to completely dodge it. Searing pain shot down his leg as the tip of her weapon slashed his thigh.
Taking a step back, she gripped her spear with a triumphant grin, then flew at him once more. His sword clutched in both hands, he stopped her blow, shattering her icy weapon. But quicker than he could make sense of, she had drawn her sword. Their weapons now locked inches from his face, Casimir was unable to call upon his magic, needing all his strength to shove her away.
It was almost impossible to do without the ability to balance or fix his stance, his feet still frozen solid. Sweat dripped down his brow. His hands trembled, her blade inching closer to his throat.
“I wonder what type of glory I’ll receive for killing The Bear,” she said, pushing harder. “Perhaps?—”
Her words were cut off with a gurgle. Eyes wide, she stumbled back. The blade of a sword extended through her stomach, blood seeping down her legs. The ice fae slumped forward, revealing Casimir’s rescuer.
Ava.
The look on her face was pure savagery. Violence in her green eyes like he’d never seen before. With her boot on the woman’s back, she yanked out her sword.
“Mine,” she snarled, breaths heaving, as she kicked the body away.
Casimir melted the ice and strode forward, clutching the back of her neck. His lips met hers in a fierce messy kiss, before pulling away, both of them panting.
“Thank you, love.” Casimir kissed her temple before they turned, back-to-back, their swords held high, and fought their way through.
Together.
51
Ava rolled, dodging a shard of ice. The fight had begun somewhat organized, but quickly devolved into outright mayhem, making it difficult to tell when to dodge and who to target.
Though Ava and her group were supposed to find a clearing for her to prepare the portal and lure Andras, they’d been unable to break through the enemy lines.
After finding Casimir trapped by the fae woman, she had completely lost herself to rage—the fury overtaking all other emotions. And now, she let it fuel her, smothering the fear of facing Andras.
