“Brilliant,” Raine said. “I still hate you, though.”
Jareth laughed. And not his usual mocking laugh, but a genuine one. “I still hate you too.”
Perhaps this was part of Jareth’s revenge against their father, but Casimir supposed it didn’t matter. They were here now and it was time to end this.
The astral army was making quick work of the daemons and monsters. Renewed hope brought fresh resolve to the remaining fae armies. Bursts of starlight met obsidian armor. Enemies were raised into the air, only to be burned to ashes.
The battle was a kaleidoscope of color. The glint of gold met ebony steel. The flash of green vines wrapped around its targets. The blood orange glow of lava melted their foes. And the gray of rock crushed the stragglers.
Monsters screamed. Daemons cried out. All while victorious shouts peppered the dawn.
Raising his sword with renewed vigor, Casimir threw himself back into combat. A black dagger flew toward him, but he avoided it with ease. Aro charged and pinned the enemy, tearing him limb from limb. Sabriel joined, ripping into another, her white fur splattered with black blood.
Ducking, spinning, and parrying, he lost himself in the melee. The need to focus shoved away his fear for Ava’s safety. She could handle herself. He wouldn’t entertain any other alternatives.
Casimir stood over a recent kill, chest heaving as he gripped his sword. Exhaustion painted the edges of his resolve. Though he still had plenty of magic left, ensuring he conserved as much as he could, his body was sore, his muscles fatigued.
There was a pause in the battle where he stood, no enemies near him at the moment. Taking the opportunity to catch hisbreath, he leaned against a nearby tree, his friends following suit. In the lull, he couldn’t keep his mind from wandering to Ava. Was she facing Andras this very moment? Had she made the portal yet? They could only feel one another through the soulbond when something was gravely wrong—a significant injury, intense fear, near death—and the silence at the other end comforted him.
It meant she was alright.
Pushing away from his place of rest, he made his way back to the action, when a sharp pain pierced his shoulder. He shouted. A shard of ice protruded from his leathers. Jaw clenched, he yanked it out, tossing it to the ground as he searched for the source of the makeshift weapon.
Scanning the area around him, fear clawed its way up the back of his neck at the sight before him. He and his friends were entirely surrounded by a battalion of ice fae soldiers. And standing at the very front…Valeria.
They hadn’t been there moments ago, Casimir was sure of it. Had Andras cloaked them or had they somehow hidden in the trees until now?
“Where the fuck did they come from?” Raine panted from beside him.
“No idea.”
The rest of the battle raged on as they faced the new threat.
Valeria continued to advance, her army following suit.
Casimir assessed the force around them. There had to be several hundred ice fae standing with their queen. Several hundred against…less than a dozen of them. Unless help arrived quickly, they had no way out of this.
“Grab them,” Valeria ordered.
Casimir raised his hands, prepared to call on his astral magic to fight back, when they were swarmed. There was shouting, Raine spewed a string of filthy curses.
Someone punched Casimir in the jaw. The world spun, andhe was shoved to his knees, hands behind his back encased in ice. His vision cleared and he prepared to melt the ice with his starlight.
“I wouldn’t do that,” Valeria said.
Casimir looked up. Ice fae soldiers had his friends on their knees facing him. Raine, Jorrar, Pax, Jareth and several soldiers. All with daggers to their throats.
“One wrong move, and your friends die, general,” the queen said.
Casimir tried not to panic as he met eyes with Raine. He called for help through Aro, but everyone was locked in battle, unable to make their way here.
“I think Andras might like these gifts I’ve captured,” she mused, strolling in front of them. “King Everwood’s most faithful advisor.” She pointed at Jorrar. “The general of his armies.” She glared at Casimir. “And the heir to the astral throne.” She stopped before Jareth.
“Don’t forget about me,” Raine said with a grin.
Casimir glared at Raine, urging him to be quiet, but Raine just winked.
“I know I’m not nearly as famous as the grumpy asshole over there,” Raine continued. “Or that old guy.” He flicked his eyes at Jorrar. “Or this prick of a prince. But I think you’ll find Andras will appreciate the gift nonetheless.”
