Page 132 of Fallen Nocturne

Her gaze does not waver from mine. “You must fight for it another way.”

I blink and stare at her, stunned by her words.

“But who will lead the army?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. “If I’m gone, who—”

“I will.”

Everyone turns to stare at Blaire.

“I’ll lead them,” she repeats, stronger now. “I can dye my hair silver and put on your armor. From a distance, in the chaos of battle, the enemy won’t know the difference. They’ll think you’re here, fighting alongside your people.”

“Blaire,” I protest, my voice thick with emotion. “I can’t ask this of you.”

“I’m the Maiden of Arawynn,” she says. “I channel the power of a goddess. And I know you, Rhianelle. I know how you think, how you move.”

“We’ll make them believe their queen is on that battlefield,” Siofra agrees. “We’ll give such a performance that the Fae Prince himself will think you’re there.”

This is insane. I can’t possibly leave my kingdom in the hands of others while I run off to rescue my mate. But I look at Darstan’s face, at the desperate hope in his eyes as he speaks of his son growing up safe. I look at Siofra and all of them.

I realize they’re right.

I am a healer and a summoner, not a skilled close-combat warrior. Once the creatures of Astefar are called and bound to our cause, my presence on the battlefield will add little. I could remain here and fight, but even if we survive this assault, the war will not end. The Fae King will attack again and again until nothing remains of Aelfheim but ash and memory.

But if I can reach him, and if Landon can persuade the king he once served, we might stop this war before either army is destroyed.

“Your Highness.” Garrett steps forward. “You’ve given everything for this kingdom. Let us give something back and fight so you can save the one person who might actually stop this war. I will come with you.”

Shade’s wolf gives a low whine and looks toward Garrett.

“I don’t know what we’ll be walking into.” I shake my head.

“You won’t be doing this alone,” Rainer says immediately. “I’m not letting my niece walk into an enemy stronghold by herself. Where you go, I go.”

Shade rests one hand on the hilt of his blade. “I’m going too.”

The wolf barks sharply beside him, then steps forward as though volunteering too.

My heart swells with gratitude and terror. Every person who follows me is another life I could lose beneath the Palace of Bones.

Cedwyn straightens. “I’m only a scribe now, but I was trained as a knight. I want to come with you, my queen.”

“And me.”

The voice comes from behind me. I turn to find Arescaine standing in the doorway, the shadows gathered around him like a cloak.

“We’re losing the light. The Noctrals won’t be able to carry us once darkness falls,” he says. “You’ll need someone who can use shadow portals to move quickly. And if those cells were built to hold powerful fae, ordinary magic will not be enough to breach them.”

His gaze settles on me. “I can get you inside.”

The room is silent. I think everyone knows the complicated truth. Arescaine is more to me than I can remember. But no one says anything.

“All right,” I finally say. “The six of us will go to Avalon. We’ll find the deep cells and we’ll free Landon.”

The wolf barks again, louder this time, and plants himself beside Shade.

Despite everything, a small smile pulls at my mouth. I crouch and stroke the fur between his ears. “You too. The seven of us.”

He presses his head into my palm.