Chapter 20 #2
“Someone we know has been building an army behind Malachi’s back for nearly four years.
With the news of the ship, I can only pray they are working behind the scenes to make sure their army is prepped for battle.
They are tactile, deadly, and every bit of what makes people fear Andorwood.
They may have recruited every man and woman willing to fight. ”
“Women?” Maines asks, surprise lacing her tone.
Silas nods and says, "In Andorwood, and especially our army, everyone is free to fight if they choose. In my opinion, women should be feared more than men. My point is supported by the women who sit in this house right now.” He smiles.
“If you all wish to fight, you have my blessing; if you choose not to, you will be greatly valued elsewhere.”
Oak chimes in to ask, “Who is raising this outside army?”
Silas smiles and shoots a look toward Warrick. “The Rebels.”
“Do you work with them?” I cut my gaze toward Silas.
“No,” he says. “Not yet.”
Warrick shifts in his chair.
Maines shoots me a concerned look, and I stand.
“What sails toward us on the ship is unlike anything you all have witnessed. They are strong and large and do not fear death, as they have already been to the darkest realm and back. You will have to be quick and precise when killing them. They do not go down easily, but they each have a weak spot. You must find it and strike hard.”
“Briar is right,” Silas says, wrapping his hand around my waist. “That is why she will lead us on the day of the battle.”
Fenmore grins broadly, and I snap my gaze at Silas.
“That may not be smart,” I say.
“And why is that?” Warrick interjects.
“They won’t follow me.”
“They will. We all will,” Warrick reassures me. “You have a hold over people. Don’t doubt yourself.”
I gently smile in his direction.
Silas steps back in. “You’ve fought these creatures. You’re great at making plans, even if I’m not always in the loop,” Silas huffs. “And you’re strong. Stronger than all of us, and we will fight alongside you. You will lead Andorwood to victory, and you will win over the entire kingdom.”
I glance around the table, and the others nod approvingly—as if they’ve already discussed this many times.
Anxiety fills my core, and I can’t help but wonder what my brother would think.
His entire life was devoted to becoming a top army commander, and now, years later, I stand on the brink of battle, preparing to give my orders when the day comes.
The salty sea breeze flows through my hair, and for just a second, I feel he’s with me, urging me to be brave and lead this kingdom to victory.
“Alright,” I start, glancing at Silas before scanning the table again. “First, we need a plan for those who choose not to fight and the children. We will need a way for them to escape if things go wrong.”
They all nod, and Fen speaks, “That’s something I can take over.
I have a few contacts who can ensure a plan is in place to relocate those people to safety hours before the ship arrives.
The children will go first with their family members who choose not to fight.
” She nods confidently. “We can lead them toward the mountains, then I will join you to fight.”
I flash a soft smile in her direction. “Thank you, Fen.”
The room quiets again, so I continue.
“Next, we will need healers to assist with any of the injured or fallen." I look directly at Maines. “You will lead this operation.”
She smiles proudly.
“Silas will provide you with the names of every healer in the city who is willing to assist. Maines, you will be our top healer and ensure that everyone stays calm and focused.”
She nods and mouths, “Thank you.”
I stare back at the others. “I think having an armed ship in the waters would be beneficial. They can initiate the attack and attempt to prevent the ship from docking. The longer we keep the creatures away from shore, the better our chances of defeating them.” I can’t help but glance at the balcony and the vast sea surrounding us.
“This will need to be an attack of destruction. We can’t let their numbers find landfall.
It will be ugly, but I know we have strong people who can do this. ”
“Lark…” Silas begins to speak, but I cut him off.
“I would like to be on the ship for the first attack.”
Silas snaps his head toward me. “Briar.”
“You said I am the strongest—"
“I’m regretting my words,” he protests.
“—let me prove that.”
I watch Silas’s chest cave in. “I promise you don’t have to prove anything to me, my love.”
Warrick stands. “I will assist Larkin in recruiting for the ship, but will remain on land during the battle. We will have our strongest on the ship and be prepared on the dock for attack.”
I nod in appreciation.
“Silas and Oak will also remain on land and prepare in case the ship docks. We will need our barrier strong and ready to strike. We can’t let the creatures far into the city, or I fear the battle could turn on us.”
Oak gives me a hesitant thumbs up, and I cut my gaze to Silas towering over me.
“You created a wall of shadows once before. I’m going to need you to do that again.”
“That would create a wall to separate us,” he says, sharply. “Those of you on the ship would be alone and leave us blind to what’s happening.”
“Correct, but it will buy you all the time to prepare. If things go wrong and they dock, lower your walls and fight. Blindside them.”
Silas blinks rapidly, and I know he hates this as much as I do.
Hux speaks, “We will lead that and prepare our men.”
I tear my gaze from Silas’s worried face and turn to Hux. “Don’t you think you should stay back with Malachi?” Anger pulses around me. “He seems to be more your speed.”
Silas snaps his gaze to mine. “What is that supposed to mean?”
Hux narrows his eyes and places both hands on the table. “I’m not entirely sure what you mean, either. I am head of land operations for the Andorwood army.” He leans forward. “It makes sense that I help Silas.”
“There are many things that make sense to me, Hux, but having you beside me on the day of the battle isn’t fucking one of them.”
“Whoa,” Silas interrupts, placing his hand on my arm. “What the fuck?”
I look at him, trying to calm the rage swirling inside me. I glance at the others, and they stay silent, their eyes widening. Even Warrick appears shocked by my outburst.
“I’m not sure what’s happening between you two, but this needs to be resolved before the ship arrives,” Silas says.
Hux relaxes his hands. “I have nothing against her, but clearly I’ve done something to offend her, somehow.”
I huff.
“If we don’t fight together, we’ll have gaps in our strength,” Silas warns.
I glance at Hux, feeling my darkness rise. The tattoo on my shoulder throbs as my inner shadows pound against the ink, desperate for me to lose control. With their gazes turned from ours, Hux winks in my direction, and it takes everything in me not to lunge across my seat.
“If everyone can calm down, let’s please finish going through everything,” Fen chimes in. “We have a lot to get started on and not much time.”
I take a deep breath and refocus on the task at hand. Silas urges me to continue, giving me the floor once more. I take a deep breath, ignoring the stares from the room, and swallow my anger. I smooth my clothes, and focus on the task at hand.
“Lastly, I want to learn more about this ancient poison that comes from Andorwood, and Larkin will teach me.”
Larkin’s eyes widen at my statement, and for a moment, I swear a look of dread crosses his face. I smile widely, proud of my final demand. Larkin has been avoiding me since we arrived, and I want to know why. He runs his hands through his messy hair but stays quiet, staring at the table.
“It’s settled.” Silas claps his hand. “You all need to start on our plans for the tasks you’ve been given. We only have a few days, so time is not on our side.”
Fen, Warrick, and Hux file toward the stairs, taking their leave to prepare for the long days ahead.
Hux pauses, and he turns to me, letting the others move past him.
His eyes convey an unusual anger—an intense rage that chills me to the bone for a moment.
He knows I’m onto him, and he’s not pleased.
“Anything left unsaid?” Hux asks.
“To you?” I fume. “Yes.”
“Anyone else?” His lips slither into a smile. “Maybe Silas?”
I furrow my brow, unable to back down from his intimidation.
“Are you threatening me?”
“Now why would I do that?” Hux smiles. “You sure are paranoid.”
I get ready to step forward when I hear Larkin call my name from the balcony.
Hearing my name pulls me out of the stare. I turn my attention toward him, and wave for him to wait a second. I waste no time jerking my attention back to look at the bottom step, ready to either scream at him or punch him in the face.
Hux has vanished. I stare at the empty space and grind my teeth. He’s not going to fuck this up for us. I’ll make sure of that.
Silas, Maines, and Oak are speaking at the table, and I pass them, heading to join Larkin outside. The cold night air stings my face, but its bite helps cool the anger rushing through me.
Larkin gazes out at the vast sea. His white hair billows in the wind, and although Lumor magic creates a steady halo of light around him, his tall frame casts a shadow on the ground.
“Silas is adamant I do this, just so you know.”
“Good.”
“We leave in the morning,” Larkin’s strong voice snaps. “It’s a few hours’ ride on horseback. We won’t be shifting, so we can reserve our magic for the battle and not draw attention to ourselves where we are going. I’ll have the horses prepped, and we will leave at dawn.”
“Sounds great.”
Larkin shoots me a look and says, “Okay.”
He turns to leave the space, and I speak, stopping him in his tracks. I plan to have the last word.
“I know you don’t like me, so I appreciate you taking me.” I shrug my shoulders and turn to walk back inside when he grabs my arm.
“Who said I didn’t like you?”
“Hm,” I pause. “Pretty sure you did. Many times at this point.”
“That’s your own perception, then.”
I roll my eyes, and he crosses his arms.
“It’s me and the decisions I’ve made that have led me here, not you.” Larkin’s gaze is heavy, and I watch his demeanor. He seems anxious, and his shoulders slump inward—like he’s hiding information that’s eager to be revealed.
“So?” I smile. “You do like me?”
He chuckles reluctantly. “Unfortunately, you are growing on me—like a wart, or something else unpleasant.”
I punch his arm.
“I’ll meet you outside the house before the sun rises. Don’t be late, or I will be forced to not like you.” Larkin turns on his heels without looking back. “Again.”
He moves from the balcony through the wide door and back into the living space.
He walks to Silas and slaps his shoulder, telling him a quick goodbye.
Maines and Oak wave as he walks up the stairs and disappears into the darkness above.
His words play over and over in my mind, and I can’t help but think it does have something to do with who I am.
I plan to learn a lot tomorrow, including what he knows about my brother.
With the house quiet, Oak and Maines settle in one of the chairs near the opposite wall’s fireplace. Rose finished making her various dishes and excused herself for the night, leaving me alone with Silas finally.
His heavy steps echo as he approaches behind me. He wraps his arms around my shivering body and presses his torso firmly against my back. Silas leans down and burrows his face in the curve of my neck and kisses my skin gently.
“I’m so fucking proud of you,” Silas whispers.
His soft lips send a tingle through my entire body, and as badly as I want to lean into him, I know I have to tell him who he is to me—what he’s destined to be.
I just pray to the Gods that this doesn’t change everything.