CHAPTER FORTY
A MONTH HAS PASSED SINCE our mission in the Nairiden Woods ended in disaster.
We are all relieved yet on edge that Craven hasn’t attacked in all this time.
Ravina has thrown herself into research and royal duties, nearly collapsing into bed every night.
In fact we’ve all been keeping busy trying not to feel the damage from what happened in the Nairiden Woods.
Sir Geoffrey waltzes across the training field toward me, looking like he’s on a mission.
I nearly roll my eyes. Once the coronation officially happens, Ravina will be able to choose new advisors, and I know for a fact he will definitely be the first to go.
The ball Madam Windwhisper is planning has been postponed until after the war, but I’m not excited in the least. I am not a dancer.
At least I don’t need to worry about that for a while.
“General Driscol,” he yells, waving his hand like I didn’t see him in the obnoxious bright colors of his clothing. Bright orange and blue—he’s practically a walking target.
“What can I help you with?” I sigh, turning and giving him my full attention.
The male stutters to a stop in front of me. “I need the updated count of your warriors with dragons, and the death count of those who didn’t return.”
I resist the urge to rub my hand down my face. “The report has already been filed, you can look it up in the archives.”
“But the Queen-to-be—”
“My mate has already been made aware of the increased number of dragons. Now, if you don’t mind, I have drills to run and new recruits to see. Have a good day.” I dip my head and turn. I was never good at politics.
I circle the warriors currently running drills as I watch Sir Geoffrey out of the corner of my eye, who he stares at me with an unhinged jaw before storming back into the castle.
The past month has been busy with rebuilding our army. The amount of dragons willing to bond has been a weight off my shoulders. We’ve acquired at least sixty newly bonded riders out of the one hundred sent. The last group should be back any day now, and hopefully it will be a good turnout.
A smaller white dragon lands on the edge of the field and Ember hops off.
She’s taken to the skies quite a bit since she bonded with Ivna.
She runs over to me—Ember has become my second in command.
She has fantastic instincts, my mate trusts her and most importantly Nero doesn’t want to remove her eyeballs.
“Killian. A pixie just dropped this off. It’s from Phixmery.” She holds out a small scroll and I take it from her.
We haven’t heard anything out of Phixmery in months. I break the wax seal and unroll it. My eyes widen and I glance back at Ember. “Who else knows of this?”
“Just us so far,” she tells me instantly. “Why?”
I roll it back up and stick it in my breast pocket. “We need to have a meeting. It’s time we take back Phixmery.”
RAVINA SITS AT the head of the table, reading and re-reading the scroll. Her lips are pursed and I can sense her gears turning as she thinks about how she wants to handle this.
She turns to Talyn. “You said Ashbluff is on our side?” she queries.
He dips his head. “Right before the Choosing he approached Jesper, knowing we were up to more than sneaking off to the local tavern after missions, and wanted to help. Jesp searched his mind for any signs of him working for our fathers and found none. He’s seemed reliable ever since.”
“Unless he’s been turned because the stone has been used on him,” Aemon adds.
He’s back to full health now after the ordeal. Celeste healed him up faster than anything I’ve ever seen in my almost thirty-two years. Seeing him like that was one of the top five scariest moments of my life. Even my Little Warrior has been extremely clingy with all of us lately, especially him.
She taps her fingers along the table as she thinks.
“We should send a Skuggi fae to meet with him and assess his allegiance, just to make sure we don’t walk into a trap.
I agree that it’s time to take back Phixmery.
That was my family’s second home before my great-grandparents turned it into an academy.
The lords have taken enough from our realm.
It’s time to cut them off at the knees.”
“What are we going to do about the ones under the Stone’s influence?” Ember asks.
She sighs. “Lock them up until I can clear their minds, which won’t be until the threat of the lords is done and we have the whole stone in our possession.
” She pauses. “I’ve been thinking since the failed attempt to get rid of the Soul Stone.
We need to prioritize taking it back. I’ve read the reports and we have enough dragons to defend ourselves from Craven if he were to attack Maleen, but I’m tired of waiting for the war to come to us. ”
She looks at me as she calmly pets Nero’s head, something I notice she does when she is worried or thinking, and right now that’s probably both.
She tosses the scroll on the table. “According to Ashbluff, cadets are going missing and coming back completely different, and dragons are bonding with riders outside of the choosing trial, while the older cadets are being sent away with their troops and not returning. I think Lord Craven is gathering his masses, and if Phixmery only has new recruits then it will be easier to take back the academy and weaken them before they can do even more damage.”
Ember clears her throat. “I think I know where they are sending the second, third and fourth years.” Everyone turns to look at her.
“There’s been more reports of these containment camps popping up outside of the large cities across the realm.
Warriors with Phixmery insignias have been spotted guarding these camps, and there’s reports of a large military presence outside of Targos. ”
Ravina sits back in her chair, thinking again.
“If I may?” I ask, and her eyes light up as she gestures for me to continue.
“We send someone to scope out Phixmery as you suggested earlier. I think it’s smart to see what’s going on there instead of taking the word of Ashbluff, because it’s possible it could all be a trap.
But also, send small scouting parties to check out these camps and the presence in Targos. ”
Cynder leans forward. “Let me and the crew go. Dragon’s Drift is right near the capital and it’s not uncommon for ships to be passing in and out of there.”
Talyn stands, slamming his hands on the table. “Absolutly not,” he roars. “Our father is going to be looking for you.”
“That vile male is not my father. My true fathers are dead,” she hisses. “Because your father stole them from me and tore my family apart!” Cynder looks to Rav. “I want to go.”
Rav stares wide-eyed between her mates and her newly found sister and I can see the war in her eyes—the one that feels the hurt for Talyn and the one that won’t have any male tell her what to do.
“I’m all for you and Evander’s crew going, but Talyn is right. What if you’re captured? He could use your blood to activate the stone. Who knows how much he even has left from our mother stored away. He’s desperate, and I couldn’t live with myself if you were hurt.”
“I can hold my own. Dante, Thorne, Cormac and Evander have been teaching me to defend myself, and I have Galallaus magick. Plus I’ll wear a disguise.
I can’t stay hidden away in this castle like some damsel princess awaiting saving.
I’ve already lived that life until they saved me from Lord Craven. ”
“If you’re going then I’m going with you,” Lennox states, standing and facing Cynder and the pirate crew who sits with her.
Evander grins. “More than happy to have you aboard, mate.”
Talyn sits back down and crosses his arms, fuming. At least he didn’t storm out this time. I would say that is progress.
“Are you sure you want to go? I’d love for you to come with us,” Ravina tellsLennox. She’s been worried about him, and I don’t blame her. He’s been distant, but I know she’s glad that Cynder has been keeping him company.
He sighs and looks at Ravina. “Things have been hard with Mel gone, especially being here in this castle without her. She always wanted to see it, you know. A few days away will be good for me.” His eyes dart to Cynder as his cheeks tint pink, and I think it’s more about the female who will be out of his sight more than escaping the castle, but I keep that to myself.
Rav smiles sadly at him and nods. “Well then it’s settled.
You six will head to Targos and investigate the increased military presence there.
Do not get caught. Report back to me as soon as possible.
I’ll give you three days,” Ravina states, staring around the room before her gaze lands on me again.
“Pick your stealthiest, fastest warriors. I want this information sooner rather than later so we can finish this. I won’t have anyone else I love taken from me.
Not when I have the means to finally end this war.
” And I know she’s talking about the fact that our army is now in fighting condition and we have the northern dragons on our side.
The last month has been chaotic with how hard we’ve been preparing for this.
Her eyes are shadowed and her thoughts are blank, like she’s trying to fight her worry. It’s probably just the fear of almost losing Aemon still creating havoc in her mind.
Everyone disperses to get ready to depart and Ravina gets up, pulling Lennox to the side and pulling him in for a hug. “Keep my sister safe, okay?”
He hugs her back and I fight back the growl that builds in my throat. “I will. I promise.”
He nods his head toward me and my brothers before departing the room, I suspect to catch up with the pirates. Royals related to pirates—well we will be if Cynder mates them. Poor Talyn will have a conniption fit.