Chapter Thirty-Nine
Castor Aegaeon
The world seemed to melt around me as Daxton focused his magic, teleporting us across the Narrow Sea. In the next instant, a whirlwind of abrupt motion slammed into me. It wasn’t like a step or a leap, but a strange, weightless pull of being ripped from one place and dropped into another.
Fuck, I hated this.
I blinked, and when my eyes opened, the city of Solace stretched out before us. My breath fogged as I exhaled, the cold temperature of the north seeping into my bones.
“Daxton,” Skylar said, her voice tight with concern.
I glanced at my brother. He was already downing a Crimson City healing remedy. The small dose of red liquid derived from their healing springs restored our magic reserves, and thanks to Skylar’s improvements to the formula, and perhaps a dash of her magic, it worked even better now.
“Stop hovering, Spitfire,” Daxton muttered.
I almost laughed. Cute, considering he seemed to forget how he’d practically glued himself to Skylar for an entire week after she came back from the dead. It was a miracle we all avoided death or dismemberment for even looking at her for too long.
Nyssa and I stepped away, and I took in the state of Solace, once a serene, peaceful place.
A city in harmony with nature, with log cabins entwined with living trees, rooftops covered in moss and flowering vines, streets lined with cobblestone, and nearby crystal-clear streams. But now, it bore the scars of escape: splintered homes, shattered windows, and entire groves leveled where vast gardens had once stood.
The forest seemed to persist amongst the ruin, along with a fresh dusting of snow, but the city had been wounded.
Despite the destruction, our combined forces had turned Solace into a war camp.
Tents and lean-tos filled the clearings between the cabins.
Fae and shifters moved through the remnants, sharpening weapons, cooking over open fires, and preparing to march south.
Even when faced with loss, the heartbeat of the city, of its people, refused to die.
I always said shifters had an uncanny streak of stubbornness that might turn out to work in our favor.
Nyssa stayed close. Her unbound hair brushed against my arm as she walked beside me. The bottom of her dress was damp with melted snow. Her presence was a welcome relief, and although I was hesitant to have her come because of the danger it posed to her, I was overjoyed to have her at my side.
As we walked through the war camp, shifters prowled between the cabins—some wolfish, some feline, others harder to identify. High Fae drilled in small groups, their armor glinting in the fractured sunlight, while healers moved through camp, making sure supplies were divided amongst the people.
Skylar appeared next to us, her expression tense as she surveyed the camp. “Welcome back to Solace,” she said softly. “It’s… not how we left it. But it’s holding.”
“Did you send everyone off to their stations?” I asked.
“Magnus and Shaw are checking in with the sub-alphas, and Gunnar is tending to the High Fae captains, while Adohan and Idris connect with their sons.”
Before leaving for Solace, Adohan and Idris said goodbye to their daughter, entrusting her to one of their loyal handmaids.
“Neera was sent to check in with our scouts, while Zola scans the perimeter,” she added.
“Wow,” I said.
“What?” Skylar replied.
I smiled. “You’re growing into the role of alpha queen nicely. And considering I helped train and sharpen that mind of yours for moments such as this, you’re welcome.”
Nyssa released a light chuckle at my side. “Your self-confidence is one of a kind, my love.”
“Could we really handle more than one Castor in this world?” Skylar shook her head and patted my shoulder. “Before he can say anything else, I’ll take his words as a compliment and check in on my pack.”
Skylar meandered over to a group of shifters and crouched beside them, speaking softly in greeting and thanks, keeping a careful watch over her people.
Even in human form, there was a predatory elegance to her that I hadn’t seen before.
It was as if the awakening of her animal form also revealed a more regal part of herself that had been hidden away.
She’d grown from the arrogant little spitfire into a roaring alpha queen.
“Everyone’s accounted for,” Daxton said, gesturing toward the camp.
I couldn’t help but notice that when Skylar’s eyes met Daxton’s, the tension eased from his shoulders ever so slightly.
“We’ve got everyone sectioned off with equal amounts of shifters mixed in with the High Fae. That way, Skylar and I will be able to communicate with everyone during battle if needed.”
I tilted my head toward Daxton. “Handy new trick you’ve acquired, brother.”
“Indeed,” Daxton said as he clapped me on the shoulder. “Come on, Castor. Let’s head toward the southern section of camp. There’s something Skylar and I need to show you.”
“Starting things off with a bang, I see. Oh, joy.”
Nyssa rolled her eyes, but a small, amused ghost of a smile tugged at her lips.
We stepped forward together, moving deeper into the camp that buzzed with activity, and it was almost like magic how the remnants of Solace still felt so alive.
Soldiers and shifters moved between the tents, archers creating arrows for their quivers, infantry sharpening blades, while others sat in silence, praying to the gods above for their strength.
The scent of pine, smoke, and damp earth mingled with the metallic tang of steel against the cold chill in the air.
War was at our doorstep.
Skylar moved like a ray of light through the camp, her presence commanding without words.
Magnus and Shaw appeared in their animal forms with an equally large wolf behind them that I recognized as the former alpha, Alistar.
It was good to have him here in this fight; his son’s betrayal cut him deep, and his support of Skylar was not taken lightly.
She gave them commands and sent them on their way. Even in human form, my high queen was undisputably the alpha here.
“Everyone, gather your things,” she instructed as we passed by different groups, eyes glinting.
Then, her gaze flicked to the southern edge of the camp, where the open plains stretched toward the next battlefield.
“We need every warrior accounted for. Prepare our march south. We leave by nightfall,” Daxton said.
Shifter and High Fae alike nodded, the subtle tension in their shoulders easing as Skylar moved on. Her instincts were unmatched, even among the best-trained shifters, and her calm efficiency reassured everyone around her.
Thank the gods Daxton’s demeanor was rubbing off.
As if on cue, my brother stepped forward beside Skylar as Gunnar came into view between a row of tents.
“Daxton, Skylar,” he called out. “We’re prepared to march. The wagons are stacked, and some of the shifters are willing to tow them in their animal forms.”
Daxton’s voice was low and firm. “Good. Remain on guard, Gunnar. Our warriors, along with the Aelius troops we have left, will be the first lines of defense, with the predatory shifters woven between them.”
Adohan and his herd of pegasi warriors wouldn’t take the brunt of the assault. As formidable as the flying beasts were, it would be the shield bearers and boots on the ground who would strike first.
Gunnar nodded sharply, already moving to rally the soldiers under his command. Daxton turned to scan the camp, taking stock of what remained intact and what needed attention.
Adohan appeared at the edge of the clearing, and I heard him calling out to his sons. “Astro, Finn, check on your warriors and the pegasi units. Make sure they’re ready for the march south. I want no surprises.”
Even from this distance, I was able to see that Astro and Finn responded immediately, moving toward their respective groups. The winged pegasi stirred as the riders prepared their mounts. Adohan’s gaze met Daxton’s briefly, a silent agreement passing between them.
Skylar’s gaze shifted to Nyssa at my side, her expression softening.
“Nyssa,” she said, nodding toward the central tent of the camp.
“Find Latte. She’s the lead healer for the shifters.
See if you can help organize the wounded and prepare supplies.
Or at the very least help ease any tension with the Crimson City healers and shifters. ”
Nyssa’s eyes lit up, a small, eager smile tugging at her lips. Without hesitation, she nodded and stepped forward. Her quiet determination radiated through her every movement.
“Good,” Skylar said.
Nyssa gave me a knowing look before moving off, weaving confidently through the camp.
I couldn’t stop myself… Well, let’s be honest, I didn’t want to.
“Nyssa,” I called out, racing toward her. I caught her wrist, pulling her close and pressing a quick, soft kiss to her lips. “Go on,” I murmured against her mouth, “show them what you can do.”
Nyssa’s smile widened, and she ducked under my arm, sending me a quick, gleaming look before vanishing into the throng of shifters.
I released a long breath, watching her go, and shook my head with a grin. “With so much death in her life before this, aiding the healers might help mend her soul.”
Skylar turned her attention back to me, piercing amber eyes hinting at secrets she wished to unveil.
“Castor,” she said, gesturing toward the southern end of the camp. “Follow us. There’s much to discuss.”
I nodded, following her and Daxton as we moved to the southern end of the camp that opened into a wide clearing, where the last of the surviving cabins stood like sentinels against the edge of the forest.
Daxton stopped. “This is where we’ll coordinate the march. Skylar and I need you fully briefed. Every detail matters.”
I glanced at Skylar, and she gave me a subtle nod.
“Why do I get the feeling you two have something else planned?”
“Of course we do,” Skylar said with a wink. “I wouldn’t come into this fight without a favor or two to call on.”