Chapter 38
Kade
The void gaped open between our two kingdoms as if it might swallow both sides whole.
I stared out at the dead land I’d crossed over so many times in the past few years, standing empty, fulfilling its name more now than it ever had before.
We’d arrived only a few hours ago after a hard ride, stopping only once on our way to the border.
The morale among our army was better than I thought it would be, especially with an army of strox bringing up the rear.
Those with us consisted of more untrained Fae than warriors, and still they rode confidently toward this battle.
We’d allowed for an extra day of rest once we arrived here. At least, we hoped, based on our estimates as to when Thames would arrive. We’d have to start scouting frequently to find a more exact timeline for when to expect Thames. Cassandra could only tell us it would be soon.
The breeze blew gently around me, swirling through the camp and alleviating the blistering heat we’d traveled through all day.
The wind stirred my shadows, and I couldn’t help the dry huff of laughter escaping my lips.
I’d swear Lana was a goddess, not a mere Fae from the way nature responded to her and the people she loved.
“Fates, I hope you’re with us,” I whispered to the breeze as it wrapped around me once before it flitted away.
Onyx nudged me with his wet nose, and I reached up absentmindedly to brush my hand over his mane. “It all comes down to this, old friend.”
He neighed, bumping his nose into my shoulder.
Closing my eyes, I released a few shadows from where they trapped the darkness, hoping against rational thought that perhaps being around Lana had destroyed it altogether.
The evil inside me opened its eye, waking.
I was in control now, too surrounded by Lana’s light for it to overtake me, but the fact of the matter was it still remained.
As quickly as my chest constricted, it relaxed as Lana’s presence drew closer. I breathed deeply, taking in the soothing calm she brought me.
“Jax’s group should be back soon with the last batch of weapons from The Knotted Willow,” she said.
I murmured in acknowledgement, tugging her back until she rested against my chest. We stood quietly as we stared out across the barren land before us.
I caressed her shoulder with one hand, while I held her against me with the other.
Behind us, Fae moved about the camp, speaking in low voices among themselves. The closer we got to the border, the quieter the group became. I couldn’t blame them.
Though a few reassuring breezes swirled around us, a heavy tension lay thick in the air. The weight of what was to come bled into everything around us.
Hooves padded the ground, approaching from the east. Jax led a group of riders, and some of the anxiousness at being separated from everyone eased.
I needed to know that even if something happened to me, Lana would be protected by others who loved her.
Those who would ensure she succeeded, whatever it took.
Six Fae rode behind Jax, straight to the center of camp, bags hanging from the sides of all the horses.
“If you don’t already have something to fight with, grab one here.
Take one you’re able to hold and wield without tiring yourself completely.
Work with another Fae if you need to practice how the weapon feels and moves with your body,” he shouted.
“Spread the word to everyone arriving, there’s plenty for us all. ”
He helped the others gather the various swords, scythes, bows, and daggers in the center of camp before striding toward us.
“Thank you,” Lana told him.
He flung his arm around her, effectively taking her from my grasp. “Anything for my queeny.” Jax eyed me over Lana’s shoulder. “Ready?”
I nodded. Jax, Storm, and Raya had all kept an obnoxiously close eye on me, either worried Thames would drag me away again or that the darkness would creep up to overpower me. I knew Storm especially wondered how this was going to play out, but he saw more than most.
Ian and Raya walked forward after finishing their own tasks among our army. “I’m going to fly,” he said. “I’ll see where they are. Figure out how much time we have.”
“We’re sure they’re coming this way?” Kalliah asked, trailed by Leif.
“Can’t you feel it in the air?” Raya looked skyward. “I think the Fates themselves are holding their breath.”
The Fates themselves. Fuck, they had better be on Lana’s side.
She has us. She will survive.
My shadows remained confident. Though they were as burdened as me, their unwavering conviction that Lana would remain alive in the end hadn’t faltered.
No matter what, she would live.
Me? Neither my shadows nor I held confidence in that.
“Be quick,” Lana told Ian. Her voice remained calm, but she twisted her hands together in front of her.
The captain shifted and took to the skies, soaring higher into the distance until disappearing from our sight.
“There’s at least two more groups arriving according to rumors among the army,” Storm said. “One is a large contingent from Larkslary, the other from Starhaven.”
I cocked an eyebrow at Storm.
Lana chuckled. “You learned the city names fast. Perhaps I’ll make that Colonel Storm title official. Maybe even before we dub Jax General Wilder.”
Jax scoffed as he stared out across the void. “Rude, Your Majesty.”
He may be playful, but I’d trust the man with my life. He scanned the horizon, his eyes shifting to those of his panther, using his superior eyesight to catch anything we might miss otherwise.
“I merely read a map,” Storm said, but I knew him. He thrived on competence and how meticulous he was when it came to battle. I had no doubt he had memorized every city the first time we pulled up a map. “I’ll keep an eye out on the perimeter.” He tilted his head, indicating he wanted me to follow.
I stroked a finger down Lana’s face. “I’ll be right back.”
We moved away from the group, and Storm crossed his arms, turning to me as soon as we were out of earshot of the others. “Do you have a plan?”
“For the battle?” I smirked. “Win.” I shot him the most arrogant grin I could muster.
“You know what I mean,” he snapped before inhaling. He hung his head, shoulders dipping. “To get rid of the darkness still inside of you, Kade.”
“Lana and I will figure it out.” I gripped his shoulder, refusing to acknowledge my own fears in order to convince him. He needed to focus like the rest of us. “We will.”
He narrowed his eyes, searching for the lie. So I made sure he didn’t find it. “If you need my help—”
I took him by surprise, cutting him off and hugging him. He stiffened before hugging me back. Pulling away, I patted his shoulder. “You’ve always been there for me, and then you protected her when I couldn’t,” I said. “You’re the first person I’d go to if we needed anything.”
He slugged me loosely. “None of this mushy stuff. Save that for Jax. I’ll return to the front once everyone is settled.”
I nodded, watching the closest thing I had to a brother walk toward the back of camp.
A few guards approached with questions, needing assistance, and I busied myself aiding our warriors.
Some of the younger Fae needed help remembering their groupings.
We’d hastily tried to mix the skilled and unskilled warriors as best we could, saving a few exceptional warriors for the middle to push their groups forward after the initial battle began.
Before I knew it, a hawk cried out above us, and I jogged back to the edge of the void where Lana waited.
“An hour,” Ian said immediately after landing. “They’re on the move quickly. We’ve got an hour. Tops.”
The havoc that ensued as word spread through our camp to ready for battle was exactly what I’d expect it would be.
Fear wormed its way into our army, which would only grow once they saw Thames face to face. They needed a distraction. Ian and I suggested each battalion leader speak to their groups, encouraging them, but experienced soldiers were few and far between in this army.
Andras allowed so many of the guard to turn or be forced to turn, that those who remained loyal and alive amounted to a smaller number than we’d hoped.
The people needed Lana.
She inspired them, encouraged them. I sent out my shadows, feeling for her. It only took a moment.
Jogging toward the tents, I found her putting her armor on.
“Let me help,” I said, staring at my mate as if the world revolved around her. Then again, my world revolved around her.
She wore a fitted all-black outfit providing her the ability to move freely while also protecting her as much as possible from any initial strikes on her body.
“Where did this come from?” I asked, trying not to let my gaze linger on how well it fit her.
She looked over her shoulder at me, fastening the thicker armored vest around her chest. “Brookmere has an excellent group of Fae who design clothes, armor, and more. Perhaps you should visit when this is all over.”
I growled, tugging her body close to mine and reaching my fingers around to help her lace up the leathers along her arms. “Oh, I will be doing more than just visiting, my queen.”
She laughed, her face lighting up for only a moment before she laid a hand on my chest.
“You’ll need to save your energy, Kade,” she said. “No shadow armor.”
I brushed my knuckle over her nose. “I’ll give you shadow armor if I want.”
She gripped my arm, a small hint of fear flashing in her eyes. “Please,” she whispered. “Please don’t do anything stupid.”
Reaching my hand up to cup her cheek, I rested my forehead to hers. “That’s my line.”
We lingered for a moment, but it ended too quickly. “Your people need to hear from you. They’re anxious.”
She nodded, sheathing Apollo on her thigh, opposite a longer sword at her hip.
We walked in silence toward the front of the camp.
The Fae stood shoulder to shoulder, some with heads high, some glancing nervously around them.
Lana raised her chin, taking in the sight of her people.
“Fae of Atheria,” she said, her voice amplified outward on the winds.
“I know you’re scared. That’s okay. There can be no bravery without fear.
” She looked out, taking in the army that gathered at her request.
The vast number of Fae who believed in the message flooding across Brookmere to rally against the darkness still took my breath away.
“You’ve heard us say what we’re fighting for, what we need to do. You wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t. But let me remind you, we are defending our homes. Andras tried to crush Brookmere, making it weak under his control. But you prevailed. We prevailed.”
A few shouts rose up, chanting with confidence.
“You resisted the darkness. You fought alongside us in Ellevail. You traveled hundreds of miles to join us. You’ve already proven yourselves to be courageous. Now Thames wants to do what Andras couldn’t.”
“Never,” a few cried out to more cheers.
I stared at my mate, my heart and soul. She was everything I could have ever imagined for myself.
I didn’t deserve her or her valor. Her love was the greatest gift of my life.
Standing here, taking in the way she commanded an army, the way they were as enraptured by her as I was, made me think of the legends that would be written of this moment.
Stories passed down for generations about Illiana Dresden.
“He will not succeed,” she shouted. “On my life, he will not succeed this day. Take the bravery you’ve already shown and use it.
Let it build. Stand united with me. We will defend our home and each other.
We are stronger than the darkness. We are stronger together than the dark ones and evil will ever be. ”
Whooping and hollering rang through the crowd. Some of the army threw their magic upward, sparks bursting in the sky, cool winds sweeping among the troops and the earth rumbled, as they embraced Lana’s words.
The clouds cleared overhead, and light shone down on our army.
Lana looked to the sky, her eyes glassy as she basked in the sunlight, savoring its warmth.
Eventually she tilted her head back down to her people, and the rays of sun caressing her skin made her look ethereal.
I swallowed down the lump growing in my throat. This woman was everything.
A force.
A savior.
Mine.
“Nature is with us. If the root of our magic is with us, who could possibly stand against us?”
She drew her sword, raising it toward the sky. “For Atheria, we fight!”
Our soldiers drew their blades in unison, chanting, “For Atheria, we fight,” as our battle cry.
I drew my own blade from my back and joined in.
Lana stood, chin raised, chanting along with her people.
And when her brilliant blue gaze met mine, I shouted louder, letting my pride shine through both my words and actions.
“For Atheria, we fight!”