Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-Six
Auraelia
After Daemon left…
The sun was hardly above the horizon—the war just beginning—and it already felt like she’d lost.
Daemon was gone.
The warmth of his kiss still lingered on her lips, his shadows nothing but wisps in the air where he had been standing mere moments ago. The sound of the door creaking open echoed through the silence that had settled in her sitting area.
“Rae?” Piper hedged, her face the only thing visible through the crack in the door.
“You can come in, Piper. I’m fine.”
“Rae—” she breathed, remorse filling her eyes as she leaned against the door until the latch clicked into place.
“Really, I’m fine.”
“You’re allowed to feel, Auraelia.”
Auraelia whirled on her friend, her face taut where the streams of tears had dried on her skin.
“Enough, Piper. I know you mean well, but I can’t allow myself to dwell on the things…
that hurt right now. Too much is at stake.
And if I let—” She blew out a ragged exhale, her gaze shifting toward the ceiling in an attempt to quell the tears that were beginning to fill her eyes once more.
“If I let myself really feel it. Really take in the way my heart is cleaved in two…I won’t be the one who walks away today. ”
Piper crossed the room and grasped Auraelia’s hands, strength and determination shining in her hardened, hazel gaze.
“Auraelia Rose,” she admonished, her grip tightening slightly, “I know you. Better than anyone else. That pain you feel, that heartache? It won’t break you.
If anything, it will fuel you. Let it feed the rage that I know burns inside.
Let it build and fester until the only outcome you can see is the one where you walk away from this battle.
Davina is fighting for herself. You, my dear sweet friend, my Queen, are fighting for so much more.
And that alone gives you the upper hand. ”
“How?” she asked meekly, her throat constricting as she tried to stifle the sob working its way free.
“Because you would gladly give your life for the people you love, Auraelia. You choose to stand between her revenge and the people of your kingdom and this realm. You are choosing them over yourself. You will walk away from this, Fate be damned.”
“I don’t think Goddess Dalia would appreciate that sentiment,” she said with a choked laugh.
Piper’s brows winged upward, sass bleeding into every word as she countered, “If Dalia sides with that bitch, she’s not a goddess I want on my side anyway.”
With a light laugh, Auraelia pulled her friend into a tight embrace. “I love you.”
“Love you, too, Rae.”
As Auraelia breathed deeply for what seemed like the first time that morning, a floral scent wrapped around her senses. Is that…honeysuckle? In all of the time she’d known Piper, she’d always opted for something soft and refreshing, like eucalyptus and mint. But this was different.
Auraelia pulled back slightly, her head quirking to the side. “Did you get a new perfume or soap bar?”
“Oh…” a flush began to creep into Piper’s cheeks, her gaze suddenly anywhere but on Auraelia’s face. “Um…it was a…gift.”
A brow winged up, a slight smirk playing at Auraelia’s lips as she anxiously waited for her friend to elaborate. When she didn’t, Auraelia pushed her shoulder gently. “A gift from who?”
“Xander,” she said his name like a whispered prayer, her shoulders rising toward her ears, nose scrunching like she was anticipating a bad reaction to the news.
Instead, Auraelia squealed—bouncing up and down as she clasped Piper’s hands tightly. “Oh my goddess! Are you two…” She left the question open-ended, hoping her friend would fill in the blanks and confirm what she’d assumed for a while now.
“We’re not…officially together. But there have been…steps…in that direction.”
“Oh, Piper.” Auraelia pulled her back into her arms as a lone tear trailed down her cheek.
That singular drop of water held more emotions than it should have.
She was beyond happy for her brother and best friend.
Ecstatic that they’d finally decided it was worth the chance.
But as time ticked by, drawing dusk closer and closer with every movement of the hands on the clock, a weight settled in her chest.
How long would they all have? And what would their endings be?
Taking a ragged breath, Auraelia quickly swiped the treasonous tear away and released her friend. “Would you help me get ready today?”
“It would be my honor.”
The ride across Lyndaria was nearly silent as Auraelia and her party rode toward Emerald’s campsite, the only sound coming from their horses' hooves as they galloped across the hardened ground.
As they approached, she saw Ser Aeron and Captain Soren standing just beyond the last line of tents, each dropping to a knee with heads bowed.
They came to a stop, and Auraelia dismounted Jasira.
“Commander General Koa. Captain Soren. You may rise.” Auraelia ran her hand along Jasira’s nose, then handed the reins to the waiting stable hand. As the horses were led away, she asked, “Do you have a report?”
“We do. If you’d follow me this way, Your Majesty.”
Captain Soren led them through the rows of tents erected along the edge of the Amber Woods.
They were far enough away from where Ser Aeron and the Captain assumed Garnet would attack but close enough that when soldiers inevitably needed care, they would be able to get there quickly.
As they made it through the last line of temporary makeshift homes, Auraelia’s steps faltered.
Standing toward the outskirts of the others was a larger version of the deep green canvas tents that belonged to her soldiers, only this one had a golden crown embroidered on the flaps.
“Why is it so big?” Piper whispered from behind her.
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard a woman complain about something being big,” Aiden mumbled under his breath, which earned a stifled chuckle from Xander that he attempted to cover with a cough.
“Why are you even here? Shouldn’t you be with Daemon?” Piper riposted, her brows pinched so closely together that they’d merged into one as she glared at Aiden.
There was a cocky smirk on his face, and when he opened his mouth to respond—clearly intending to enter into a verbal jousting contest with Piper—Auraelia spoke for him.
“He’s here because I need him to be. Just as I need you and Xander.
Now,” she cut a sharp look around the group, “Can we please be adults? Aiden, keep your comments to yourself unless they are actually useful. Piper? For the love of every Goddess in Arcelia. Let. It. Go.” The end of her statement was said through clenched teeth, her eyes flicking toward Xander, hoping her friend would catch the hint.
The sound of a throat clearing had them all looking over to where Ser Aeron and Captain Soren stood a few feet away. The Captain—goddess bless him—was looking away and acting like he hadn’t heard the entire exchange between their group.
On the other hand, Ser Aeron shook his head in disbelief and blew out an exasperated breath before saying, “Shall we, Your Majesty? There’s much to discuss before the sun sets.”
Auraelia gave him a terse smile and made hasty steps to catch up to her Commander General. As they drew closer, she asked, “Why is it so much larger than the others? Surely I don’t need more than they do.”
“Your tent also acts as the war tent. It’s where all of your leaders meet before battle to figure out the best strategies and alternate options. They’re in there now, waiting for you.”
Auraelia took in a deep breath, her anxiety ramping up as she tried to wrap her head around everything.
Never in her life did she ever think that her path would lead here. That she would be stepping into a tent full of her army’s squadron leaders and captains. She’d planned for a quiet life on the throne. For ruling in a time of peace and prosperity.
But fate had been cruel and dealt her an unbalanced hand.
Time slowed as she stepped through the tent flaps.
Watching as each member of her advisory team bent a knee and bowed their heads, their right arm braced across their chests.
Her magic swirled in her veins, heat blooming at her fingertips as she looked over every single person in that tent.
These people were willing to die for their kingdom.
For her. The thought had her stomach clenching.
Closing her eyes, she sent a quick prayer to the Goddesses of Arcelia.
My Goddess Rhayne, please help and guide me through this war if you can hear me. Steady my people’s blades and help their arrows fly true. Goddess Inara, Protector of Warriors, please guide my soldiers through this, and should they fall, bring them home to Arcelia to sit at your table.
Stealing her spine, Auraelia let out a steady breath. “You may rise.”
As each member of her team rose, she crossed the space to the large table set up in its center.
Maps were spread across the surface, weighed down by daggers, swords, and books.
Tiny figurines dotted their surfaces, and she scoured over each and every one.
It was all guesswork. They had no clue what Davina’s numbers were, but with the magnitude of her power, Auraelia wasn’t sure if her cousin needed numbers.
Sinking down into her chair, Auraelia blew out a short breath as she steepled her fingers in front of her face and met Ser Aeron’s gaze. “Commander General Koa. Report.”
They’d discussed every possible battle plan they could devise over the last two hours. But as conflicting opinions rose, so did tempers. Yelling ensued, and cups were knocked over by overzealous hand motions. Accusations were thrown in every direction—including hers.
Her head was pounding, stars dancing in her vision as the pressure in her skull increased.
These were grown men, and they were acting like children.