Chapter 36 #2
When she’d had enough, she glanced toward Aiden and gave him a slight nod. Within seconds, the tension in the air ebbed, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
“Gentlemen, I thank you for all of your advice and counsel. I believe we’ve come to the best solutions possible with the information we have.
I know some—if not most—of you don’t think I am ready for this.
And I can’t truthfully say that I am. You have all trained for moments like this for the majority of your lives while I lived protected behind castle walls.
But let me be clear. I have trained just as hard as any of you.
I have honed my combat skills under Commander General Koa's instruction. I have fought off and killed assassins who have tried to take my life. I’ve nurtured my powers and will stand beside you on that field today.
Not tucked away behind stone walls or cowering in this tent.
I am as much a soldier of this court as you are.
And if Davina wants my crown, she will have to pry it from my dead hands. ”
A chorus of cheers echoed through the space, and she breathed a sigh of relief as she met each of their impressed smiles. And though her stomach was in knots, she meant every word.
The only way Davina would get her crown was if she failed.
And failure was not an option.
After a quick recap on what plans needed to be set into motion, the council bowed and left to relay the messages to their troops, leaving Auraelia alone with her travel party and Ser Aeron.
“You did well, Auraelia. Your mother would be proud,” Ser Aeron said, pride beaming in his eyes.
“I meant every word.”
“We know, which is why you make a great Queen. Above life and limb, you put your people first. You already had their loyalty, but today, you gained their respect.”
“Do you think I’m ready, Ser Aeron?”
A small smile played on his lips as he rounded the table to sit in the empty chair next to her.
He engulfed her hands in his, his tone taking on a more serious note as he said, “No one is ready for what war brings, Auraelia. Not even me. It’s brutal.
It’s exhausting. And you will lose more than just people when you step out onto that field.
But if you hold on to who you are, you will win this.
Just remember, you are allowed to bend, but never the knee.
And under no circumstances are you allowed to break.
Do you hear me? You are a strong, capable woman.
And I am honored to fight by your side.”
“Your sister told me something similar not too long ago,” she said with a light chuckle.
“She’s a smart woman. Who do you think I got it from?” he replied, the smile returning to his face.
“Thank you. For—” She shook her head, her chest tightening as she held the gaze of the man who had done so much for her throughout her life. Who continued to do so. “For everything.”
“With my honor and my life, my Queen.” With a slight bow of his head, Ser Aeron stood and placed a kiss on Auraelia’s brow before excusing himself from the tent. As soon as the flaps fluttered closed behind him, they were pulled aside once more as Master Demir walked through.
“Your Majesty,” he said before dropping into the same bow she’d been receiving since she arrived at camp.
“Master Demir, please rise. What can I do for you?”
A smile stretched across his tanned face.
“I believe it is I who can do something for you. Here.” As he gestured behind him, his son—Atticus—stepped through the opening with a long box in his hand.
“It’s your sword, Your Majesty. She’s finished.
As are the other weapons you asked for, though I’m not sure how you’ll carry all of them,” he said with a chuckle.
“The daggers aren’t for me; they’re for Lady Piper. She has an affinity for small sharp objects.”
“It’s true,” Piper said with a shrug as she pranced across the space excitedly to take the smaller box from Master Demir. “Thank you, sir.”
With a word of thanks, Auraelia took the box from the boy and brought it to the table, gasping as she opened the lid. Inside, nestled on a bed of green velvet so dark it could have been mistaken for black, was the most beautiful piece of craftsmanship she’d ever seen.
As she ran her fingers along the emerald inlay of the blade, her magic sparked in her veins, trailing out of the tips of her hands and setting the stone aglow.
The swirls where the blade met the hilt were more defined than the last time she’d seen them, twisting and twining into little vines that translated all the way up the hilt.
“It’s stunning,” she breathed as she lifted it from the box, testing the weight and balance. “You are an artist, Master Demir. Thank you.”
“It was my honor, Your Majesty. May these weapons serve you both well.” He bowed his head, untied a sheath around his torso, and handed it to Auraelia. “A woman with a sword is an asset. A woman with two is deadly. May the Goddess Rhayne guide you to victory, my Queen.”
Master Demir bowed at the waist, but as he turned to leave, Piper called out, “What about a woman with daggers?”
“She is both,” he said, throwing Piper a wink over his shoulder before exiting the tent.
Standing outside her tent, Auraelia shielded her brow from the midday sun as she watched Piper walk out into the open field and kneel down in the grass—her head bowed as she slid her fingers across the blades.
“What’s she doing?” Xander asked as he leaned on the support post beside his sister.
“I think she’s trying to see if she can pull a vision. See if she can ascertain the outcome before it starts and give us an edge.”
“Do you think it will work?”
Auraelia shrugged, her gaze still focused yards away on her friend. “I don’t know. I hope so, but she’s still trying to understand her triggers.” Blowing out a heavy sigh, she turned toward her brother and asked, “Has there been any word from the Court of Opal?”
Pity filled Xander’s eyes as he looked her way, and that was all she needed.
When she turned back toward the field, Xander wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Come on, you need to eat.”
Nodding, she let him lead her back into the tent where a plate of roast, carrots, and bread sat steaming on the tabletop. “Have the men eaten? Have you?” she asked when she noticed only one place setting.
“Yes, and yes. Aiden and I wandered about to meet some of the men and ate when they did. We’re fine, Rae. Eat, please.”
As if on cue, her stomach rumbled, and she gave her brother a sheepish smile before digging into her plate.
She was nearly halfway done when all hell broke loose outside. “What the hell is going on?”
Xander’s hands flew to his waist, checking to ensure his blades were where they were supposed to be, while Auraelia scrambled across the room to grab her own.
The tent flaps were thrown wide as Piper—red-faced with panic shining in her eyes—came barreling in. “Garnet—” she panted, taking in a ragged breath, “Garnet has breached the edge of the mountains. They’re here, Rae. I—I don’t know how I missed it.”
Auraelia’s eyes widened, time seeming to freeze around her as Piper’s words sank into her stomach. It was too soon. Too early in the day. Unless…
Fucking, Caius.
Snatching her blade from the sideboard, she slid it into the sheath down her back before grabbing the other from where it was still nestled in its case. Her magic surged to the surface like a tidal wave as rage filled her veins, determination settling in her bones.
“Rae,” Xander’s tone was curt, jarring her out of her thoughts.
When she met her friend’s gaze, the color in her skin bled away, and she quickly crossed the room to frame her face with her hands.
“Piper, stay here and collect yourself. I need you focused out there.” When she nodded, Auraelia rested her brow on Piper’s and whispered, “You do not break. You survive this, do you hear me? No matter what happens to me, you live.”
Piper jerked her head away, her eyes narrowing as anger swirled in their depths. “Rae—”
“I mean it, Piper. Live. For both of us, if that’s what Dalia has deemed.”
A lone, angry tear slipped down Piper’s face as she let out a resigned breath and nodded.
Placing a kiss on her friend’s cheek, Auraelia turned toward her brother, eyes hard as she met his gaze. “One minute, Xander. I need you out of this tent in one minute.”
She knew that there would never be enough time for them to say whatever they needed to say to each other.
Goddess, she wished she could give them more.
But the time for long, sorrowful goodbyes was gone.
The war was here, and as she stepped into the sunshine that was a blaring contrast to what the day held, she let the hardened mask of a queen hellbent on avenging her people slip into place.