Chapter 29
Ara
There werea dozen ships in the harbor as Athos came into view. “Those aren’t fae ships.”
“No, those aren’t,” Rvyin agreed.
The captain approached us, his face pale. “We have to turn around. Our ship isn’t prepared for battle.”
“They aren’t here to fight us,” Vanth told him.
“It’s Thebes, isn’t it?” I said, recalling Aspasia’s promise.
Ryvin nodded.
“Vampires? Here in Athos?” The captain was sweating now. “I thought we were expecting the fae. We can’t fight off both.”
“They’re here to help,” I said. “We’ve made an agreement with them.” It was a bit of a lie. Athos had never negotiated with the vampires as far as I knew. We were taking all this based on Aspasia’s word.
“She’ll honor what she said,” Rvyin whispered.
I gave him a look, hoping he could interpret it. It was both annoying and reassuring when he guessed what I was thinking. He took hold of my hand and gave it a squeeze.
“There’s nobody in the ships,” someone called.
The captain walked toward the bow, squinting into the distance. “I don’t see anyone either.”
“They must be in the city,” I suggested.
“Maintain course,” the captain called.
The sailors were quiet as we pulled into the harbor. I could see the empty ships sitting there. Though they were similar to the ships used by Athos and Konos, they were just different enough in their shape that they stood out. “They’re going to tip off the fae that we have help by leaving those there.”
“I’m sure there’s a plan,” Rvyin said. “I hope.”
“We won’t be here when this all goes down,” the captain said suddenly. “We’re restocking supplies, then we’ll travel to Telos to wait this out.”
Ryvin removed something from his pocket and handed it to the Captain. “If anyone questions you, show this.”
The Captain inclined his head. “It’s been an honor sailing with you, your highness.” He turned to me. “Princess.”
He left us and began to shout orders to prepare for docking. I looked over at Ryvin. “What did you give him?”
“Fae coin with my father’s royal seal. They’re very rare and only used by the inner circle. It should help him survive if we aren’t successful.”
I turned and stared at the city, trying not to dwell on his statement. It was the first time I’d heard him mention the possibility that we’d fail.
The city was nearly abandoned when we walked through. I longed for the days when my biggest fear in town was the stares I’d get from the citizens who knew who I was. As we neared the road out of town toward the palace, we saw a few groups carrying bags and bundles.
“Looks like your sister opened the gates,” Vanth said.
“That’s good. Hopefully, we’ll be able to keep them safe,” I replied.
None of the people walking seemed to notice us as we passed them. They were too focused on carrying their goods and keeping their children moving to worry about anything else.
Athos had been through too much in such a short time. They needed us to defeat the Fae King so we could finally find safety. Maybe we could open our doors, expand trade and travel. I found a giddy sense of hope as I considered our potential alliance with Thebes and our newfound alliance with Drakous. I glanced over at Ryvin. “Are you planning to take over Konos when this is done?”
He stiffened. “I never planned to rule Konos.”
“Will Laera take over, then?” I asked.
“Please no,” Vanth cut in. “Besides, she’ll be heir to the Court of Vipers.”
“Let’s defeat the current ruler before we worry about who takes his place,” Ryvin replied.
It was interesting to see how he reacted. Growing up, it was always expected that Lagina would rule. I was next in line, but planned to pass it to Cora if anything happened. I wondered what Ryvin’s plan had been since he was the eldest. Was it never discussed since the Fae King was immortal?
We were nearly to the palace and could see the wide open gates. Beyond them, there were people everywhere. I noticed blue uniforms dotted throughout the masses. The guards looked like they were directing people while others were handing things out.
Ryvin stopped and lifted his arm into the air. “Do you feel that?”
I stilled next to him and glanced over at Vanth. The shifter was also reaching his hand into the air.
“It’s like the one on the island,” Vanth said.
“Not as strong, though,” Rvyin replied.
“It’s easy to breach,” Vanth said, extending his hand.
Brows furrowed, I followed their motions and touched something cold and strange in the air. I couldn’t see anything, but there was a definite change. “What is that?”
“Shield. They must have gotten an old one up and running,” Ryvin said as he stepped forward. He frowned. “They’ll need to fortify it better. It didn’t keep me out and I’m half fae. It won’t be of much use if fae can walk right through.”
Vanth crossed the invisible line next, shrugging when he was beside Ryvin. “Didn’t stop a shifter, either.”
Nervously, I took a few steps. Cold sliced through me, making me gasp. But it was gone so quickly, I wondered if I’d imagined it. “So that’s a magical shield?”
“Yes, but it’s weak,” Ryvin said.
“We were hoping you’d return before we finished setting it up,” Laera called.
I grinned when I saw her.
“Welcome back. It’s nice to see all of you still breathing,” she said. “Come on, I’ll walk you in and catch you up on what you missed along the way.”
We found Lagina in the study, pouring over maps and plans with Argus and two generals who’d worked under my father.
They all stopped when we entered, and Lagina abandoned her maps to race toward me. She pulled me into an embrace. “Thank the gods you’ve returned.” Holding me out at arm’s distance, she studied me. “You’re alright?”
“I’m fine,” I assured her.
“And you did it? Bested Nyx?” she asked.
“I survived her challenges,” I replied. “I wouldn’t say I bested her. She got her licks in.”
“I’m sorry. I want to hear all about it, but Laera says her father is on his way,” Lagina said. “And we’re having some concerns with our new allies.”
“She wants us to work with vampires,” one of the generals said, not hiding his disdain.
“You’re looking for sympathy in the wrong place,” I retorted. “I’m half god.” I pointed to Ryvin, Vanth, and Laera. “And you’ve got a half-god, half fae, a shifter, and a full fae. And those vampires are offering to help us.”
“We lost half our men because of him,” the general snarled, turning his glare on Ryvin.
“And I killed your king,” Ryvin replied.
“Not helpful,” I said.
“Enough. Mortagan, you’ve served Athos longer than I’ve been alive. You served my father well. If you are no longer capable of doing what’s best for us, you will receive full honors in your retirement,” Lagina said.
General Mortagan’s eyes widened. “You’d do that?”
“I would. We have one chance at this. If you want to help us, you’re welcome to stay. If you’re going to be a complication, I need you to leave.” She stared at him with all the power I’d seen used by her mother and the authority of our father.
I pressed my lips together to keep from smiling. She was stepping into the queen thing better than I could have ever imagined.
“Fine. But if they betray us—” Mortagan began.
“—the fae will kill us all anyway,” I finished for him. “We take our chances working together or we surrender. There’s no other option.”
He grumbled, but nodded once. “I will meet with the general from Thebes.”
“I’ll go with him,” Vanth offered. “You worked with me once before. I fought with your men. You know I’m honorable.”
“I have no problem with you. It’s them I don’t trust,” he threw a sideways glance at Ryvin and Laera.
Laera made a show of checking her nails, as if this was the most boring conversation she’d ever had to withstand.
“We should invite their leader to our meeting,” the other general, who’d been silent until now, said as he moved away from the table. “They should be part of the plan. We need to know their strengths and how to best position them against the fae.”
“I agree,” Lagina said.
“We’ll return soon,” Mortagan bowed to Lagina. “Your highness.”
Vanth patted Ryvin on the shoulder before following the general out of the study. The other general joined them, leaving me with my sister as the only other Athonian in the room.
Her shoulders drooped and she let out a slow breath, as if she was releasing all the tension she’d been holding for weeks.
I crossed to her and took her hand. “How are you doing?”
She let out a sound that was almost like a laugh. “This is not what I expected my time as queen would be.”
“When was the last time you rested?” I asked.
“I did get some sleep last night after we got the shields up,” she said. “Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. You’re the one who just returned from trials I can’t even imagine.”
“You’re doing amazing,” I assured her.
“It’s not over yet,” she said.
“And there’s the wedding,” Laera added.
My brow furrowed, and I looked over at the Fae Princess. “What wedding?”
“Tonight. The Dragon King came all the way back to Athos just for Cora,” Laera explained.
“Really? He’s making her do that now?” Anger made my face feel hot.
“Ara, you’re hurting my hand,” Lagina said.
I released her quickly. “Sorry.”
“It was Cora’s idea,” Lagina said.
I shook my head. “I don’t understand.”
“Maybe the bond got to her,” Laera suggested.
“She wanted to ensure the alliance,” Lagina said. “I tried to talk her out of it, but you know Cora. Once she’s made up her mind on something, it’s happening.”
“Tonight?” I asked.
“Sunset,” Lagina said.
“Is this really the best use of our time?” I asked.
“You should invite the people,” Ryvin said. “Do it somewhere they can see it and be part of it. Give everyone something to celebrate. A moment of distraction.”
“That’s a good idea,” Lagina said. “You really do think like a king, you know that?”
Ryvin looked a little pale.
Someone knocked on the door, and Argus crossed the room to open it. Sophia’s whole face lit up when she saw us. I didn’t even get to say hello before I was wrapped in her arms.
“I’m glad you’re back. I could use some help,” she said as she released me from her embrace.
“Whatever you need,” I offered.
“Great. You find the flowers for Cora’s bouquet,” she said cheerfully.