Chapter 15
Elira
Caelen and I emerged into chaos.
Soldiers ran past us, heading toward the front of the castle. Orders were being shouted from multiple directions, and the sharp clatter of armour echoed across the courtyard.
We were both filthy—smudged with soot and ash, torn fabric and sweat.
I didn’t care. I spotted Phoenix near the steps, speaking with a captain.
I made my way toward him, my pulse still thudding from everything I’d just seen.
He turned at the sound of my footsteps—and froze.
His eyes flicked from me to Caelen. Then back again.
“Where have you been?” he asked, voice tight.
“We were just… exploring,” I said, trying to sound casual, but I already knew it didn’t land.
“Exploring what, exactly?” Phoenix’s voice sharpened.
“Phoenix—” I began, a warning. “What the hell is happening?”
He blinked, just once, before forcing his voice back into something controlled.
“The garrison’s been attacked. We’re mobilizing a force right now.”
My heart dropped.
“How bad is it?”
Phoenix hesitated. Just for a second.
Then: “Bad enough that Queen Syrena is preparing to evacuate the northern families. We’ve lost contact with two scout patrols and the main gate at Frostwatch is under siege.”
Behind him, Leo appeared, striding fast and grim, his shirt blood-smeared, his knuckles raw.
He paused when he saw me—saw us—and his jaw tightened.
Great. One more set of eyes reading this wrong.
Phoenix’s tone dropped low. “We’ll talk later.”
“Can’t wait,” I muttered.
The Queen appeared at the front of the gathering crowd, her presence immediate, commanding. She raised one hand.
The chaos stilled.
“It’s true,” she said, her voice calm but carrying. “The Veilguard garrison at Frostwatch is under attack by Vael’s men. We need volunteers to help bring it under control.”
She turned toward Caelen. “Prince Caelen, can you get word to your parents?”
Caelen was already speaking to one of his men. “We will offer what help we can. Sorrowsea will not let the garrison fall if we can help it.”
Syrena nodded, visibly relieved.
“Commander Slade,” she said next, her tone crisp. “Will your army be ready to move out?”
Commander Slade?
Slade stepped forward, composed as ever. “We can be mobilised within the hour.”
“Pick your soldiers wisely.” Syrena nodded. “And send prayers to our men. This attack will not go unmet.”
A roar went up from the crowd— soldiers pounding fists to chests, weapons raised.
A surge of defiance rolled through the courtyard like thunder.
I turned toward the main hall, already calculating what I’d need to pack. Weapons. Clothes. Rations. The medallion pressed cold against my ribs.
And maybe my new accessory.
I barely made it ten steps before a hand closed gently around my arm.
I jumped, spinning—only to see Jasper standing there, his expression hesitant.
“Princess,” he said carefully, “Her Majesty would like to see you.”
Phoenix didn’t move, but his eyes followed me the whole way.
I didn’t speak right away.
Of course she did.
“Did she say why?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.
Jasper hesitated. “Only that she asked it be private.”
I sighed, resigned, and glanced back at Caelen.
He gave me a slight nod, still watching the courtyard like he wished he could follow.
I lifted a hand in a small wave. Not quite goodbye. Just wait for me.
Phoenix was still watching me too—brows drawn, concern etched deep across his face.
You better wait for me too, I thought. Or I will kick your ass.
I was led to the throne room—one of the few places I hadn’t entered yet.
It was grand, as expected.
Ornate pillars lined the walls. Golden trim glinted in the sunlight. Rows of raised stands flanked the centre path, designed for those who came to take audience with the Queen.
It was cold elegance. Beautiful, but distant.
I would’ve preferred her sitting room. The place where she offered wine and forced small talk. But this?
This was deliberate. A power play.
Syrena wanted me here for a reason.
I rolled my shoulders like I was getting ready for a fight. I suppose I was.
When she saw me, her eyes narrowed.
“I see you’ve been busy today,” she said, gaze skimming my soot-streaked face and dirt-covered clothes.
I didn’t flinch. I didn’t care.
“I’m going with them, Syrena,” I said, leaving formalities where they belonged—at the door.
She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.
“I know you want to.”
“No,” I said. “You know I need to.”
Her eyes lifted to mine—sharp, assessing.
“Look,” I continued, steady, “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. I do. I know it’s been hard. Having me here, trying to figure out who I am—who I was. But you know me well enough by now to know—staying behind isn’t going to work for me.”
Syrena’s gaze didn’t waver. “And if you die?” she asked quietly.
The question wasn’t cruel. It wasn’t even cold. It was just real.
“I won’t,” I said, stepping forward. “I’m not stupid, Syrena. I know Vael is probably the most dangerous person alive—next to Ashton. I have no intention of ever letting him touch me again.”
Her expression flickered at that. But I kept going.
“He’s coming for me, whether I’m out there or locked behind your best wards. That garrison won’t hold. You know that. At least if I go—I’m not alone. I’ll have support.”
There was a long pause. Then, softer than before—
“Why do you have to fight all the time?” A mother’s question. Not a queen’s. “When do you ever just … rest?” Not a command. Just… ache.
“I can’t.” I said.
“Why?”
“Because I am how he made me. How you made me. And the Shades. And Finn. And a thousand other choices that led me here.”
I stepped forward, voice unwavering.
“None of them involved me lying down and taking my fate.”
I held her gaze.
“And I don’t plan to start now.”
“But what about me?” She asked, her voice small.
“Syrena…”
She looked away for a moment, then back at me. Her voice barely above a whisper.
“I wish you would call me mother.”
I softened slightly. And I made a choice. I stepped up the step towards where she stood and I reached for her. Slowly, awkwardly. But it was the best I could do.
Her arms came around my back, over the dirt, the smudges, the broken pieces of me I hadn’t bothered to clean off.
And she held me. Tight.
And just for a moment— I felt warm. I felt… loved.
Then I turned and walked away.