Chapter 24
Chapter
Twenty-Four
The gates loomed closer with every step, torchlight spilling across the stone. Then the shouts came from above—urgent, panicked.
His shadows rose, curling around his boots, whispering warnings only he could hear.
Someone is coming.
He stilled, senses sharpening. Not from the city. From the plains. Many presences. Orcs.
Betrayal. The realization struck like a blade to the gut. Who had moved against him? His father? Kardoc?
No time to think.
He swept Eliza into his arms in one motion, ignoring her startled cry, her fists pressing against his chest. “Put me down—”
“Quiet,” he snapped, already sprinting toward the gates. Her warmth seared against him, but his focus was unbroken.
“Take position!” he roared back to Shazi. “Attack oncoming!”
At once, her unit shifted, steel gleaming, formation snapping into readiness. Loyal. Efficient. Fierce.
Above, human guards bristled, crossbows trained on him. His every step brought more shouts, more tension. But they wouldn’t shoot. Not with the queen in his arms.
He reached the soldiers massed just inside the gates. Lowering Eliza to her feet, he barked: “Take her.”
She stared at him, shock breaking through her composure. “Rakhal… what—?”
“Attackers,” he said curtly, his voice cutting through her protest. “No time to explain. I will hold them off—and show you the true depth of my commitment to this plan.”
He raised his voice, making sure the humans above and behind the walls heard every word.
“She is safe. Keep her here. Keep your men inside, lest you want any to die. I will have no more blood spilled—unless they deserve it. Not Maidan. Not orc. I will contain the threat.”
The soldiers looked to their queen.
And Eliza—gods, she was quick—straightened her spine, her expression hardening with command. “Defend from behind the walls,” she ordered. “Watch. And wait. Fire upon the enemy—but not Rakhal’s people.”
Rakhal turned, glaring up at the watchtowers. “No arrows. Not yet. If I fail, then you may fire.”
His shadows stirred, hungry and ready. The plains beyond burned with torchlight, and the sound of approaching orcs rolled toward them like thunder.