Total pages in book: 210
Estimated words: 200096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1000(@200wpm)___ 800(@250wpm)___ 667(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 200096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1000(@200wpm)___ 800(@250wpm)___ 667(@300wpm)
Zander’s attention is in the distance, across the expanse of land beyond the wall. It’s too far to decipher what Ybaris and Mordain are doing on that side, but there is activity. “Atticus will arrive in just hours.”
“My people are establishing defenses deep into the battlefield as Atticus suggested. Things the enemy will not see until it is too late.” Solange sits on a ledge, peeling and slicing an apple with a curved dagger. “We have left a small group of casters at the rift tonight, to manage the worst of the beasts. They will have enough time to ride to the line before the enemy arrives.”
Zander and I share a glance, the unspoken decision in that fleeting look. This isn’t a secret we can keep from her without earning her distrust.
“We might not have to worry about things crawling out from the Nulling anymore.” With a deep breath, I tell her what I did. By the time I’ve finished, her complexion has paled.
“You summoned the fates.” Her voice is cold and full of accusation.
“I did.” I can still feel Aminadav’s breath on my neck, his piercing gaze dissecting me.
“We had no other choice.” Zander jumps in. “At least now, if we manage to kill Malachi, he cannot come back.”
“And what about Aoife?”
“We cannot worry about Aoife right now. We will deal with her when she reveals herself.”
Solange shakes her head. “You have no idea what you play with.”
“My entire existence here is because people decided to summon the fates. Believe me, I have an idea.” My voice is harder than I intended, but I stared into Aminadav’s eyes and forfeited my life for these realms—not that anyone knows that. I’m not in the mood to be scolded. “Aminadav also gave Ybaris a hundred years of healthy crops without any strings, so he is capable of mercy. And these Saur’goths that Malachi created? Aminadav doesn’t like them. He said as much to me. That works to our advantage.”
Solange scowls at her apple and tosses it at Jarek, who snatches it out of the air and takes a bite. “Allegra wrote to me. She would like an update to share with the counsel. What would you like me to tell her?”
“The truth.”
“And if any of them have an issue with it, we will gladly collect them from safety and let them witness what our realms are about to face,” Zander adds cooly.
Footfalls sound, and a moment later, Lord Telor appears, shuffling forward with the support of his cane. “We will be ready by sunrise.”
Elisaf trails behind, his stoic protector.
“Where will all the people go if the Saur’goths breach the wall?” I ask.
“Into the keep. Your stone casters have built us an impressive new locking mechanism that, I hope, will hold.”
It’s better than nothing, I guess. “I wish I could get them all to Ulysede. They would be safe there.”
“It is a kind thought, Your Highness, even if it is impossible.” He pats my shoulder in a fatherly way. “Do we know how far the enemy is?”
“We were just about to fly out and check,” Zander confirms. “I am anxious to know if Malachi and Sofie have joined them. If we can get close enough to find them without being struck by ballistae.”
“About that, I had an idea earlier.” Elisaf taps his mouth with his index finger. “Your Highness, you cloaked fifteen of us the other night.”
“Yeah …” Where’s he going with this?
“Could you cloak a dragon?”
70
Sofie
“Should I have brought my love a carriage to lie in?” Malachi mocks, watching me squirm in my saddle.
“No, Your Highness. I am well.” The sharp burn in my backside from last night’s trials has faded to a dull ache after a day of riding. Gratefully, no one else was involved to witness my humiliation or face his wrath. “How long before we reach the battleground?”
“The front of the line should arrive by midday tomorrow.”
An endless sea of Saur’goths leads us forward, speckled here and there with reluctant beasts hauling weapons on their backs. The villages in their path have been all but destroyed, buildings burned and bodies strewn, some missing limbs that have no doubt made it into the meal cart. But it is the females of childbearing age that twist my stomach in knots. I spot the odd one peeking through windows of the few remaining houses as we pass, their clothing torn and faces bloodied. Others are dragged into the nearby woods, out of the way of the main army so these demon warriors can spill their vile seed without interruption.
I can sense their racing heartbeats.
Their terror.
Given what Malachi said of his warriors’ dual purpose, I imagine these mortals will wish for death before long, once they see what they have birthed.
And I helped accomplish all of this.
Forgive me, Elijah.
Those words are a constant silent prayer these days.