Crown of Embers

by Meg Anne

  “It will be done.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  “I need more time!” Helena growled in frustration, her fingers squeezing the bridge of her nose in an attempt to stave off her growing headache. She wasn’t sure any longer if this was a strategy meeting or an intervention.

  “Time is one thing you can no longer afford,” Darrin protested. “You saw what she did to their village. Rowena is still ten steps ahead of you! We need to move. Now.”

  Helena shot him a venomous look. “We are making the time. This is important, Shield.”

  “You already have the Storm Forged and the Night Stalkers, not to mention their Watchers. And this is on top of the Chosen forces that already swore their allegiance.”

  Helena glared at him. “What part of this is important do you not understand?”

  “How big of an army do you need?” he asked in exasperation.

  “As big as possible,” she ground out.

  The two stared at each other in silence, neither party wanting to look away first.

  “Helena,” he tried again in a softer, pleading voice.

  “She is taking control of entire villages, Darrin. If you think our army is big, hers is still twice the size, if not larger. We. Need. Allies.”

  Darrin hung his head in defeat. He recognized that stubborn set of her jaw from a childhood filled with such arguments.

  Von’s hand lifted to squeeze her shoulder, his indication that he had something to add. “Do you need to make the request personally?”

  Helena looked at him in surprise. Von did not often go against her, especially not in front of the others. “What do you mean?”

  “You both make solid arguments. We need allies, but we have to move as quickly as possible if we hope to gain the upper hand—”

  Helena cut him off, “I’m going as fast as I can. We’ve already cut out weeks of travel by using the Kaelpas stones. How much faster do you want me to go?”

  Von lifted his brows, waiting for her to finish. “I’m not arguing that. I’m merely pointing out that perhaps if we split up, we could make these last two visits in the time it has taken us to visit one. That would give us much-needed time, but still provide you with your allies. So my question for you stands, does it have to be you?”

  Helena frowned, considering the question.

  “Kiri,” Timmins began. Lifting her eyes, Helena focused on her Advisor. He was leaning on a bookcase just beside Miranda and Kragen. “As the Advisor, I could go in your stead. Any of the Circle could. Since it is known that the Circle is bound to you, it would not be unexpected, or even seen as an insult, if we made the request on your behalf.”

  “I don’t know,” she murmured. Something about not being there felt wrong.

  “For what it is worth, I do not think the Talyrians would tolerate more than you and Von anyway. At least not for an initial visit to their lands. The rest of us could easily represent you in the Broken Vale.” Ronan’s voice was measured, as if he knew his reasoning would not necessarily be welcome.

  “He’s right,” Von added through the bond. Helena wanted to snarl at him but refrained. She felt cornered.

  “It just feels wrong somehow,” she said, echoing her earlier thoughts aloud. She took the time to meet each of their eyes, hoping she could express through her gaze what she was failing to explain with her words. While she saw understanding reflected back at her, it was the urgency she felt through her Jaka that truly resonated. The attack on the Night Stalkers hit them harder than she had realized.

  Helena’s shoulders slumped. She could force them to do it her way, but what would she really gain? She already trusted these men with her life, this task should be easy by comparison. “I just don’t want to give them any reason to doubt the importance or sincerity of my request.”

  “We won’t let them,” Joquil assured her. Danger glittered in his amber eyes. He took the attack on Duskfall personally. Now that he did not have to hide his ancestry, it was clear he still felt deep ties to the people of the Forest.

  With a sigh she relented completely. “What are you proposing?”

  “Essentially the plan would not change. Reyna is providing us with one of her Night Stalkers that has ties to the Broken Vale. With their assistance, we will use the Kaelpas stones and seek an audience. Meanwhile, you and Von will travel with Starshine to Talyria. You should be able to make the trip in a couple of days. We will regroup in Etillion in five days’ time and meet with our allies to discuss a full assault on Vyruul.”

  Von looked amused as Ronan spoke. Usually, he was the one laying out the battle plans. “It is unlikely we will find Rowena in Vyruul.”

  Ronan’s answering smile was fierce. “Perhaps not, but Greyspire is. She will not react well to losing her ancestral home.”

  “You hope to force her hand and make her come out of hiding before she is ready.”

  Ronan nodded. “What better way to smoke the rat out?”

  The other men murmured their approval.

  The plan was sound, if simple, but Helena could not shake the feeling that it wouldn’t be so straightforward. Rowena had proven that time and again. Instead of saying so, Helena remained silent. They could worry about the details once they knew what resources they truly had. Any plans made before then were likely to be changed anyway.

  “I know you do not like the idea of splitting up, Mira. But we will be safe with the Talyrians.”

  “It’s not us I’m worried about.”

  “Ronan will not let any harm come to your Circle.”

  Helena frowned at him. “And who will protect him? With each meeting there has been an obstacle none of us anticipated: Rowena’s general, the challenge, the ambush. It has taken our combined strength and my power to see us through, and this time we will be sending them off without it.”

  Von wrapped his arm around her and held her close. “They have fought and won many battles without you, Mira. They are more prepared than you give them credit for.”

  Her frown deepened, but she did not argue further. She knew what he said was true, but that didn’t make him right. Rowena wasn’t just another enemy.

  “Fine.” She sighed with resignation. “I suppose we should get some sleep then. There’s long days ahead for all of us.”

  Only Reyna was awake to see them off. Since they were flying rather than traveling via Kaelpas stone, they needed to make an early start of it. She had led them to a small clearing, just outside of the Penumbra camp. It was still protected by the forest, but a break in the trees would allow them to take flight. The sky was clear but dark; the last of the stars still twinkling above them.

  “Thank you again, Kiri. What you did for my people…”

  Helena held up a hand to stop her. “If either of us should be saying thank you, it is I. Your help in the days to come will be invaluable.”

  The women smiled at each other, kindred spirits despite a lifetime of different experiences.

  Reyna held out her leather clad arm. “Safe travels until we meet again, Kiri.”

  “Mother’s blessings, Reyna,” Helena replied, grasping the proffered arm with her hand.

  They shared another smile before stepping away from each other. Turning, Helena watched as Von double-checked the bags they’d strapped to Starshine. The Talyrian Queen tolerated the inspection, but only just. From the snicker behind her, Helena knew that Reyna noticed as well.

  Von turned toward her with a smile. “Ready?”

  Helena nodded and closed the distance between them. Starshine’s luminous turquoise eye swiveled as it watched her approach. The Talyrian stood perfectly still while Helena ran a hand along the length of her neck. Starshine lifted her wings as a rumbling purr started deep in her throat.

  “I’ve missed you too, girl,” Helena murmured, pressing her forehead into the velvety fur.

  “Sneaking off in the middle of the night?” a loud voice called from the edge of the clearing.

  Helena and Von turned toward the voice,
neither surprised to see Ronan and the rest of the Circle standing there. Ronan was grinning smugly; this was his doing then.

  Von shrugged and called out, “We were trying to give you assholes a bit of much-needed beauty sleep.”

  There were some chuckles as the men moved closer.

  “Sleep is overrated. Besides, I’m too pretty by half these days and we couldn’t let you go without a proper send off,” Ronan said.

  Helena laughed as she said, “In that case, you might as well get over here.”

  Darrin reached her first. He was smiling but his green eyes were tinged with sadness as he pulled her in for a tight hug. “It is only for a few days, everything will be fine. You’ll see that this was the right call.”

  Helena made a face causing him to laugh and roll his eyes.

  “Be safe, Hellion.”

  “You as well, Shield. That’s an order,” she replied in a thick voice, trying to swallow back the emotion that was threatening to spill forth. Nothing about saying goodbye to these men was sitting right with her.

  With a tug of her braid and a wink, Darrin moved aside for Kragen. Her Sword picked her up and spun her around, causing her to sputter with laughter.

  “See you soon, Hellion,” he rumbled.

  She pressed a hand to his cheek. “Stay safe, Kragen.”

  He grinned, setting her down gently before stepping to the side.

  Timmins came next. He reached formally for her hand, moving to bow and press a kiss to the back of it.

  “I think we are far past the days of such ceremony, Advisor.”

  With a laugh, Timmins pulled her in for a quick hug. He rested his head atop hers as he promised, “We will not fail you, Kiri.”

  “I do not doubt it, Timmins.”

  His smile was forced as he nodded and turned away, making room for her Master to step forward. Joquil’s amber eyes seemed to glow in the darkness. They shared a soft smile and hugged each other tight. “Remember what I’ve taught you,” he whispered.

  “As if I could forget.”

  Joquil chuckled and made to step back, but Helena stopped him, gripping his hand. “Thank you for being brave.”

  His brows furrowed as he tried to make sense of her words.

  “It took much for you to tell us of your past. It is because of you we found such powerful allies. Thank you for trusting me with your secret.”

  Joquil smiled in surprise and ducked his head. He nodded once more before walking away.

  Ronan was the last to come forth. He stared at her for a long moment, his blue eyes dark with emotion. Helena let out a shaky breath as he wrapped his strong arms around her.

  “I do not like saying goodbye to you,” she admitted in a watery voice.

  “Nor I,” he replied gruffly.

  “Keep them safe for me, Ronan.”

  “With my dying breath,” he promised.

  “Alright, that’s enough of that,” Von said, giving Ronan’s shoulder a sharp shove.

  “You’re just afraid she’s enjoying my embrace more than yours.”

  “Actually, I can feel the revulsion your touch causes and am trying to spare her.”

  The men snickered, grasping hands and pulling each other in for a quick hug.

  “Be safe, bastard.”

  “You as well, brother.”

  The friends slapped each other on the back and stepped apart.

  “Tell the others…” Helena trailed off; what was there to say? But the men nodded anyway, understanding the intent even if there wasn’t a clear message.

  It was time. Helena let out one last long breath and turned toward Starshine, blindly pulling herself up. Von vaulted up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist as he settled in.

  “Let’s go, girl.”

  With a wave they were off, springing up into the starry sky.

  Helena felt tears stinging her eyes as the trees below them disappeared. Whether it was due to the wind, or the pieces of her heart that remained behind, she wasn’t sure. One thing was certain, however. The farther away they got from her Circle, the greater her sense of foreboding. Something was coming. She just hoped they would be ready.

  Chapter Nineteen

  They flew for hours, the world below them nothing more than a sea of clouds. The gentle rocking of Starshine’s body as she beat her wings was hypnotic, and more than once Helena found herself nodding off. If not for Von’s arms banded about her, she was certain she would have toppled off the Talyrian’s back entirely.

  Shortly after they’d taken off, Helena had created an aural shield, which blocked out most of the roaring wind and allowed her and Von to speak without shouting at each other. Even though they could have relied on their bond to communicate, it was nice to be able to speak freely.

  Starshine dipped suddenly, angling her massive body down toward the ground.

  “Oh!” Helena gasped, clenching Starshine’s mane to remain upright.

  “I guess it’s time for a rest,” Von commented wryly as he tightened his hold on her.

  “Apparently so.”

  “I wouldn’t mind a break. I could do with a stretch and something to eat.”

  Helena nodded her agreement, even though she felt conflicted about stopping so soon. Her desire to make it to Talyria as quickly as possible was urging her to keep going. The trip would take another full day’s ride at least. She sighed, knowing there was no point in asking Starshine to continue on for a bit longer. There was absolutely no way she could win an argument with a Talyrian. Create a raging storm out of thin air, absolutely. Make fire rain down from the sky, easy. Change a Talyrian’s mind once they’ve settled on a decision, no fucking way.

  As the land below them began to take shape, Helena just kept telling herself that there was little harm to be had in resting for a while. She wasn’t sure where exactly they were, but given the shimmering pools streaking across large patches of green, Helena would guess somewhere in Sylverlands.

  Starshine continued her dive, beginning to spiral in large swooping circles as she neared the ground. Probably to ensure the area was safe, although that was just Helena’s guess. Not exactly like she could ask. When they landed, Helena could feel the diluted reverberation of the trembling earth from where she was still perched atop Starshine. She waited for the tremors to settle before sliding down. Von had already dismounted and was waiting to catch her. His hands were warm where they pressed into her waist.

  She smiled up at him in wordless thanks and accepted the soft kiss he pressed against her lips with an appreciative moan. He nipped at her bottom lip playfully, his eyes going silver as he grinned at her.

  “Alone at last.”

  “Was that your plan all along?” she teased.

  “No,” he admitted aloud, “but it should have been. It’s a definite side benefit regardless.”

  “Mmm, definitely,” she agreed, kissing him again. Before they could get carried away, Starshine snorted, silvery plumes of smoke wafting around them.

  Helena giggled, her cheeks flushing as if they had been caught doing something inappropriate. Turning toward her feline companion, Helena asked, “Need something?”

  Starshine sat down hard, as if to say, I just wanted to remind you that I’m right here. Helena couldn’t help but laugh. As she was turning back to Von to comment she overheard the tail end of his bitter mutterings.

  “…ck blocked by a Talyrian…”

  “What was that?” she snickered.

  He shot the feline a darkly annoyed glance. “Nothing.”

  The stare-down between the two was intense, both wanting to assert their dominance over the other. Helena tried hard to fight the laughter that bubbled up and failed miserably. She only laughed harder when it was Von who looked away first. The sounds of his bitter cursing filled the air. With a satisfied huff, Starshine shook out her mane before standing back up and stretching. As she stretched, her gleaming claws were on full display, which Helena was certain was no coincidence. It was just another
way for Starshine to show Von why she was the superior creature.

  “I suppose we should find some water?” Helena intervened once her laughter had finally died off.

  Von just grunted.

  Shoulders shaking with amusement, Helena said, “Come on you two.”

  As Von came abreast of the Talyrian he muttered, “She is my Mate, you know.”

  Starshine huffed again, not even sparing him a glance.

  “Doesn’t seem like she thinks much of your title,” Helena commented.

  “Don’t start.”

  Helena grinned, but let it go.

  The trio headed off in the direction of the lakes they had noted during their descent. The nearest of them couldn’t have been too far off, but it was hard to tell without the aid of true landmarks. The land was flat and open as far as the eye could see and there were no houses or anything to suggest that the area was inhabited. There were a few scattered trees, but nothing like the dense forest they had occupied only that morning.

  All-in-all it was a pleasant walk. The sun was warm, but not overbearing, as it beamed down between fluffy white clouds. The lake was further than they’d originally thought, and all three kept a cautious eye on the horizon, just in case anyone mistook their approach as a threat. But there was no one, and they made their way entirely unchallenged.

  She knew they were close when the sounds of water hitting the shore met her ears. It was only another fifteen minutes before they saw the silvery sheen of the lake’s reflection. Starshine loped ahead, sniffing at the water before eagerly dipping her head down and lapping it up.

  When Von and Helena reached her, she threw her head up and thousands of miniature droplets flew through the air, each shimmering in the sunlight as they fell back down. Helena held out a palm, letting the droplets fall into her hand. She turned toward Von, ready to toss the tiny handful of water at him, but her hands fell when she took in the ashen sight of him. He was staring straight ahead, utterly transfixed. His mouth had fallen slack, and she could tell from the vacant look in his eyes that he was a million miles away. It was then she realized what had happened. Just as Miranda had predicted, his memories of the mist had snared him once more.