“Rise, Shelmir. Please answer my question.” Arnarra stood with her hands on her waist.
“It was nothing. Mumblings and moans that couldn’t be comprehended,” Shelmir noted, standing. “Nothing I wouldn’t expect from the pain that was inflicted.”
“Can you repeat anything he said?” Her perfectly sculpted eyebrow rose. “Maybe what he said was a language you are unfamiliar with.”
What did she know? Any person who underwent a tremendous amount of pain would break or succumb to the bouts of tormenting. Maybe she was right. Shelmir could have missed something important.
His gaze locked on her as she moved closer to the prisoner.
“Arnarra.” He didn’t care that he was being familiar with her in front of Shelmir. He didn’t want her near the dark fae. He took a few steps toward her. The urge to protect her was intense. There was so much he wanted to say to her, but now was certainly not the time.
She held up her hand to silence him. With curiosity in her eyes, she stared at the male.
“When we die, our memories linger for a brief time before they are lost. I might be able to see something,” she murmured.
Voron’s heart skipped a beat watching her reach out a hand and lay it on the bloody arm.
A surge of energy swept through the room. The light dimmed before coming back on fully. Arnarra’s gasp was barely audible. Within seconds, everything was back to normal.
The sounding of the alarm echoed off in the distance.
Arnarra’s gaze snapped to Voron.
“The dark fae are here,” she whispered.
Chapter Six
Arnarra sensed Voron’s eyes on her. She ignored him. She was still seething inside at how stubborn the man was.
How could he not see they were meant for each other?
Apparently in his mind, a former slave was not good enough for the future queen of Faery.
She would have to help him open his eyes.
Fate did not make a mistake, and Arnarra was going to follow her heart.
She gazed down at the army marching before the palace. Pride filled her at the knowledge that each man and creature who fought for Faery would be willing to die trying to protect the realm they all loved. Arnarra was patiently waiting for her parents to arrive. From what she’d heard, now that the dark fae had come, even the council was attending this strategic battle meeting.
The wind from the open window blew gently, stirring the long strands of her hair. Even with war upon them, the sky was beautiful. Only for a second could she pretend that this was any other beautiful day in Faery, but the sound of a battle horn off in the distance killed that brief fantasy.
In this very room, past battle strategies were developed. Located high up in a tower of the palace, it allowed the essential ranking officials to observe the events below. It was outfitted with a large conference table, chairs, and couches for comfort. Along the walls were shelving lined with vital journals and books.
“I already know without asking that you are going into battle with the armies,” Lord Sarthyra murmured beside Arnarra. Her hands tightened briefly on the windowsill.
She turned with a small grin. “You know me so well, Lord Sarthyra.”
Lord Hamon Sarthyra was a powerful mage who was dedicated to the royal family. He had been her advisor and mentor since she was a child. It was he who had helped teach her all that she knew about her magic. Her father had recognized the strength in her and knew she would need someone to help her cultivate her powers.
“That I do, Princess. I’m sure Qytho is ready.” The elder mage chuckled. “General, I assume the army is well prepared?” Lord Sarthyra swiveled around to face Voron.
Arnarra finally allowed her gaze to land on the brooding fae. She bit back a smirk at his scowl.
“We are always ready to protect the realm.” He stood taller and tilted his chin up. He wasn’t amused by Hamon’s question.
Arnarra’s heart skipped a beat as her gaze traveled down his muscular frame. She couldn’t help but appreciate his bare chest, legs wrapped in leather pants, and his cape.
His dark eyes landed on her, and she froze.
“I never doubt that Voron has readied the troops,” Arnarra announced. She cleared her throat in an attempt to remove the huskiness from her voice.
“There will be no need for the princess to be involved in the battle,” Voron murmured.
Exasperation filled her as, once again, the stubborn general was trying protect her.
She stalked across the room and stopped mere inches from him.
“I will be down there with the fight. A Maglynn always leads,” she asserted. As the future queen, it was her duty to fight along with the men. What kind of leader would she be if she didn’t respect the people who fought for her? Going into combat with them was the ultimate way she could honor the men who put their lives on the line for Faery. She was no better than them.
Her parents had done it.
No doubt her father would be wielding his sword that day as well.
Voron narrowed his eyes. His nostrils flared.
“Oh my word.” Hamon came to stand beside the two of them. His hands were raised, palms hovering near them. “If I live and breathe. Princess, you’ve found your mate.”
Voron broke the stare and focused his attention on the mage. “It can’t be,” he replied.
“Why can’t it? Fate doesn’t care what we want, but the two of you would make a great couple.” Hamon stepped back and interlaced his hands.
“The general still believes he’s a slave,” Arnarra quipped
“I am not,” he growled.
He stepped forward and grabbed Arnarra by her arm. He yanked her to him, apparently uncaring they were not alone. Her breaths came fast at the feel of them pressed against each other. The racing pulse at the base of Voron’s neck confirmed to Arnarra that she affected him just as much as he did her. “You were born a royal. I was raised—”
“I know how you spent your youth. It made you the man you are today,” she whispered fiercely. She reached up to cup his face in her hand. “A general.”
“She’s right, you know.” Harmon smiled. He paced. “The people would love the joining of you two. Just think about it. It’s almost a fairy tale love story. A former slave who fought to live, saved by the king, worked his way up to general, and then married the king’s daughter, his mate. If this doesn’t have fate written all over it, I don’t know what does.”
Voron’s grip on her arm lessened. The internal war that raged on in his head was evident by the emotions fluttering across his face.
“Voron,” she whispered, gaining his attention. She rested her hands on his chest. The warmth of his skin seeped into her. The power she always felt when she was around him heightened her senses. They were made for each other. “Don’t you want me?”
She knew the second she broke through his defenses.
The door flew open. The king and queen burst in with the council hot on their heels. Arnarra’s gaze landed on her sister, who sashayed in with a wide grin on her lips. Guards followed behind her, shutting the door. They stood in front of it, protecting the entrance.
No one was to enter who wasn’t already in it.
Saria was five years Arnarra’s junior and was just as stubborn and devious. They were the best of friends and had trained together. Saria, too, was dressed for war.
Voron tried to push Arnarra away from him, but she refused to hide what was between them.
“General,” Gormer barked. He strode across the room with all of the power and grace a king was to have. His dark gaze didn’t miss anything. “It’s about time.”
He halted by the head of the table with Kylantha by his side.
“I couldn’t agree more.” Her mother smiled.
The council members spread around the table, curiosity on all of their faces. The four lords and single lady, all stood behind their designated chairs at the table. These were the distinguished members of the realm who
helped advise the king and queen.
Arnarra gave a slight nod to them all. There was power in numbers, and if they were to defeat King Sanev, then they would have to do it together.
“Sir. I can explain—”
Gormer held up his hand to silence Voron. “There is no need for you to try to explain something that my wife and I have been able to see for years. You are a dedicated, strong general. I just can’t help but wonder how you haven’t seen what is in front of you.” Gormer chuckled. He pulled his wife’s chair out to allow her to sit before doing the same for Saria.
“We will have plenty of time to discuss.” Kylantha motioned for them to sit. “Please, have a seat. It is time for us to convene about the impending war that is overtaking our beloved city.”
Voron’s gaze cut to Arnarra’s. She tossed him a wink and took his hand. He was not going to have a choice in the matter. The two of them were headstrong, and Arnarra looked forward to the fight between them.
But for now, they had an enemy to defeat.
Together.
“Now, to get down to business.” Her father commanded the room. When he spoke, everyone listened.
Arnarra trusted her father and his judgment. As the leader of Faery, he was the one true king, not Sanev.
For some reason, Sanev believed he was the one true king of all of Faery. He may rule his little corner where the dark fae resided, but he was not the true ruler of the realm. A small voice in the back of her head pressed for her to ask her father about this.
Something was pushing the leader of the dark fae to come for the throne.
Now wasn’t the time to bring it up, but later, when she was alone with her parents, she would inquire.
“How did they cross over without our knowledge?” Lord Almar asked in a deep baritone.
“It had to be when the horde appeared early this morning,” Voron replied. He leaned forward with his dark hair cascading over his shoulders.
“It was a distraction,” Arnarra chimed in.
Voron looked at her before settling back. He gave her a slight nod, and she took it as a small victory.
“Just enough to take our attention from other points of entry into the realm. We focused on how they had disappeared so quickly that we didn’t take into account they appeared through other portals. This is the magic of Dorceti.”
The room fell quiet. The council shared glances with each other. Everyone knew of the dark fae king’s mage.
“How will we defeat them?” Lady Yalena asked. Her long blonde hair was pulled back in an intricate design displaying her pointy elf ears. Her family was close to the Maglynns. Arnarra and Saria had grown up as friends with her daughters, Ginny and Tyna.
“Our armies are marching now to every entry point Sanev’s men have used,” Gormer replied. He pushed back from his chair and stood. “Together, we will take down Sanev. I know him well, and he has been jealous of me for his entire life. That and hatred have spurred him on all of these years. He believes he has a claim to the throne, but we all know that is not true.”
Murmurs went around.
If anyone knew and understood how the self-proclaimed king of the dark fae worked, it would be Gormer.
“We are going to meet the horde head-on. I’m certain we’ll be able to defeat them. The dark fae is not as strong and do not have the numbers to defeat us,” Voron said confidently.
Arnarra trusted his judgment.
She would call on Qytho, and he alone could take out a sizable amount of the enemy. Her dragon would love it.
Lord Garrik Faynore asked a question, but Arnarra was distracted by her sister leaning over to her.
“So, did the two of you finally…?” Saria jerked her eyebrows to finish the question.
The girls resembled each other with Saria being a few shades browner than Arnarra. Only Saria’s hair was long and dark with golden streaks.
Arnarra rolled her eyes. Of course, her sister would ask now and not later. They were meeting to discuss war, and she wanted to know if Arnarra had sex with the general.
“None of your business.” Arnarra pulled away from her, who had a devilish grin. She leaned back to join in the conversation.
“The wards will hold strong. They won’t be able to breach the city,” Kylantha said. The queen’s face was fierce as she spoke.
Arnarra couldn’t help but be proud of her parents. They were remaining calm in a period where they had to be reliable.
“But if Sanev is using Dorceti’s magic, he will certainly overpower the strongest of our mages.” Lord Katar threw up his hands.
Agreement went around.
“Please don’t forget we have mages of our own.” Arnarra nodded to Hamon, who had taken a seat on one of the couches. “He and his mages are powerful, along with my sister and me, my dragon, and our armies, the dark fae do not stand a chance.”
Arnarra pushed back from the table and stood. Saria slowly joined her. The two of them were among the most powerful fae in the realm.
“My sister speaks the truth. Sanev hates our father, therefore, he and my mother are to be protected at all times. But he doesn’t know us and what we are capable of.” Saria turned to Arnarra.
Arnarra turned back and met the eyes of everyone at the table.
Her father and mother beamed with pride, even in these stressful times. They had raised their two daughters to be fierce warriors, and the girls had already sworn to each other they would never let them down.
Her gaze landed on Voron last. There were many things they had to discuss, starting with what was brewing between them, but now was not the time. To be a great leader, Arnarra knew she would have to put Faery first.
“Sanev will regret the day he tried to invade Faery.”
Chapter Seven
Voron had to push all thoughts of Arnarra from his mind, but it was a losing battle.
He made his way through the throng of warriors waiting for his orders. The dark fae army was posted to the east of the palace. He wasn’t sure why they hadn’t tried to attack yet.
“The wards are still holding?” he asked, stepping through the crowd.
“So far. We’re not sure what they are doing.” Shelmir shrugged.
“What do you mean?”
They walked a few feet ahead of the first row of warriors. Voron stared off in the distance. Sanev’s horde stood in place, unmoving. He was sure they could sense the ward. When Arnarra had given the order to shut down the city, barring anyone from coming and going, a mystical dome was put in place.
“They are just standing there.” Shelmir braced his hands on his waist. “I’ve never seen anything like it. Why aren’t they attacking?”
Voron scanned the horizon. He didn’t see anything out of place. He agreed with Shelmir. He’d never seen an army who was planning to invade to reveal themselves then hold.
“The king and queen will not be here on the battleground. Sanev will come for them.” Voron glanced over at his trusted friend.
“Who will lead their guard detail?” Shelmir asked.
“Princess Saria,” Voron replied with a sigh.
“What?” Shelmir gasped.
It was not an argument that he was going to win with Arnarra. At least he would be able to give two of his strongest men to remain with the king and queen.
“Rolim and Eldar, along with the princess, will guard them.”
“I can go to join them to ensure—”
“I need you here,” Voron said. He looked at Shelmir and wasn’t sure why he was reacting this way about Saria guarding her parents. He was unaware if there were issues between them.
Were the two of them mates?
Voron still had to wrap his head around the idea that Arnarra wanted him—as a mate.
Mating was forever.
Was he good enough for her? She apparently thought so.
Voron blinked and looked to Shelmir, who nodded.
“I am yours to command.” Shelmir bowed.
“What the hell is
that for?” Voron asked. He scowled at Shelmir. He may be the general, but that position didn’t call for soldiers to bow to him.
“I’m just going ahead and practicing, seeing how you will be king one day.” Shelmir chuckled.
“Who told you that?” he growled. He despised gossipers. Soldiers shouldn’t be spreading untruths.
“Is it true? Are you and the princess fated mates?” Shelmir asked, his smile disappearing.
Voron glanced over his shoulder and saw his men poised and ready for battle. The wind gently blew his hair. He combed his hands through it, removing it from his face before he turned back to Shelmir. If he trusted this man with his life in battle, he could confide in him.
“Yes, she is my mate.” It was like a weight lifted from his shoulders to be able to admit it to someone.
“Have you told her?”
“She already knows, and she’s very persistent,” Voron admitted, exasperated.
The princess was bullheaded, but she just wouldn’t let him do the honorable thing and step aside so she could mate with someone more worthy than a former slave.
“You know she’s a woman who goes after what she wants. She reminds me of you.”
Voron whipped his gaze to Shelmir.
“Both of you are stubborn as hell. Have you seen you and her together in a room? The sexual tension between the two of you is electric. I think I have burn marks from being near both of you.”
“What?” Voron dropped his eyes to Shelmir’s arms. He didn’t see any new scarring on his bare arms.
His friend barked a laugh. It was then Voron understood Shelmir didn’t have real burn marks. He’d been speaking figuratively.
He turned and glanced at the horde. At that moment he saw the dark rolling clouds making their way toward the king’s army.
“What the hell?” he muttered. He took a few steps back, his gaze locked on the darkness. Lightning struck the ground. The land beneath them rumbled and shook. Energy surged through the air, making it harder to breathe.
The wards were down.
A significant amount of magic had to have been used to breach the wards with one attempt.
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