Chapter 158

Chapter 158
Aeron
The North is bleeding.
Darrin's gate held, but Zael made a catastrophic mistake. He let our mother and father in. I can't fault him for it even if I wanted to - it's almsot impossilbe to stand up to one's maker. Even I find it difficult.
My brother managed to secure every other exit and entrance. There is only one way in or out, and that in itself is a fucking miracle. He deserves laurels, not a scolding - although he looks uncomfortable, terrified even, when I walk up to path to meet him.
We arrived at the northern capital just three days ago, choosing to spend the time in a litttle fillage to regain our strength, and formulate a plan. The first thing we heard when we set foot in the North was that Idun was here, and simply strolling up to confront her wasn't an option.
Shortly after moonrise, the sky bruised purple and the wind carrying the stink of burning wood and fresh death, we left the village and went for Castle Blackthorn - once the seat of my northern lords.
It now stands half-ruined, its towers cracked open like broken teeth. The banners of the North are gone. In their place, Idun’s crimson and silver hang from every parapet, fluttering like fresh blood against the stone. It's the same banners that used to hang at castle Stoneheart, but I took them down a few decades ago, replacing them with my own insignia.
Idun has taken the North.
The war we thought ended when Isla closed the fae’s last gate is not over.
We simply switched out enemies.
Fantastic. Just want we need right now.
I step off the carriage first, Isla’s hand tight in mine. She is dressed for battle: black leather, a pair of tight trousers, a short sword at her hip that she still hasn’t learned to wield properly. Not that it matters in her case. She wanted the sword, but it's just for show. She is the most dangerous thing here, and every lord who moves in her sphere of existence can tell. They don't know what she is, they don't even know who she is, but they know she is power,and terrifying, and they treat her with the respect she deserves
Rhema waits at the foot of the steps, blood on her coat, eyes blazing red in the darkening night. Zael is nowhere to be seen.
The council decided that the North would be theirs - Zael’s steady hand and Rhema’s fire. A symbol of the two realms joining. But Zael is gone. Idun’s forces rolled through while we were busy in the South, dealing with Valeria and her decrepit lords.
Rhema meets my gaze. “Your mother took the city two nights ago. She has the old guard on her side. They say she’s come to ‘restore the old order.' Whatever the fuck that means.”
“She’s come to burn everything that isn’t hers,” I answer. “To rule over every creature that isn't vampire. Where is Zael?”
“Taken to the dungeons. Idun wants him alive. She says she doesn't make it a habit to kill her children.”
That's not true. Idun has killed children she found to be... defective. She wants leverage against me.
I feel the old rage rise, cold and familiar, but this time it is sharpened by something new - clarity. This is what Idun wants. She either wants me murderous and on her side, or cold and apathetic. I will be neither. I will do what is best for my family, my kingdom, and the world if need be.
I turn to the assembled northern lords - those who managed to escape before Idun came. They stand in uneasy ranks, eyes darting between me and Isla. Their king is dead. They are leaderless. The owe none of us fealty. Each of them is free to choose who they want to follow.
I do not raise my voice. I don’t need to. “Idun has has seized territory that belongs to the North. Territory we won for you by conquest."
"Forgive me, your majesty, but you didn't do much," one of the lords say.
I fix my eyes on him. "You would think that. If not for my bride, you would be dead. Think carefully before you open your mouth again."
I look out over the gathered lords. "You have not yet been asked to pick a side. I will give you that opportunity now. No one will be punished for walking away."
Not a single soul moves. It's not because of me. It's Isla. they can feel her strength, and they know she'll win this for them.
“I am your king now. From this day forward, I fight for you,” I announce. "As you will fight for me."
I don't know how many of my soldiers remain. The last time Zael reported to me, he informed me that the casualty rate among the newly made soldiers were high, but the ancient lords stood firm.
I meet their eyes, one by one. Some look away. Some hold my stare and see the man they once feared.
“The North will not be ruled by Idun. After I have defeated her, and I will defeat her, Zael and his consort Rhema will rule as the new king and queen of the North. If this is unacceptable to you, speak now or hold your piece forever.”
There is a slight murmur of displeasure, but no one has the courage to speak out.
I turn to Isla and take her hand. “My bride, god-chosen and made, stand by our side. She is the one who closed the fissures the fae tore in our reality, she killed the fae who tormented us. You will treat her with the respect she deserves.”
A hush falls. Then a single voice - old Lord Harrow, who has served my line since my father’s time - calls out, “Long live King Aeron and Queen Isla!”
The cry spreads. Swords are drawn and raised in salute.
I feel Isla’s fingers tighten in mine. She is trembling, but not from fear. She is excited about this war. It should scare me, but it doesn't. She's reacting as she should. Like a true queen would.
I lean in, lips brushing her ear.
“No one touches you again,” I whisper. “Not Idun. Not Morvahn. Not the gods themselves. I will tear the world apart before I let anyone threaten you.”
Wordlessly, she turns her face into my throat, breathing me in.
I straighten, facing the lords once more.
“Gather your forces. I want the commanders in my tent in an hour. Idun wants a war? She shall have a war."
The vampires, their familiars and loyal wolves erupt in roars of assent.
I pull Isla closer, my arm around her waist, and feel the last of the old weariness fall away.
I am awake.
I am the king again
And I am done letting anyone take what is mine.
The war might not over.
But this time, I intend to fight, and I plan to win