Chapter 52 The Final Word
Amara’s POV
It was too quiet in the morning. No leaf rustled, no bird chirped. The countryside itself seemed to be holding its breath.
The hoofs were then heard. Echoing off the woodland trees, slow and ponderous. Kian was standing next to me on the wall, watching the lone rider come through the fog with narrowed eyes.
Behind us, one of the guards declared, "It's a messenger."
From the other side, Rowan whispered, "From Lilith." He had just joined us, his jaw clenched and his arms folded.
The rider was dressed in blood-and-dirt-stained black robes. A thick hood concealed his face. A pale crimson light gleamed in the eyes of the skeletal horse he rode. There was silence on the wall.
The rider remained silent. At the border of the woodland, he merely up a long wooden rod and hammered it into the earth.
A red banner spread out. Before I smelled it, I assumed it was just fabric that had been dyed. Blood.
Blood was all over the banner. And I was the one who wove black thread into its centre.
Amara.
My stomach turned over. Spirits stirred within me. Whispering.
Mira stepped up next to me and said, "She's made her move."
The rider threw a scroll into the dirt after taking it out of his robe. He turned his horse and galloped back into the fog without saying a word.
Kian was the first to leap off the wall. I followed Rowan.
The scroll, tied in the shape of a claw with red wax, lay in the mud. Kian used his boot to kick it open.
I read out loud the message.
"Under the command of Lilith, Queen of Shadows and legitimate heir to the Hollow Witch's authority: give up Amara, the princess reincarnated, or your territories will be enveloped in perpetual darkness. There are three sunrises for you. Make an informed decision.”
I shuddered at the words. As the force of her message gnawed at my chest, I gripped my arms. It was more than just a danger. It was a pledge.
There was a murmur behind me, "They're giving us a choice."
"No, they're warning us," Rowan snarled. "And they won't hold off on attacking for long."
Kian's hands clenched. "Then we battle before they attack."
Rowan gave a headshake. "We require time. We could get an advantage if we could hold her up.”
Mira moved forward. "This will be presented to the council. Right now.”
I could sense the anxiety growing in everyone around us as we reentered the fortress. The warriors gripped their weapons tighter. Moms dragged their kids inside. The pack was aware that territory wasn't the only issue in this conflict. It has to do with me.
And everyone would burn if we made the wrong decision.
By the time we got there, the council room was full. Mira stood next to the war table with the blood-soaked banner spread across it, elders sat with anxious expressions on their faces, and warriors lined the walls.
The smell of ancient blood filled the air as I looked at my name embroidered onto the fabric.
Kian yelled, "This is blackmail," and slammed his hand down on the table. "With witches who kill our people, we don't bargain."
"We must not act carelessly," Rowan yelled. “They will smash us if we assault without a strategy. Lilith's army includes wayward witches, cursed wolves, and who knows what else.”
Kian snarled, "You're just saying that because you still have feelings for her."
With his eyes sparkling, Rowan took a step forward. "That isn't the point of this."
"Then quit behaving like you're defending her!"
"Enough!" The room fell silent as Mira slammed her staff down. "This war will not be won by bickering like puppies."
I took a look around. Eyes looked at me, some with silent condemnation, some with pity. All of this was because of me. The Priestess had a new life. The one that was marked.
"I must know," one elder remarked in a hoarse voice. "Is this the last thing Lilith wants?"
"Yes," Mira answered. Three dawns. Then she makes a move.
Fear hummed through the room. Plans. Yells. Views. "Don't listen to them," Kian said, leaning in my direction. “We will battle. You're not going anywhere.”
The next voice was Rowan's. "We can act as though we're thinking about the offer. Send a phoney message. Put her on hold until we strengthen our defences.”
Mira gave a headshake. “She can spot lies. Lilith was schooled in ancient magic, and her weapons are truth and blood.”
Kian declared, "I don't fear her."
"You ought to be," Mira said quietly. "She used to be stronger than Rowan's whole pack."
Rowan cast his eyes down. “She now possesses the Hollow Witch's soul. She has gotten worse.”
It was more than I could handle.
I came forward and said, "Stop," in a steady but trembling voice. “Simply stop.”
Everyone's eyes were on me. Rowan and Kian both froze.
I said, "I hear her." “Through the wind, the roots, and the flames, she murmurs. She desires me. Not you. Not the group. Me.”
"Don't—Amara." Kian grabbed me.
I took a step back from him.
I declared, "I will not allow any more people to perish as a result of me."
"Her evil is not your fault," Rowan stated firmly. "She would have attacked whether or not you were there."
I said, "But if I hadn't come back, she wouldn't have a reason to raise armies."
Kian countered, "That's not true." "The only person strong enough to stop her is you."
"Exactly," answered Mira softly. "And she wins if you give yourself up."
"But what if the only way to buy us time is to give myself?" I inquired to identify her vulnerability. to put an end to this.
Rowan balled his fists. "No."
Kian's tone faltered. "Please, don't."
The council, the warriors, Mira, the two men who loved me in their own damaged ways—I looked at them all.
I then said the words that brought the room to a total halt.
"No. I'll give myself up.”