Chapter 159: The War; A Prelude Part II

Kenneth's POV

Ever since I found out she was my fated mate, that secret had become heavier than any blade or battle plan I carried. I hated hiding it from her. I hated the quiet moments when she looked at me with trust, and I knew that trust wasn’t as clean as she believed.

The only thing that kept me steady was knowing Priest Mayi had placed a spell of protection over her family. The poison they’d been fed every day had started to lose its grip. Their bodies—already strong from royal blood—were beginning to fight back. They acted weak on purpose, following Mayi’s instructions, letting Donald think they were near death when in truth they were gathering strength.

I hadn’t met them yet. Pontione and Mayi gave me all the updates, but I stayed away because seeing them in their frail state would break something inside me. And if I broke… I wasn’t sure I would be able to hide it from Lucy.

The thought of her reaction made my stomach knot. She would be furious. Hurt. Betrayed. And she would want blood—Patricia’s blood, and her family’s. I knew my queen well enough now to understand that the fury would be volcanic, unstoppable. Or should I say Lira?

‘That will be the most exciting news ever,’ Zeus purred in the back of my mind, practically vibrating with bloodlust.

I scoffed. This feline was always poised for violence. Always.

‘I know, Zeus. Isn’t it obvious we’re here for that revenge?’ I replied.

‘Oh, but I’m not talking about the mission.’ His grin stretched wide in my mind. ‘I want to see my queen unleash goddess wrath. Don’t forget, Lira is the spirit of the royal ancestor of the Fosters. And she has been waiting for this moment.’

A chill slid across my spine at his words—not fear, but anticipation.

Would it make me cruel to admit the excitement bubbling in my stomach? Probably. But I couldn’t deny it. My queen was powerful. She was divine. And when the truth came out, the Northern Kingdom would witness a fury that had not been seen in generations.

Shortly after settling in, the meeting with the spies began.

We gathered around the makeshift war table—Pontionne, Barot, Mayi, Nelly, Katty, Lucy beside me, and the scouts standing stiffly across from us. The silence in the room was thick and tense. Everyone was tired, irritated, and ready to move.

Pontionne leaned forward. “Is there anything you discovered? Speak.”

The two spies glanced at each other as if deciding who would bear the risk of bad news.

Finally, the one named Guy stepped forward.

“Your Majesties… we did find something.”

His voice trembled slightly, whether from nerves or fatigue, I couldn’t tell. King Barot’s jaw ticked.

“Expand,” Barot demanded sharply.

Guy swallowed and continued. “It appears that King Bratton—Donald—has fully prepared his defense. He intends to lure us toward the edge of the castle land where he has planted landmines. And he plans to use magic to trap many of our warriors once they step into the marked areas.”

A heavy silence spread through the tent.

“Damn that weak wizard!” Pontione exploded, slamming his palm on the table. The surface shook.

We’d heard stories about the wizard trapped in the earth’s recess—Richardson. His cruelty, his obsession with immortality. We didn’t think he would be foolish enough to test lions and magicians of our caliber. Or maybe he hadn’t been warned. Or maybe he believed himself invincible.

“Richardson is surely very stupid,” Pontionne growled. “Becoming immortal made him forget that there will always be someone stronger in this universe. I see he has made a pact with Donald. I will have to take care of him. Maybe I will not kill him, but I will cripple him. And I will ensure he stays far from earth for the rest of his existence.”

The air burned with Pontionne’s rage. I didn’t blame him.

We sat down and began strategizing, our minds spinning through possibilities, weaknesses, and contingencies. Nobody revealed anything about the Fosters being alive; that secret was tucked tightly between Pontionne, Mayi and I. Not even Nelly and Katty knew yet.

We all knew that surprise would change everything.

Pontionne assigned tasks swiftly.

He would deal with Richardson.

Mayi would slow down the Northern lions with magic if they attempted to drive us toward the landmines.

Lucy and I would lead the troops, guiding them safely around the traps using our abilities and senses.

Nelly and Katty would be on healing duty for severe wounds.

Every one of us—including our fierce mothers—would fight.

By the end of the strategy session, exhaustion was written on every face. But determination was carved even deeper.

We dismissed the meeting to eat and take a two-hour nap, knowing those hours might be the last rest we’d get before the storm broke.

Tomorrow… the war would begin.