Chapter 23

We can’t risk it, Davion.

Those were Trystan’s words only moments ago when he’d stayed behind to give the king an idea of his own.

We can’t risk you.

He shook his head. How were they supposed to throw themselves against the walls of Cullenspire when they were horribly outnumbered?

But Trystan, our scouts have seen it. Part of the Dreach-Dhoun force has camped in the abandoned village, away from the legions. They’re villagers and farmers, not soldiers.

Trystan hadn’t budged.

Davi walked through the dark camp where very little chatter filled the air. None of them could speak of the horrors they were sure to see. Could anyone truly prepare for battle?

Their numbers were considerably smaller than they needed for the task ahead of them. He avoided the eyes of people he passed. Some gathered together to pray to the earth for their safe return. Others sank into their fear.

He only had one person he needed to see. No matter what Trystan said, there was something he felt he needed to do and a part of him hoped Rissa would tell him it was stupid even if they were desperate.

He found the girl in question sitting on the ground outside her tent, a knife in her hands.

Her fingers shook as she curled them around the hilt.

He rushed toward her, fear gripping him.

When he stopped in front of her, hazel eyes snapped to his.

He dropped to his knees and pried her fingers off the knife. “Ri.”

She shook her head. “I told him.” Her words shook. “I told him we had to do this. It was my plan.”

He put his fingers under her chin and tilted her face up. “It’s a good plan, Rissa.”

Her shoulders shook. “You didn’t think so only a moment ago.” She shifted her eyes to the surrounding tents and their occupants. “Their deaths will be on me.”

“They answered their king’s call, knowing what it could mean. Tomorrow, they will fight willingly. You do not own their decisions.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Ri, there’s something I have to do and it’s something only I can accomplish.” He paused. “Trystan thinks it’s suicide.”

“Is it?”

“Maybe.”

She studied him, her eyes able to read every expression. “But if it’s not?”

“We can win this. We can save Dreach-Sciene.”

“Dav…” She hesitated, meeting his gaze. “I can’t… You can’t risk yourself. Maybe Trystan is right.”

He squeezed both her hands in his. “Everything in my gut tells me I need to do this. Ri, I’m so sure.”

She pulled one hand free and reached it forward to cup his jaw. “Then it sounds like I need to do it too.”

He unleashed a smile. “I haven’t even told you want I want to do yet.”

“I trust you, Dav. Always have. Wherever you go, I go.”

“Okay.” He’d never try to tell Rissa what to do, not anymore. She knew herself and had just as much right to take risks as he did. “We need one more person.”

She raised an eyebrow but Davi pushed himself to his feet and helped her up. All sadness disappeared from Rissa’s face as the determination he knew so well set in.

He swung an arm around her shoulders and pulled her into his side.

They found Lorelai near one of the dying fires at the edge of camp, her eyes trained on the sentries.

“Cousin.” Davi scanned their surroundings to make sure they weren’t overheard. “Want to help me disobey the king?”

Shock clouded her face, but her usual mask of aloofness soon returned. “Why do I feel like you’re going to get me imprisoned one of these days?”

He shrugged. “You know the Dreach-Dhoun villagers as well as I, Lorelai. What is the one thing that bonds them together?”

She clenched her jaw. Was she remembering the mass execution they’d rescued her from? “Hatred of their king.”

Davi nodded. “My father got it wrong, didn’t he? He sent his legions marching into any village with even a whiff of rebel activity, but what he didn’t understand, was they were bred to be rebels. It wasn’t a movement. It was a way of life.”

Lorelai met his eye. “Do you think Calis would unleash disloyal forces without assurances?”

“Assurances?” Rissa asked.

She knew nothing about Dreach-Dhoun, Davi realized. In her mind, a king existed to serve the people. But across the border, the people existed to serve the king. “He must be keeping those who cannot fight somewhere across the border.”

Rissa’s eyes darkened and Davi reached for her hand. He threaded their fingers together and squeezed.

Lorelai scratched the back of her head. “I know what you’re hoping they do. It won’t work.”

“We’re out of options, Lorelai. Trystan forbade me from leaving this camp, but I can’t sit here and wait for morning to come. Not when that morning may be the last our people see.”

“Our people,” Rissa whispered. “You said ‘our people’.” A smile came to her lips.

“Aren’t they?”

She nodded and released a breath. “Yeah, Dav. I’m just glad to hear you say it again.”

Davi flicked his eyes from Lorelai to Rissa, unsure of how they would take his next words. “But in Dreach-Dhoun, they’re my people too.” He swallowed a lump in his throat.

“I know.” Rissa met Lorelai’s gaze. “When we don’t have many options before us, we must attempt the impossible. If we die, it won’t matter what we tried, only what we didn’t.”

Davi would’ve sworn he saw pride shining in Lorelai’s eyes when she took in the princess. They’d been working together non-stop, but still didn’t seem to like each other. Fondness wasn’t a necessity for trust, it seemed.

Lorelai put the guards to sleep just long enough for them to untie their horses and lead them past the edge of camp. The fires that had lit the night now faded into the background as darkness spread before them.

The pounding of the horse’s hooves was deafening in the silence of the empty countryside. They skirted the edge of the magic line, choosing to avoid the dead land where Calis’ Legions patrolled.

Most of the soldiers had pulled back into the stronghold.

The village looked deserted from afar. The people had packed up everything they could carry and fled into Aldorwood. They’d known Isenore would become a battleground.

The closer they rode, the more they could see. A ring of fires circled where the bedraggled soldiers took their rest.

The troops made up of Dreach-Dhoun villagers would suffer in the battle to come, by the looks of their crude, blunt weapons. Their numbers would be their only advantage.

“Most of their magic is weak,” Lorelai whispered. “Much like those who live off the land in Dreach-Sciene. But there may be a few with greater capacity. We must proceed with caution.”

Davi had no time for caution. He kicked his horse and took off down the hill. Grass gave way to cracked cobblestone streets.

By the time he reached the fires, the entire camp knew of his arrival.

A warning horn sounded and men carrying rusted swords and poorly carved bows stumbled to jump into the battle they were expecting.

Rissa and Lorelai struggled to catch up with Davi.

He jumped from his horse without waiting for it to stop completely and threw his sword to the ground.

“I am not a threat!”

A burly man barreled forward. Black markings stretched down each of his thick arms. He held a heavy ax. “What is the meaning of this?” His eyes widened when they landed on Davi. “Your… Highness?” He turned to the man at his side. “Give me a torch.” When the torch finally reached him, he stepped forward to get a better look, bringing the light of the flame close to Davi’s face.

Davi’s heart thundered against his ribs. If he was wrong about this, they’d kill him right away.

But the man didn’t raise his ax.

A growl sounded in his throat. “I was there the day you led the legions against my village. When you slaughtered those whose only crime was listening to someone speak.”

Davi shrank back. It was one of the memories he wished could be taken from him. He couldn’t bring himself to look at Rissa or see the disappointment that was sure to be on her face. She didn’t know who he’d truly been without his memories.

“I won’t apologize.” Davi cleared his throat. “Because that would assume I can ever take back my actions. I can’t.”

The man grunted. “The king said you were dead. Killed by Dreach-Sciene scum.”

Calis would never want his people to know Davi had chosen the other side, or it could break his hold on them.

Davi scanned the troops who relaxed their stances as his name bounced through the air.

“Are you here to aid us in this fight?” someone asked.

Davi ignored the question. “I must speak with your generals.”

Lorelai stepped forward, and the mood shifted noticeable.

“The seer,” someone whispered. “She’s come for us.”

Davi watched them approach his cousin and saw it from their view. Lorelai was one of them. Imprisoned by Calis. She’d even fought for her mother’s life the day he brought the legions down upon them.

He turned his attention back to the man who was still studying him.

“I am General Mack. I don’t trust you, Prince. But who can afford trust anymore? Come.”

Davi held his hand out to the still silent Rissa, and she took it as they followed General Mack. He led them through the once deserted village, past empty shops where Dreach-Dhoun soldiers had taken over, until finally coming to a stop outside a one-room house. The windows had been broken and a long crack ran the length of the wooden door.

Once inside, Mack turned on them. “Davion Bearne is supposed to be dead. Lorelai Bearne was said to be taken by Dreach-Sciene forces.” He flicked his eyes to Rissa. “And you are one of the Dreach-Sciene warriors. Tales of your flaming hair have reached even us. Tell me why you are here. And then tell me why I shouldn’t turn you over to the king for being the traitors you are.”

“Mack…” Lorelai spoke absently as if deep in thought. “I remember the name.”

He narrowed his eyes.

“Were you part of the rebel movement?” She nodded as if answering her own question. “I was imprisoned with your sister.”

“I don’t know what you speak of.” He glanced toward the door nervously.

Davi took the opening. “We’re here on behalf of King Trystan Renauld.”

General Mack froze. “So, you are traitors then? All of you.” He stepped toward the door to call for help, but Rissa flipped her hand and twisted her magic around his legs, keeping him in place.

“You will listen,” Rissa growled.

“What could you possibly want with us?” The general spat. “Those men and women out there…” He pointed to the door. “They’re not fighters. They don’t want to be here. You’re not going to find use in defeating us.”

“What if we don’t want to defeat you?” Davi crossed his arms over his chest. “General, someone has to win this fight. We’re risking our lives for these kings with the hopes they’ll make a better world in the broken aftermath.” He leveled his gaze. “Do you believe in your king?”

“Of course.” His answer was too quick.

Davi stepped toward him and dipped his head. “I believe in mine. Trystan Renauld will make this kingdom great. My father will destroy it. Why are you here?”

Mack’s pupils dilated and he sucked in a breath. “I fight for my kingdom.”

Davi advanced on him. “Why are you here?”

Mack clenched his jaw and didn’t answer.

Davi didn’t stop until he was chest to chest with the man. “Why are you here?”

The general shook his head. “My daughter. She’s back in Dreach-Dhoun.”

Rissa released the man from her magic and Davi stepped back. “Many people’s daughters will die.”

“What are you asking of us?”

Davi waited a beat before responding. “Lead your people against Calis. Fight with us.”

Silence filled the room for a few minutes.

Mack shook his head. “No.” He walked outside before Rissa could stop him again.

Lorelai followed him quickly, but when she spoke, it was for the men and women crowded into their large camp.

“My mother foresaw the fall of Dreach-Dhoun.” She lifted her voice. “Do you remember? Right before the king killed her, his own sister. She wanted to warn you. To tell you Calis Bearne was not the man who would lead you into the light. And you listened as she spoke. So hear me now, you are on the wrong side in this. You’re fighting for the man who has brutalized you for years. I was you once, blinded by loyalty. Even as he made me his whore, his assassin.”

She paused. “You’re scared. He has control over the people you love. But if he wins this war, that control never ends. Trystan Renauld will protect you. He will fight for you.”

General Mack raised his eyes to a group of men standing on the edge of camp in shining black armor. Legionnaires. He shook his head. “We will never fight for Dreach-Sciene.” The armored soldiers closed in. “Surrender all weapons. We are taking you to the king.”

Davi scanned the ground for his discarded sword but he’d left it at the edge of camp. Rissa raised her arms. Right. They didn’t need weapons. They were weapons.

The princess looked from Lorelai to Davi and nodded before fire erupted from her hands.

Soldiers ran for them and Lorelai threw a bolt of magic, flinging them back.

Rissa tried not to hit the common soldiers coming for them as she set their camp ablaze. Davi followed behind her, crafting a shield with his power. A few bits of magic bounced off the shield as they ran for their horses.

No one had moved the beasts and Lorelai sent power toward anyone who tried.

They climbed into their saddles.

Davi waited until the two women were ahead of him before digging his heels into the flanks of the horse and flying away from the village and the attackers they left behind.

When no pursuit came, he dropped the shield and slowed to a canter.

His chest heaved as he sucked in air. Rissa threw her arms up with a laugh. “That felt good.”

He raised a brow.

“Tomorrow, I only get to use my magic for shield purposes. But now it’s rushing through me. I can’t believe we just got out of that without hurting anyone. They didn’t have a choice in coming after us. Not with the legionnaires watching.”

“No, but we’re still not better off than we were.”

Lorelai looked to him in sympathy. “It was worth an attempt, cousin.”

They arrived back at camp to find the king waiting for them. Trystan’s scowl turned to a look of relief as soon as they appeared.

“You’ve been gone for hours,” he said, crossing his arms.

Rissa slid down and faced him. “We had to try.”

Trystan sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. “I’ve been standing here hoping you’d return to tell me you’d succeeded. That we had some new allies.”

Davi’s shoulders dropped. “I’m sorry, Trystan. We failed you.”

Trystan clapped him on the back and hung his head in exhaustion. “Davion, you could never fail me. Go get some rest. Tomorrow will be the longest day of our lives.”

Lorelai left for her own tent right after Trystan.

“He’s right,” Rissa said. “We should rest.”

Davi pulled her along behind him. “As long as I can hold you, Ri. Tomorrow…”

“Is in the future,” she cut in. “I don’t want to talk about it.” She stepped into his tent behind him and slid the cloak from his shoulders.

He turned to face her. “But what if—”

She silenced him with a kiss.

“Rissa,” he whispered against her lips.

She pushed him onto his cot and straddled his lap. “I don’t know if we’re going to win tomorrow. If we do, I don’t know what our future will be. I can’t see where I’ll live or what I’ll be doing. I think I’d like it to be away from the palace. But Davi, the only thing I do see is you. You’re my future. Whether it ends tomorrow or when I’m old and wrinkly, I’m going to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“If it ends tomorrow, just know—”

“I know.” She pressed her lips to his. “Before our quest, I never thought I’d get to be in love with you. Sure, I loved you, but being in love is two sided. It hasn’t been easy, Dav. It’s almost destroyed me. But it’s also prepared me for whatever we have to face. I get to be in love with you forever—even after I’ve joined with the earth. Tomorrow could be the end of a lot of things, but not that. Never that.”

He blinked away the tears hanging in his lashes and took her face between his hands. “You’re incredible.”

A slow smile spread across her lips but it didn’t have time to reach all the way because Davi took her mouth with his, searing his love into her.

She was right. They were forever, whether their bodies rested above ground or below. With that thought, he could do whatever was necessary to defeat his father.