CHAPTER 274
CHAPTER 274
ELEANOR’S POV
Cullen's voice and words grated against my nerves but the agreeing responses from everyone else infuriated me further.
I walked out of my own training hall and zipped to theirs where Nic stood as though he'd rather be six feet underground than be there. He watched as they said hateful things to him, and I could tell he was relieving his life back at Fort Valor, and I would never stand and watch that happen.
“You all ought to be ashamed of yourselves,” I hissed, going to stand beside him.
“Elly,” Dad Luc called to me, “you shouldn't be here.”
“Seriously Dad? You're still undermining me after everything? In front of everyone?”
“I apologise,” he raised his hand, “go on.”
“Violet is gonna have your skull for dinner,” Dad Reed joked under his breath but I was close enough to hear him. I ignored, turning back to the soldiers who were now focused on me now.
“If any of you here has the magical ability to decide who their father was, please raise your hands,” I called out, my voice ringing across the training area. There was no movement. “So why do you all think you can judge him for his? From the beginning of his life, he's suffered for it. You all know his history better than I do, he was brought here after years of being used by the bastard just as he did now. It could have been any of you and with the way you're acting, I sure as hell can bet none of you would have the courage to defy Vlad the way he is, in fact, he wouldn't need to deceive or coerce you. And for your information Cullen,” I addressed the captain whose smug expression had faded to one of shame, “he didn't collaborate with Xavier. He was bullied back in Fort Valor, just like you all are doing now. My parents refused the idea of us being together. The entire world saw him as a stain on their existence so when someone who had deceived everyone he'd ever come across to become a recognised Captain of his own squad promised him power and a way to prove himself, to be deserving of an identity that wasn't wrapped in his father's messed up legacy, he took it. I refuse to blame him for wanting to make something out of his life even though it led us here. But one thing is clear; He did get that power, and he's willing, angry and desperate enough to use it to return the world to its pre-Vlad stage. You can either join him or be a weakling and stay here while we get the job done. But one thing I won't let any of you do,” I growled, “is talking crap about him. He's paid his dues many times and he deserves a chance. Give him one or shut the fuck up!”
A slow clap began from the back of the hall and slowly, claps began echoing from other rooms and soon, everyone was chanting war sounds that made me think everything was perfect and set.
It wasn't.
“So?” Dad Luc asked, pacing around the small hall. “Any volunteers?”
Crickets.
“Remember you're not at risk of dying anymore,” I added, “the potion is being produced en masse by the witches right now as well as different poisons. They won't even know what hit them.”
“But why are the Kings and Queen not leading this charge?” Someone else from the crowd asked and I tapped Nic to go forward.
“I need to prove my loyalty to you all,” Nic responded, clearing his throat to remove the nerves that followed. “Like Cullen was talking about, I did play a role in bringing my father back, albeit unwillingly. So I have to get the ball rolling, and when we have done enough damage to Vlad's forces, they will lead the final battle.”
“He's right,” Dad Reed added, “We have put in a lot of things in play and except this plan of his is proven to be absolutely perfect, we can't abandon our spies, informants and everyone who is involved in the longer battle plan that's not under our direct protection. We have to stay back and keep working. Whoever goes with him will be doing us all a favour too, don't forget that.”
It took a while, but someone finally walked out of the crowd.
“My name is Dylan and I volunteer to join your squad, Captain Nicolai,” he declared, bowing his head slightly.
“I'm not –”
“You're now,” Dad Reed cut him off. “Don't disappoint us, most people earn that title before getting it, yours is in reverse so make sure you're worth it at the end of the day.”
“Yes Your Majesty,” he bowed, a bright light of hope shining.
“Thank you Dylan for joining us,” I said to the soldier, “you won't regret this.”
Two others walked out, a man and woman.
“Are you twins?” I wondered out loud.
The girl smiled, her pearly teeth showing her amusement.
“No Princess, he just came out a month after I did. My parents are quite…”
“I understand,” I chuckled.
“Hopefully you don't do the same thing to our future king? This butthead has not given me one moment of peace. If he'd been born two years afterwards, I would have been happier.”
“Come on Kathleen,” her brother pushed her with his shoulder, “you enjoy having me stress you out.”
“Shh, quite playing around Brandon. Anyway we're joining your squad. We've been antsy to get this show on the road. Every time I see that asshole on the large screen over at that hall, I feel a burning rage and a desire to just rip his head off as many times as it grows back.”
“That's actually a brutal but befitting punishment,” I chuckled, “and we'll get him. Thank you for joining us.”
And just like that, more people walked out, not enough to do much damage but they would be enough.
At least, my mate was finally looking less terrified and more hopeful. He was coordinating them like he'd been doing this for years and I loved that. We didn't have any time to waste anyways.
We have a battle to plan.