Chapter 206

Chapter 206
Vesper
 
The journey to Twilight Marches took less time than I expected, mostly because Titania knew a dozen shortcuts through the Fae pathways that shaved hours off the trip. By the time we emerged at the edge of the shimmering barrier that marked the border of Morrigan's territory, the sun was beginning its descent toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of amber and blood-red.
 
And we weren't alone.
 
I stopped short, staring at the assembled crowd waiting for us just outside the barrier's edge. Easily a hundred Fae warriors stood in formation, their armor gleaming in the fading light, weapons at the ready. At their head stood Queen Aurelia, resplendent in silver and gold, her expression fierce and determined.
 
"What the—" I started, then spotted Mateo off to one side, looking equal parts nervous and excited. "Aurelia? What are you doing here?"
 
The queen stepped forward, a smile breaking across her face. "Your grandmother sent word," she said simply. "I was unconscious for too long, Vesper. I didn't know what had been happening—the extent of Morrigan's crimes, the depths of her betrayal. But I know now." Her expression hardened. "And today, we will see justice done. For your mother. For your father. For every life she's destroyed."
 
I looked back at Titania, who shrugged with false innocence. "I may have made a few calls while you were busy threatening my livelihood."
 
"A few calls," I repeated, gesturing at the small army behind Aurelia. "You assembled an invasion force in under an hour."
 
"I'm efficient when properly motivated." She smirked. "Also, turns out a lot of people have been waiting for an excuse to take Morrigan down. You just gave them one."
 
Aurelia raised her hand, and the barrier before us began to shimmer and distort. "The wards are ancient," she said, her voice carrying across the assembled warriors, "but not unbreakable. Not when the rightful heir to the Twilight throne demands entry."
 
The barrier split like a curtain being drawn back, revealing the path beyond.
 
"Forward," Aurelia commanded, and as one, the army began to move.
 
---
 
The march through Twilight Marches was eerie in its emptiness. No guards challenged us. No sentries raised alarms. The streets were deserted, the grand estates and gardens silent as tombs.
 
"This is wrong," Lucian muttered, his hand on his weapon. "Where is everyone?"
 
"Waiting," Titania said grimly. "Morrigan's not stupid. She knows we're coming."
 
We emerged into a vast open courtyard at the heart of the territory, and there—finally—we found what we were looking for.
 
Draken stood alone in the center of the space, his back to us, facing down what had to be a thousand Fae soldiers. They filled the far end of the courtyard in tight ranks, weapons gleaming, magic crackling in the air around them like static electricity before a storm.
 
And behind them, lounging on a throne that seemed to have been conjured from living vines and moonlight, sat Morrigan.
 
She looked exactly as I'd imagined—beautiful in the way a viper is beautiful, all sharp edges and cold eyes. Her hair fell in waves of silver-white down her back, and her smile was the kind that promised pain.
 
"Draken," she purred, her voice carrying across the courtyard with unnatural clarity. "How unexpected. I thought you'd learned your lesson last time about interfering in Fae business. Or did you truly think I wouldn't realize you were faking your compliance? That I wouldn't see through your pathetic attempt at revenge?"
 
Draken didn't respond immediately. When he did, his voice was cold enough to freeze fire.
 
"I gave you a chance," he said, and even from this distance I could see the faint shimmer of scales beginning to spread across his exposed skin. "Last time, I held back. I tried negotiation. I tried restraint." He took a step forward, and the nearest soldiers actually flinched. "But today? Today, anyone who stands between me and that throne dies. Anyone who chooses to defend this murderous, pathetic excuse for a queen will burn. I will reduce your souls to ash and scatter them across dimensions where even death can't reach you."
 
Beside me, Titania let out a low whistle. "Well. That's certainly a declaration."
 
I barely heard her. My eyes were locked on Draken, on the barely restrained fury radiating from every inch of him. He looked like a god of destruction, and for the first time since this nightmare began, I felt a flicker of hope.
 
Titania nudged me, grinning. "Vesper, I think you worried for nothing. That boy can handle an army on his own. Hell, if my mate had been half that intimidating, I wouldn't be single."