Page 87 of Queen of Serpents and Shadows

“Let us know what you need,” Lagina said.

Mortagan inclined his head. “We’ll fight to the end, your highness.”

Erebus also bowed to Lagina, then joined Mortagan, the two of them heading out to prepare the soldiers. We weren’t certain how well the shield would hold to a mass attack, so our archers and foot soldiers needed to be ready to go.

“He left five-thousand men behind to hold Drakous,” Laera said.

“Five thousand?”Bahar asked.

She nodded. “I get the sense he feels that’s the more important target. And he doesn’t see Athos as a threat.”

“I really hope Nona removed that extra magic,” I said quietly.

“We’ll find out soon,” Vanth replied.

“The good news is that he’s here,” Laera said. “My father came to Athos.”

Despite the rising tension, the information made me smile. That meant we had a chance. If we could get to him, his alliances would unravel. We’d be able to end this war.

I hated waiting.I hated standing there watching out the window, doing nothing. Our people were huddled in tents, sharing the provisions we could provide, waiting. Our soldiers had taken over every spare corner of the palace, finding anywhere they could to rest while they waited. Bahar’s men and Erebus’s men did the same, camping in the training grounds or taking over spare rooms. We were overflowing with people who could do nothing but wait.

I almost wanted the battle to begin. At least then I could do something.

I watched as the ships sailed toward land. I watched as thousands of fae flooded our shores. Once they entered the city, I couldn’t see them anymore, but I knew they were in the streets, destroying anything they crossed, pillaging and attacking anyone who’d stayed behind. It made my stomach churn.

They’d be at our gates soon.

By late afternoon, thousands of fae marched toward the palace. They stopped just beyond the gates, where the shield began.

“They know it’s there, don’t they?” I asked Ryvin. “They can sense the barrier.”

“I’m sure they can,” he said.

“Is it going to hold?” Lagina asked.

“We’re about to find out,” Laera replied.

None of the fae attempted to cross the barrier, but they were clearly preparing to fight. Archers stepped forward and began to fire arrows into the shield. They fired until they emptied their quivers, then they retrieved their arrows and started again.

Every time the arrows hit, the shield glittered and sizzled. Every time, it made me tense with anxiety. It was holding, for now. Meanwhile, I could see the tents dotting our sandy shores as soldiers settled in for the long haul. They could wait for our shields to fall. Using it as target practice was nothing more than an intimidation tactic. They knew they couldn’t penetrate it, but it was unnerving to listen to the pings of their arrows as they ricocheted off the barrier.

The sun was setting, sinking into the sea. I knew we’d have a reprieve tonight. But that only meant that tomorrow would be the real thing. The fae would attack with everything they had.

33

Ara

The sunrise brought dragons.

Huge creatures with massive wingspans flew over Athos, breathing fire along down on the barrier. Dozens of them circled, lighting up our shield with orange flames.

Our soldiers were stationed at the edge of the barrier, waiting in case the fae broke through. Laera, Selena, and Aspasia stood in the rear, ready to reinforce the shield with whatever they could. I stood nearby, my hands already trembling as I resisted the urge to call forth the shadows too soon.

Ryvin was near the front, standing next to Vanth. Bahar’s men were hidden among the fae, staring skyward, probably anxious to join the aerial fight. We didn’t want to risk the king knowing we had dragons. Notuntil necessary. All we could do was wait until the shield fell.

Thousands of fae soldiers marched for us, surrounding the palace grounds. Their armor gleamed in the early morning light. I watched in horror as they prepared the battering rams.

Our soldiers readied their catapults.

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