Page 92 of Their War

After the talk with Baer, my mind was honed and focused on the mission ahead of us. I didn’t have the time to think about everything that had happened between us or what the future might hold. Hell, if I didn’t succeed, no one would have a future anymore. No pressure or anything, Rho, you just have to kick the ass of the bitch that’s managed to beat everyone else. No big deal.

I snorted to myself at that thought, laughing internally at my pessimistic thoughts. Callum glanced at me, a look on his face that said he thought I was crazy. Hell, maybe I am, and this is all some delusion I’ve conjured up in my mind. I mean, who would have thought that just a few months ago that I’d be here about to become a queen. Seriously, if I’d been told that then, I would have laughed at that person just before I recommended they get their head checked.

I just shook my head at him instead, staying silent as we waited for the patrols to pass. For my part, I was just sitting here, watching the guys. It was Arryn and Callum that we relied on to give us the go-ahead to make a run for the castle.

Shortly before leaving Brannoc’s hideaway, Arryn informed us that everything was in place, that our plans were all set into motion. It was a good thing, too. I had been worried that we wouldn’t pull everything together in time, but if Arryn was anything, he was capable and efficient.

My eyes drifted to his back-side as he squatted ahead of me, his eyes glued to the expanse of lawn between us and Cashel Rí, oblivious to my perusal of the fine specimen he was, my mind drifting to just how capable and efficient he was in the bedroom. Who’d have thought that after everything I’d been through, I would get off on being dominated? Definitely not me, but I guessed that when you trusted someone as much as I trusted him, then you’d do anything they asked. I never doubted him. Never thought he’d use me or hurt me. A nice change of pace from what I’d grown up with.

Hell, I felt the same way about everyone here with me now, putting their own necks on the line for me, because they believed in me. It was quite humbling to know they’d risk everything for me, for this.

Arryn held a fist up, the movement drawing my attention back to the moment, our signal to get ready to move. Without a word, we all readied ourselves. Just slight, silent movements as we shifted our weight to our toes and tensed our muscles in preparation to move quickly. We wouldn’t have much time to get to the wall and get everyone inside. Apparently, Arryn had done his previous job a little too well, and the guards had kept up the constant surveillance, passing by us every five minutes or so.

We’d chosen this point as our entry due to the short distance from our cover to the wall of the castle, allowing us as little exposure as possible, but it also meant that we’d have to move quickly since the guards’ patrols passed by here frequently. Something about them knowing it was a weak point in their defenses and how during Arryn’s tenure, he’d pointed this out. Joy.

He dropped two fingers in the direction of Cashel Rí, signaling us all to move. Arryn and Callum exited first, Lennox’s shadows doing their best to hide us while Baer’s air bubble dampened the sound of our movement. We rushed to the castle wall, Arryn and Callum splitting so I could approach the wall between them.

I placed my hand on the warm stone, closing my eyes and diving into my magic quickly. As they’d explained to me earlier, I was calling on a magic that was my right as the Chosen, but that it was apart from the core of power I had become used to. With my eyes closed, I searched quickly for the source as best as I could, the ties to my guys glowing brilliantly in my mind’s eye, my own power still locked tightly away, but if I wasn’t mistaken, my magic seemed just a little brighter as if more cracks had started to form and widen in the outer shell to let slivers of light shine through.

Knowing I had very little time, I pushed that thought aside, searching for the Castle’s power. I huffed in frustration searching for the source diligently, the pressure of the ticking clock adding to my panic as I came up empty.

“Not to rush you or anything, Killer, but we don’t have much time. They’ll be back any moment now,” Baer whispered in my ear. I rolled my eyes at him internally. Thanks, Captain Obvious.

An “oomph” and rush of air blew by my ear as I continued my search. Callum’s growl rumbled next to me, his chest vibrating my arm as he spoke, “She knows. Quit pressuring her.”

Thank you, my grumpy puppy, I thought to myself as I searched on. There. I pulled on the faint thread, gray against the shadows cast from my other bonds. As I held it in my mental grasp, I sent my intentions through the cord, begging it to let us inside.

When nothing happened, I asked it again to form a door for us to slip inside. I could feel the connection, the desire to do as I requested, but I could also feel the resistance. Something was holding it back. Shit, did the Queen plan for something like this, barring the castle from responding to my requests?

Voices sounded out distantly, and I knew they weren’t from any of my people. We were running out of time. Instinctively, I called on all of my power that I could, granted to me by Avalonia, and slammed it down the line, forcing it to do as I wished. Like a Tsunami trying to squeeze through a water hose, I felt the resistance against my demand. Instead of relinquishing my hold, I forced more power down the tiny thread, determined to get us all inside safely.

All at once, the dam burst, my power rushing down the line as I heard footsteps sounding out. A hand squeezed my shoulder as everyone shifted in preparation for a confrontation. Just when I thought we’d be discovered for sure, an opening appeared. Not hesitating, we all rushed inside.

I slapped my hand against the stone, sending a new request to close the wall. This time, there was no resistance; the castle immediately complied. I watched as the hole closed just as the shiny tip of the guard’s boot came around the corner, glinting in the sunlight. I sent a prayer of thanks to Avalonia and a request that we made it inside before they could see us. All of us were on high alert, waiting for the sound of an alarm, every creak and scrape making us swivel to investigate, pausing as one until we were sure nothing was there.

After five minutes of hearing nothing, no alarm, no voices, no indication of being investigated, we slowly relaxed and began our trek toward the throne room. Based on Lennox’s intelligence, the best route would be through the main hallways. As much as that went against common sense, his reasoning was logical. Apparently, during events, everyone would be early and kept hostage in the throne room until the Queen released them from their attendance. However, the servants would be rushing up and down their hallways, someone constantly rushing somewhere to ensure the event would run smoothly.

Trusting his word, we made our way down the hall, our bubble and shadows still in place. Knowing we needed to hurry so as not to drain their powers too soon, we kept a fast pace, reminding me of the mall walkers who would make their rounds for exercise. Not quite jogging and not walking and perusing, but somewhere in between, closer to jogging than not.

The guys all kept me and Cyerra in the middle, in positions of defense. My grandfather and father were behind us, with Lennox, Brannoc, and Baer pulling up the rear of our procession. Arryn held up a closed fist, stopping us. He made a stop motion before signaling to Callum with a jerk of his head to have him follow. The two rounded the corner cautiously, intent on determining if the final, most dangerous stretch was clear. I held my breath as I waited for them to return, not hearing a sound which defied logic. The two largest members of the group moved silently, their training showing them as deadly foes.

They returned after what felt like forever, and I exhaled a rush of air, seeing they were okay. Arryn waved us forward, and we followed instantly, our group rushing after Callum. I halted just before him; clearly, we had made it to the spot we needed. Pressing my hand against the wall again, I closed my eyes and pictured what I was needing from it, pushing my power and will down the thread that seemed to be growing the more I used it.

When I opened my eyes, I found another entrance to a room that hadn’t been there before. Perfect for what we needed it for, an altar of stone on the far side of the room. We piled in, filling the small space, Callum waiting outside as everyone made their way through the entry I had created.

Lennox and Baer had just passed into the room, Callum’s hand finding the small of my back to push me through, when a guard rounded the corner. He paused, shocked to find us there. That hesitation was his downfall as Callum closed the distance quickly, knocking him out with the butt of his dagger with a strike to his temple. Not waiting for him to fall to the ground with a loud clatter, he swept the man’s limp form up and over his shoulder, striding quickly to me and the open door.

I rushed inside, my hand finding the wall again, ready to close the opening as soon as he made it inside. My breath caught in my throat as I watched the guard’s muscles twitch, clearly coming to. Callum picked up his pace, squeezing through the narrowing opening, which slammed closed quietly as soon as he was inside.

Chapter Fifty Four: Rhowyn

Callum tossed the guard to the stone floor, the landing waking him up. He startled, sitting up quickly and scooting until his back was pressed against the wall, his eyes wide and darting around as my men circled him.

“Tie him up,” Arryn instructed Baer, who knelt to do as instructed. When the guard moved to strike Baer, a blade met his throat, and he stilled instantly.

“Don’t make this any more difficult than it needs to be,” Callum threatened the man, a calm fury painting every word. The guard swallowed nervously as Callum stepped back, watching him closely for any further movements.

Jude started setting up the altar with the supplies while my father and Cyerra helped. Once Baer was done with his task, he also stepped back. Arryn squatted again, deciding to take the opportunity to ask questions. “Did you know we would be here?”

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