Page 75 of Ruined Kingdom

The other members of the castle collected around me, including Lexi and Sharra, who’d been outside with Hermes. Berrok was here now, too.

As they all stared at me, I realized with Kaine gone, I was the next point of command. They were looking to me for guidance.

If this had been tasked to me a few weeks ago, I might not have been up to the challenge, but now I was angry and determined. Kaine needed help. And only because of that I was ready to lead.

I moved away from Garmilen to collect myself.

“The Dark Fae has taken our King,” I began, addressing the room. “He has defiled our home, and he has threatened our existence. No more. We cannot allow this to go on! I have been tasked by the Goddess Helene to ensure that this monster cannot gain the power he needs to take over this world as we know it. I plan to follow through on it… But I need your help. Stand with me against the Fae King. Gather every able-bodied creature. This isn’t just about protecting our forest. This is about everyone and all of us. We must stand and fight.” My voice trembled, but only from the rage and power now surging through me.

One hand raised in solidarity, then another. Soon the room was filled with those willing to lay down their lives for this cause—though I hoped it wouldn’t come to that.

The soldiers began chanting, slamming the ends of their spears into the ground. It was so powerful that the floor vibrated with their combined strength.

Lexi fought her way through the crowd to me. “I must go. I know people who will help.”

Sharra grabbed Lexi’s arm tightly, meeting my eyes with unshakable determination. “I will gather my people, too. It won’t take me long at all. I’ll bring Lexi back safely.”

I nodded, feeling hesitation that I was dragging my very mortal friend into this. I had no doubts that Sharra could handle herself, but Lexi—I couldn’t imagine what I’d do if something happened to her.

With Sharra with her, though, she would be safe. I had to believe that.

General Eugin gathered the soldiers who left for the barracks to prepare for the war of a lifetime.

I turned to Garmilen, who was looking me over with pride laced into his weathered face. “Our Queen,” was all he murmured, more to himself than to anyone else.

Tieni and my mother joined us in a circle. My grandmother looked distressed, like something was plaguing her mind… Other than the obvious, of course.

“Tieni, what is it?”

Her eyes snapped up to me before looking at Garmilen. “I just don’t understand it. Why would they take Kaine and leave the castle? This is where the Spirit of the Forest is buried.”

“I think he’s trying to keep Kaine away from me. There’s something about my awakened abilities that threatens the curse he put on Kaine. He needs to keep him away from me until the time is up.” It was the only explanation I was able to put together.

Why else, after all this time, would it be so pressing to keep us apart?

The Binding of Souls must have shaken the Fae King’s control over Kaine.

“At least we know he won’t kill him. The Alpha King is more useful to him alive. He needs his power but won’t take everything at once,” my mother interjected in the hopes of bringing me some peace, but this only made me more scared.

The thought of that monster using Kaine as a bottomless source of power, even long after his mind had left him, sounded like a fate worse than death.

21

SOPHIA

Istepped out of Ulric Castle, my home, donned in silvery plated armor that was light and quiet. I was supposed to feel protected in it.

Garmilen had assured me that Fae steal was the strongest metal in existence, but still, I felt vulnerable.

I came to a halt at the top of the stairs, taking a moment to comprehend the sheer amount of beings standing in organized groups before me.

The Centaurs hadn’t hesitated to heed the call, nor had the Sirens. All creatures had felt the sting of the Fae King’s gripe on this forest in one way or the other, and they wanted it to be over with.

Lexi and Berrok had each brought bands of mortals equipped for fighting as well. It was very unexpected, but I knew this presented the beginnings of an opportunity for peace and cooperation between the creatures of the forest and the mortals.

It was ironic that as much as the creatures of the Forest of Sorrows hated mortals, and as much as the mortals feared the creatures, they could still fight next to each other for the greater good.

Even Yenisey stood in the crowd, although she looked somewhat irresolute and avoided meeting my gaze.

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