Page 90 of A Petal in the Crown

She was gathering her primary magic in her chest, coiling it into a tight ball and preparing to destroy the entire pack in a fiery explosion when an enormous silver wolf walked to the front, stopping only feet away. The creature met her gaze for a long moment, and Lea paused. She’d expected to see hunger inside those massive, yellow eyes. A predatory glint betraying its drive to kill, but instead its eyes were soft—understanding and knowing in a way that made Lea’s skin erupt into goosebumps. The fenrir arched its back, extending its neck toward the eclipse, and let out a long, sorrowful howl that sent chills skittering down Lea’s spine. She met the enormous wolf’s eyes again and cautiously lowered her hands. This animal didn’t want to harm her. He wanted tohelpher. She was as sure of it as her own name.

The wolf bowed, deeply and reverently, then twisted its head to the side, exposing its throat. She dimmed her flames, calling them back to her as a chorus of howls echoed against the dead trees. As one, the fenrir bowed, then moved out of her path, creating an aisle for her as if saying,we will be right behind you. We are here with you.She could feel the promise in their movements, in the way they stared at her.

Lea was breathless, in awe of the beautiful, terrifying creatures. Had they really come to protect her? Erik had said that long ago, the fenrir had been drawn to the most powerful beings, guarding and protecting them with their lives. Following their orders, even to their own deaths. Did they know that not only her life, but the lives of every person in the kingdom were at risk?

"Thank you," she whispered, not fully understanding what had brought them to her, but grateful to not be alone as she made her final journey. A lump formed in her throat as she urged Luna forward, and they followed, their steps eerily silent as they trailed close behind her.

As one, they descended further into the wood, her heart thundering and bile rising into her throat. She swallowed it down along with her fear and guilt, her singular focus making it to Alaric, until through the dense, dark trees, she caught a glimmer of black water. She pulled on the reins, raising her hand to stop the fenrir. As silently as possible, she turned Luna around and led the fenrir back a few hundred yards, out of sight and earshot from Alaric.

Lea climbed off her horse, every sense on high alert as she spread her magic out toward the lake, her shadows mapping out the terrain as she searched for Alaric and Eudora. But no matter where she pushed her darkness, she couldn’t find them. Couldn’t sense any life until—there.

A flicker ofsomething. Not life, but power. Pure, horrifying power that vibrated through the air, taunting her. He was here.

Without wasting another moment, Lea reached inside to find the tether to Evangeline. She tugged on it—three sharp yanks—then opened her eyes and looked around.

"There’s a lake in the Wicked Wood," she said after a few moments, "about an hour's ride from Pontor. He’s here." She repeated the words several times, showing her surroundings to ensure Evangeline understood.

"There’s a lake in the Wicked Wood, about an hour's ride from Pontor. He’s here. Hurry."

Chapter 58

Emma

Emma’s hand was slick with sweat as she gripped Eudora’s potion, her fingers trembling slightly around the cool, smooth glass. This was it—the very thing that would bring her so close to death that she would straddle the thin line between the land of the living and beyond the veil.

The thought made her stomach twist into knots, an anxious churning that wouldn’t subside no matter how many deep breaths she took. Her free hand pressed against her abdomen, trying in vain to still the waves of nausea that rolled through her. But they didn’t stop. Didn’t subside a bit as the weight of what she was about to do settled heavily on her shoulders.

She couldn’t back down. So many lives depended on her being brave. And besides, Thomas would keep her safe. She was as certain of it as she was certain that Lea was going to be furious to see them walk through the portal with Evangeline.

The courtyard buzzed with the low murmur of their gathered forces, the soldiers’ emotions mixing and pounding against her skin in a way that made her feel as if she was covered in bugs. Shivering at the thought, she glanced at Thomas, his face a mix of determination and concern.

The army had been alerted. Thomas had made sure of that, and Gray’s generals had agreed to his plan without hesitation. They, too, had risked their lives to join this war and fight against the tyranny and wickedness poisoning their world. They owed Gray more than could ever be repaid. He’d sacrificed so much for them—forallof them. It was absurd to think they would allow him or his mate to face this battle alone.

Emma’s gaze shifted to Evangeline standing at the center of the courtyard, her lips moving in a quiet, relentless chant. Her hands were raised before her, trembling slightly as she summoned the ancient magic she’d been working so tirelessly to master. The air around her shimmered, and a portal began to take shape, flickering in and out, wavering like a mirage until it solidified with aclick. It was both mesmerizing and terrifying, a swirling vortex of light and shadow suspended in the air like water frozen in time.

Emma couldn’t tear her eyes away from it. The portal was beautiful. Bright with an ethereal glow that illuminated the darkened courtyard and casted strange, shifting shadows across the grass. The sight sent a chill across Emma’s skin, and her heart pounded faster, her grip tightening on the vial as if it might slip through her fingers.

Evangeline’s voice grew louder, her chanting more urgent, and the portal began to expand, widening until it was large enough for six men to pass through shoulder to shoulder. Her magic hung heavy in the air, a palpable force that hummed against Emma’s skin, making the hair on the back of her neck stand on end.

Finally, Evangeline dropped her arms, exhaling a long, slow breath as the portal stabilized. She wiped her brow, then the back of her neck, her movements sluggish and exhausted. The effort it had taken to create the portal was obvious. It had drained her—taken something from her that she couldn’t easily replace. Evangeline had been pouring herself intocreating this portal, using power that wasn’t even hers to do it, and it was clear it was taking a toll on her body.

"Emma?" Evangeline’s voice broke through the tension, shaky but determined.

Emma stepped forward, her legs wobbling as if they might give out. "Right here," she answered, her voice sounding small and scared, even to her own ears. She reached for Evangeline’s hand, basking in the confidence and strength radiating off of her.

"Good," Evangeline said, squeezing her hand. "Our army is coming?"

Emma nodded, her heart lifting slightly at the thought. "They’re lining up around us now."

"Good. I can hear them." A faint smile tugged at Evangeline’s lips. "There are many."

"There are," Emma agreed, her eyes scanning the courtyard as pride swelled in her heart.

Evangeline squeezed her hand. "You and I will go first. Thomas should stay back, for now. We don’t need the army until Lea and I have found Alaric." But Before Emma could respond, Thomas stepped forward, his voice firm.

"I go where Emma goes."

Evangeline pursed her lips, her brow furrowing.

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