Page 45 of The Queen of Ash and Magic

“Evacuate everyone to the neutral zone immediately,” I say. “We can have resources here and we can take time to allow them to gain strength and get to know our soldiers. If they’re going to fight side-by-side, they should know that they can trust one another, and then everyone is fighting for the same peace. We make our presence in the neutral zone loud and well-known. We make our intentions clear and unmistakable so that they are deterred from attacking. They’ll stay held up for a little while but as soon as we can, we move.”

“Keril, get resources here to support for an extended period of time,” Drake says. “I want it here by first light, so flying will be faster.”

“Yes sir,” Keril says.

“Iliam, evacuate your people immediately. Children and elderly first,” Drake says. “I will send a group with you so that they can beflown back.”

“Thank you so much, Your Highness,” she says, bowing to only Drake.

“Just call me Drake,” he says with a softer tone. “Understand that with you representing them, that means you are a noble. I will look to you first, so I would advise you to get a handful of trusted people to act as your group leaders. When in combat, you don’t want to be tied to one place. You need for everyone to be able to act independently and simply report back to you.”

“Yes sir,” she smiles sweetly. “We appreciate you so much.”

“It’s not me you should thank,” he says firmly. “Lysa is your queen, and she stands as my equal and my only mate. She is the one who is gracious enough to provide you with the support that you need. I didn’t make that decision.”

“Of course,” she says turning and bowing to me. “Thank you, my queen.”

“Do what needs to be done. Get me a final number of refugees as well as the remaining number staying to fight when you return,” I say.

“Yes ma’am,” she says. “Will you or the king be joining us?”

“No,” Drake says. “The queen will be resting, and her second mate and I will be with her. You are dismissed, Ilium.”

I turn to Drake, and he smirks at me. “I know she didn’t just flirt with the king right in front of me,” I say flatly.

“Jealous, Little Flame?” he asks sweetly.

“Do I need to be?” I retort hatefully.

Drake narrows his eyes and grabs my face so I cannot look away. “Are you doubting my loyalty, Lysa? Do I need to remind you exactly who the fuck you belong to?”

“I know who I belong to. Who doyoubelong to?” I ask simply.

“You, my love,” he says softly.

“Good. I’d hate to have to remind you,” I say as I shift back.

“Oh?” he asks.

“Mhmm,” I smile. “Let’s go to bed.”

“Okay,” he chuckles.

“Where is Julianna?” I ask.

“I think she went to bed,” Mom says. “She put up another tent a few minutes ago.”

“What?” I ask. “Why?”

“I’m going to go talk to her and I’ll join you two in a bit,” Eyrx says before kissing me.

“Okay,” I sigh.

Chapter Fifteen

Eyrx

I watch as Drakeand Lysa walk into the tent, and I want to follow them. I’d much rather go lie next to Lysa, but I need to talk to Juli. I am holding our ring in my hand because it is now too loose to stay on. She’s clearly alive, so why is our bond severed? Is that why she’s been avoiding me since we returned? She was dead silent the entire way back from dumping the papers.

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