Page 55 of Three Scorched Kingdoms

“I think I can help with that,” Paige says.

I look over at her in pleasant surprise. “You’ve made progress on our birdhouse idea?”

But Thorne’s voice slices through the tension like a blade. “Is this what we’re reduced to?” His tone is sharp, laced with contempt. “Relying on outsiders and their… tricks to save a kingdom that has stood on its own for centuries?”

Paige’s eyes narrow, and she steps forward, holding Thorne’s gaze without a hint of hesitation. “My ‘tricks’ have kept me and my friends alive through some pretty dark shit. You don’t have to like it, but you will respect it.”

Thorne’s lip curls, but Paige doesn’t back down. Instead, she holds his gaze steadily, her voice low and measured. “I’ve seen what happens when arrogance leads the charge. It gets people killed. So don’t expect me to stand by and watch you throw away the lives of everyone in this kingdom because you can’t admit when you’re wrong.”

For a moment, the tension between them crackles like a live wire. Thorne’s gaze hardens, his jaw clenched. The room feels like it’s holding its breath, waiting for one of them to break.

Finally, Thorne answers, a muscle ticking in his jaw. “I’ll send a message to Misthaven for civilian evacuation. But make no mistake, girl—if this fails, if your magic can’t help win this war, Aries’ crown will be lost. And when that happens, there won’t be a throne left for you to cozy up to.”

Paige doesn’t flinch. Her gaze remains locked on Thorne, and there’s a quiet strength in her voice when she responds. “If we fail, it won’t matter who sits on the throne. Astronia will fall. But if we succeed, it’ll be because we all did our part. Even you.”

Thorne’s eyes flicker with something—maybe respect, maybe anger—before he turns away, dismissing the conversation with a sharp gesture. “Then we have our strategy,” he says. “Let’s hope you’re not marching to your doom.”

I wrap up the meeting with orders for each unit leader.

The room begins to stir as the others murmur amongst themselves, preparing to act on the plan. But the weight of Thorne’s words lingers, a stark reminder that failure isn’t just an option—it’s the end.

I glance at Paige, who meets my eyes with a look that’s all business. In this moment, I appreciate whatever inner strength she’s found that allows her to stand so sure and firm in the face of doubt.

It’s more than a royal skill she’s mastered; it’s exactly what I need to bolster my own belief. But the specter of Thorne’s warning hangs over me like a shadow: If I lose this battle, I lose everything.

What good is a crown without a kingdom to serve?

14

PAIGE

As soon as the council room clears, the weight of what just happened starts to settle in my chest. I can feel the tension radiating from Aries beside me, his thoughts clearly tangled in battle strategies and the heavy burden of leadership. I don’t blame him—my mind is whirling too, grappling with everything we’ve just discussed. The orcs are coming, and if we’re not ready, it won’t just be our lives on the line—it’ll be the future of this entire kingdom.

I glance at Aries, who’s still staring at the door, his brow furrowed. I reach out and touch his arm, my fingers curling around his biceps, and he turns to me, the worry in his eyes making my heart ache.

“Hey,” I say softly, waiting until his gaze meets mine. “We’re going to get through this.”

He gives me a tight smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “We have to,” he replies, his voice low and full of tension. “There’s too much riding on this.”

I can hear the weight in his words, the responsibility that’s crushing him, and I wish I could lift it, even just a little.

“I hope I didn’t overstep,” I say. “With Thorne, I mean.”

“Are you kidding?” The ghost of a smile blooms on his face. “That was worth allowing him into the meeting in the first place.”

I smile, but it’s short-lived as I take in the haggard lines and dark circles that mark his lack of sleep. He’s been gone long into the night these last few days—longer than me even.

I still haven’t had a chance to tell him the full extent of my magic’s capabilities—a discovery that’s finally come after grueling hours of practice and stubborn determination.

“What was that between you and Leo?” he asks, breaking into my thoughts. “It looked as if you were having some silent conversation.”

“He found me in the gardens a few days ago,” I say. “Right after we returned from seeing that village destroyed. He helped me find strength and hope.”

“Whatever he said to you, I’m glad for it, then.” He brushes my cheek, his eyes intent on mine though I can sense his distraction. His restlessness.

The battle plan has been decided. And it’s as if Aries is already gone, marching to war, though his body remains before me.

“You should get some rest,” I tell him gently.

---