Page 47 of What Courses Through Her Blood
“That’s exactly what I want to do. Don’t you see? We need to act first, strike while Samael is not expecting it. And if we manage to get through this before Lyra returns to Eguina, all the better. She will be out of harm’s way the entire time,” I explain, laying out my plan clearly.
I watch as realization dawns on his face, knowing he understands the strategic advantage. I also know how deeply he cares for Lyra, how her safety gnaws at him. He will do whatever it takes to keep her safe. If we can keep her out of this war altogether, it’s a win-win for both of us.
“You know she’s going to be furious with both of us when she gets back and realizes we did this without her,” he says, and I shake my head.
“Yeah, well, at least she’ll be pleased we’re working together. That’s what she’s been asking for,” I tell him, finishing the last of my drink.
“She’ll be happy about that, sure, but she’ll be pissed she missed out on all the action.” He summons a pack and slings it over his shoulder. “Let’s go,” he says with a resolve as if he had been ready for this moment all along.
“Alright then.” I shrug and channel us both to the Vision Valley army camps.
I stride toward the large tent at the center of camp, the one Bim has been using as his command post. Colton walks beside me, his steps betraying a familiarity with this place. The thought irks me. He thinks he’s being discreet, but I’m aware of everything that transpires in my kingdom and choose my battles wisely. If Bim and Dorian saw fit to keep him informed, I was prepared to overlook it, knowing I’d call upon his aid in battle regardless.
As we enter the tent, Bim and Drew are huddled around a large table, poring over a map of Eguina that’s spread wide with marked positions and notes.
“Fancy seeing you here,” Colton quips with a wink at Drew as he takes a seat next to her. His ability to charm everyone he meets grates on me—most find his sarcasm endearing; I find it merely irritating.
“Have you heard from Dorian? What’s the status with the Lycans?” I ask, settling into a chair beside Bim at the head of the table.
“I sent two men to fetch Rhett for this meeting. They should be arriving any minute with him. As for Dorian, he’s around, last I saw him instructing some of the men outside on how to wield the new weapons he designed,” Bim reports.
I nod, then Colton starts to speak, “Lyra met with Rhett, and she hinted that things didn’t go smoothly.”
“It doesn’t matter,” I state firmly, catching Colton’s eye. “We need to understand where the Lycans stand, and I’m prepared for either scenario.”
Colton presses his lips together and mutters something to Drew under his breath. I decide to let it slide. Now is not the time for petty squabbles; it’s time to lead and strategize for victory—to put an end to Samael once and for all.
“Looks like they’ve retrieved the wolf. I can smell him without even seeing him,” Dorian commentsas he ducks into the tent, settling into the seat at the far end of the table opposite Colton.
“You can wait right inside there,” one of our men outside says, unaware that we’re all assembled and waiting. Rhett walks in next, and I remember him clearly from when he assisted Lyra and me on our journey to Aidan’s. He still has the same tall frame, dark hair, and blue Lycan eyes, but now there’s a weariness about him, a certain aged look that seems out of place. It hasn’t been nearly long enough for such a change. Perhaps it’s stress.
“King Nyx,” he greets with a nod.
I wave, indicating for him to take the seat at the head of the table opposite me, flanked by Dorian and Colton. Following him closely is another Lycan, a younger one whose expression is both angry and hardened. He says nothing as he boldly takes the seat next to me, between Dorian and myself.
With no seats left at the table and every key player now present, I take a deep breath.
“Thank you, everyone, for coming. As you all know, we have teetered on the brink of war for far too long. Under Samael’s reign, Cloudrum has suffered—his leadership marked by dark spells and deranged ideals has left our lands and people in despair. Now that he has returned to power, it is imperative that we stop him once and for all.
“The darkness that Samael spreads has seeped into every corner of Cloudrum and now threatens even Nighthold. The entire realm of Eguina bears the scars of his relentless assaults. We cannot afford to remain on the defensive, reacting to his every move. It is time for us to take decisive action, to restore our lands to their rightful, thriving state and purge the corruption that seeks to dominate us.
“I will not stand by while Samael or Kaine attempt to dictate the fate of Cloudrum. That is why today, I am callingfor unity and action. I need your unwavering support, your keen strategic insights, and the might of your armies. Together, we can end this turmoil and reclaim the peace that has been so cruelly stolen from us.
“Let’s show Samael that his reign of terror is over. Together, let us unite our realms once again and fight side by side, not just to restore Eguina, but to ensure a future where such darkness can never take hold again.”
I clear my throat and lean back, my eyes sweeping across the faces before me, ready to gauge who will speak first, preparing to address any concerns or rally further support.
“You speak of darkness and dark spells as if eliminating Samael will rid Eguina of it, but am I incorrect in saying the last time I saw you, you were quite entangled with Lyra—the so-called queen of darkness herself, according to Kaine?” Rhett challenges, and I swallow hard to maintain my composure, silently hoping Colton doesn’t act rashly against the provocateur beside him.
“You are correct that when we last met, I was in a relationship with Lyra. We remain friends and allies to this day,” I respond calmly, meeting his skeptical gaze. “That gives me all the more reason to assure you that her dark magic is grossly misunderstood, and the rumors being spread about her in Cloudrum are nothing but lies.”
He remains unswayed, but frankly I don’t care. We don’t need him or his packs to win this war. My invitation was merely to gauge where his allegiances lie.
“If I may,” Drew begins, her gaze shifting from me to Rhett as she commands the room’s attention, “I have spent considerable time with Lyra recently, and she has always spoken of you in the highest regard, Rhett. She valued you as a friend and was overjoyed when she learned you had become the leader of the packs. I believe her exactwords were, ‘Finally, someone with a good heart is leading the Lycans.’”
She pauses, allowing her words to sink in. For the first time since his arrival, I notice a flicker of softness in Rhett’s stern features.
“After what she endured in the Lycan realm, after how Aidan abused her and the ceremony your people witnessed without intervening, I’d imagine if Lyra truly were the evil, dark enchantress you seem so ready to believe she is, she would have incinerated your entire realm by now,” Drew continues, her tone sharpening. She flashes a wicked grin, her fangs visible as the candlelight gleams off her pristine canines. “Frankly, I know I would have.”
