Page 109 of Once Upon a Crown
My legs felt weak and shaky. How long had I been out?
I reached for the tent flap, pulling it back.
We were at the base of a mountain. A valley stretched out before me. I immediately recognised it from the time Cai had brought me here to show me the Myrgonite mines.
Almost the entire valley was filled with tents and campfires. Thousands upon thousands of Argonian soldiers were going about their business, preparing for battle. Some were training, while others prepared food or talked around the fires, laughing with each other.
It was as if my heart had stopped beating. I knew Aries’ army was large, but this was unlike anything I’d ever seen. My gaze shifted to the mountain where hundreds of Aries’ men were digging, searching for the Myrgonite stones.
This was so much worse than I’d imagined. Aries was getting closer and closer to the old Myrgonite mines, and against anarmy of this size, our people would be slaughtered. Our only potential advantage was using the high ground of the valley as Cai had planned, but with our lack of numbers, there was no guarantee that even that would work.
My chest ached at the thought of Cai. They’d probably discovered I was gone by now. He must be worried beyond his mind. Were they on their way? We’d been preparing for battle, but would everyone arrive before it was too late?
I looked back inside the tent. There was a pair of boots next to the bed.
They hadn’t tied me up or put a guard to watch over me. Did they not expect me to try to escape?
Mistwood was only a few hours’ ride away. But maybe Aries didn’t think I would be foolish enough to attempt it in this cold, with no supplies and no horse.
I put on the boots and stepped out of the tent, the cold air hitting my face once more. Goosebumps covered my skin. The evening gown wasn’t nearly warm enough.
I started to walk through the camp, not entirely sure where I was going but not willing to sit and wait around either. I had to find my necklace before Aries discovered what it was. Unless, of course, he already had.
I could feel the gaze of some of the soldiers as I passed, though I couldn’t blame them. I was walking around an army camp in a dress that was hardly appropriate for the occasion. I wished I’d been carrying a weapon of some kind. I doubted it would make much of a difference but at the very least I would feel a little better.
“Your Majesty.”
I turned at the sound of a soldier’s voice. His attire was more formal than the others and he carried a spear in his hand. I’d seen him before when we were in Argon. He must have been one of Aries’ personal guards.
“Yes?”
“If you would allow me to escort you. His Majesty requires your presence.” The polite way he asked reassured me a little, but this was still Aries, and they had still brought me here against my will.
I squared my shoulders. “Very well.”
The guard led me through the tents along the base of the mountain. Aries’ tent was a little higher than the others and also significantly bigger, as could be expected. Two guards were stationed outside his tent, both with spears by their sides.
“Please inform His Majesty that Queen Elara has awakened.”
“You can let her in, Frederick.” A masculine voice came from inside the tent. I didn’t realise how afraid I was until I heard him speak.
Frederick held the tent flap open and I stepped out of the bright morning light.
The scent of grapefruit hit my nostrils, and my eyes fell to Aries, who was seated at a table, a plate of grapefruit in front of him, which he ate with a golden fork.
He wore no armour, lounging quite casually and not as if he was preparing for battle.
“Elara.” His cruel silver eyes looked up from his plate and I shuddered. “I’m glad to see you’re up and about again.”
“Me too. Considering how hard your goons knocked me on my head.”
“I must plead your forgiveness for my guards’ methods.” Aries dabbed the corners of his mouth with a cloth. “I feared if I’d merely sent an invitation, you wouldn’t come.”
He gestured to the chair across from him. “Please, have a seat.”
“No, thank you.” I needed to find a way to get out of there or at least some sort of weapon to protect myself with.
“There really isn’t a need for any hostility between us.” When I didn’t move, his eyes caught one of the guards behind me, who forced me into the chair.
