Page 56 of Once Upon a Crown
Or maybe he really was just mad.I didn’t say it out loud.
“I promise that anyone who fights will not go unrewarded. I trust you and I trust the clan.”
“I’ll see what I can do, Your Majesty.”
“You were loyal to my uncle for a very long time. And I don’t expect the same from you. But I’m responsible for what happens to these people, and I will not go down without a fight.”
“If you’re willing to fight for the people, I’m sure there will be those who’d want to fight for you too.”
I climbed down from the bar chair. “Send any news you have straight to the palace. I’ll have the head of my guards deliver the messages to me personally.”
Donald lifted his half-full cup. “To you then, Your Majesty.”
Chapter 22
Cai
In the days that followed, Elara and I spent countless hours in meetings with her council discussing our preparations for reclaiming Mistwood and the possibility of sending Everness’s army to Norrandale should it become necessary. The council members agreed that if I could take back Mistwood and round up the loyalists, there would be enough ground for us to stand on for a counterattack while still leaving enough soldiers in Everness to keep it defended. It would take some time to gather all the men and prepare for the journey.
In the meantime, a group of us would leave for Norrandale. I’d been in correspondence with Lord Burrow, a trusted member of my court, and we’d agreed to meet, along with all the men he could supply, on the way to Mistwood. He was in the process of convincing the other members of the council to also send men to join our cause. I could only hope that he would be successful.
It was a potentially treacherous journey to make in the winter. But the longer we waited, the more damage Aries might do. Most of his army had yet to arrive. Now was the time for us to strike.
The sun was just beginning to set and Elara lounged on one of the chairs in my rooms while I sharpened the sword my father had given me. I hadn’t used it since the day we’d run from Norrandale. The thought of returning tied my stomach into knots but I couldn’t live in exile for ever. Nor could we let Aries get away with what he’d done.
“I’m coming with you, you know,” Elara said, breaking the silence in the room. I looked up from my sword. The thought of being separated from her nearly killed me, but knowing wherewe were about to go, and what we were about to do, I worried for her safety.
“I don’t want to leave you here. But I also don’t want to bring you into the middle of a battle.” Elara had never experienced an easy life and had survived many atrocities but she was not trained for battle. And while she was capable of defending herself, this was different. This was war.
“I can’t imagine you being a kingdom away while I have no idea whether or not you are safe.”
Nor could I. As long as she was close by, I wouldn’t live in the constant fear that something might have happened to her.
“If something should happen to me, how will I protect you? How will I make sure you stay safe?” These were the very thoughts that had kept me awake for the past few nights.
Elara sat up, meeting my eyes. “Don’t say something like that.”
I took a deep breath. “We both know I might not walk out of this battle alive.” And I could live with that as long as I knew she was all right.
“No,” she said, getting up from the chair and making her way towards me. She kneeled in front of me. “You are going to make it through this.” Elara took my face in her hands. “Both of us are. And then years from now we will look back and this will all be a faint memory.” For her sake, I very much hoped so.
I gave her a sad smile and she pressed a soft kiss to my lips.
“Does this mean you’re leaving Lance in charge again?”
The corner of her mouth turned up a little. “I suppose it does.”
* * *
The forest was cold and dark. Heavy clouds hung over the high tree branches, many devoid of their leaves. Our riding partywas a long straight line of horses and men, slowly making their way down the half-frozen path.
Part of me couldn’t believe we were really making the journey back to Norrandale. That we would attempt to take back the palace and hope none of us died in the process. But with all the information Alastor had gathered and a few allies awaiting our arrival, the best time to strike was now.
I worried about Elara’s safety in coming with us but felt better when she was at my side, knowing I was unable to protect her if she remained in Everness. We had a few men with us, spared by the council. It wasn’t enough to take on Aries’ army, but if we could win back Mistwood Palace, it might give us the foothold we needed.
Gwen remained behind in Levernia, her ankle not yet healed enough for such a long journey. I would have preferred her not to stay back alone with Lance, but if there was anyone who could hold her own, it was Gwen.
I wondered, though, had she been able to travel, would she have been able to face her brother and his betrayal?
