Chapter 52

I glanceto where Jude sits in the War Room, his head bent in concentration as he sketches a detailed map of Sharhavva on a piece of thin parchment.

Aleksander enters the room, slouches into a chair near me, and tips it back. I stay silent as he reaches for the clay jar next to him and drinks, not even bothering with a goblet. As usual, my younger brother cares little for decorum, preferring to do as he pleases.

Does he not comprehend the gravity of our situation? Asha's forces will be upon us soon, and here he sits, guzzling spirits like a carefree lord.

Reeve stands by the window, his body as rigid and immovable as the mountains that border our lands.

A guard opens the door and announces Hector, the Chieftain of the Bloodstone. His long cloak billows around him as he strides into the room, his cousin, Cenric, close at his heels.

My brow lifts. "I thought you were sending me legions from your tribe. I didn't know I would be honored with your presence in person."

Hector smiles as he moves to sit in the chair near me, his posture relaxed yet poised like the seasoned warrior he is. "Who else could better aid you in safeguarding this city? Having personally breached its defenses, I possess unparalleled insight into its vulnerabilities, which makes me the most adept at advising you on how to fortify its borders against our common foe." He glances at Cenric, who moved to stand next to Reeve. "Besides...Cenric was bored and eager for a fight."

Jude looks up from his sketch. "When is Cenric ever not ready for a fight?"

Reeve scrutinizes Cenric. "You must have made yourself at home in Hematite territory to arrive here so swiftly."

"Maybe we did?" A gentle breeze filters through the window and ruffles Cenric's hair as he scratches his jaw and shrugs.

I turn to Hector. "Is everything all right along the borders?"

He nods. "Just some nuisance with the Malachite tribe, but we curbed their appetite for attacking us."

"For now," Cenric says, his tone laced with frustration.

"I thought you would be home with Sol," I say to Hector. "Does she not need you there?"

Hector shakes his head. "She's with me. Sol likes fighting alongside me."

A hint of amusement echoes in Jude's voice as he speaks. "Cannot be apart for even a second, can you?"

Hector acknowledges Jude's gentle ribbing with a slight uptick of his mouth. "Sol is a capable warrior. I would not ask her to remain behind while I march off to battle."

I look up as someone knocks on the door. One of my best scouts, Rohn, enters. He bows low, fist pressed to his heart in salute.

"Report," I command.

"I come bearing urgent news, My Lord." Rohn keeps his head lowered in deference. "I have tracked Asha's armies. They are less than a day's ride from our borders."

Tension tightens in my muscles as I curl my hands into fists. So soon? I had hoped we would have more time to prepare.

"How many?" Reeve asks, as he pushes off from his spot by the window.

"Near ten thousand strong," Rohn says. "Mostly foot soldiers, but at least a thousand cavalry."

Far more than I would have expected her to commit to a single strike. She must be desperate to throw so much strength behind this attack.

Aleksander snorts. "Let them come. We'll drown their troops in rivers of blood."

Hector leans back in his chair. "I will position my men in a valley west of the city. When Asha makes a move to attack, my forces will sweep in from their rear—boxing her army between your city's defenses and my own." He taps a spot on the map splayed across the table. "We will crush them between us."

I nod in agreement, knowing Hector's plan is solid.

Asha will not take this city from me. Nor will she take her sister.

I address Rohn. "Get some rest, then return to watching their progress. I want to know the instant they are within striking distance."

He bows. "At once, My Lord."

As Rohn departs, I turn my attention back to the map. There is much planning to be done if we are to be ready.

* * *

After hours with my brothers,Hector, and Cenric, I step into my bedchamber, needing a reprieve.

Annora turns from where she stands near the window, her face a canvas of concern. "Is everything all right?"

I shake my head, knowing nothing is as I had promised her it would be. "No. Asha's army was spotted a day's ride from here."

Annora's hand flies to her mouth, her eyes widening in shock. She takes a staggering step back and leans against the stone wall for support.

"I'm sorry." My apology isn't enough, I know that, but I don't know what else to say to her. Not when I'm preparing to defend Sharhavva from an invasion led by her sister. So many will die in the coming battle. Probably men Annora knows.

"Let me speak to Asha," Annora says, surprising me with her sudden boldness.

No. Absolutely not.

"I cannot allow that. It's far too perilous."

Determination smolders in her eyes as she lifts her chin. "I'm not a helpless child, Jasce. Besides, Asha would never let anyone hurt me."

Frustrated, I rake a hand through my hair. She doesn't understand the danger. "Someone just tried to kill you, Annora. I cannot, in good conscience, let you walk into the enemy's camp. Not when there are rebels hiding among them who would gladly see you dead."

"Then, I will take one of your brothers with me as protection."

Every part of me wants to refuse, to lock Annora away so nothing can harm her. As much as the thought tempts me, I know it would only drive her further into defiance.

"Either you can give me your blessing and send your brother with me, or I will go when you're not looking." She lifts her chin even higher, resolve burning in her dark blue eyes. "I must go. For us. For our houses. For our people. They cannot endure more suffering. I won't allow it."

Her words strike deep, kindling a spark of hope within me. Our people, she said, not my people or your people, but ours.

I clinch my hand into a fist, steeling myself as I give a curt nod. "Take Jude. He's the only one with an even temper."

"Oh, Jasce." Annora hurries across the room and throws her arm around me. "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."

She rises to her tiptoes, framing my face in her hands, then presses her lips to mine. As quickly as it began, she pulls away, leaving me momentarily stunned.

"I won't disappoint you," she says as she hurries to the armoire, throws it wide and pulls out a cloak. "I promise you that."

"You have never disappointed me, Annora."

She turns at that and stares at me, the determination returning to her eyes. "And I intend to keep it that way. Trust me, Jasce. I can do this. For our future, for peace between our houses—I need to do this." With purpose in her step, she fastens the cloak and meets my gaze directly. "I'll be careful. And I'll be back before you know it."