40. Elianna

Chapter forty

Elianna

Standing at the edge of the fields, we watched as Finnian took part in training combat with Gage, and other pairings mimicked their stances down the valley. Nox let out a few chirps as he flew overhead, observing the lessons along with us, his enormous shadow looming over the terrain—we were thankful that the soldiers were growing more comfortable in his presence.

“Come to see the show? I just finished my sparring,” Landon said as he walked up to us. “Zaela’s down at the other end of the field, assigning new pairings.”

“This matchup is hardly fair,” I huffed.

“It will be significantly less fair on a battlefield, Elianna,” Veli hissed.

A horn sounded, and each pair made their moves to strike. The sound of clashing swords echoed through the fields as the combat matches began. The reverberated tinging sounds of steel on steel rang through my ears as Gage expertly swung his sword at my brother, slower than he would in an actual battle .

Gage's years of experience and the training I would like to consider I attributed to were evident in the grace with which he moved.

On the other side, Finnian worked to counter each strike, but his movements were slow— too slow. My heart thudded as I watched his face. His eyes were focused, determined to prove himself against a seasoned warrior, but it was apparent that he would never last a day fighting in the war.

“His footwork is all over the place,” Jace grumbled at my side as my brother tried to recover from rolling his ankle.

“Move your feet, Finn!” I ordered, and he shot me a look of disapproval over his shoulder.

Finn’s gaze burned with ambition, but I knew in my heart I would never be able to live with myself if I allowed him to set foot on the battlefield.

The crowd of onlookers watched in hushed silence until Avery approached me. “I don’t know who to even root for,” she joked, but I could barely muster up a smile.

Gage struck once more, disarming Finn in an instant and sending his sword flying off to the side of him. Our second-in-command then lightly placed the tip of his blade to the center of my brother’s armor and gave him a nod.

They both turned to us as they worked to catch their breath. I pressed my lips together as I forced an awkward smile while they moved to approach us.

“What do you suppose we do?” I asked Veli.

“I have a plan,” she answered. “But he is not going to like it.”

My nostrils flared as I glanced her way and then back to my brother .

“And what might that be, Veli?” Jace asked as his stare remained on the two of them.

“Let me train the boy to be a healer.”

Both of our eyes snapped back to her.

“A healer?” I said.

“He would still be close to the battle but not on the fields where death would certainly find him. He wishes to be made useful—this is a way that saves him and helps others,” she declared.

“I am inclined to agree,” Jace stated.

“You’re right. He definitely won’t like that,” Landon chimed in from where he stood off to the side. “But I also agree.”

Gage and Finn reached us then.

“I’m sorry, Lia,” Finn started. “I’ll do better next time, I promise.”

I gave him a soft, tight-lipped smile.

“It's okay, Finny-boy.” Gage clapped him on the shoulder. “We’ll continue to work on both your sword and footwork.”

Finn rolled his eyes in response, but his demeanor quickly changed as Landon stepped up to him and kissed him on the cheek, forcing a blush from him.

“Can we talk, Finn?” I asked quietly.

His eyes wandered over me, and he let out a sad chuckle. “I’m not going to like this, am I?”

I shook my head slowly as I reached my hand out for his.

“No, Lia. Anything you have to say can be said in front of everyone,” he grumbled at me. “I don't need to be coddled and scolded for not meeting your standards.”

“I would never scold you, Finnian,” I snarked. “Coddle, perhaps.” A smirk threatened to form on my lips, but I suppressed it.

“You don’t think I can do this, do you?” His eyes wandered over each of us as we stood before him. “Even you, Landon?”

“We just want you to be safe,” he answered.

Finnian scoffed. “Let’s not forget that you were critically injured on the battlefield the last time you set foot on it. I could say the same for you,” he snapped.

“You’re right. And I have more training,” Landon admitted.

“That is hardly fair!” Finn’s voice rose alongside his aggravation.

“But it’s the truth,” I stated. “We just want you to be safe.”

“And I want the same for all of you!” he shouted, making me flinch. “No one will be safe out there! Not a single one of you. We could all die. Not just me. Why is no one else thinking of this?!”

Curious eyes of the nearby soldiers wandered to us as his voice continued to rise. Jace huffed out a sigh as he stepped away from our group while waving his arms to shoo the onlookers away.

“I think of that every second of every gods-damn day, Finnian Valderre.” A bite now inched its way into my tone. “I’m sorry that you’re upset, but it’s for your own good.”

“And Avery will be out on the fields when she has just as little training as I?”

“That is yet to be determined, but likely not,” I answered. Avery nodded along with my words .

“I just want to be made useful,” he said sadly.

“I know, which is why we have a new plan.”

Veli stepped up to Finn, her violet stare locking him in a nervous trance. “The world could always use more healers, boy. Your mother banning them over a century ago has made them few and far between.”

His eyes flared and then shot back to me. “You want me to learn to be a healer ? How is there time for such things but not combat training?”

“Look at me, you foolish male,” Veli hissed, and he pursed his lips as he did as he was told. “I will teach you the ways of saving lives. You will be provided with as much training and workings as time allows. You will be much more useful there.”

“How? You are the realm's most talented healer, Veli. And for good reason.”

“She will likely not be in the healers' tents,” I cut in. His brows furrowed in response. “Veli will be needed on the fields.”

“You mean her magic will be needed,” he sassed.

“Precisely,” Veli snapped. “We are all playing roles we don’t necessarily wish to have. Now it’s time to grow up and recognize the areas where your contribution will be most valuable.”

Just as I was about to speak again, a strange and unsettling energy filled the air. Power crackled through the sky as dark clouds quickly moved in on the horizon, and the winds picked up, blowing our hair in all directions .

“What’s happening?!” Avery shrieked, and Gage moved to cover her, shielding her behind his arms as the winds continued to assault us on all sides.

Nox let out a deafening screech in the air as the power continued to surge.

Jace and Zaela sprinted towards us as the last of the soldiers sought cover from the winds, running back towards the barracks on the far side of the field.

We formed a tight circle, our backs pressed against each other, as we each unsheathed our weapons from our sides.

“Veli!” I barked over the roaring winds. “What’s happening?!”

“Someone’s here,” she announced. “I can feel them.”

“The coven?!” Avery shrieked.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. How did they find us?!

“Look!” Zaela's voice boomed as she pointed into the distance, her finger aimed at two figures materializing from swirling shadows atop a hill.

Jace’s stare flashed to meet mine, and his worry shot down the bond. Worry for us. Worry for our innocent people that rested safely only a mile away in the distance.

“Veli…” My voice dragged out her name as fear slammed into me.

This couldn’t be happening. Not before we’ve had a chance to fight.

My aide’s eyes glowed as she stared off at two of her lost sisters. A moment later, the wind ceased, and the skies cleared faster than I could blink. The dark clouds formed by their shadows evaporated from thin air.

“It is Madalae and Empri,” Veli announced to us .

The witch twins.

We all remained on high alert, ready to strike if necessary.

“What is it they want? And where is Azenna?” I growled.

Suddenly, their eerie voices echoed all around us in unison, as if it were flowing through the air. “ We wish to speak to the heir of the realm. Alone. ”

“Of course they do,” Veli hissed.

“Not going to fucking happen,” Jace growled as he tightened his grip on the pommel of his sword.

My gaze drifted to the sky as Nox circled above us. A grin formed on my face then.

“I won’t be alone,” I stated as his hazel stare locked on mine. I gave him a quick wink as my feet pushed me forward, hand remaining on the hilt of my sword as it now hung at my side.

I swaggered my way across the vast field as the heat of the sun beat down on me. The natural breeze gently tugged at the loose strands of my dark hair as Nox’s shadow soared overhead, hovering directly above me.

The twins wore mirrored, stern expressions, revealing no hint of vulnerability as I approached. The atmosphere was charged with tension as their crimson stares were locked on me, unblinking.

When my steps halted at the base of the hill they stood upon, the twins glided down as if they were carried by the breeze. We now stood face-to-face, merely ten feet dividing us.

Empri offered a sly, menacing smile. “I must admit, I’m surprised you listened to instructions and approached us alone. You have a unique reputation for going against what is expected of you, Elianna Valderre .” She uttered my name in a sinister manner, the sound slithering out with an underlying threat.

“And how have you heard of this?”

“The winds whisper all things,” Madalae supplied. “However, I am pleasantly surprised.”

My grin returned as my head tilted to the side. “Who said I’m alone?”

A moment later, the ground violently shook beneath our feet. A deep growl rumbled through Nox’s chest as I felt his menacing presence at my back. His giant, horn-covered head levitated over my shoulder as he hissed at the witches before me—terror flashed across their features briefly as my wyvern stared them down while guarding me.

A wicked chuckle left Empri. “And I now see that your reputation precedes you.”

“My enemy has never played fair when it pertains to the victory in this war, so nor will I.”

“Who claims that we come as your enemy, Elianna?” she asked. “Perhaps we come here as a favor.”

“And why would such a thing be true? The last I saw you, you were aiming to harm not only those I love but also attempting to steal my wyvern.” The words left me in a snarl, matching the beat of Nox’s growl as it persisted behind me.

“We thought you may say that.”

“Because it’s the truth. It wouldn’t be a difficult guess,” I barked. “Now tell me what you’re doing in these lands before I have Nox set his blaze upon you.”

Neither of them spoke .

My eyes thinned into slits as I stared them down. “One ancient, forgotten word from me, and the both of you will burn.”

Their crimson stares flared then.

“You threaten those who work to aid you? Is this not what you originally sought?”

“I threaten those who have threatened me and mine. Why should I trust you?”

The twins exchanged a glance before returning their gazes to me.

“We haven’t always agreed with Azenna and what she has sought to do since the discovery of Tinaebris Malifisc all those centuries ago. And we have come to heed your warning.”

My heart thudded at their words, but my face remained neutral as I observed them.

“What of it then? What have you come here to offer?”

“Azenna spoke of declaring her stance on the war by offering her aid to the current queen who sits upon the Velyran throne,” Empri stated.

Panic instantly clogged my throat.

“But she is a creature of the realm. The realm itself will only accept a true Valderre as its ruler,” I countered.

“Aye, that is why she plans to get her hands on your blood and intertwine it with the queen’s using the book. Blood magic works in mysterious ways and has many uses. This could work to trick the realm itself.”

I was going to be sick. “Such a thing is possible?” Gods, I hoped she was exaggerating.

“It is true,” Madalae relayed .

“So, Azenna has offered Idina her use of dark magic in the war? What did she seek in exchange?” I demanded.

“The lands within and beyond the Sylis Forest. Free roam to hunt and do whatever she pleases with. She wishes to be a recognized queen in her own right.”

“That’s foolish. Idina would never offer even a sliver of the realm.”

Then I thought it over for a moment. If it secured her victory, she may barter away just that, with no intention of keeping her promise.

“The winds have whispered that what you believe is not necessarily true,” the twins relayed in unison, causing a shiver to run up my spine.

I remained silent for a moment as my gaze wandered back to my court as they eagerly waited for orders—their stances declared they were ready to charge at any moment if commanded.

“How is it that you found us? Alaia Valley is hidden from the rest of the world, or so we thought,” I stated.

“When Azenna spoke of her plan immediately following our encounter, we rushed to leave and watched as you all soared through the clouds. We have been waiting to hear of what the winds speak before deciding what to do next,” Empri answered.

My eyes flared as she spoke of watching us this entire time from a distance and us never knowing it. Shaking that eerie thought, my attention drifted back to the twins. “Is it an alliance you seek? Why would you not follow your High Witch? ”

They exchanged another look as if communicating their response telepathically.

“We have experienced firsthand the power of what Azenna now holds. When Veli stole the book and went into hiding, we admired her for it. We were too frightened to ever admit it, but what she did was right. If in the wrong hands, the pages bound within it could doom the realm and every creature within it,” Madalae answered.

“For a better realm,” Empri added.

I huffed out a sharp laugh as she mimicked the mantra of my rebellion. “For a better realm,” I echoed.

“My court is to join me in any further discussion regarding this. And you are to give me your word that no magic will be cast in said meeting. Do you agree?” I asked. “And if you break this vow, make no mistake, I will carve your hearts out myself and turn them to ash.”

Twin grins formed. “Agreed,” they hissed in unison.