54. Elianna

Chapter fifty-four

Elianna

After our flight home, Nox perched himself atop the courthouse as we announced that a meeting was to be held immediately in the war chamber. Gage was ordered to collect the general, Lynelle, and his most trusted high-ranking soldiers, while I asked Veli to summon Empri and Madalae.

Jace and I occupied the seats at the head of the stone table, observing the realm etched onto its surface as everyone filed in and took their seats.

The twin witches appeared just outside the door as the last of everyone arrived, and they silently slipped into the room, Veli locking the door behind them.

Silence blanketed the room as Gage lit the scattered torches along the walls. I could feel everyone’s stare on me, and it was evident that everyone in the war chamber sensed the impending news of Ellecaster’s fate.

“ What’s your plan, Lia? Are we just telling them what we found and will work on a plan together? My concern is the witches,” Jace admitted through the bond.

“ I have an idea, but I will need everyone’s cooperation ,” I answered .

“Thank you all for coming on such short notice,” I greeted. “I regret to inform you all that Ellecaster has fallen.”

Small gasps escaped a few of the attendees. Zaela’s hand balled into a fist as it rested on the table, and Gage’s usually kind eyes morphed into something murderous.

“Were there any survivors?” Lynelle asked after clearing her throat.

“None that we were able to find,” Jace answered. “There was one man, but he has since been lost.”

“He was able to tell us that it wasn’t an army that attacked the city,” I admitted.

Gage was rapidly shaking his head on Jace’s opposite side, as if in denial. “If not an army, then…”

I sucked in a breath through my nostrils as I prepared to confirm the news they feared. “A wyvern.”

“Fuck,” Zaela hissed.

“So, they do have one then,” Landon chimed in.

Finnian ran his fingers through his hair as he sat beside him. “How are we supposed to fight against a wyvern, Lia? One aided by magic.”

They all began to voice their fears at the same moment. Tempers quickly flared, and the table descended into bickering—the air grew thick with skepticism and defeat.

“ They’re losing hope…if this information is brought before the armies… ” Jace warned.

“Silence, please,” I demanded, and the arguments ceased. “With the news of Ellecaster being destroyed, we also must bring the news that the passage linking the valley to the rest of the realm has been blocked by demolished buildings and stone.”

“Mother of the gods,” Gage whispered. “Without that passage, we aren’t able to move the troops. We don’t have enough ships to transport us across the sea.”

“I know.” I let out a sigh as I faced Veli once again, and she shrank in her seat.

“Why do I feel as if I’m not going to agree with this next part?” she asked with a sigh.

“Before we traveled to the isles, you stated that a single witch couldn’t open a portal for an entire army on her own and that it would require multiple.”

Her jaw ticked as she crossed her arms again, but this time, her stance was anything but relaxed. “Aye.”

“Well, I now count three witches in the war chamber.”

“To conjure a portal wide enough for your army to pass through would require an immense amount of magic, Heir of the Realm,” Madalae stated, her annoyance evident.

“Are you declaring that you’re not powerful enough to do so?” I challenged while cocking my head to the side.

Jace’s chuckle echoed down the tether, and I had to suppress my smirk.

Two crimson stares glared at me. “No,” they said in tandem, tones full of disgust.

My eyes darted over to Avery, who had to turn away from them to hide her giggle.

“It is a lot of power to hold for that amount of time and could exhaust our bodies when needed in battle,” Empri continued. “Mortals are not as agile as fae.”

“We have horses for most soldiers,” Jace interjected .

“Elianna, I haven’t opened a true portal in centuries. And where would you even have us open the rift in the realm? Where do you plan to meet the queen’s armies?”

My heart pounded in my chest as I braced myself to say the final part of my plan, knowing chaos would erupt the moment it reached their ears.

“Right at the foot of the Islan gates.”