55. Elianna

Chapter fifty-five

Elianna

“Are you out of your gods-damn mind?!” Veli's screech set off a chain reaction, with everyone talking over each other in a flurry of arguments.

“Lia…” Jace spoke softly, concern radiating from him. “The city of Isla?”

“ Just trust me, okay ?” I spoke into his mind, keeping the mask of menace on my face, but it didn’t ease any of his concern.

We watched as everyone bickered and argued over how my idea was a death sentence, not only for our soldiers, but for Isla’s citizens as well.

“ This is madness .” His voice was a whisper in my head.

“ And it’s why I loathe politics,” I answered.

I cleared my throat and interlocked my fingers, resting them on the table. Their arguments slowly transformed into soft murmurs until finally, silence filled the chamber.

“This would ensure that they’re caught off guard, without the opportunity to gather more soldiers in other cities and barracks as they marched towards us, potentially discovering more of our hidden villages and towns.”

“It also ensures death to your citizens,” Veli hissed .

I flinched, Idina’s words echoing in my mind of dooming my people—but I had a plan. My gaze slowly moved toward her, our eyes locking in a silent battle, both of us unwilling to back down.

“Have you ever considered I have also thought of that? It will also give you the practice needed for the portal gateway.”

My gaze moved around the chamber, and I could tell by their faces that none of them agreed with me.

“I understand the hesitance that you’re all feeling. However, I have thought this through, and I believe it could work if you’re all willing to listen.”

Their faces softened slightly, but the air remained tense.

“You once allowed many to escape by casting a whisper spell that entered the minds of my supporters,” I started, and she gave a curt nod in response. “If we open a small, hidden portal within Isla, we could evacuate people through it, allowing them to escape and also minimizing casualties.”

“You’re bringing a war to its gates. Casualties will be inevitable, Elianna,” Veli hissed.

“ I am inclined to agree with her .” A lump formed in my throat from Jace's thoughts, but I was thankful he didn’t vocalize them.

“I don’t plan to bring the battle within the streets of the city, just beyond its borders. This will be an extra precaution, one that makes me feel better about following through with this. We blindside them and bring it straight to the bitch, while her army is unprepared. ”

“And we will what? Wait for them to line up as they prepare to slaughter us on their soil?” the general asked, his tone more stern than I appreciated to be questioned in, but I understood that these were his people before they were mine.

“I’m hoping it won’t come to that, and that we’re able to force their hand into surrender, but time will tell. If they choose to fight, then it begins the moment the first soldier steps in our direction, and then we unleash everything on them.”

“She will never surrender,” Avery said, sounding defeated.

“I know. And I’m counting on it.” She looked at me, confused. “Why would her armies fight for her when she won’t even consider coming to their defense? I plan to remind every ear that will listen that she is a tyrant murderer, and that the realm will respond for as long as a Valderre heir breathes.”

“She’ll just work to have you killed,” Finnian said, and Jace’s anger flared beside me.

I nodded. “She will try, but there are two others that come after me. And while Idina is many things, I don’t see her risking her remaining children. Her desire to have you back with her is stronger than we originally believed—she spoke of this when she appeared in our room.”

“Our mother won’t risk her throne, and she knows you’d never harm us, even if false threats are given,” Avery said with a sigh.

“Yes, but as long as you each remain alive as well, she cannot be the true queen. If it appears that she’s willing to risk her own children, the city will turn on her. I’m sure of it. They know of your kindness and they loved our father until he met his end. If we can turn her terrorized supporters on her and all band together, we have a chance at winning.”

“This is a great risk, Lia,” Gage stated as his eyes moved back and forth between me and his new love.

“If we’re not willing to take risks, we have already lost,” I answered. “We get everyone out of the city that we can, maybe even bring them among the ranks to fight, and then we end this.”

“If a portal is opened within the city, Azenna will be alerted of magic at work. She will sense it,” Veli stated.

“Then we have to be quick,” Jace responded, and a corner of my lips lifted at his support.

I looked at Leon as he watched both Jace and me intently. “Prepare our forces, General. I want them ready at a moment’s notice.”

“You will not be going into the city alone, and I honestly advise against you going at all. However, I can see your mind has been made up, so I know you won’t listen to that. Also, the humans may not enter. Any fae or witch would be able to sniff them out immediately,” Veli stated.

A growl rumbled from my mate.

“ She’s right ,” I reminded him.

“What other options do we have?” I asked her.

Her stare moved to the twins. “A portal large enough for two or three to move through at a time…you can handle that, no? ”

The twins exchanged a glance. “Should be no issue. We haven’t been to Isla in centuries, but have set foot on its soil,” Empri answered.

“Very well.” Veli’s attention moved back to me. “I will be coming with you. You will need shadows to help with concealment.” As she spoke of them, tiny, dark wisps began to dance around the sides of her face, as if they had been hiding beneath her hair this whole time, listening.

“Do you not need the practice, then? For opening a portal?”

“It’s more regarding the power needed to be generated between the three of us,” Empri answered for Veli. “We have the experience. As long as she lends her power when we open it for the army, it should work.”

“As I said, you will not be going alone, and we’re out of other options. This is what I ask, as your aide,” Veli stated. “And I may regret this next bit, but may I suggest your sister comes along with us?”

“Me?!” Avery gasped. “I assumed I would never be welcome on another trip again.”

“Don’t remind me.” Veli rolled her eyes. “However, the people seem to listen to her. Whether that’s because she is Jameson’s known daughter and they trust her stance on her own mother or that she is just bossy, I am not entirely sure.”

“Well, what say you, Avery?” I winked.

“You want me there?” she whispered.

“Only if you wish to be. It will be dangerous, but I’ve learned that trying to shield you from every danger in the realm hasn’t benefited us. As a member of this court, you’re able to make the decision for yourself. ”

“Don’t worry about me,” Finn chimed in. “I wasn’t much help the first time.” Chuckles filtered through the space.

“You held your own with Zae in combat training. You will do great,” Gage said to Avery sweetly, as he picked up her hand and pressed his lips to the back of it.

Her cheeks flushed instantly before she answered, “Count me in.”

“It’s settled then,” I declared. “Empri and Madalae will cast the portal spell, and Avery, Veli, and I will run through to escort as many through as possible.” My stare moved back to my aide. “Can you cast the whisper tonight?”

“Aye,” she spoke softly. “But if I say we retreat, you will do so. I need your word, Elianna. As your aide, I am begging you to not break this trust.”

My jaw locked, and I blinked a few times as I contemplated how to respond.

“ Please listen to her .” My gaze moved to Jace, and the only emotion his face wore was the calculating stare of the commander as his eyes wandered over the table. “ I once again cannot be with you, and you know what happened the last time we were forced to be separated. Don’t make me go through that portal to drag your ass back here .”

My jaw ticked. “I will do as you wish,” I assured Veli. “There will be no room for error and we must be quick. You have my word. I promise.”

She gave me a look that seemed as if she wanted to smile. “Then I shall cast the whisper and we will leave this evening.”

“Well, then,” I started as I stood from the table. “Let’s go reclaim our kingdom.”