59. Elianna

Chapter fifty-nine

Elianna

I stared at the map carved upon the stone table in our war chamber and was instantly overwhelmed by the sense that we were about to be vastly outnumbered. Our expected numbers and allies were quickly diminishing as we lost the troops in Ellecaster and the possibility of bringing other soldiers from our small villages hidden throughout the realm.

The door creaked open, revealing Jace, Gage, Veli, and Zaela standing beneath its arch.

“It’s late. You should all be sleeping.”

“And so should you,” Veli answered.

I turned from them and faced the window, crossing my arms as I looked out at the moon. All I could think about was how I snapped at my sister, screaming in her face as I let my rage consume me when all she had ever done was support my claim. My throat clogged, realizing I never had the chance to apologize properly.

“I don’t think I will be getting much sleep for the foreseeable future,” I finally answered.

They all entered the room and took their seats at the table.

“We’re here to help you with a plan. We’re going to get Avery back,” Jace assured me.

“Lia, I’m sorry for blaming you earlier,” Gage said, pure sorrow radiating in his deep brown eyes.

“Gage,” I whispered as I walked over to him and placed my hand on his shoulder. “You had every right to be upset. I know you care for my sister.”

He blinked and gave a small, slow nod in understanding.

“How fast can our ships sail to Isla?” I asked.

“From here?” Zaela asked. “It would take nearly two weeks, and that’s if the tide is on our side.”

I blew out a breath. “That won’t do, and we can’t waste any more days. All of our soldiers will have to remain with the land fleet.” Rubbing at my temples, I tried to think of a plan.

“Is it bad for our entire army to remain on land? Wouldn’t it be better to all be together at the foot of the gates?” Zaela asked.

“I want them surrounded on all sides, including the harbor,” I answered, and then my eyes widened. “Wait a second.”

My mate looked at me with a raised brow as I stormed across the chamber and opened a wooden chest we kept on the side table. I reached in, my fingers closing around the smooth, iridescent conch shell I had stolen from the sirens all those weeks ago.

“I think it’s time to call in my favor,” I announced as I made my way back to the stone table and took my seat at its head.

“Favor.” Zaela snorted. “I think you mean bribe? ”

I shrugged with a lazy smile. “Semantics. Regardless, they know that if they want this back, they must aid me somehow in the war. And I think I know just what that would be now.”

“What are you thinking, then?” Veli asked.

“We will have the sirens in Isla’s harbor. If there are ships there, then perfect, we have one of our secret weapons ready to attack. If no ships lay in the harbor, then we didn’t waste precious time sending our own fleet there.”

“And how do you wish to alert them?”

“You will rift walk back to Elora and tell them the plan. If they show up and fight for me, they get their sister’s conch back. If they don't, it will be destroyed.”

“That is a bold threat, Elianna,” Veli hissed.

“If they had legs, I would have them take a knee before me, but they do not. This is how they will show their loyalty to the true heir of the realm.”

She grinned at me wickedly, shadows dancing around her face. “Very well.”

“I have one last plan to obtain more allies.”

“Lia,” Zaela breathed. “There’s no one left. We have our armies ready for war, but it won’t be enough. Not against the fae and dark magic.”

“I have made friends along the way,” I exaggerated. “They may help us.”

“Who are these so-called friends, Elianna?” Veli demanded from my opposite side.

I winked at her, earning a huff of disapproval. “The realm itself works to support the true heir and Valderre bloodline. ”

“Yes, but vines on trees won’t—”

“Let her finish, Veli.” Jace’s voice radiated authority.

I cleared my throat. “After I escaped the Islan dungeons, Nox and I spent time in the Sylis Forest. We were attacked by a herd of centaurs, and when my skin bled into the soil, the forest reacted. The herd no longer worked to attack me and, in fact, let us go a moment later. As the witches stated to us in the isles, the creatures of the wood don’t wish to upset the balance of the realm.”

“And you believe these centaurs will help us?” Zaela asked.

“I believe we have a chance of many creatures coming to our aid. All it will take is a bit of convincing.”

“Lia,” Jace breathed as he placed his hand atop my own on the table. “We don’t have the time or resources to wander around the Sylis Forest looking for them. Not to mention, it’s dangerous.”

I dipped my chin before turning to Veli. “I know. And that’s why I need my aide to transport my conscious before them, wherever they may lie in the wood, so I can try to convince them myself.”

“What?!” Jace gasped with a half laugh.

I turned to him. “It’s good to know I can still surprise you.”

He scratched the back of his neck. “Yeah, that’s the word for it.”

Veli remained silent as she watched us.

“Let’s hear it, Veli. Where does the foolishness lie in this plan? And what will it take for me to convince you? I need to get my sister back. The time has come for me to save my kingdom.”

Her stare roamed over me, and my eyes flared as the corner of her lips tilted up. She crossed her arms as she leaned back in her chair. “I actually believe that there’s no harm in this attempt.”

“Wait, what?” My eyes widened in disbelief.

“I’m just as surprised as you are,” she admitted.

Jace’s back stiffened. “And they won’t be able to harm her, right?”

“Correct, for her physical body will not be presented to them. She would be just as Idina appeared to you.”

“Can anyone accompany her?” he asked.

“If you have not met them, then no.”

Irritation rattled the bond.

“ I will be okay ,” I said, trying to calm him.

“Bruhn is the leader of the centaurs, and I believe I can convince him to help,” I spoke aloud to everyone.

“While your plan may work, you should know that centaurs are stubborn, savage creatures that have always hidden within their forest. Do not think just because they know you, that they will help,” Veli stated.

“I believe, aside from this, we’re out of options. Would you not agree?” I challenged her. “Aside from ships and rift walking, we are essentially stuck in Alaia. Our only known passage out on foot has been barricaded by stone. There are no more allies to seek. This is it. They are our last hope.”

“I just don’t want you getting your hopes up,” she said as she clicked her talons on the table .

“Have no fear in that,” I stated, and the room turned solemn.

“ My Lia .” Jace’s voice rattled through me, and my eyes closed tightly as I desperately tried to keep myself together.

“What I am certain of is that Idina will now use Avery as a shield. She wants me to come there and get her. Whether they guess I’ll bring my entire army is unknown. She may think it's just me coming, but make no mistake, she knows something will be. And I’m sure she is already preparing, so we must do our best to as well.”

Veli gave me a curt nod. “Very well. I will do as you asked and send you to your centaurs.”

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“What do you need us to do?” my mate asked.

“Just make sure our armies are ready to leave within the next few days. Weapons, armor, everything…I want every capable, able-bodied soldier in formation.”

I looked to the window. “Dawn isn’t far off. What will you need for this to work?”

“Nothing is needed aside from you thinking of who you wish to appear before,” Veli answered.

“Finnian was right. Magic is terrifying.” A huff of a laugh left me.

A knowing grin crept over her face. “It is.”

“Well, I see no better time than the present, no?” I said as I stood from the chair.

“Sit down then,” she demanded.

I raised a brow at her .

“Your body will be limp as your conscious leaves it. It is better if you are sitting.” She tilted her head to the side in a challenge, and I nearly laughed.

“You’re doing this now?” Jace growled.

“We’re running out of time, handsome.” I sent him a wave of love down the bond, and a tiny sense of calm washed over him.

He turned to Veli. “How does she come back?”

“For her to return, she must have the will and desire to come back to her body.”

I leaned back in the chair, and my stare met Veli’s. “Do your worst, witch.” I gave her a wink.

She shook her head at me. “Always causing trouble.”

Her once violet eyes glowed in their new hue of pink as she mumbled ancient words from the gods, aiming her taloned finger in my direction. The force of the power draped over me instantly.

As the magic took over, I thought of the day in the forest when Nox and I had been under attack by the centaurs—how they freed us when they watched the willow tree protect me as my blood spilled into its soil.

My mind was no longer my own, and the vision of the war chamber melted away into a twisting, morphing haze of the haunted woods.

I stood deep within the Sylis Forest. The tree’s canopy above blocked out the moonlight, and the area was cast in a foggy mist. Moss covered the twisted roots of the trees from where they protruded from the ground, and the sound of buzzing insects filled the air .

I lifted my hands to my face, surprise taking over me as it appeared as if I was wholly there, just as Idina had when she appeared in my room.

I followed the sound of conversations, carefully navigating my way through the forest, stepping over the twisted roots, scattered rocks, and crunchy fallen leaves, only to find that no sound came from my steps. It was as if I were a ghost.

I peered around the corner of a large oak tree to see the herd of centaurs gathered among huts and a small fire. My eyes wandered over each of them, first immediately recognizing Agdronis, the centaur who had tried to kill me, and then finally, my gaze landed on Bruhn.

I steadied my breathing as I forced myself to walk up to the herd, fully aware that they wouldn’t take something like this lightly.

Agdronis immediately spotted me and nocked an arrow into his bow, alerting the others. They all scattered and turned to face me as I calmly continued to approach them.

I put my hands up. “I’m not here to harm you. You know me.”

The centaurs were chirping their alerting calls, as Bruhn’s gaze locked on mine. My steps halted as my hands remained up in surrender. A scowl crawled across his face and he moved to gallop toward me.

The others followed, all with arrows nocked. If I was truly here…I might’ve actually been nervous, but the comforting thought that they couldn't harm me in this form made me nearly crack a grin.

“What are you doing back here?” he demanded .

“I come to you weaponless and seek your aid.”

“Have we not helped you enough by allowing you to leave my forest once, Elianna Valderre?”

A wicked smirk crept up my face. “Seeing how you know my name, then you also must know that this is truly my forest, not yours, Bruhn.”

“But do you sit upon the Islan throne? Last we heard, you do not.”

“And that’s why I’m here,” I admitted as I gradually lowered my arms to my sides. The other centaurs pulled their arrows back tighter, and I slowed my movements.

He laughed at me. Not even a chuckle, but a full-on laugh, which only aggravated me. “And why would we do such a thing? This is not our war.”

“It has become a war of the realm. For a Valderre no longer sits on that throne, and she seeks to destroy the very last of the bloodline.” I paused for a moment as his eyes roamed over me, somewhat softening.

“I come here seeking your aid. Help me win this war, and I will see to it that you are officially named Lord of the Wood and that the title is recognized under the crown.”

He scoffed. “And I am to just take your word for it? A throneless queen. Besides, I am already considered a ruler of the forest.”

“Considered and what is the truth are two very different things. Now, I am asking for your help, and that of the creatures that reside here. I am the true heir—you know this from before. I shouldn’t have to spill my blood here before you to prove it once more. You saw it with your very stubborn eyes. ”

The eyes I spoke of roamed over me once again. “Ah, but could you if I even asked?”

Agdronis released his arrow, and before I had time to react, the weapon flew through my body and slammed into the trunk of a tree several feet behind me.

My hands flew to my center as shock took over me, looking for a wound that I was thankful wasn’t there. My breathing turned heavy as my eyes bulged.

My gaze lifted back to theirs, anger flooding me. “That was fucking uncalled for!”

“And so is your witch magic,” he spat. “Did you think I could not smell it on you? It seems as if you have enough aid already, Heir of the Realm. Why should my herd risk anything for you?”

“Because even with our witch magic, we may not win. I have an army full of mortals. They are brave, skilled fighters, but they are fragile. We are fighting against an army of fae. For everything that I have, Idina has one to match.”

“So you are saying it is an evenly matched war, and you seek our help to win.”

“It is hardly even,” I growled.

He trotted up to me, circling my body. My neck craned up toward him and our eyes locked on each other.

“You come to my home and demand that we fight for you, creatures that the fae have exiled for centuries. All creatures of these ancient woods live here because of this, and you think that they owe you and your bloodline. Just because the realm itself may fight for you does not mean all of its creatures owe you a damn thing, Valderre. ”

“First of all, I was asking… pleading . Begging, even.” I huffed out a breath as I tried to calm myself. “Under my reign, all creatures would be equal. Everyone may live the way they wish as long as it abides by Velyran law. I give you my word.”

He chuckled and shook his head at me. “The last fae to seek an alliance with us ended up with a chest full of arrows dipped in velaeno berries. You’re lucky that you are not truly here, and that I somewhat enjoy your spirit.”

My mind spun the moment he said velaeno berries. “What?” I breathed. “What did you just say about velaeno berries?”

“The last fae that—”

“Sought an alliance with you, yes. That part I got. Who was it?” I demanded.

“He claimed to be a lord and demanded we aid his armies to destroy the humans that lived in Velyra. Promised us all the gold and riches we could desire. A centaur has no need for such nonsense. When we told them this, they got angry and moved to draw their weapons.”

“And then?”

“Let’s just say the arrows were released before their blades were fully withdrawn from their sheaths,” Bruhn said with a chuckle.

A chuckle left me that matched his, and then another, and another after that. A burst of wicked, cackling laughter escaped me, my back arching from the force of it, and the sound echoed in the misty forest air. They all watched me—each with a raised brow .

“Please tell me you’re fucking joking,” I said once my manic laughter finally settled. “By chance, did this happen to be in the forest directly north of Ceto Bay?”

“How did you know of that?” he barked. “It was one of the few times we ventured beyond into a different forest. There is only a mile’s distance from Sylis’ end and the forest surrounding the bay. We haven’t since, and it was because of our run-in with your kind.”

“That’s why humans were blamed,” I whispered to myself.

“Excuse me?” he snapped.

I took a step toward him, and the herd pulled back on their bows. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, you know I cannot harm him like this!”

My attention returned to Bruhn. “You started this war! The lord that you killed was the queen’s father, and one of the other men was his son. You killed the queen’s kin, and it was believed that humans had done it outside of Ceto Bay. All this time. More than a century, humans have been slaughtered for a crime they didn’t commit.”

Bruhn’s eyes narrowed in on me. “Do not blame your war on us when they sought to destroy humans before their deaths.”

“It had been the ultimate tipping point against the humans. The fae thought the lord and his son were murdered by mortals. That is why this war began! It has cost thousands of lives!” My voice rose with each word as fury took over me.

All this time…the humans had been completely innocent. Jace hadn’t even known about velaeno berries when we were lost in the forest—he even wondered how information could have become lost to humans over the years. I should’ve known then.

His animalistic ears pointed backward as a scowl worked its way up his face. “Do not blame us for protecting our herd against a threat and for your kind’s lack of investigation against the deaths of their own people.”

My teeth were clenched so hard I thought they would crack as my eyes bore into his. “The queen has my sister. She holds my people hostage in the city she occupies, and she stole my throne. I’m asking for your aid in a war you accidentally began. More innocents will die. Who is to say that Idina will stop there and not raid the forest next? Without a Valderre on the throne, you know very well that the realm, as we know it, will cease to exist. It is against Mother Goddess Terra’s wishes. The Valderres are her only true heirs— I am her true heir.”

His eyes roamed over me, but he said nothing. It was then I knew I would never get through to him.

“My army will be in Isla in four days’ time to fight for what is right. They are fighting to reclaim their lives against the evil that has sunken its claws into the crown by murdering their way there. Bruhn, I’m not demanding you assist in eliminating a race. I’m asking you to do what is right.”

The creaking sound of shifting bows filled the forest air as the centaurs all lowered their weapons.

I huffed at them as the entire herd’s stares were fixated on me .

Bruhn’s gaze continued to roam over me multiple times as I stood beneath him and his colossal form. “Goodbye, Elianna Valderre,” he dismissed me and then turned away in a gallop, his herd moving to follow his lead.

I remained at the edge of their deserted camp in defeat until the sounds of their hooves faded away, and then I willed myself back to my body.