Chapter 21

Chapter Twenty-One

Zenith

I ride atop a bulky war stallion, both of us bedecked in our battle armband, and give him free rein to carry his head high. A proud creature. A noble creature. A courageous creature. Ready for whatever the day holds.

In front of us, the practiced lines of my army stand strong, awaiting my commands. Queen Aurielle will show up any minute now, and the moment of truth has come at last.

I address my soldiers, my voice booming. "Men and women of Luminia, when called to protect your fellow citizens, what say you?"

A loud cheer erupts. I add my yell to their chorus.

"When called to fight for what's right, what say you?"

They bang their shields and shout their readiness, pumping swords high above their heads.

"You, who have done your high general proud. You, who have worked without complaint from dusk till dawn, day after day. You, who would face down enemies with bravery. I call you to hear me now!"

Another round of cheering echoes over the open field, tall grasses billowing as if blown by the force of their collective voice.

"You and I have been deceived." My horse prances from one end of the front line to the other. "Together, we've toiled but to the wrong purpose. Together, we've slaved but to the wrong master. Together, we've fought but it was the wrong enemy.

"Queen Aurielle has called on us to fight our fellow citizens. And you saw with your own eyes how easy they fell. Humans slain across the marshlands next to our camp. That's no way to do battle. We can take no pride in beating the vulnerable among us. There is no victory in further subjugating the oppressed.

"Rather, it is them we should be fighting for. The humans, the halflings, the rebels, the enslaved incubi among us who need our protection most. We must take up their cause as our own until Luminia is a haven for all of us, not only a select few.

"It is Aurielle, who's become the enemy. Aurielle, who seeks more and more control until she is the only free soul left standing.

"Who would lead us, then, you ask?" I lead my horse closer.

"Not to worry, for there's an obvious answer. It is Aurielle's daughter, who champions our cause. Princess Suvi, who comes to the rescue of our realm. She is ready and willing to lead in her mother's absence, along with a council of representatives to guide her in creating a land that benefits us all. A council you'll all be invited to take part in."

I raise my sword. "As equals! And now I ask you, who will ride with me this day? Who will fight to save our realm from a tyrant?"

Captain Randal leads the response by dismounting his war horse and taking a knee in front of me. "I will stand beside you. I fight for Luminia!"

I hold my breath as, one by one, my soldiers follow in his wake.

Knees meet the ground.

"I fight for Luminia."

"I fight for Luminia."

"I fight for Luminia." Each soldier makes their pledge.

"We fight for Luminia!" I shout.

As our rousing battle cries pierce the air, in the distance, trumpets blare their own announcement.

Marching troops. My soldiers glance from me to each other and back to me.

"The queen approaches with her army, answering the challenge I've issued. Here is our plan." My horse preens with so many eyes on him. "Her troop is smaller, made up of our countrymen, and if we can win this war with no battle at all, then that is what we shall do.

"But if it comes to a head and they won't lay down their swords, it's your mission to keep her army occupied while I take her hostage myself. Understood?"

"Aye, sir," they say in chorus.

"We'll employ the strategies we've practiced. Captain Randal will call tactics like always. You are, all of you, ready for this fight. Right?"

"Right!"

"I cede the ground to your good captain. Listen well, and after, we celebrate our victory like champions, reveling in our triumph with song and drink!"

The cheering continues as I turn my mount toward the oncoming troops and Captain Randal takes control.

Our position is a good one for offense. That's why I chose it. My army is roused and ready to fight. I'm also counting on them to be ready to rebuild when this is over. Starting with those damn bridges.

But first, the confrontation I've been both waiting for and dreading.

Trumpets blare again. Closer this time. It won't be long before they crest the hill and set upon us. What lies has she spun for them?

Their shield appears before they do. An enormous translucent arc marbled with silver veins and crackling with magic.

A lot of magic.

More than we have on our side, that's for sure.

I cast a longing wish that Rahz was here after all, but no. He's recovering from overusing his magic. The last thing he needs to do is use more.

The hairs on my forearms bristle. Like the static before a storm, Aurielle's power energizes the air. A nervous ripple waves over my soldiers.

Intimidation. A smart tactic, but it won't work. She's outnumbered and on the wrong side of history.

Trumpets roar, and with them, a fleet of flyers with their queen at the center emerges from the hill on the far side of the field.

Will she talk? Concede her rule to her daughter quietly?

I doubt it. But I have to try.

I dismount and give my horse a solid butt-smack, sending him back toward my army. I stretch my wings wide and take to the air.

As I get closer, my stomach clenches. Isolde's flying at her queen's right side. She must have been a spy from the beginning. Yesterday, I had my suspicions. So I sought out Matilda, whom Isolde was supposed to inform for me. Instead, I informed Matilda myself and asked her to report back after Isolde found her. But Isolde never did. That's when I knew, but seeing it still smarts. Anash liked her. They were becoming friends.

I ignore Isolde's sneer and meet Aurielle's hard gaze. "Stand down. Your war is over. No one wants this but you."

Aurielle arches her brows. "And just who are you, Zenith of Lemossin, to give orders to me of all people? Your queen, whom it is your sworn duty to protect with your life. Your very purpose." Spittle rains from her mouth with that last word.

"You've proven unworthy of my protection, but I won't abandon your line completely."

"Ah, so you've chosen treason. I hate to ruin your plans, but it's your life that is forfeit. Not my war. Surrender. Bow and kiss my feet. It won't save you, but perhaps I could be persuaded to allow your little paramour to live."

My heart stops as Anash wails from somewhere behind her front line.

"Give him to me!" Panic tinges my voice. "He has nothing to do with this."

"He has everything to do with this. Traipsing around, spying, sending letters to my daughter. You think I didn't know? Ha! Fools, all of you."

Two mages fly forward with a squirming Anash in a tight grip between them.

"Fight, Zenith! Don't worry about me. Fight her," he shrieks. "Win this war!"

"Gag him," she orders.

"Trust me. Fight her!" Anash shouts before someone stuffs a wad of cloth into his mouth and ties it roughly in place. He fights and kicks but to no avail.

How am I to choose?

Sacrifice my beloved to win the war?

Or sacrifice our entire realm to save my beloved?