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‘That would take at least a month, assuming that the ships can dock without issues,’ Ectheon said, and I nodded, turning to Arean.
‘That’s why I need the Empire to keep Lumivitae and Tivalaran occupied.’
His brow furrowed. ‘What do you want Care’etavos to do?’
‘Partisan war. Attack their border. Make them believe we’re using Care’etavos and Piran’s Swamp as our entry point,’ I said, and he dipped his head, expression solemn.
‘I can’t make this decision alone, but I promise to discuss this with the Empress as soon as I return home.’ He stood and approached, but instead of addressing me, he stopped in front of Sana. His expression lost its boastful edge, and for the first time since I’d known him, the ancient Fae looked uncertain.
‘Would you bless this necromancer, daughter of life?’
Sana shifted closer to me, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the carved wood of my chair.
‘I… what? Why are you asking me this?’
‘I’ve lived for eight hundred years, but when death stepped from the Void, I sheltered behind the shield of your power. A human. A humbling experience for me, and everyone here,’ he said, bowing his head. ‘Allow me to fight this war for you, Domina.’
‘And how would my blessing help with this?’ Sana asked, frowning as Arean dropped to one knee.
‘Talena will recognise the elder blood. She won’t argue with the will of the gods,’ he breathed, and in the perfect silence that followed his words, Annika exhaled.
‘Do it, Roksana. Talena is peculiar, but she respects the gods. Since my trial with Arachne, let’s say she’s reconnected with her beliefs.’
Sana placed her palm on Arean’s cheek, but she looked utterly lost.
‘Imagine he’s a knight heading to war,’ I whispered to her.
Sana sucked in a breath, and emerald light enveloped her hand. ‘May the gods recognise the strength of your resolve and guide you safely home.’
Her words echoed through the room, regal and potent. The pressure that built in my chest had nothing to do with ego. My pride at seeing her become the heart of this wounded kingdom almost brought me to my knees next to the fae.
‘Well, bless me too, woman. If I’m to fight under your mate’s banner, I deserve Magura’s grace.’ Gniev stood with such force his chair fell backwards and he marched towards Sana.
Arean smirked, moving aside as the massive orc took his place. Sana looked at me, then back to the Tain, who frowned when she didn’t immediately agree.
‘The choice is yours, Viper. Neither Gniev nor I can make it for you. If he tries, I will be curious to see whether a berserker can break an orc’s limbs.’
Orm snorted, but some tension vanished from her posture.
‘If you want my blessing, then bend your knee… or something,’ she said, looking up at his towering form. Tain bristled.
‘I kneel to no one.’ He wrapped his large hands around Sana’s waist and lifted her until they were eye to eye. The chair creaked when I rose on instinct, but Sana gestured me back.
‘May your honour guide you well back to your verdant pastures. Take Vila’s blessing, warrior.’ She didn’t play with words this time. Her hand drifted to Tain’s neck as she pulled his head closer and placed a short, chaste kiss on his forehead.
The orc chieftain blinked; his mouth opened, revealing his short tusks, before he gently lowered her.
‘Eh… Thank you, Magura.’ The hair on my forearms stood on end when he bowed, his gaze never drifting off Sana’s face.
I never saw Orc Tain bow. I doubted anyone did.
Gniev’s upper lip lifted, tusks gleaming in the light as he glared around the room with a clear warning. Those gathered had enough sense to drop their heads, and no one else came forward to pay homage.
The Wind Master Fae shifted on their chairs. Ectheon’s expression grew sourer, his lips thinning.
‘Even if we all agree, coordinating this will be a nightmare. You don’t want Care’etavos bleeding themselves dry before the ships arrive with your army.’
Riordan stepped forward. ‘Before you leave, I’ll assign each of you a strong psychic mage. They will serve as our communication links at least until we land in Tivalaran. I can’t guarantee anything past the pillars.’
