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Ezra’s eyes flicked to Azrael. “He is Earth Court, not Fire.”
“I spent months in the Fire Court.”
“Chasing a woman,” Ezra countered.
Callan’s lips pressed into a thin line. Yeah, he’d deserved that. He’d expected this. To have to prove himself to his people, but the need to prove himself to Sloan’s son was an extra heavy weight on his soul.
“That’s fair,” Callan conceded. “But that is clearly over, and that same woman is one of the most powerful beings in this world and is now the wife of the Fire Prince. They will welcome us across the border once they regain control of their territory.”
“And until then?”
“We hold the lines with the allies we have in Rydeon and Toreall, as well as the Witches and Shifters,” Callan said firmly.
“Is everything all right?” Tava asked, coming up behind them.
Ezra didn’t look convinced in the slightest, but he didn’t say anything else, turning to face her. “Fine,” he relented. “What do we need to do tonight?”
“All those plans need to be put on hold,” Nuri interrupted, shuffling closer to Mordecai. “We have news, and then we need to go. Alaric has been in a rage since Scarlett destroyed the cliffs and stole Briar back.”
“Briar is back?” Azrael asked.
“We do not know where he is, but he did not return with Alaric from the Southern Islands,” Mordecai said. “The Maraan Prince is certain he did not perish in the desecration of the cliffs.”
“Which leaves Scarlett,” Nuri said with a shrug.
“What are these reports then?” asked Arantxa, her voice carrying the same icy edge Hazel always spoke with.
Nuri’s eyes darted to the surrounding vegetation, and it was Mordecai who said, “Two of your camps were discovered in Toreall, along the Wind Court border.”
“When?” Drake demanded.
“I do not know how long the Maraans have known of it. I was informed of their discovery while Alaric was in the Southern Islands. We were in discussions of how to handle the camps, but when Alaric returned in his rage…” Nuri trailed off, eyes fixed on her boots.
“He had them all killed today. Some Wind Fae crossed the border and attempted to help. They were also slaughtered,” Mordecai said. There was no emotion in his tone. A warrior reporting facts.
“Were you there?” Juliette asked cautiously.
The seraph’s grey eyes met hers. “Yes. We both were.”
Juliette’s lips pursed, her gaze lingering on Nuri. “Anything else?”
“They plan to attack the Wind Court. We have been kept out of the Citadel. Alaric wishes to kill any resistance left in the Court.”
“If they knew of those camps, what are the odds they also know of the others? Of this one?” Tava asked.
“The patrols who found the Toreall camps reported to me in the presence of Mikale and Orvyn. There was nothing I could do,” Mordecai said.
“What were Mikale and Orvyn doing in the same place?” Callan asked. Orvyn was the Maraan Lord who was on the Rydeon throne. Idris was acting as the king of Toreall.
“We were discussing moving forces closer to the Fire Court border,” the seraph answered. “There were rumors of the Fire General planning a siege.”
“Shit,” Azrael muttered, and Callan was fairly certain the ground shook the smallest amount.
“Indeed,” Mordecai said. “But with the Wind Fae attempting to aid the Toreall rebels, attention has shifted. Bastien sent word he could handle the Fire General if she showed.”
“I do not know who this Bastien is, but Eliza is the most powerful fire Fae after Sorin. She will win that fight,” Azrael said.
Mordecai shifted, reaching out and pulling Nuri into his side. She pulled her hood up, not looking at any of them. “I have no other information on that front. We must go.”
