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I’d seen her everywhere and nowhere the past week, in my dreams and in the halls. Her bright, curious eyes followed me everywhere I went, teasing me as I ran around the castle. Her laugh haunted my waking hours in equal measure to my sleeping ones. If I could only reach out and touch her one more time before she ran away from me…
Just before closing up my leather bag, I remembered my father’s journal still tucked away in the couch. Digging my hands into the plush cushions, I searched for it until my fingers brushed the worn cover. Carefully extracting it from the couch, I ran my hands along the leather spine, recalling my father’s dying words.
“Go, my son. Your mate needs you…”
He knew that Izidora was my mate; he tried to tell me, in his own fatherly way, the night before he died, and his last command was for me to go after her. Behind my eyes, I could still picture his peaceful face when he read a book, his ease when he laughed around the campfire with us. My chest constricted, and I rubbed it, trying to alleviate the heaviness that rested there. “I’m going to find her, father,” I promised, hoping that wherever he was, he heard me.
I tucked the notebook away among my clothes, then hefted my sword, exiting my apartment and joining the chaos that currently ran the halls of Este Castle. “Allow me to take your bag, my lord.” A young male approached from my left, and I looked at him, already leaden with items headed to the war wagons.
“Thank you, but I can manage. Show me the way to the wagons, if you would,” I replied.
“Certainly, my lord.” He waddled forward and I slowed my pace to match his. He stumbled, dropping a pack, and without hesitation, I hefted it along with my own. His cheeks reddened. “Apologies, my lord, I can take that back.”
I shook my head. “You’ll be strong one day, but not if you overdo it now.”
He ducked his head, then continued to wind his way through the bustling corridors until we reached the stables. There were a dozen wagons, and triple the number of people running to and from the castle carrying armloads of food, herbs, furs, weapons, and more.
The wagon in front held packs and trunks of fine make, which I assumed were for the Noble Houses. The young male beelined for that one, gently releasing his burden before hopping in to arrange everything. I handed him one bag after another, and we made quick work of balancing the load.
He bowed low once he finished, preparing to scurry off when I stopped him. “What is your name?”
“Jora, my lord,” he replied.
“Jora, if you train hard while we are away, I will personally see that you are admitted into Knight training when we get back. Can you promise me that you’ll take care of our people until we return?”
He smiled from ear to ear. “Of course, thank you, and I wish you a safe journey. Return our queen to us.” Then he scurried off, rounding the end of the stables where horses were being saddled. He returned, leading a snorting Fek, who shook his glossy black mane and stomped his foot when he stopped in front of me. My mount was just as impatient as I was to go; after all, we’d ridden almost all night searching for her after Ruslan had snatched her.
“Thank you for fetching him, Jora,” I smiled.
“He is magnificent,” Jora exclaimed.
Fek tossed his head once more as if to show just how magnificent he could be. Jora handed me the reins, bowed low, then disappeared into the throng of Fae. Grabbing Fek’s reins, I led my black beast to the front of our traveling party, his thick hooves clopping against the cobbled courtyard, barely audible over the clamor surrounding us. Viktor, Vadim, Endre, and Liliana were already waiting with their horses, Liliana holding Mistik’s reins, and my heart swelled at the sight of Izidora’s dapple gray horse.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I wanted to ride Misitk. When we get Izidora back, she can ride her home,” Liliana said softly, uncharacteristically sentimental.
Izidora would appreciate the thoughtfulness of her friend. “I think it is a brilliant idea.”
Kaztar and Domi walked up, leading two dark bay Hunters,undoubtedly from Domi’s stock. When Liliana had informed Domi of her plan to start an all-female unit in our army, she’d volunteered without hesitation – with the condition that we stopped at House Rass’s estate to check on her mares that were about to foal. Our small group would depart first, needing the extra time for our detour, then on to Vlisa, where we would meet with King Airre and Queen Immonen. The army, with their numbers slowing them down, would travel the fastest route around the Agrenak Mountains until they reached Zheka, the capital of the Day Realm. Trusted captains from the Knights would act as generals in our absence.
It should have been Kriztof leading them.
The sun reached its apex in the sky, declaring high noon, and all shadows disappeared from around us. As my friends bid their parents goodbye, I watched on with a heavy heart. The loneliness in that moment was profound, and I understood Izidora’s desire to be loved unconditionally. This was what she saw and felt when we first rescued her – probably even after she warmed up to us.
Erik and Renata broke away from Viktor, then pulled me in their direction, Renata enveloping me in a motherly hug. “Stay safe out there, okay? I want all of you back, alive, and in one piece.” She looked pointedly between her son and me.
Tibor, Katalin, and Endre joined our circle, tears in Katalin’s eyes as she bid me farewell. “Please watch out for each other. I don’t think I can bury any more of you,” she sniffed.
“And please, bring your mate home so we can throw the grandest wedding to celebrate her safe return – twice over,” Renata added. Then, she wrapped her arms around Katalin and herded her toward the castle, leaving Tibor and Erik behind.
The two High Lords, along with Jaku, would remain in Vaenor to rule in our absence. None of us trusted Valintin andLuzak, which is why the heirs had been delegated for the task of waging war. Kaztar and myself were the ultimate authority, myself as general and Kaztar as my second in command.
“Take good care of our people, Tibor.” We clasped arms in farewell.
“They are in safe hands. As I know my son is safe in yours.” His peridot eyes mirrored Endre’s, a glassiness to them as he stepped back and admired us clad in our leather armor, bound for war.
“I’ll see you when we return?” I turned my attention to Erik.
“Yes, and hopefully with the Iron Realm in chains,” he grinned, clasping my arm firmly before pulling me in for a hug.
