Page 105 of Maleen

He nods, his mouth hanging open. “I’ve been wanting to do that for months now,” he mumbles before bowing again to Ravina. “I look forward to discussing the academy’s future with you.”

She spins towards us, pissed and determined. “Let’s go save our home.”

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

THE REVELATIONS THAT CAME OUT of Phixmery were shocking, but also not. I’ve become numb to the sick and twisted things people do for power. I don’t think anything they do could shock me at this point, which is why I won’t stop fighting for a better place for the fae of this realm. The castle in Maleen is in chaos as everyone rushes to prepare the city for a siege, but all I want is a dinner with my mates and family before Craven’s army arrives on our doorstep—which according to our scouts will be sometime tomorrow, and then this will all be over. Because either we will win, or he will and I’ll be dead.

“I think they will like this,” Nero says as we stand just inside the room off the armory.

My fingertips run across the dragonstone armor, so smooth and light. I’ve had Vasari and the metalsmith work on adjusting my parents’ battle armor for our sizes after we first found them. I’m not taking any chances. We found this armor for a reason—maybe my parents were hoping it could save them one day, but they never got a chance to wear it. So I will make sure we wear it with honor.

“I’m sure they will,” I whisper. “Come on, we should get to dinner.”

He nips my ear and nuzzles my cheek. “It’s kind of morbid that Jesper keeps calling this the last dinner. I know it’s the last one before the battle tomorrow, but still.”

“I kind of like it,” I murmur, my brain everywhere else as I contemplate the choices I have to make.

I’ve been having weird dreams the past few nights: glowing warm Beings, the Soul Stone and so much death. Maybe all the stuff we’ve been through over the last few months has caught up with me finally and I’m going insane.

“Damorleia to Ravina, what has Jesper done to you? My sweet innocent fae!” he sighs dramatically.

I laugh, booping his beak. “I just meant it’s nice to have everyone sit down for a meal before tomorrow. You and I both know that war could mean saying goodbye to fae we love. Fates, even out of war. We are never promised life, and I think this is a good way to remember that.” I take a deep breath, and speak to him in my mind. “I know I’ve been putting on a brave face, but I’m scared. I can’t lose anyone else, but I know that if I don’t do this, if I don’t fight for my kingdom, I will lose everyone I love.”

He holds his head against my temple and we walk to the feast in silence, knowing that no words can comfort us.

Cynder and the others arrived back today with grim news. It was what we suspected, but it’s still infuriating to hear. Lesser fae, the magickless and sympathizers are being rounded up and kept in cells. According to the scouts, they either die from fighting back or are abused to the point they are broken and submissive. And as much as it pains me not to do anything at this moment, I know the moment we win this war, those camps will be demolished and a new, better order will be arranged. I don’t know how, but with my family at my side, I’m sure we can figure it out.

I stand in the doorway, leaning against the frame as I watch my mates and family interact. Jesper is throwing buns at Killian who looks like he’s about to stab him. Aemon is watching on in amusement as he twirls the spoon in his tea with a shadow tendril. Cynder’s cheeks are turning redder by the moment as Lennox whispers something into her ear, while the pirates are watching out of the corners of their eyes. I’m not sure if they are worried because she might stab Lennox with her fork or if it’s something else.

Rozen is peering over Ember’s shoulder as they work through more battle plans, but where is Talyn?

Footsteps sound behind me and my mate grins as he reaches for me. “What are you doing out here, Princess?” He kisses my lips softly and my heart aches for more.

I sigh. “I’m just soaking it all in. I love our family.”

His chuckle is deep. “I was a little hesitant at first because of everything.” He gestures to his mind. “But I’m glad these are the fae who are ours. We will do everything in our power to make sure they all come out alive.”

I nod, unable to speak, and let him pull me into the dining room where everyone greets us loudly. And honestly, this is the perfect way to end the day.

I GROAN, STRETCHING as the early morning sun crests over the city. I didn’t sleep well last night, but that’s to be expected with what’s to come. The little I did sleep was assaulted by strange dreams that felt like I was shadow-walking in the dream realm, but Aemon assures me I wasn’t when I slipped into his to ask.

“You’re thinking pretty hard over there, Little Dream,” Aemon murmurs against my hair.

I yawn, stretching, noticing it’s still dark in our room despite the sunrise. It’s dawn. “Just worried about today,” I murmur back, keeping my voice down because the others are still sleeping.

He pulls me into his chest and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat soothes me. “It’s normal to be worried, or even scared. Fates, I would be worried if you weren’t.” He takes a slow breath. “I know I am. My life has changed so much since I stole you from Phixmery and you stabbed me.”

The laughter in his voice makes me grin. “You must have wanted it, knowing that mates can’t hurt each other unless the other truly wants it.”

“I would do anything to ease the turbulence here.” He taps my chest, right above my heart. “Including letting you stab me.”

I snuggle closer. “You say the sweetest things.”

Movement jostles the bed and warm breath brushes against my ear. “Who says the sweetest things?” Jesper whispers.

My head tilts back to see my red-haired mate grinning down at me. “Well, Aemon, obviously, since he’s the one I’m talking to.” I boop his nose.

Nero’s feathers ruffle from his perch on the other side of the room. “If you’re getting ready for some weird mating ritual, you could at least open a window so I can escape,” he chirps.