Page 217 of Season Warriors & Wolves

Penelope coughed a little. “I can attest to that. The magic print around him feels foul. I’m glad he is gone.”

Snow was alone in the main tent, standing before the map, her eyes on one object—the lone king standing in the castle. “So, he will not fight.”

“Skadi had heard healers say that Silas lost half of his vision when he held the sceptre for the first time after it joined. However powerful his armour is, there will be tax when using magic he is not supposed to use. It will work in our favour. The target will no longer be moving. Elias knows that place inside out and Moregan will wait for her on the other side. His defences will be down when Thora goes to him.” The moment Memphis brought the news to camp, Elias had joined Mal and Golgotha in Tenebrose. Details had changed quickly and we’d had to make new adjustments.

Her fingers drummed on the table. “Everything is ready now. Everyone is where everyone is supposed to be. I guess the real game starts now.”

“Are you?”

She turned to me, leaning on the table. “Darling, you might say I was born with a taste for blood.”

“This is more than a hunt, my little huntress.”

“Indeed,” she said, smoothing her hands over my chest. “It’s my best hunt. No more lists, no more counting. If I take her down, no one will ever make it on any list of mine. What would you think about putting her head on our bedroom wall? I was thinking of displaying her wings in our living room.”

“Confidence is really up top, huh?”

“Do you know who my husband is? He can do very, very bad things to people with only a click of his fingers.”

Bells rang in the far distance, and she shut her eyes tightly, trying to calm her breaths. She took my right hand, fingers tracing the black tattoo. “Don’t let me hurt you, promise me.”

I pressed my lips against hers. “You can never hurt me.”

Nilsa, Caspian, Larg, Triad, Cai and Tristin were already gathering around their commands. The six along with me would direct the troops in Isjord. Mal and Thora would soon join from inside Isjord and Eren—

I looked up at the skies already rousing with heavy winds.

He’d join us soon like the rest.

Chapter forty-four

Black Knight takes F5

Snowlin

I had felt her before the sirens had gone off in the distance of our camp. I’d seen her before I’d even felt her presence stain the air.

I would face her today, but so would my people.

Armed, their grey leathers dyed black to blend amongst the Adriatian soldiers flawlessly, their faces emotionless and streaked with white marks of blessings from their loved ones, they had marched early today towards Isjord, unshaken.

“I hope one day you will forgive me,” I said to my generals who lined up for orders to lead their troops ahead. “For bringing you here. For not being able to stop this.”

Tristin stepped forward. “It is an honour we get to fight it with you by our side and leading us, my queen. Your father took our hope when he took your mother, but he brought it back to us unknowingly when he gave us you.”

Cai bowed his head too and all of his men followed. “We will raise!” he shouted.

“Between clouds and skies!” his soldiers echoed, disappearing into portals.

My friend stepped before me, clasping a hand on my shoulder. “Don’t die. I want to rebuild that bakery in Myrdur and take you to smell the apple in the sunset.” He lifted a hand between us, holding a little salted caramel candy up to me. “Bury me right under there if I die.”

My eyes squeezed tight and I clasped the hand he held the candy, bringing it to my chest. “I’ve never thanked you for the cake.” For saving me when I did not want to be saved.

He smiled. “Could be your last chance.”

“I love you, Cai.”

He pulled me to his chest and held me tightly. It was brief, but I knew he hated himself for letting emotion overtake him. “I love you, too, Cakes.”