Page 304 of A Flame of the Phoenix

Zaiana said, “I don’t think the arrow to Mordecai’s heart would have killed him, but Amaya saved my life. Or, at the least, she saved my power. It’s what Mordecai has been after all this time. Why he kept me alive and prized my Stormcasting ability. He has no sentiment for me—he’s been waiting for the day he had that dagger he’s been actively seeking, just to take back the ability he was resurrected without.”

“Where is the dagger now?” Reylan asked.

“Mordecai has it,” Zaiana said.

The gravity of the disadvantage weighed heavy.

Faythe’s teeth ground together. “It doesn’t matter,” she said firmly. “We’re in the thick of the war now, and we cannot falter.”

“Position me where the worst of the battles will be. I have to keep fighting,” Zaiana said.

Faythe understood. If she slowed for a second, her grief would pull her under too.

Reylan said, “We want to intercept them on the mountain fringe. That’s where the biggest stand will be. They’ll no doubt have forces that make it into High Farrow from the other pressure points, but if the numbers coming from the fringe make it through…High Farrow will be lost.”

Zaiana nodded, accepting that she would lead on the front lines there until they could all make it to join her. Faythe didn’t doubt the dark fae’s ability to hold the lines until then.

“I’ll go back to the sky caves,” Izaiah said. “In case Marvellas succeeds in putting Aurialis’s ruin in Dakodas’s podium before you can stop her. Her final step is reaching her temple in the caves to sacrifice herself to end the world, right?

“You need this to stop her,” Nyte reminded him, flipping the Ruin Dagger idly.

“Then give it to me.”

“Not a chance,” Kyleer growled.

Though he didn’t have his full memories of his brother, his deep-rooted protection over him could never be erased.

“You’ll both go with Zaiana,” Reylan interjected firmly. “We need our best on the main battlefield. We’ll stop Marvellas.”

Izaiah’s jaw twitched like he wanted to protest, but he didn’t.

Reylan said, “The other generals and commanders have their orders. In Nik and Tauria’s stead, we have the lords of High Farrow deploying a steady warning to the people to stay indoors, arm themselves, and stay vigilant. The next few nights are Ungardia’s darkest hours. It all ends now.”

This moment had been building for some time, but it didn’t make confronting it any less of an ominous burden.

Everyone shifted to leave for their station, but Faythe said, “I’m proud to be standing by all of you.”

They turned back to her, and though some of her friends were absent right now, she felt their spirits in this room too.

“No matter where we began. As enemies.” She glanced at Zaiana. “As friends.” She skimmed over Kyleer and Izaiah. “As incredulous long-lost family.”

Nyte shifted, not expecting a mention from her.

Faythe took Reylan’s hand. “As soul mates,” she whispered, meeting his eyes for one brief moment. She drew a long breath.“I would lay down my life for any of you, and I know you would do the same, though some might find it harder to admit than others. I wouldn’t be who I am without all of you. And Nik, Tauria, Jakon, Marlowe, Nerida, Tarly. It is my greatest honor to fight by your side. For a better world.”

No words were needed in exchange. As she watched her friends leave, Reylan slipped an arm around her waist, pressing his lips to her temple.

“I’m so proud of you,” he said, turning her to him. His eyes mapped her face, reminiscing. “From the moment I met you, a human with audacious wit and a steel will, I always knew you were destined for greatness. And it ismyhonor to stand by your side, Faythe Ashfyre. I hope to be here, right here, for many centuries to come.” He held her face, and his smile lightened the heaviness on her heart for this fleeting moment. “To watch you reign triumphantly as the Phoenix Queen you were born to be.”

Faythe sniffed, forcing back the tears that threatened to spill.

“Thank you for always seeing me, when I couldn’t always see my own potential.”

His lips pressed to her forehead. “That’s why I’m yours.”

In her rooms, Faythe equipped herself with more weapons and better attire, preparing to depart. She was lost in a reel of thoughts, pondering over the many situations that could arise in trying to stop Marvellas, so she didn’t feel Reylan approach until his large hands took hold of her waist from behind. He kissed down her neck, flicking his tongue over his bite wound, which roused her lust.

“This isn’t the time,” she said in a partial moan.

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