Page 96 of Destiny Redeemed
“We’d match them,” Anderic finished. “Barely.”
Maxwell’s jaw set in a hard line. “According to Lord Lennox, the enemy was a day’s march from the capital when he sent this. The bird took eight hours to reach us.”
“Which means we have less than two days before they reach the walls,” I said, feeling my stomach drop. “Can we make it in time?”
Maxwell calculated silently. “Three days of hard riding, no stops except to change horses.”
“Then we leave now,” Anderic declared.
Maxwell nodded sharply. “I’ll mobilize my men. We’ll march within the hour.” He strode toward the door, already barking orders at the guards outside.
As soon as he left, Anderic turned to me, his golden curls disheveled, his face etched with determination. Without warning, he pulled me against him and kissed me fiercely. The sudden heat of his lips against mine stole my breath.
When he broke away, his blue eyes burned into mine. “You’re staying here.”
I blinked, still reeling from the kiss. “I beg your pardon?”
“The capital will be a war zone, Ilyana. I won’t risk you.”
I stepped back, crossing my arms. “And I won’t sit here twiddling my thumbs while you ride off to battle. I’m coming with you.”
“It’s too dangerous—”
“My entire life has been dangerous since the moment I returned to the past,” I cut him off. “I didn’t come this far to be left behind now.”
Anderic pinched the bridge of his nose. “You’re the most infuriating woman I’ve ever met.”
“And yet you kissed me anyway,” I retorted.
A reluctant smile tugged at his lips. “Fine. But you stay close to me at all times.”
“Wouldn’t dream of being anywhere else.”
An hour later, I strapped daggers to my thighs, adjusting the surprisingly well-fitting armor Maxwell had found for me. The leather breastplate hugged my torso, reinforced with metal plates at vital points.
“Ready?” Anderic appeared in the doorway, already dressed in his golden armor, looking every inch the warrior prince.
“As I’ll ever be.”
Three days later, our exhausted party crested the final hill. The sun rose behind us, illuminating the white stone walls of thecapital in the distance. I squinted, my eyes burning from fatigue, and spotted dark masses spread across the fields before the city.
“We’re too late,” I whispered.
Anderic’s face hardened as he gazed at the enemy encampment. “No. We’re right on time.” He turned to Maxwell. “Commander, prepare your men. We attack at noon.”
The noon sun beat down on us as we lined up along the ridge overlooking the capital. With six thousand northern soldiers at our backs, the enemy spread before us like a dark tide waiting to consume the gleaming white walls of Eldoria. My mouth went dry at the sight.
“Nervous?” Anderic asked, his golden armor catching the sunlight.
“Terrified,” I admitted. “But if you tell anyone I said that, I’ll deny it until my dying breath.”
His lips quirked up. “Your secret’s safe with me, Lady D’Arcane.”
The city walls were still holding, but for how long? Chancellor Darian’s forces had encircled the eastern and southern gates, while Prince Callum’s Elentharian mercenaries pressed against the western approach. The distinctive crimson banners of the Red Cross gang fluttered between them, binding the unholy alliance together.
“The northern gate remains uncontested,” Commander Maxwell noted, his weathered face grim. “We can enter there and attack from behind.”
“And be trapped between the walls and their forces if we fail,” I pointed out.
