Page 70 of Warrior Princess
He nodded, a grim set to his jaw. “I got your letter. I came as soon as I could.” His gaze was piercing, searching. “How are you holding up?”
I lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “As well as can be expected.” I folded my hands on the table. “It’s chaos, Mykal. With the fae involved, it’s going to be a difficult path forward.”
Mykal’s expression softened slightly. “I can imagine. I wish I could offer more than just words.”
I took a deep breath, the reality of my needs pressing against the courtesy of conversation. “Actually, thereissomething you could help with. Did… did you happen to bring your army?” I peered outside the window hopefully.
Mykal blew out a breath. “No. I did not.”
“Why not?” I blurted. “Didn’t you read my letter? We need—”
He leaned his forearms on the table. “You know Keldara is in the midst of a civil war, Leila. I can’t afford to spare any soldiers for your cause… even if that cause will help everyone in Asteria. If I move my army south, it’ll give the loyalists a window to take over Keldara, and then, we would have helped for nothing.” His voice was sad. “I’m sorry, Leila.”
I slumped in my chair, feeling defeated. We were still waiting to hear from my brother and Avery, but having Mykal be the first to arrive just to shut me down was disappointing.
He considered me a moment, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “But there’s something else I can do… I can give you access to my spy network. You’ll need all the information you can get. Keldara is on the brink of a civil war, and I cannot spare soldiers without risking everything we’ve fought for. But information...thatI can provide.”
I exhaled, a wave of gratitude mixing with the ever-present anxiety. “Thank you, Mykal. That could change our chances significantly.”
Mykal leaned back, his gaze lingering on me a moment longer. “Leila, after the war… would you consider...”
I knew what he was leaving unsaid. The air between us thickened, charged with the history of what could have been.I met his gaze, firm in my resolve. “Mykal, I need you to understand something. I’m with Ronan. He’s the one I love, the one I’ll always love.”
Mykal’s expression didn’t change, but something in his eyes did—a flicker of disappointment perhaps, or resignation. “I understand, Leila,” he said quietly. “But should you ever find yourself reconsidering, you’ll always have a place in Keldara. Don’t forget that.”
“I won’t.” A complex knot of emotions twisted inside me. Gratitude for his offer, sadness for the pain it might cause him, and a reaffirmed love for Ronan.
He stood, ready to leave, but paused. “Stay safe, Leila. And remember, Keldara’s resources are at your disposal, should you need them.”
As he walked away, I watched his retreating figure, feeling the gravity of the coming days.
28
The Silent Mountains, steeped in the early morning mist, seemed to hold their breath as we awaited the arrival of the Crimson Clan. The rugged terrain, marked by jagged peaks and deep valleys, provided a stark backdrop to our makeshift encampment. Tents dotted the landscape, a patchwork of canvas pegged against the stony ground, each one housing members of our growing alliance.
Our camp, nestled in a wide clearing surrounded by towering pines, buzzed with activity. Soldiers patrolled the perimeter, their eyes shrewd and movements fluid, a silent dance of vigilance and duty. The air was crisp, filled with the sharp tang of pine and the smoky whispers of campfires.
I was sorting through maps when Ronan burst into our command tent, his energy infectious. “Avery is here!” he announced with a grin that lit up his face. “And she brought her secret army!”
I dropped everything and followed him outside, my heart racing with anticipation. The sight that greeted us was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Descending into the valley were rows upon rows of women, their armor glinting in the morningsun, banners fluttering in the gentle breeze. They moved with purposeful grace, a sea of determination and strength flowing toward our encampment.
“Avery!” I broke into a run when I spotted her leading the procession.
Her hazel eyes, so like Caelan’s yet filled with the warmth his lacked, locked onto mine. “Lyanna!” Avery called back, her voice carrying over the clamor of her army’s arrival. We met halfway and embraced tightly amidst the throng of soldiers who parted around us like the river around a boulder.
As we pulled back, I took in her appearance: hair pulled back in a practical braid, a light coat of dust on her face from the road, but her eyes—those eyes sparkled with the fire of someone who had ridden hard and fast for a cause they believed in.
“You’ve done it!” I marveled at the sight of her imposing forces. “This is incredible.”
Avery smiled, fatigue and satisfaction etched into her features. “We’re ready to stand with you, Lyanna. I won’t let Caelan get away with what he did…” Her voice faltered. “Not just to you, but to my family as well.”
The air around us hummed with the buzzing energy of countless conversations and rustling armor as Avery’s army integrated with ours. Above us, the Silent Mountains stood impassive, ancient witnesses to yet another chapter of struggle and resilience written at their feet.
Avery surveyed our sprawling camp, her gaze sharp and calculating. “This is impressive, but I expected more.” Her brow furrowed slightly.
“We're still waiting for the Crimson Clan. They should be here soon,” I explained, trying to mask my anxiety. “And I haven't heard from my brother yet,” I added, my voice dropping to a whisper.
Avery placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, her touch grounding. “It's natural to worry, Lyanna. But Marcellus won’t abandon you or your father. He’ll be here.”
