Page 30 of Oath of War
I couldn’t help but smile. ‘I may even allow it, Lord Commander. Now, the sooner you fly, the sooner you’ll come back to me.’
Once Orm left, the meeting wrapped up with me volunteering to talk with the mages, though the idea of seeing my old colleagues left me feeling tense.
‘Ani, someone else can deal with the council. It doesn’t have to be you,’ Alaric said as soon as we left the throne room. I sighed heavily, realising I hadn’t hidden my feelings as well as I’d hoped.
‘No, we need their help with the portals and ... I know those assholes. With the bells tolling, they’ll lock the gates and sit behind the walls like frightened sheep bleating about how to avoid fighting. I’m going to knock some heads together before they can talk themselves out of joining us. I just wish I was better dressed for the occasion.’
He chuckled slightly. ‘Do I sense some lingering resentment?’
‘No, I just ... I wanted to return to university dressed like a battle mage, wearing my pin with pride. To show them I had survived against all the scheming. Instead, I’m arriving likesome married noble who’s forgotten they even have magic,’ I said, gesturing to my courtly dress. Much to my dismay, Alaric was now openly laughing.
‘You look powerful, Domina, but if you want to show them who’s in charge, ride in on Orm’s stallion. With a dark fae who is ready to serve you at the snap of your fingers and a mount ready to bite off the hand of anyone that dares touch you, no one will question your authority.’
‘Ha! I’d prefer making an entrance like the empress. That woman turned my blood toicewith her stare.’
Alaric only smiled, leading us to the stables, and I couldn’t help but stare at him as we walked. My beautiful, wicked fae looked so dangerous that I was sure no one would pay attention to me, even in my hideous dress.
He’d dressed in a black kaftan and matching trousers with long daggers attached to his belt. His hair, braided on the temple, not only revealed but enhanced his dark fae traits. I smiled when he reached out, smoothing a few unruly strands of my own hair that curled around my neck.
As he effortlessly lifted me onto my horse’s back, I said, ‘You know what? I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to be an empress. Being your domina is all I’ll ever need.’
Our ride through the city was uneventful, bringing us quickly to the university grounds. The place was isolated, built on a large island created by the meandering river centuries ago. The single bridge was heavily guarded by wards and charms, and if that wasn’t enough, the illusion of its never-ending path was bracketed by tall walls and heavy stone gates guarded by mages.
I looked up, exhaling slowly as I listened to the shrieks of river birds while I gathered the courage to enter. All the memories ofmy happy years spent in training with Tal and Arno were locked behind those gates, along with the betrayal of the events after their deaths. Though I’d finally accepted their passing, it was still a dull ache in my soul.
‘Wait here, be a good boy, and I promise to bring you some tasty oats from the kitchens even if I have to steal them,’ I whispered to my mount, sliding off his back. When I patted the soft mane on his neck, the stallion snorted and pawed at the ground. I swear he understood me, but when I raised an eyebrow at Ari’s amused expression, he just smirked and shrugged his shoulders.
I walked towards the guard post with a confidence I didn’t feel, and the men instantly straightened, sigils of ward spells lighting up at my presence—a warning and a precaution, ready to be discharged as we approached.
‘You heard the bells, my lady. The grounds are locked to visitors. Please step away.’
I raised an eyebrow. ‘I’m not a visitor. I’m our kingdom’s single conduit mage and I demand to see the provost.’
The men shuffled uncomfortably, eyeing my dress. ‘Our orders are explicit. We’re in a state of emergency. Unless you are a student or faculty, you shall not pass, my lady.’
I felt sorry for them, but I didn’t have the time nor patience to deal with overly zealous guards.
‘I know about the emergency. I felt the Barrier fall; its power still fills my veins. So, I ask you kindly—please go to the provost and tell him that Annika Diavellar is waiting. I will enter one way or another. It is his choice whether he gets to keep these gates in one piece.’
Alaric snorted, trying to cover it with a cough. I had to resist the urge to smack him, imagining how hard he must have been rolling his eyes. We both knew the problem with my threat: bothof my Anchors were slightly too far away for my comfort, and I didn’t want to cause too much damage.
‘Go, send the message,’ the older guard said to his younger colleague, observing me warily.
‘Wise choice,’ I said, adjusting my dress when the damned thing billowed around my knees from a gust of wind. As I was fighting with my unruly outfit, the second guard returned to whisper something in the other’s ear. Both men bowed deeply before the younger rushed to open the gate.
‘Lady Annika, we meant no offence,’ the older one called as we passed, and I turned towards him with a smile.
‘I know, and thanks to your understanding, we avoided any unpleasantness, so no offence taken. Is the provost’s office still in the main building?’ I asked, and the man nodded.
We walked away undisturbed. As soon as we were out of their line of sight, Alaric came closer, whispering, ‘I love this imperious look on your face.’
I chuckled, feeling the tightness in my chest ease a bit.
‘It didn’t put you off?’ I asked, still troubled about Alaric resorting to playing my guard.
Pointing to his trousers and raising an eyebrow, he responded, ‘Darling, I enjoyed itimmensely.’ And I wanted to smack the impossible rogue, but we had an image to maintain.
Alaric fell back a step as we marched towards the provost’s office while I pondered my options. I wasn’t sure what I was going to say, but I had to ensure the mages’ cooperation.
