Page 27 of Their Crowned Mate
"Joram," Lavinia said, her voice cracking as she took a step forward. "You're not going anywhere. I'm not going to lose you after all this time it took to find you."
Joram smiled down at her, reaching down to touch her cheek. "So may it be," he said in a warm tone. "But I need to know that if it doesn't work out that way, you're going to step up and take my place. I need to know you're ready to lead."
I could tell Lavinia wanted to argue, and I could see the tears threatening to spill down her cheeks as she shook her head. "I'm not ready. I... I didn't even know I was part fae until recently."
"And yet you've shown more bravery and devotion to this realm than any of the warriors I've fought alongside," Joram countered. "You've chosen your mates wisely, and I have no doubt they will help you find the strength within you to become a better queen than I was a king. You are strong, Lavinia. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Please. Give me your word."
She swallowed audibly, squaring her shoulders as she held the man's gaze. "You have my word," she said in an uncharacteristically solemn tone.
I wanted nothing more in that moment to reach out and take her in my arms to comfort her, but I knew she needed to stand on her own, for now. There was nothing any of us could do to ease the burden of the loss that might well take place, even if this day went as planned.
"Thank you," Joram said, looking relieved as he looked back at the others. "All right. Let's get moving, then. We have a war to win."
CHAPTER16
LAVINIA
As I stood on the hillside, watching the troops pour from the woods into the valley below and surrounding the emperor's palace, I felt a mixture of dread and bizarre excitement. The army swelled in numbers, the sound of clanking armor and raised voices echoing in the air as they formed their lines. Our strongest warriors were at the front, with Joram leading them. He was resplendent in his shining armor, and I knew he would be a formidable force on the battlefield today.
Behind him was a line of elite warriors, ready for battle and bearing our royal standard aloft. They marched proudly, their weapons gleaming in the sunlight as they moved forward to meet their destiny. I could almost feel the anticipation coming from them, like electricity buzzing through my veins.
My heart raced as I watched them move closer to the palace gates. The massive marble doors opened slowly to reveal an opposing force just as large and just as fierce. The other army didn’t seem as organized, though, and there was a loud murmur of confusion coming from them. It seemed we had taken them by surprise after all.
It seemed like time was standing still as I waited for the inevitable clash. I wouldn't let myself turn away, considering I was the catalyst for all of this.
Joram and the others were right. I knew it. I wasn't a seasoned warrior, and even in my wolf form, there was only so much I could do. If they were trying to protect me, I would only be a weakness to the others, but it still didn't sit right with me to stand on the sidelines while the pastel lavender grass below our feet was about to be stained with blood.
I just found myself wishing there was something I could do, but in the absence of that, I at least wasn't going to look away. I didn't want to turn my back on any of them.
A rallying battle cry rose up from both armies as they charged at each other. Sword met sword and arrows flew as our soldiers fought valiantly against our common enemy, and to my amazement, the initial rounds of the battle were a decisive victory for Joram's forces. He had planned everything with great precision, and before long, the gray and silver armor of our side swallowed the enemy whole as we breached the palace's fortresses.
I watched as the vampires soon joined their ranks, followed by the wolves, teeming into the palace in their massive numbers as horses reared and whinnied, the whites of their eyes showing even from a distance as they tried to avoid the wolves fighting alongside them.
My heart skipped with relief. Maybe we actually did stand a chance, after all. I knew laying siege to an established base was far more difficult than fighting on an even battlefield, but if Joram's forces were making this much progress already, we stood more than just a chance in hell.
But like he said, that was just the first battle. We still had to crush the resistance that inevitably would rise up. Slaying the emperor would help, but it wasn't everything. Decisive leadership would be required, and if Joram fell today, was I really ready to accept the consequences? The idea of losing him was difficult enough, but I didn't know if I would be capable of taking his place. Of being queen.
"Are you all right?" Marcus asked, putting a hand on my shoulder as he came to stand beside me. He and Cole were giving me space, but I knew they were both watching me like a hawk at the same time. I was sure they wanted to be out there, fighting alongside our soldiers, but they had assured me that keeping me safe from any potential assassins was where they really wanted to be.
I nodded. "I'm fine."
"Maybe you shouldn't be watching this," Marcus said, frowning.
"People are putting their lives on the line because of me," I told him. "The least I can do is stand with them in spirit."
I could tell he wanted to argue, but before he had the chance, screams welled in the distance. I looked back at the battlefield, squinting because I couldn't see anything off at first glance. But then, I noticed it. The ring of blue flame rising all around the great gates that surrounded the palace, getting higher each second. Several soldiers on the verge of breaching the gates reared back on their majestic stallions as the horses took off in a panic, refusing to cross the magical barrier.
"What the hell is that?" Cole asked, appearing to my left side.
"It's magic. Fae magic. I can feel it," I said, electricity humming in my veins as the shockwaves from the magic reached us, stirring the grass and leaves.
"A trap," Marcus muttered.
And he was right. The flames rose higher and higher until they were taller than the gates themselves. I was sure the emperor hadn't been expecting the onslaught, but now that he was losing, it seemed he had another failsafe on his side.
"It must be defensive magic," I murmured, my heart quickening as I thought of Alexander, Aurelius, and the others trapped inside. The flames were spreading now, traveling in straight lines leading out from the circle and toward the palace itself as if to consume it.
"He's going to burn the whole place down," Cole said under his breath.
