Page 97 of The Bound Mage
“Then we fight them here,” Loren said. “I know we don’t have the soldiers. But the civilians—will they fight?”
“They will.” Eloria straightened, pride flashing in her eyes. “This is their home. Anyone who can lift a weapon will defend it.”
Araya’s stomach twisted. Half-starved civilians, pitted against trained New Dominion soldiers? It would be a slaughter.
“What about the children?” she asked. “The New Dominion will take any fae child it can get its hands on. Even if we win the battle, they could take dozens.. You’ll never get them back once they enter the reeducation camps.”
“What would you suggest?” Eloria asked, though there was no challenge in her tone—only genuine curiosity.
“They should be evacuated,” Araya said without hesitation.
“To where?” Cormac demanded. “We don’t have the numbers to escort them all the way to Ithralis. Not without pulling critical fighters from the front.”
“You wouldn’t need to take them that far.” Araya leaned forward, tapping the map with one finger. “The temple’s closer. The doors were destroyed, but the crypt is still intact?—”
“The temple is a place of worship, not a military outpost,” the High Luminary snapped. “That crypt was never meant to shelter the living?—”
“It’s warded against anyone who might mean the royal family harm,” Loren said. His arm wrapped around her waist as he glanced down at her. “You need a member of the royal line—or a sworn acolyte dedicated to the Goddess—to open it. I’m hard-pressed to think of a safer place on this island for the children if the New Dominion makes it ashore.”
“And who will go with them?” another advisor asked. “If you’re suggesting sending them alone?—”
“I’ll go,” Araya said, cutting him off before the doubt could gain ground. “Someone will need to organize the children and help pull the wagons—I can do that.”
A flicker of surprise passed over a few faces, but Eryn nodded thoughtfully.
“There are others who would be of more use there.” He shuffled the documents spread out in front of him. “Mothers with infants, elders old to fight—and those whose magic is better suited to subterfuge than open combat, like myself.”
Araya glanced over at Loren as the councilors murmured amongst themselves. He stared down at the maps in front of them, his jaw set and tension humming through their bond. He didn’t want her to go. Didn’t want them to be separated—again—when they’d only just found each other.
And she didn’t want to leave him.
But she couldn’t forget the way the rough wood bit into her back, human hands pinning her down. The searing bite of the iron needle. How they’d laughed when she screamed for help.
“Do it,” he said finally, turning to look down the table at his steward. “Get them whatever they need—wagons, food, supplies. Whatever it takes to keep them safe.” He stood, sweeping his gaze across the rest of them. “There’s nothing left to debate. Everyone knows what they need to do. Every moment that passes is another moment closer to their arrival.”
Araya stared down at the table as chairs scraped, councilors talking amongst themselves as they hurried from the room. There were no more protests, no objections—there wasn’t any time left.
“I can’t stomach how they treated you,” Loren said when they were finally alone again.
“They have every right to doubt me,” Araya said, tracing the tiny rune inked at the base of her thumb.
“No,” he said snapped. “They don’t.”
Araya looked up at his tone, frowning at the wild glint in his eyes. “You can’t let the shadows devour anyone who speaks unkindly to me, Loren. You’re their king.”
“I was hoping I’d only have to let them devour the first one and word would spread,” Loren muttered, and despite everything, the corner of her mouth twitched.
He reached for her.
The second his hands touched her waist, Araya folded into him, burying her face in his chest. He smelled like rain and cold stone andher, the realization lighting a warm fire in her chest.
“You understand, don’t you?” she whispered. “I can’t let them take children, Loren. I can’t. And if I’m not here, Jaxon might retreat to minimize the damage?—”
“I know,” he murmured, brushing his mouth across her temple. “I’m not arguing,ael’sura. I’m proud of you. Proud that you thought of the smallest and weakest among us and made a plan to keep them safe. I just… hate that I have to let you go. And at the same time I feel selfish for sending my mate to safety while asking others to stay. And the idea of trusting you toEryn?—”
“He’s been your sister’s spymaster for years.” Araya pulled back, frowning. “And he helped me before. Do you really think we can’t trust him?”
“Eloria trusts him,” Loren admitted, grimacing. “And it’s a logical move to send him with you. But all I can think about is you not coming back?—”
