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But just as Cassial was trying to paint the fey as monsters, I understood that such a feeling was all down to perspective. The gryvern were not monsters by choice. Just like Duwar was not a demon-god, but a power determined by how it was used.

“Then we must reach Wychwood now. I need to speak with the fey lines and inform them of this news,” I said, body practically erupting with unspent energy. “Wemustwithdraw, but they will only do this with the order of a fey leader. I can’t be sure they will listen to anyone else but me.”

“If they see you, nothing will stop news of your survival reaching Cassial before our plan has been completed,” Erix reminded me.

“If Gyah has reached them by now, she would’ve told them,” I said.

There was a niggling thought in my mind. If Gyah had informed Wychwood that the Icethorn king still lived, why had we not seen a convoy sent to search for us?

“And if she hasn’t?” Erix voiced the same concern, likely noticing that one detail I had figured out.

“The lives of hundreds of humans are not worth the risk. Althea would say the same.” I could almost hear her voice in my ear, telling me that my decision was the right one. “No life, human or fey, is more important than any other. Regardless, our fight is against Cassial.Notthe humans. Especially not humans who don’t hold a weapon or shield. Their faith in Cassial as their Saviour will not stop them from dying.”

But I can.

No one told me I was wrong, but that didn’t stop me from adding a final sentiment aloud. Perhaps I wasn’t even speaking to Erix or his gryvern, convincing them of what I was saying. Maybe those final words were solely meant for me.

“I’ve stopped a war between the realms before, I will do it again.”

“That you have,” Erix confirmed, the confidence he held for me made his gaze glow, his posture straighten. “We will reach the front lines and inform them of Cassial’s plan. No matter what, our armies must not attack. Doing so will only give Cassial reason to use Duwar against them.”

“Duncan, Gyah and Rafaela must be informed too,” I reminded him. “If they don’t know about this… it would ruin all hopes of retreat for those humans that Cassial is using. We need more time. We need another plan.”

With the news brought by the gryvern, my previous plan had crumbled to dust in our wake.

Erix nodded, his brow fixed in a harsh frown. “You heard your king; take this news to Duncan and his Faithful. Make sure all parties know of how Cassial is using the humans and put a hold to any planned attack until further commands are provided.”

Our fey would not survive the attack. Nor the humans. And I had no reason to believe that Cassial wouldn’t attack, even with the humans still positioned before him. At the chance of ridding the world of the fey, what was the cost of a few human lives? If anything, it would truly solidify us as monsters, setting a dark path for any who survived long enough to experience the type of future Cassial and his Fallen wanted.

“Then we go now,” I commanded. “To Wychwood.”

I thought of Duncan, who’d soon expect us. How would he react when we didn’t follow through with our signal? Without me, the rest of his Nephilim wouldn’t be able to reach Cassial. But I couldn’t encourage a war until the innocent lives were protected.

What good was the promise of a tomorrow – a new world – if weallcouldn’t experience it?

CHAPTER 30

I was breathless from anxiety the moment we touched ground beyond Wychwood’s border. I hadn’t expected to find the fey encampment so easily, but I was proven wrong. A sea of tents had been erected within the cover of Wychwood forest. Concealed beneath thick foliage, there was no missing it as we flew over the border into fey land.

All around me fey looked up as if they’d seen a ghost. Erix had barely released his hold on me before I was running.

“Where are your leaders?” I shouted at those I passed, no room for the act of a demure king.

It was one soldier, a tall woman with rich skin and eyes of amber, who pointed to the largest tent set in the middle of the encampment. I barely got out my thanks as I forged ahead.

The further I gained into the camp, the more my mind was stunted at what I saw. I’d seen the fey army once before, but never something of this magnitude. In the far north of the Cedarfall Court, when I’d visited Farrador, I’d had my first glimpse of what a fey army could look like. But what waited here, a scar of flesh and armour stationed before Wychwood’s border, was like nothing I’d seen back then.

For the first time in our history, all four courts had come together.

We were a force of destruction and ruin, which was not a good thing.

With a conjured blast of winter winds, the curtained entrance flung open. Between seeing a glimpse of the fey army, and the sheer number of soldiers waiting to advance on Cassial, I was even more eager to share my news and put a stop to any planned attack.

“You must call back our numbers and put a hold to any advancements,” I shouted before the curtain settled at my back. “Immediately.”

No one replied. Not at first.

I swept my gaze across the tent, across every face. I recognised Lady Kelsey Cedarfall first – Althea’s aunt, whose skin turned an icy white at my arrival. She leaned forwards, hands splayed on the large table before her. Around her stood other fey men and women, each looking up toward me, equally pale and wide eyed. Someone gasped, drawing my attention – Eroan, clutching at his chest as though his heart was seconds from bursting out.