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All around me, people fall to their knees. I catch Zayne’s gaze and he’s smirking—he knows how much I hate this stuff. I spread my wings and just manage to clip him on the shoulder, so he stumbles back.

“Hey, watch it with the fucking wings,” he snarls.

Is that any way to talk to a goddess? I raise my pretty head, with my scary horn, sniff disdainfully, and stalk off. Khaosti falls into place on one side of me, Thanouq on the other.

In the background, Therion is barking orders and luckily everyone is getting to their feet and forming into ranks. In the far corner, a group are mounting up on horses that are heavily armored. I decided I wasn’t bringing Stella onto the battlefield. She’s only just recovered from the last time. Besides I hardly need a horse these days. She will be safe in her stable. Unless we lose, in which case, nowhere will be safe.

The streets are lined with people, and they cheer as we pass.

It’s ironic really. They think I’m a goddess when in actual fact, I’m Lucifer’s freaking daughter. Something only a few people know—the ones present when I made my revelation. Thanouq bound them to secrecy; he said it was better that way. He probably thinks it would lower my queenly potential.

I have this surreal moment as we pass under the arched gateway out of the city. In all those years, when I had no clue who I was, this situation never occurred to me. Honestly. Not once. I wonder why?

If I wasn’t an alicorn. I would have giggled at the absurdity of it. Instead, I let out a weird sort of snort. I think I might be heading for a bout of hysteria. I feel Khaosti’s glance, then his hand rests on my shoulder.

As we leave the city, I catch my first glimpse this morning of the army we will be facing. I pause for a second, my heart skipping a beat. It’s vast. I give myself a little shake and move on.

Yeah, I’m frightened, terrified actually, but a tiny part of me wants this, wants to know what I can do. To prove to myself that I won’t fall apart under pressure. That I can still function when I’m scared to death. Then I’ll feel better about what comes next…

I think back to what Hecate said last night—that I’m the reason everyone is in danger. She’s right. But at the same time, she’s totally wrong. I didn’t set this in motion. Nobody asked me if I wanted the stupid mirror. My answer would have been a resounding—hell, no! But I didn’t get that choice. So here we are. And I will not feel guilty for something I had no control over.

Lucifer might want his mirror but he’s not getting it from me.

I’ll die first. But hopefully, it won’t come to that.

Besides, I’m not the only reason for this battle. Zandar Aurion—or rather Thanouq—is the only thing that stands between Lucifer and total domination of Valandria. He wants to grind the city, and the man, into dust.

We’re heading down the mountain now. The track is narrow in places where the mountain has crumbled or fallen. I take the lead. Again Thanouq’s idea—to show that we are the side of the righteous, the gods lead us into battle. Blah, blah, blah.

Finally, we reach the plain below the city. Only a few hundred feet separates us from the army we will soon fight. I shift back into human form—we all decided that an alicorn was way too big a target. Besides if I want to cast any spells, human it has to be.

Thanouq approaches, he comes to a halt directly in front of me, lowers his head and kisses my forehead. Beside me, Khaosti hisses.

I ignore him.

“May the goddess be with you,” Thanouq murmurs.

“Yeah, you too.”

He steps away and into the open. Zayne comes to stand beside him. It’s the moment of truth. If they have a sorceress who prevents Zayne and Thanouq from shifting, we’ll have to move to plan B. But seconds later, the griffin and the basilisk soar into the air. So far, so good.

I let out a slow breath, rolling my shoulders in my brand-new armor. No turning back now.

Therion barks the final orders, and the army shifts behind me, armor clanking, weapons unsheathing. The tension in the air is thick, a living thing, pressing down on all of us.

Across the battlefield, the enemy waits.

“Are you ready?” Khaosti says quietly from beside me.

I snort. “Hell, no.”

“You don’t have to do this. You don’t have to fight.”

I glance at him; his expression is intense but holds no fear. “Neither do you.”

“I will turn my back on this and walk away with you right now. If that’s what you desire.”

And it’s funny, but I know he would. I sigh. “Let’s get this done.” I draw Nightfall from the scabbard at my back, her blade gleaming crimson in the first rosy rays of the rising sun. I have an idea it’s going to be a long day. Or maybe a short one for some of us.