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“We’re fighting?” Talon asked. His eyes passed no judgement. He was simply a commander ready to function in whatever role she assigned him.

“We’re fighting.” Talon nodded his understanding, then Arianna turned to face Zylah. The female’s face was stained with tears, but she looked more defiant than ever. “I want you in the village below. Get an infirmary set up. Warn the villagers and begin evacuating.”

“I can fight.” Everyone stopped to stare at the half-breed. Zylah had faced hardship and she’d seen the ugly side of war. Her scars were proof enough of the nightmares she’d endured. “Don’t put me down there just because I’m not a pureblood.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Arianna said. “I’m placing you there because of your experience.” Realization shone across Zylah’s face. “I need someone with the ability to lead, to act in my stead. One who isn’t prejudiced, to ensure everyone gets fair treatment no matter what kind of blood runs through their veins.”

Zylah didn’t respond at first, then she bowed. It was likely the first time the female had ever done so of her own free will. “I’ll see that it’s taken care of.”

Arianna braced herself for what they were about to face. It had been inevitable from the start but after what she’d seen, she wouldn’t stand on the sidelines. She wouldn’t wait and let Niall hurt anyone else.

“Saoirse.” The female inclined her head. Arianna saw the way she looked at Zylah with longing in her gaze. It would weaken them to split the pair. “I want you to join her. Niall will likely try to send warriors down to thwart our attempts at treating the wounded. Defend them.”

Saoirse nodded. “On my honor.”

Arianna turned to Talon, Rion, and her father next.

“If I may?” Her father asked and she nodded, grateful for someone with experience to guide what she prayed wasn’t the biggest mistake of her life. But she was done running. “Our plans don’t need to change much. Raevina will gather those she can. I can secure a perimeter and begin searching for the rest of the half-breeds.” Arianna didn’t let herself imagine what kind of conditions they might be living in.

Her mate closed the distance, keeping one eye on her as if waiting for her reaction. “If we get Niall in irons, his followers won’t be so willing to fight.”

“Go right for the king,” Arianna said, thinking back to the board game they used to play in a library surrounded by books thinking they had all the time in the world.

Rion looked at her and his chest seemed to swell with pride. “I think he’s forgotten the queen gets to make any move she wants.”

***

They separated and Arianna’s heart pounded as they ran through the empty streets.

He knew. Niall knew they were coming for him and it only made sense that he would be in the manor, likely waiting in the great dining hall where he could make a spectacle of everything the way Gavin claimed he enjoyed.

Arianna would be the one making the spectacle today.

Zylah, Saoirse, Avalon, and Gavin all headed back to the village below where their small army awaited instruction. Avalon would find the rest of the half-breeds and send Raevina’s warriors to chase her down. Apparently, the Fiadh female waited for no one.

Under normal circumstances, it might not have sat well with Arianna, but right now every second counted. She just prayed they would be able to evacuate the civilians before Niall threatened to use their safety against her.

The memory of him sickened her. He’d offered so many pretty words wrapped up with satin fabrics and ribbons only for those beautiful things to fall away and reveal the snake in hiding.

She’d been cautious of him, but never in a million lifetimes would she have thought Niall so ruthless and uncaring.

Tonight. Everything was changing tonight. The council was already dead. Niall was about to be imprisoned, then everything would be up to her. She’d serve the continent as a queen the way she should have done from the beginning.

Arianna tried not to let the thought overwhelm her. There were still battles to be fought, after all, and everything hinged on them coming out alive.

The gates to the manor were wide open and they slipped through without pausing. No guards stood on the threshold and, to her surprise, no one ambushed them from the shadows.

It was all just . . . empty.

The wind blew through the well-kept lawn and Arianna’s hair stood on end. The front door was already open, as if inviting her inside.

“I don’t like this,” Talon said. Neither did she. It felt too much like a trap, an invitation that said, come get me if you dare.

But if they backed down now, they might never have another chance.

Arianna pushed forward with Rion to her front, Ellie behind her, and Talon bringing up the rear. The four guards had spaced themselves on either side, watching and waiting.

Their boots clicked on the marble floor, echoing through the dark space. The lights were off, casting everything in shadow. Someone had opened all the windows and the long drapes billowed out, obscuring their view of the halls.