Page 121 of A Warrior's Heart

A horn sounded from outside the palace walls.

“It is time,” King Triton said. He put a hand on Lorcan’s shoulder. “Fight beside me.”

The prince nodded.

The three of us left the palace. The market was empty, as was every street. Our home had never been so quiet. The citizens of Avalontis had gathered in the citadel to wait out the battle.

“Captain Orta,” I said with a nod as I took position beside her at the front of the line.

“It’s an honor to fight beside you,” she said, putting an arm to her chest and bowing her head. Even though I hadn’t commanded the army in many years, she still revered me.

King Triton and Lorcan moved in front of us. Armored warriors stood at our backs, and I glanced up at the treetops to see archers with their bows readied. An eerie silence fell over us.

And there, we waited.

***

The first wave of enemy soldiers broke through the portal, sending those of us at the front into action. Some were taken down with spears, others with arrows. More soon followed, humans and merfolk alike.

Something felt off to me as another wave came through. The soldiers looked the same, made the same twitchy movements as they were taken down.

“They’re illusions!” I exclaimed as the realization slammed into me.

I figured it out too late.

While we’d been focused on the portal, the real enemy had found another way inside the kingdom. Warriors toward the back of the ranks shouted in alarm as they were attacked from behind, the complete opposite direction than where we’d been focused.

“That’s impossible!” King Triton roared as we turned to see the enemy army swarming the rear of our lines. “The portal is the only way in and out of Avalontis.”

The bodies of the men we’d been killing at the portal all disappeared, proving my theory about the illusion correct.

The attack had taken us off guard, and I cursed my stupidity for not seeing it sooner. The line commanders toward the back of the ranks shouted orders for their units to shift position and fight against the onslaught of enemy soldiers.

While the soldiers were engaged in battle, I searched for King James and Ezra. The need for revenge drove me forward. Consumed me. I slashed at charging men, their blood spraying my face and chest. I kept going, kept searching.

Lorcan used the trident to send a blast of energy toward a group of soldiers. They slammed into the men behind them, giving our side the advantage. It was a bloodbath. The streets of Avalontis ran red with blood as battle cries filled the air.

King Triton stood back-to-back with Lorcan as they dealt blows and defended each other against them.

I swept my gaze around the battlefield. Pale hair moved through the blurring bodies of fighting soldiers.

“Hello, Father,” Ezra said, stopping in front of us.

Triton regarded him with both anger and bewilderment. Ezra was the spitting image of him, with the exception of his eyes.

“He is no father of yours,” Lorcan spat, teeth clenching.

“How right you are, dear brother. Though, I seeyourfeelings for him have shifted since last we met.” Ezra tilted his head at them, his eyes falling to the trident. “You have something I want.”

“As I said on the beach.” Lorcan thumped the bottom of the weapon against the ground, his shoulders squaring. “Come and get it.”

Ezra smirked. “In another life, I do believe you and I would’ve gotten along quite well. Alas, that is not the hand fate dealt to us.”

“Where’s James?” Lorcan asked, not taking his eyes off his brother.

“Around,” Ezra answered with a smirk.

“Enough talking.” I charged toward him.