Page 118 of Reign of Stars and Fire

Something like a blade.

“We need to tell the others.”

“We need to prepare the Court of Blood for a battle.”

“It is a good thing we have wings for missives.” I winked.

“I don’t like that, you flying back and forth.”

“Have a better idea, Ambassador?”

“Tell the trees to speak,” Ari insisted. “Something remarkable. Better yet, use Rune.”

Fear lined the words, despite his efforts to mask them. I smiled. “First, I don’t think my glamour makes trees talk. Second, Rune is a good idea.”

“Why such surprise? I am a wise king and ought to be heeded at all times.” He kissed my knuckles.

“I’ll speak with him. We will need blades to face Davorin, and the blades we have must be at the ready.”

Ari studied the distant shoreline. “I won’t lose you to him, Saga. Swear it to me.”

I adjusted how I sat, so we were nose to nose. “My heart was written for you by the hand of fate. It is always yours no matter what happens.”

He kissed me. Soft at first, until it deepened, rough and raw, and I stopped caring about resting. All my thoughts turned to devouring any moment we had of peace. Any calm and safety. For soon, I feared, it would all change.

Chapter37

The Raven Queen

“Secrets are in the stars. Lucky for us we have a seer who seems fond of us.” Kase had leaned against one of the rocky walls on the isle. “The first mark is set. The others will follow.”

A sliverof the golden sunrise glistened over the black surface of the Fate’s Ocean. The small camp was lined at the shore where we loaded the small sloop to return to the main isles.

“I hate this plan,” Valen said to Ari when they clasped forearms. “Sitting back feels wrong.”

“You’re not sitting back.” Stefan said. “You’re meeting a strategic mark. Rolls off the tongue better, doesn’t it?”

“Wise words you should take, My King. Besides, someone else must be the hero,” Ari said. “You started all this, but you simply can’t be the favorite in every tale. Certainly not when it is mine.”

Valen scoffed. “I did not start this, Ari. Everything leads to you, personally or through your blood. So, on this, I take your lead.”

Ari sobered. “Then keep watch on the shores and keep your head.”

“You better do the same,King.”

For the better part of the night, we’d reviewed the scroll Calista had given to Ari. The Nightrender and Niklas used their criminal minds alongside Ari’s knowledge of landscapes and borders to solidify our routes. Strategies, deceit, and risks were laid out and weighed. We had few options but to face the battle lord.

Powerful as he was, we had hands to play. We had different magicks, different strengths we could use against him.

Niklas went through the crowd, handing over strings of leather with a tied scrap of linen on the end. Inside was another dose of the herbal elixir used to guard against Davorin’s glamour. No chances were to be taken. He’d already robbed Bo of his ability to hunt and track, and nearly took the first knight’s air fury.

The magic of the different kingdoms was too dangerous and too powerful to risk.

“Saga.” Elise took my hand. The queen was dressed for battle in vambraces and leathers. “Watch your back and take care of him.” She tilted her head to where Ari spoke with Halvar and Niklas. “Don’t let him risk his neck all to get a song written on his heroics.”

I stiffened in a bit of surprise when the queen yanked me to her, hugging me briefly before going to stand by her husband.

“You understand how it works?” Malin asked, voice low as she handed Calista the silver chain and folded her fingers into a fist.