Page 56 of Sun, Moon & Shadow (Fate of Aemoria #1)
“I realize this isn’t your fight,” Nox said. “The Lunar Court has likely given you all far more reason to abandon it than to risk your lives in defense of it. But the simple fact is, we need your help.”
“We can’t do this alone,” Nova added.
“I wish we had more time to prepare, but every passing hour is an opportunity for the general to gather more support for his cause.” Callan paused to look over the faces of those gathered. “Are you with us?”
It was Arik who spoke first. “Until my last breath, my friend.” He placed his fist over his heart in salute. The rest of the warriors did the same.
“Anything for the Realm,” Fawn said, wrapping an arm around Nova’s neck.
Guilt churned in the pit of Nova’s stomach. They had decided to omit the detail about her being Omen’s daughter, only sharing that she had been abducted by Idrian to be used as leverage against Nox, leaving the others to draw their own conclusions.
All eyes wandered to Evander lounging casually on the sofa, one ankle resting atop his opposite knee.
“I can hardly stay behind since my little sister has agreed to fight,” he sighed. “Besides, I’d never let the rest of you have all the fun.”
Cheers erupted, and everyone rose to their feet as Callan and Lucan rattled off instructions for last-minute preparations before their swift departure. Nox took Nova by the hand and led her away from the others and into his study, closing the door behind them.
“I mean no disrespect by what I’m about to say,” he began, and she steeled herself. “But I would prefer that you stay behind.”
“You know I can’t.”
“Nova, I can’t bear the thought of you putting yourself in harm’s way. Not when we just got you back. You could go somewhere safe until the threat has been dealt with,” he said, laying his hands on her shoulders. “The Temple of Illora, perhaps.”
Her mother had said Omen would never find her hidden behind the powerful magic that guarded the temple. But Nova had told her mother she was through hiding, and she meant it.
“These are my people, too. Every one of them under threat of death or being pressed into an existence they would never choose. I have to fight for them.”
“If I can’t persuade you to remain here, will you at least promise me you’ll stay out of the fight?”
“I’m sorry. I can’t,” she said, fists clenched at her sides. “Idrian deceived me. I trusted him, and he betrayed that trust. He deserves to pay for what he did to me. For what he plans to do to our people. I intend to be the one to make him pay.”
Perhaps her uncle sensed the rage crackling just beneath the surface of her calm exterior, because he relented without further discussion.
“I understand,” he said, gathering her in a firm embrace and planting a kiss on her temple. “Just promise you’ll come back to us.”
“I promise,” Nova said, believing with every fiber of her being that she would.
It was midday by the time their party reconvened in the black stone courtyard in front of the Estate.
The unforgiving sun beat down from directly above.
Horses snorted and pawed idly at the ground as their riders tightened saddle straps and readied themselves for the journey ahead.
Nova surveyed the assortment of steeds spread out around the courtyard: snowy-white coats from Nivali and silvery-gray from Silvergard.
Her eyes settled on one horse, seemingly out of place.
A familiar mare with a charcoal-gray coat.
Nova jogged over to Shade and ran a hand along her horse’s neck as the animal snorted a greeting.
Arik’s voice came from behind her. “I thought you might like to have your own horse with you.”
“It was very kind of you to bring her,” Nova said, dipping her head in a quick bow of appreciation.
“It’s the least I could do after you saved Callan’s life. I’m in your debt.” He laid his hand over his heart and tipped his head to her before heading off into the crowd.
Several of the others began mounting up around her; it was nearly time to leave.
Nova took a quick inventory. Isla had braided her hair for her, coiling it into a bun and pinning it at the back of her head.
She wore full Silvergardian fighting attire of black leather: fitted breeches and a jacket, a thick chest plate, and pauldrons dotted with metal studs.
The bracers strapped to her wrists extended to just below her elbows.
She flexed her fingers inside her black leather gloves and patted each of her weapons—her Nivalian sword at her hip and her curved Silvergardian dagger at her thigh. Lowering herself to one knee on the hot black stone, she tightened the straps of her boots that hit midway up her calf.
The pommel of the dagger she’d brought from the Human Realm barely peeked above the top of the boot that concealed it.
The blade seemed to have lost its luster, as any human-made item might when held up against even the most mundane Fae-made objects, all of which were seemingly imbued with otherworldly power.
She’d nearly left it behind, but something compelled her to pick it up when she’d finished dressing.
She recalled how Anson had once found her playing with the weapon, having taken it from the decorative box in his chamber.
Careful with that blade, girl.
He had chuckled, scolding her playfully as he took it from her and showed her how to hold it properly.
Unless you’re eager to see your insides on the outside.
A large pair of boots appeared before her, and she squinted up to see Callan silhouetted against the bright sky. He extended a hand to her. Taking it, she hoisted herself to her feet.
“Are you ready?” he asked, fiddling with the buckle of her sword belt.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him deeply. “I love you,” she whispered, when she finally managed to pull herself away.
It was impossible to know what might come to pass, and she intended to never miss an opportunity to tell Callan how she felt.
“I’ll love you always.”
A few moments later, the entire party stood ready to depart. Nova nudged Shade into a canter, riding out of the courtyard with the others heading north, little more than half a day of hard riding between her and her vengeance.