Page 22

One Week Later…

“For the good of Celestae, stop singing,” whines Laisren. “You’re going to awaken every beast from beyond Eternity at this point.”

“Nonsense, Laisy. There is no need to fear. Surely as the mist settles, I’ll protect you from the vicious creatures,” Riordan chuckles.

Seven days.

We have been traveling from the palace to Aurelius on horseback for seven days too long.

A small band of soldiers follow a few paces behind us.

Tiernan’s report mentions that Aurelius needs some new enforcers, and because the king enjoys that we arrive overly prepared, he assigned a group of fifteen to accompany us.

By Siorai’s blessing, they’re afraid of us, so there’s little to no conversation, other than about where we’ll set up camp each evening.

I prefer to keep anyone Tiernan assigns at arm’s length.

They’re usually similar to serpents slithering through the grass, waiting to strike.

“I don’t need your protection, you dimwit. I’m the Cadre’s Second Commander. What I need you to do is stop that screeching,” replies Laisren.

Riordan clutches his chest in mock offense. “Pulling rank now, are we, Laisy? We aren’t on a battlefield at this moment. We’re mere travelers, enjoying a merry tune,” says Riordan.

Laisren rubs a hand down his face, glancing over to me and Virgil—our silent fourth.

The Cadre are my brothers in every way other than blood relation.

We were trained to be weapons as teenagers, climbing the ranks together.

They’re loyal to me and trust my command, even when I told them we must leave for Aurelius immediately.

Despite their exhaustion, they didn’t question it as we set off on another mission.

I know without a doubt that they’ll stand by my side to the very end.

I know each of them as well as I know myself.

So, this is how I also know that when we’re sent on an assignment, Riordan is going to sing some out-of-tune ballad, which will drive Laisren to the point of insanity.

Eventually, Laisren will rake a hand over his face and look at me like I should put him out of his misery.

Meanwhile, Virgil will remain silent until a brawl between the two ensues, to which he’ll gladly join.

Children.

I’m in an elite warrior group… with children.

Then, once the tiff is over, I remind them of their duties and our mission, which encourages them to remember why we’re here.

However, I can’t allow this to escalate to a brawl today as we’re merely hours outside of Aurelius.

Not to mention, I don’t need a band of soldiers witnessing anything that they could mistake for weakness within our group.

We need to appear as the lethal killers that we were trained to be.

It wouldn’t be the first time some lowly soldier challenged us and lost their life.

No, I need my Cadre and soldiers to be on high alert, ready for whatever dangers we face.

I square my shoulders, setting my jaw.

It’s time to be the High General.

“Enough,” I command. “The two of you can bicker over this after we’ve apprehended our target.”

All three members of my cadre sit up a little taller.

“Yes, High General,” they reply in unison.

“Who’s our target?” asks Riordan. All humor is gone from his tone. My light-hearted friend has morphed into his role as my Third Commander—at least for now.

“One week ago, the king received a fire phoenix report from a captain in one of Malvoria’s southern villages, called Aurelius. The captain reported that he stumbled across a young woman bearing the Dragon’s Flame pendant,” I say, the words feeling like acid on my tongue.

“Holy Celestae,” says Riordan.

“I thought that was just a myth?” replies Laisren.

“It’s very much real,” I reply stoically. “We’re to examine the pendant and bring the woman back to the palace unharmed.”

Riordan chortles. “This sounds too easy. Why did we need to bring these blokes with us?” he asks, swinging his head in the direction of the gaggle behind us.

“I agree,” Virgil says. “What harm could a singular woman possess that requires such force?”

Laisren nods. “I side with Virgil on this one, Emyr,” he says. “What aren’t you telling us?”

I sigh, exasperated. “I was getting to that part, but you three are as bad as Galrosan children,” I snarl.

“Well, don’t take thirty years telling us the details, mate. Perhaps we won’t have to ask a barrage of questions,” Riordan jests.

“Remind me again why you are my Third Commander?” I grimace.

“My apologies, High General,” Riordan chuckles. “Do proceed. ”

“As I was saying,” I continue, “the captain claims the woman wields a rare ability called starlight. The last time it was seen was over ten years ago, before the fall of Malvoria. Tiernan would like to examine her ability and see if the report is true.” I pause, taking a deep breath.

“As for your question regarding the extra soldiers, Aurelius is unoccupied, except for the captain, so he requested reinforcements.”

“What happened to those stationed there? Did they run and hide like the cowards they are?” Riordan asks lightheartedly.

“Not exactly,” I reply.

“So, are they trapped in Aurelius by this woman?” Laisren asks.

“No. I find the report outlandish,” I say through clenched teeth.

The report sounds so mystical.

Ridiculous even.

What the captain claims doesn’t make sense because the woman is described as a commoner without proper training. If what he says is true, she’s keeping more than one secret.

“How so?” Laisren asks.

I push my hand through my short, cropped hair.

“According to the final report, she killed them all.”