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LAERWEN AND ANDAHAR didn’t talk about the battle plan in the Hin’dar Rhule or her part in it. Nor did they talk about their secret nuptials. Nor did they discuss anything related to anything else. In fact, things had gone frigid between them. Quiet and frigid.
Deep down, Laerwen knew Andahar was unhappy with her agreement to the plan. But she knew it was something she had to do. For her people, her parents and Randir. She also knew this was her one chance to get the revenge she’d been after since the beginning.
When Cormac proposed the plan, she had decided then and there she would be the one to kill Lorcann. She would be the one who made sure he paid with his life for all those lives he and his fellow Fomorians took. She’d sharpened her blade, ready to deal him his death blow. She planned to tell no one of this, especially Andahar. For she knew he would try to talk her out of it. If he had his way, he would try to talk her out of the whole plan and she simply couldn’t allow that to happen.
She had packed her things—the beautiful clothes the royal dressmaker had made for her as well as her mother’s veil. That she didn’t want damaged in the fight, so she’d carefully put it away until the battle was over. She decided not to wear the traditional garb of her people. Once she had everything packed, she made her way to the shops in the Woodlands and bought leather armor—a padded leather vest, chainmail, leather gauntlets, a steel helm, padded pants and tall boots. She would be dressed as the others. She would blend in, which is exactly what she wanted.
She next intended to seek out the queen of the Fae to ask her to sift her to her home realm as soon as possible. But before she left, she knew she needed to find Hiram and tell him her decision to leave. She needed to be one of the first there to stake out the battlefield, to plan her steps carefully to carry out the assassination. She found him in his chamber, readying for the trip back to their realm.
“Your majesty, do come in.” He ushered her inside with a wave of his hand. “I’ve not seen you in many days. I was beginning to think you’d deserted me.” Despite the jab, he grinned.
“No, Hiram. I haven’t quite been myself lately.” She’d been rash and impulsive and married the king of the Woodlands without telling him. She’d agreed to become the decoy in the battle for their realm. Two things her advisor would not like nor with which he would agree.
“You’ve had a lot on your mind with the death of Randir. The people still believe in you and look to you for guidance.”
“Aye, I know. That’s why I wanted to talk to you before we return.”
“I know of the battle,” he said. “I’ve heard the talk.” He folded his arms over his chest. “I wondered when you were going to come tell me.”
Her brows drew together in question. “How much do you know?”
“I know you plan to sacrifice yourself.”
“I’m not sacrificing myself. I’m merely going to lure the mage and his loyalists from hiding.”
“A dangerous plan. Do you know what you risk?” He reached for her, his hand clamping around her wrist. “Don’t do it, majesty. You are the last royal Fire Elf alive. There is no one left to take your place.”
“I’m well aware of that, Hiram.” She pulled her wrist free. “But if we can flush out the man who killed our people, then I intend to do it. You can’t stop me.”
His eyes widened as if he understood then what she’d intended to do all along. “Oh, gods. You’re going to kill him yourself, aren’t you?”
She spun away, pacing in the small confines of his room. How could he know? He always read her so well. She could never hide anything from him. Even now. Curse the man.
“That is what you intend to do, isn’t it?” he asked.
“He’s responsible for the deaths of our people,” she said as she paced. “I intend to cut out his heart.”
“Laerwen, it’s too dangerous. I must insist—”
“No, Hiram.” She halted and turned to look at him, her gaze fixed on his face. “I’ve waited for this chance. It’s within my grasp. I’ll not squander it.”
“But—”
“I have a plan for the realm. The Hin’dar Rhule will not be without a ruler should I die.”
“I don’t understand.” He shook his head, his eyes so wide and bright, she thought he might break down any moment.
And for a moment, guilt slashed through her. He and her people had been through so much. How could she even think of putting him through this too? Was she that selfish? That hell-bent on revenge she would risk her life? She knew the answer to that even before she thought it. Of course she’d risk her life. Lorcann had murdered Randir. Lorcann orchestrated the deaths of her people and she would not let that go. Not ever.
“If anything happens to me on the battlefield, Hiram, I want you to go to King Andahar. I want you to give him the Hin’dar Rhule to govern. The people have grown to like and respect him as I have. He will be fair and just. He will take care of all of you and the Fire realm.”
But Hiram was shaking his head before she even finished. “No. I will not allow it. I simply cannot agree to that.”
“There is no other way,” she said. “It’s my final wish should anything happen to me. And as my advisor, I expect you to see it through.” She gripped his shoulders to press her point. “Will you do that for me?”
He pursed his lips together in a thin line. “It’s against my better judgment.”
She smiled. “I know. So will you do it?”
He nodded and dropped his head, looking away from her. She suspected he was trying to hide his emotions so she wouldn’t see the pain she’d caused him. She pulled him into a fierce hug, squeezing him.
“Thank you, Hiram.”
He hugged her back then held her at arm’s length. “I do not wish to tell the king of the Woodlands the Fire realm is his.” He pointed his index finger in her face. “You are not allowed to die.”
“I don’t plan on it. I intend to live. And rule.”
“Good. Now, when do we leave?”
“I’m leaving as soon as possible. You’ll follow with everyone else.”
“You’re leaving now?”
“If I can convince the Fae queen to sift me there, aye. I am.”
“I’m coming with you.”
She recognized the hard edge of his voice. He was a stubborn man and she knew he would never take no for an answer. “Hiram—”
“No. I’m coming. That’s final.”
The only way out of this was if she agreed. She nodded. “Fine then. Let’s go.”
She didn’t look back as she left his chamber, Hiram on her heels. She would never look back again.
* * *
THINGS HAD BECOME CHAOTIC. Andahar wasn’t quite sure how it had gotten so out of hand. When word spread of the coming battle, men and even some women volunteered. He took anyone and everyone willing to fight. They would need the strength in numbers.
With the Fae, the Skye Elves, the remaining Fire Elves and the Wood Elves, he estimated they would be at least six thousand strong by the time they were all assembled and ready to fight. And double that since the Skye Elves were so much stronger than anyone else. If Cormac’s estimate was correct, they would definitely outnumber the Fomorians. Mayhap their chance of winning the battle and pushing them into the Unseelie realm were better than he thought. One could hope.
In all the confusion, he looked for Laerwen but hadn’t found her. She wasn’t in her chamber, nor had she returned to his since their discussion with Cormac and the others. She knew he was against the plan. He also knew she didn’t want him to talk her out of it. She’d been avoiding him as though he had some deathly illness.
He ended up in his own chamber where Leopold bustled about with several other servants. They were preparing for the journey.
“Leo, a word alone if you please.”
Leopold shooed everyone out and gave him his full attention. Andahar told him of the upcoming conflict and his role in it.
“Are you sure it’s wise, my king? In lieu of recent events, I think it might be best if you remained here out of harm’s way.”
He wasn’t about let Laerwen go through with it alone. He needed to be there with her. For her.
“No,” he said, his voice stern. “I have to go. I cannot allow my brother and the others to fight the battle without me.” Nor could he leave his wife alone in the Hin’dar Rhule. “Princess Allanna will remain here as regent while I’m gone.”
“Is she prepared for that, sire?”
“She is. I spoke with her earlier. Sir Drake has agreed to remain behind as well.”
“Very well.”
“I’d like you to stay here, too, Leopold.”
He blinked surprise, as though he hadn’t expected that. “Sire, I thought I should accompany you—”
“You know me best. You know what decisions I would make for the realm, should it come to that. I trust you, Leo.” He clapped the man on the shoulder. “Allanna is smart but young and still not prepared to rule.” He paused, not wanting to say the words aloud. To speak the truth that it was a possibility he wouldn’t come back alive. Because he was going to do everything he could to protect Laerwen even if that meant sacrificing himself. He swallowed hard and met Leopold’s bright gaze. “I know you’ll guide Allanna with your wisdom.”
“Of course I will, sire. But you will be coming back. You and your lady.”
Andahar cocked his head to the side, pretending not to understand. “My lady?”
“Queen Laerwen. It seems a foregone conclusion that she will return with you.”
“She intends to stay and rebuild the Hin’dar Rhule,” Andahar said. “I doubt she’ll come back with me.”
A pang of sadness shifted through him. He’d never thought of it before. Married or not, he knew the truth. He knew she wanted to rebuild her realm and he would never stop her from doing that. But the real possibility remained he would have to return here without her.
“She will.” Leopold gave him a confident smile. “She fancies you too much not to.”
“It’s obvious, is it?”
“Indeed, sire.” He stuck out his hand. “May the gods protect you, your majesty. Come back safe, aye?”
He shook the man’s hand. “I intend to.”
Andahar left Leopold to find Laerwen. He looked again in her chamber, but found it empty. Her room looked sparse and empty. He couldn’t find her clothes anywhere and it struck him. He knew she’d packed her things and was gone.
She’d left him.
He cursed under his breath.
She must have asked Elyne to sift her to the Hin’dar Rhule already. His blood pumped hot with anger, with fear, with desperation to get to Laerwen. He hurried through the palace looking for the queen of the Fae. When he didn’t find her, he took the winding staircase down to the ground.
There, Elyne was busy directing a group of elves on where to meet for the next time she sifted. She spotted him and smiled and waved but Andahar was far from feeling friendly.
“Where is she?”
“She? Laerwen?”
“Aye. Where the bloody hell is she? Is she there already? Did you sift her there?”
Elyne flushed, as if knowing exactly what he meant. “She...she asked me to take her there early this morning. She was one of the first to go.”
Anger flared through him. He spun away from her, pushing his fingers through his hair. “Damn her. She didn’t even tell me goodbye.”
“Andahar, I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say.”
“What’s the problem?” Derron must have heard the commotion and came over. Ever the protective king and husband.
Before she could answer, Andahar spun back toward her. “Take me there. Now.”
“I...” She glanced around the group of men and women and faltered. She looked at Derron, as though he might rescue her from her current dilemma. “I promised they would be next.”
“They can wait. Take me to her now, Elyne. Please.”
She hesitated, clearly unsure what to say or do.
“I’ll take him,” Derron volunteered. “You need to rest anyway. All this sifting back and forth is starting to take its toll on you. These people can wait. They’ll understand.”
She blew out a breath, as though she’d been holding it. “All right.”
Derron stepped next to Andahar. “Come on.”
They walked a few feet away from the group toward the loch. “I’ll not have you upsetting my wife.”
“I’m sorry. I’m only worried for Laerwen and her safety.”
“Elyne is pregnant.”
Andahar took a step back, surprised at the sudden announcement.
“She hasn’t told anyone yet,” Derron continued. “I keep trying to talk her out of doing all this sifting but she’s a stubborn woman.”
He was well aware of Elyne’s personality traits. “Then I suppose congratulations are in order.”
“I want her nowhere near the fight with the Fomorians. She knows this. That’s why she’s going to stay. Once everyone is there, she will return here where she’s safe.”
“But you intend to fight.”
The king of the Fae grinned. “Of course I do.”
“I understand how you feel about keeping her safe. And she will be here in the Woodlands as well as in good company. My sister will remain with Sir Drake. I’m afraid she quite hasn’t recovered from our father’s death.”
Derron nodded understand. “Good then. I’m glad Elyne will have the girl to stay with her. Now, shall we?”
* * *
LAERWEN TOOK A HORSE and rode away from the encampment. She needed some time alone to survey the landscape in front of her. She had never seen it this way and it broke her heart. The land was charred. No homes were left. All who had stayed behind were dead, the ground still littered with their corpses. The Fomorians hadn’t bothered to bury them nor had they cared. They’d looted whatever was left.
She intended to make sure all the dead received a proper burial. She would speak with Hiram about it when next she saw him.
When she’d first come upon the scene, she dismounted, crumbled to her knees, put her face in her hands and wept. Now she’d recovered from the initial shock and stood to take in the sight, her hand gripping the reins. The horse nuzzled her, sensing the treat she had in her pocket. She pulled out the apple and held it out to her. The mare nibbled it, then took it and crunched it. Laerwen patted her neck, still staring out at the scene before her.
She wanted to remember this day. To remember how she felt so that it would never happen again. To remember the way it looked, because she would never allow it to be this way again.
It would be an impossible task to rebuild this realm. And should the volcanoes truly erupt? It would wipe out all that remained.
Laerwen heard the galloping horse behind her and knew someone approached. She could guess who it was. She stood stiff, waiting, listening as the rider halted and then dismounted.
“You left without saying goodbye. Why?”
Andahar. His voice was demanding yet gentle. He had ridden out to find her.
She closed her eyes, not wanting to turn around and see him. She knew he would follow her as soon as he discovered she was gone. But she didn’t want to face him. Even now. She wasn’t prepared for that.
“I had to. I’m sorry.”
There was a pause of silence and her hair blew across her face. She tucked it behind her ear.
“I thought I might find you here.” His feet crunched on the ground as he approached her, pausing next to her. He looked out at the ruined realm as she did. “I was worried about you.”
“There’s nothing to worry about,” she said, her voice hard yet full of emotion. “I was quite safe here. I even helped build the encampment.”
Indeed it had been good to work. She had helped erect several tents, including her own. One she hadn’t intended on sharing with Andahar, despite the fact he was her husband. She needed this time to be alone, to plan her moves. She’d been gathering weapons since before she left the Woodlands. Something Elyne knew but no one else.
“You’re armed to the teeth,” the queen had said. She eyed the dagger at her waist, the one strapped to her thigh and the scabbard holding the short sword on her back. What the queen couldn’t see was that Laerwen had also stashed two dirks—one in each boot.
“Aye, I am. And I intend to stay that way. Are you going to take me or not?”
She’d nodded. “Of course. Just don’t stab me with one of those blades.”
Laerwen knew she jested and laughed. That was moments before she’d sifted her here and Elyne had nearly fainted. It had scared Laerwen how pale she’d looked. She’d led her to a nearby seat and offered her some water but Elyne insisted she was fine.
“Is Queen Elyne all right?” she asked then.
“Why do you ask?”
“She seemed unsteady when she brought me here. I worried about her return.”
“King Derron told me she’s pregnant.”
Joy shifted through her. That explained why the queen was so pale and unsteady on her feet. All the sifting must be exhausting for her, though she didn’t want to admit it. She wanted to help as much as Laerwen did.
“She’s going to remain in the Woodlands,” Andahar continued. He stepped in front of her then, took her by the shoulders. “Laerwen, are you quite certain about this?”
She knew what he meant. He’d changed the subject back to her acting as bait for Lorcann. “I am.”
“And nothing I can say will change your mind?”
“No, Andahar.”
“Stubborn woman! Almost as stubborn at the queen of the Fae.”
“Aye, I am.”
He released her and turned away, shoving his hands deep into the pockets of his trousers. Something she had never seen him do. He was agitated, she knew. She couldn’t help but admire the strength in his back and the way his long silvery hair fluttered in the wind.
“Andahar, I have to do this. It’s the last chance I have at saving my realm.”
“I know.” His voice was flat and unemotional. “I don’t have to like it though.”
She stepped next to him, slipping her hand in the crook of his elbow. “Please don’t be angry with me.”
“I don’t know what makes me more unhappy. The fact I can’t change your mind or...” He turned to her, those pale green eyes piercing right through her. “The fact you left me without a word.”
Guilt pressed through her bones. She hadn’t wanted to face him because she was a coward. She could face the menacing Fomorian mage, Lorcann, without fear, yet she couldn’t face Andahar. Her husband. The man to whom she’d professed her love. The man she had spent the night with and did things she would never even considering doing with another man.
Gods, what had she done? She should have never married him. What would Hiram think when he learned of their secret wedding? Would he force her to forsake those vows for her to marry one of the remaining Fire Elves? She had no idea what his reaction would be and it scared her. Being married to Andahar scared her just as much.
“You regret our vows.” He said it matter-of-factly, as though he’d read her emotions on her face.
She never was very good at hiding her feelings, was what she thought. She wore her heart on her sleeve. “Andahar...”
He pulled away from her and stalked off. It nearly killed her to see him walk away like that. To know she had hurt him so deeply. She could see it in his eyes. He halted by the horses, his hands back in his pockets as he lifted his face to the sky.
Laerwen saw the movement overhead. There in the distance, the moon dragons were making their way to the encampment. Lady Talaiel really had called them to assist. Hope sprang in her chest. They had a chance to defeat these Fomorians once and for all with the might of the Skye Elves behind them.
“The Skye Elves are coming,” he said but his words were nearly lost on the wind. He turned and walked past her. “I must see to them.”
“Andahar—”
“No.” He whirled back to her. “Do not offer me your apologies or your sorrow, your majesty.”
He hadn’t called her by her given name and the use of her formal title stung. And with that, he mounted his horse and rode away, leaving her alone, standing in the ruination that was once the Hin’dar Rhule.
Had she made a grave mistake? Had she lost him for good? She didn’t know what else to do. She had no idea how or if she could make it up to him. Would he demand an annulment? She was so confused. So bloody confused she didn’t know what she wanted any more.
Other than revenge.
As she stood there, trying to decide what to do, the first tremors of the ground vibrated beneath her feet. Her gaze immediately went to the volcano in the distance. But it was still quiet and seemed to be dormant. From this distance, it looked the same as it always had with the peak reaching for the sky.
The ground rumbled again. Judging by the activity beneath her feet, she guessed the volcano could be waking.
She had to see for herself. She had to know if it would truly come to pass. But it was too far to ride—the volcano was at least a hundred miles away. It’d take her too long to get there by horse. And even if she got there, it would take too long to climb—even though she knew every nook and cranny, every handhold and foothold. She’d spent days in the mountains and climbed the volcanoes as a child.
But if she had a dragon...
A plan formed. She mounted her horse and galloped back to the camp. When she arrived at the makeshift stables, she yielded her mount and went in search of Lady Talaiel or Lord Eldrin. She found the Lady of the Skye talking with Andahar. He was clearly happy the lady had arrived as he smiled and greeted her with a hug.
Laerwen wished she didn’t have to have the conversation in front of him—he would try to talk her out of it—but time was of the essence and the day was waning. Twilight would be upon them soon enough and she needed to see the volcano for herself.
“Lady Talaiel, forgive the intrusion,” Laerwen said, bursting into the conversation. “Can one of your dragons take me to the volcano?”
The lady’s eyes widened in surprise and she hesitated a moment. “Aye, of course, but—”
“Why?” Andahar demanded.
“Because I need to see it.” She gave him a pointed look, refusing to be intimidated by him. “When I was away from the camp, the ground trembled.”
“I thought I felt something,” Talaiel said. “Is that what it was? The volcano?”
“I believe it’s the first sign it’s close to erupting.”
“The moon dragons are at your disposal, your majesty,” Talaiel said.
“I’m coming with you,” Andahar said.
“Andahar, I’m perfectly capable—”
“Do not try to stop me.”
The hard edge in his voice and the determined glint in his eye told her he was not going to back down. Just as she wasn’t going to back down. He was going and she couldn’t stop him. She nodded.
Talaiel led them from the camp away from the tents. She used whatever silent magic she had to draw down two of the moon dragons. They landed near them on a whisper. All the moon dragons were equipped with an Elven saddle as well as reins to help guide them. Talaiel gripped the reins of one.
“I’m coming as well,” she announced as she mounted one of the dragons.
That meant Laerwen and Andahar had to ride together. He climbed up first and held his hand down to her. She grasped it, his warm, wonderful hand, and he pulled her up. She settled in front of him, his legs curving behind hers. He reached for the reins, his arms pressing against her sides. His whole body pressed against her, making her keenly aware of him.
They took off and flew toward the volcano as the sun began to set on the horizon, turning the sky a deep indigo. As they neared, a puff of smoke plumed from the peak of the mountain. As soon as she saw it, she had a sinking feeling in her stomach.
Talaiel and her dragon skirted the edge, keeping a safe distance away. Andahar steered the dragon away, following Talaiel’s. But Laerwen wanted closer. She had to see the top of it. She had to know.
She turned her head so he could hear her. “Closer.”
“It’s too dangerous.”
Her hands landed on his. “Closer, please. And cover your mouth and nose.”
He reluctantly navigated toward it. Her skin could withstand the extreme heat and the smell. Even so, the stench of sulfur filled her nose. The noxious fumes nearly choked her and she pulled her tunic up to cover her mouth and nose, wishing she had her mother’s veil.
As they flew over it, the smoke thickened and plumed higher. Andahar banked, giving her a view of the top of the mountain. There she could see the fractures spreading like a spider web from the peak down the side of the mountain. There she could see the small crater that had formed in the summit, indicating it was preparing to crack and break. Under the fractures, it seemed to bulge, as though the fiery depths were preparing to purge to the surface.
Oh, gods.
The eclipse was still two days away but already the volcano was awakening. The sorceress had been right. The legends had been right. Which meant in two days’ time, the volcano would erupt and utterly destroy what was left of her homeland.
Something on the west side of the mountain caught her eye. She could make out what looked like a camp with tents much like the ones they were inhabiting. She motioned to Andahar and he saw it too. They banked and headed for it while Lady Talaiel headed back to camp.
As they flew away from the putrid smoke of the mountain, they neared the group and she could better make out who they were. She could see the woman with coal black hair and the man next to her. Laerwen knew immediately these were the Fomorians making their way toward the battlefield. She glanced over her shoulder to Andahar who nodded understanding. They were already in the Hin’dar Rhule, ready and waiting for the battle to begin.
Andahar circled the dragon one more time before returning to the camp. Talaiel and her dragon hovered in the air, waiting for them. When she saw them, she turned and they followed her back, landing outside of camp. They dismounted and Talaiel patted each beast on the snout before they flew away. No one spoke as they stood there, staring back at the steaming mountain.
“So it will come to pass,” Talaiel said quietly. She was unaware of what they’d seen on the other side of the mountain. “What will happen when the volcano erupts?”
“The entire realm will be destroyed,” Laerwen said, never taking her eyes off it.
Andahar slipped a comforting arm around her shoulders. “Mayhap not.”
“It will,” she insisted. “You saw it yourself. It is coming. And there’s nothing we can do to stop it.”
“We cannot stay here,” Talaiel said. “What of the battle?”
“The battle will happen anyway,” Andahar said. “Eruption or not.”
“I cannot allow my people to be killed,” she said. “Fighting is one thing. An eruption is quite another.”
“Will you desert us in our time of need, Lady Talaiel?” Laerwen couldn’t keep the acid out of her tone. The woman looked at her, a cool anger sparking in her emerald eyes.
“You can’t seriously think to fight the Fomorians anyway. Not with this eruption imminent.”
“The sorceress told us it would happen,” Laerwen said. “I admit I didn’t believe her either. Now I do. And I intend to stay and fight.”
“Andahar?” Talaiel looked at him, as though he were the one to make the final decision.
Laerwen glanced up at him. “You can’t back out now. Not when we’re so close to...victory.” She clamped her mouth shut. She had intended to say not when she was so close to getting the revenge she so wanted.
“I’ll speak to Derron. We don’t need to endanger any more people than we already have here. It will take too much time to sift everyone back to the Woodlands.”
Prickling heat went over her skin. She pushed away from him. “You intend to retreat?”
“Laerwen, when the volcano erupts, it will kill most of the Fomorians anyway. You saw their camp.”
But what if Lorcann managed to live? “I’m not leaving. And anyway, we have the dragons. They can help us. We can call upon the other dragons in the realm.”
“The Fomorians are already here?” Talaiel asked.
“They camp west of the mountain,” Laerwen said. “We saw them. They are merely biding their time until the battle.”
Andahar looked at Lady Talaiel. “Mayhap we should discuss this with the rest of the council. I believe we can alter our plan, defeat the Fomorians, and still live through the eruption.”
Dawning flickered through Laerwen and she suppressed a smile. “You already have something in mind, don’t you?”
He nodded. “I do. I’ll gather the others. Let’s meet in my tent.”
Talaiel sighed. “Very well. My husband and I will see you then.”
As she walked away, Andahar gave Laerwen one more glance before he, too, left. She knew their relationship was damaged. She didn’t know how she would repair it. Or even if she could.