“Their king is pushing against the border,” one man said.
My heart skipped a beat.They’re speaking of Auryna. Convenient timing, I suppose.
“The greedy bastard wants to claim the land as his own. That’s what it seems like, clearing towns of the Fae either by slaughter or running them out of their own homes,” another man angrily spat and several agreed.
“And where is the spineless King Rogue? Hiding in his dead father’s shadow? He hasn’t lifted a finger to stop them,” a pale, stubby man said.
My eyes snapped to Rogue. He was deathly still as he listened.
“What would you have him do?” I asked, shocking myself. Every pair of eyes snapped to me, including Rogue’s. “Should he sacrifice the men he has to an army three times its size?”
All eyes shifted back to him and his cheeks tinted pink.
“I would prefer it if he didn’t hide in Draig Hearth while his people took the brunt,” he muttered and several men around him nodded.
“Is that what I’m doing, hmm?” Rogue replied, standing and dropping the glamour from his wings. The men tensed, the blood draining from their faces. “Please. Tell me how I can better myself for you.” He stepped closer, shuffling his large wings behind him, his head cocked to the side.
They shifted back in their seats, cowering.
“That’s actually why I’ve come. Auryna’s troops are lining the border as we speak and it’s only a matter of time before they mobilize. I’ve granted Ravaryn three years to get what rest it can, but it’s time. We can no longer allow Auryna to continue to attack and ravageourland.Ourpeople.Ourhomes. We came to find men to join us and send those disgusting creatures back to their own land and off ours,” he said. His passion was clear as day, written on his face, in his words, in his stance.
The men hesitated, some shaking their heads.
“If their army is three times the size of ours, how will we ever stand a chance?” someone asked from the back of the room.
“Because we are the people of Ravaryn. We will band together and show them whoweare. How powerfulweare. They have taken too much, too many, and it’s time we put an end to it. This isourland.Our home.”
Some nodded in agreement, but the majority still hesitated.
“I will not pledge to you, the son of Adrastus. The son of the murderer. I will not betray Vaelor. I cannot. He was a friend to me and everyone else here,” a woman said, gesturing to the room.
A muscle ticked in Rogue’s jaw.
“This war is bigger than your allegiance to me or Vaelor,” Rogue fumed and glanced at me, holding his hand out. I stood cautiously, joining him by his side. “But if that is your concern, pledge your allegiance to her.”
I whipped my face to him. “What are you doing?” I whispered harshly, feeling a blush creep up my neck.
“Giving you your role,” he whispered back, his gaze intense. He turned back to the crowd and I gaped at him before snapping my mouth shut.
“Who is she? Why, in any hell, would we pledge to her?”
It was the bartender who spoke, “Because she is the lost daughter of King Vaelor.” He walked around the bar to stand in front of me and I took a half step back, my brows furrowing.
“He didn’t have a child,” a man replied and several voices chimed in, agreeing.
“My name is Ewan, milady,” he said, kneeling before me and bowing his head. “I was your father’s general and friend, and now, I pledge my life and fealty to you, if you will have me.”
Ewan. This is Ewan.
Words wouldn’t form in my mouth as he knelt on one knee before me. I didn’t know what to say, what to do, or how to react, so I bent down to him, took his hand, and pulled him to stand.
“Thank you, Ewan. I accept,” I said and he smiled.
“My sword is yours to command,” he declared, moving to my side and turning to face the crowd.
“I was there when Vaelor met his love, Elora. They did conceive a child. But when Adrastus murdered Vaelor, she had to flee for the safety of her and the baby.” He glanced at me. “I never thought we would see your return, but I am beyond proud to meet you. Welcome home, princess.”
My eyes watered at his words.Home. I swallowed hard and faced the crowd.