Chapter 161: An attack on Emberfall (ii)

AYLA

"What the hell do you mean we are under attack?" Lucius’ voice thundered across the courtyard.

The man who had delivered the news visibly flinched.

"Who would dare?" Lucius asked, the softness in his tone suddenly gone.

The man kept his head low. Sweat gleamed at his temples despite the thin morning cold. "The northern territories, my lord. Ares Rykeron leads the troops. They are camped at the borders, and they are attacking the village."

I had to clamp my teeth against the sound that wanted to climb out of me.

Ares had come for me!

I succeeded in keeping my face neutral. I let confusion bloom in it but inside I could not contain my glee.

"They attacked our villages?" Lucius asked in shock.

"Yes, my lord."

"How many?"

"We are still trying to determine the exact number, but..."

"Ready the men." Lucius did not even allow him to finish. "Immediately."

"Yes, my lord." The man turned and raced away.

For a long, awful moment, Lucius did not move. I watched the muscles of his jaw work then he turned to me.

Lucius was afraid. That realization sent a strange thrill through me.

Good.

Let him be afraid. I wanted him to feel even a fraction of what I had felt while trapped inside this place.

I am sorry, dearest. I am going to have to cut this walk short."

I tilted my head. "What is going on? Who is Ares Rykeron, and why would they attack us?"

Lucius lifted a hand and brushed a strand of hair from my cheek.

"You don’t need to worry about it, my love. I will handle it." He brought my hand to his lips. "I will have someone escort you back to your room."

I nodded.

"All right." I lowered my gaze. "Just...take care of yourself. Stay away from trouble."

Lucius pulled me toward himself and my body stiffened instinctively. I forced myself to relax as he leaned down and kissed me.

I kept my eyes closed and did not let myself think about it. Instead, I simply endured it.

When he pulled away, I smiled.

"I will see you tonight," he said.

Lucius gave me one last look before turning away then he was gone. I stood there for a moment, the smile on my face until he disappeared from sight.

The guard waiting nearby gestured toward the palace.

"My lady."

I followed him.

The guard escorted me all the way to my room before leaving.The door to my room stood open and when I stepped inside Amara was waiting.

She sat on the edge of the bed with her hands folded in her lap. She rose to her feet, regarding me with surprise.

"What is going on? I heard all the commotion right outside."

"We were in the courtyard when someone came running. We are under attack. Ares is at the borders with his men." I said, happiness seeming into my tone.

Amara did not look impressed, if anything she looked panicked.

"This is a good sign." I continued. "We could try to meet him at the border."

Amara’s head came up. "No."

"Why not? He is here. He is camped at the edges. If I can reach him..."

"If you can reach him, you die in the trying." Amara crossed to me. "Do you understand what Lucius would do the moment he noticed you were gone? He would lock this place down and if he caught you then he would kill you and even that would be mercy. He would make sure you never think of running again."

"He would not kill me" I said.

"He could clock us," Amara cut in. "One wrong step, and he sees everything. You, me, all of it. And then there is no getting you out of here. Lucius is not a stupid man. If an enemy army suddenly appears at his borders, he will expect someone to use the distraction."

"To rescue me."

"Exactly." Amara shook my head.

"If we leave this room and try to reach Ares, Lucius could discover us before we get anywhere close."

My shoulders dropped.

I hated that Amara was right. For one brief moment, I had allowed myself to believe the solution was simple.

That the army would attack and she would be able to slip away, Ares would find her and she would go home but nothing was ever that easy.

"Fine." I sighed. "We wait."

Amara nodded. "We wait."

I sat on the edge of the bed, my mind raced.

There had to be something else...something that would give them an advantage and then I remembered.

The note.

The note I had seen in Lucius’s room... the one addressed from the Alpha Council.

I looked at Amara.

"Do you know any Alpha Council?"

The reaction on Amara’s face was immediate. There was a flicker that was so quick that someone else would have missed it but I did not.

"Alpha Council?" she repeated in confusion.

"Yes." I nodded.

Amara stared at me. "Where did you hear that?"

There was something in her tone.

"I saw a note."

"A note?" Amara echoed.

"In Lucius’ room" I answered cautiously.

Amara’s expression became guarded. "A note addressed to him?"

"Yes."

"What did it say?" She asked.

I paused as warning bells rang in my head.

I had read that note and committed every word to memory but why did I not feel comfortable telling Amara.

"I did not read it. He came back before I could" I lied.

"Oh." Amara’s shoulders fell slightly in disappointment. "I see."

"So what do you know about them?" I asked.

"I know nothing about them." Amara said. "I will check that out."

I could see that Amara knew more than she was saying.

"So what do we do now?" I asked.

Amara looked at me. "We wait. If we are going to do this then we need Lucius blindsided."

Before I could say anything else, the door opened.

Neither of us had heard the footsteps or the door knob turn. I turned sharply and Amara did the same.

Willow stood in the doorway, looking between us.

Her eyes narrowed slightly in suspicion.

"What are you both talking about?"