Page 18 of Journey to the Elderoak
“Alright,” he said. “Let’s hear it.”
6
Ava sat at the dining table, finishing the last bite of the main course and waiting for dessert to arrive.
She wore a dress that put as many of her scars as possible on display. The deep purple fabric was cinched around her waist, the open back showing each and every scar she had from being whipped. It also had a slit on the right side where she could reveal a particularly brutal one on her thigh if she so chose.
Staff collected their plates and brought out the berry tarts moments later. Though Ava had practiced her speech in the moon garden with Casimir for hours the night before, she wasn’t fond of talking in front of groups and tried to hide her dread.
Remember what you practiced last night, she encouraged herself.You can do this.
“Your Majesties,” she began, looking directly at the queens. “I’ve thought over our discussion from last night. As you know, my brother sent me here to ask for your help in the war.”
Soren and Astrid watched closely.
She went on, “I’m aware you may think I’m naïve. I’ve onlybeen in Eorhan a few months and I’m not well versed in the ways of the fae. While both my parents were fae, I’m still human. I imagine it’s hard having someone like me make a case for your kingdom to risk itself in a war.” She paused and took a breath.
“I wasn’t here when the daemons first arrived. I didn’t experience the original wars. But since the day I arrived in Eorhan, I’ve endured more horrors than I ever could have imagined. I spent weeks in the daemon camp surrounded by soldiers and horrific creatures. I watched a daemon soldier snap the neck of a prisoner right in front of me and laugh. That same daemon infiltrated Mosshaven a couple of months ago with a team of soldiers and serpents. They killed citizens right in front of us.” She gestured between Casimir and Raine on either side of her. “They will not stop until they get what they want. The scars you’ve noticed are from my imprisonment in Deidamia’s war camp. Where I was tortured for weeks.”
The room was silent, everyone’s attention on her.
“But Isurvived,” she said. “This is just a taste of what they’ll do. You think your kingdom is safe? We thought the same, but Deidamia has proven nowhere is safe. I don’t know how to be a princess. I don’t know what to do at royal balls or meetings. But what I do know is this: I would rather be the kind of royalty who dies fighting against evil, than sit back and hide in my castle while innocents are killed. I will be on therightside of history.” She paused for a few moments. “Which side will you be on?”
That was it. Her speech was done, and her heart would not stop pounding. Casimir gave her an encouraging nod, but the Queens remained quiet, scrutinizing her.
Soren broke the silence. “You’re right. You don’t know the ways of the fae. And you aren’t well versed in court politics.”
Ava swallowed, waiting to be berated for her speech.
“It is strange to have a human practically demand our help,”Soren continued. “Regardless of who your parents were or who your brother is.”
“But we’re impressed at your boldness for asking and will gladly assist Monterre in the war,” said Astrid, taking over. “We are also not the kind of royalty to sit back while innocents are killed.”
Ava blew out a breath, sitting back in her chair. “Thank you.”
“Ava,” Soren said. “We have a confession.”
She gave them a confused look.
Astrid smiled warmly. “The letter your brother sent. He instructed us to be hard on you. To initially refuse. We were always going to say yes but he wanted you to rise to this challenge.”
“What?”
“It was a test,” Soren said. “And you passed.”
Ava huffed a small laugh as she shook her head.
“We’ve known your brother and these two”—Astrid gestured to Raine and Casimir—“for over fifty years. We'll always be on the same side as Monterre. I’m sorry we put you through all that worry.”
“It’s alright,” Ava admitted. “It was good practice for the more challenging kingdoms, I suppose.”
“Indeed,” said Astrid. “Caelestia will be almost impossible and much crueler. Anyway, our answer is yes.”
Ava relaxed, tension leaving her body. She’d done it. She’d made the difficult speech and hadn’t stumbled on her words once. Even though the queens would have said yes anyway, it unleashed a bit of confidence in her. Perhaps she could do this after all.
The restof the evening had been spent discussing plans for Saxumdale’s armies. Ava listened as Casimir took charge, slipping into his role as the general as they discussed war strategy. The planning had started; something was being done. She’d learned war was often slow—not always full of battles and fighting, but meetings and strategy and seeking allies. They had a lot of work ahead of them as they endeavored to rekindle their relationships with the other kingdoms.
Exhausted and eager to be home, Ava had crashed into bed upon returning to their suite, Casimir and Raine following suit, but a sound had awoken her a few moments ago and she rolled over to glance around the dark room.
