Page 176 of The Blade in the Ashes
Horns began blaring in the distance, a steady hum that settled over us, alerting everyone on Nikolai’s sprawling property to what was about to happen. Elaijah’s head jerked towards them, his jaw going slack.
I squeezed my brother’s shoulder and gave him a gentle shove towards the East Lodge, saving my magical strength for when I would need it.
Because I was about to need all of it.
“We’re under attack, Elaijah.”
His eyes widened, and he glanced towards the large spy towers we had recently constructed, where guards heaved deep breaths to blow into the warning horns. With another quiet curse, he stumbled backward.
“You wanted to fight?” I asked him, hating the desperation that was settling deep in my chest. “You got your wish. Now go. Stay alert and stay smart. I will never forgive you if I return and find your body.”
Resolution hardened his features, and he rolled out his sword wrist, back straightening as his grip on my forearm shifted into that of a goodbye.
“Take your own advice, brother.” He squeezed my arm before turning on his heel and running at full speed towards his assigned post.
My least favorite part of battle had always been the quiet beforehand. I hated that lull of time after everyone has finally gathered their weapons and gone to their stations, when a stillness falls over you. All that's left to do is breathe and wait for the enemy to come.
You know it’s unavoidable—the violence, the blood, the death. Even in the silence, your ears have already started to ring from the anticipation of the shouts and the clash of steel. And even though you know you should be breathing deeply, sending as much oxygen to your muscles as you can, you can’t seem to take in a single deep inhale.
There’s no other moment in all of creation that feels quite so anxiety-inducing.
From the back of my horse, I glanced up at Kent, who had taken a position on one of the top balconies of the Manor. The lack of proper walls forced archers to spread across balconies, tiled ridges in the roof, and windows. From the ground, our legion spread wide in rows and rows of infantry, crowded with both Descendants and Mortals. Above, the beat of Elaina, Damon, and Veric’s powerful wings was a pounding rhythm that echoed in my heartbeat.
Kent nodded to me, lifting two fingers to his brow and tipping them off. It was a code we had created for ourselves years ago in the Great War.
A code that meantI’m ready to fight or to die.
My teeth ground together as I lifted my own hand and did the same.
Then I turned back to the men in front of me, who all stood staring at the tree line.
And we all waited.
And waited.
And waited.
The silence stretched on and on. As our Elementals fought against theirs, the fog seeped back and forth. The horses made soft neighs of impatience.
My pulse pounded in my ears, so intensely I felt as if my head might burst.
And then, from above, Damon gave a single, quick snort of warning.
They were coming.
The war had officially begun.
There was a sensation of falling as my heart lurched, and I readied myself, lifting my sword in one hand and shield in the other, forcing aside all hints of doubt or fear.
“Archers, at the ready!” Kent yelled behind me.
I pulled my horse to the left, running down the line of infantry and back.
“Fight for your king!” I bellowed to the men, straining my voice to stretch it as far and as loud as I could. “Fight for your country. Fight for the Realm itself!”
Boots lifted and fell in a unifying beat as I brought my steed to rest in the center of the line.
“For the realm!” They echoed. “For the realm.”
