Page 8 of The Final Battle

He looked over his shoulder and a smile flashed across his face when he saw it was me. “Your Majesty, I’m so glad to see you looking so well after what happened last night.“

Coming to a stop beside him, I peered into the room they were working on framing out the gaping void where the wall had once been. Thankfully only the lower half of the wall took the brunt of the attack, leaving the third and fourth floors stable. “So, I’m guessing everyone knows what happened?“

“That you were attacked by the Lost King’s dragon while the Creisal royalty were visiting-- yes. That you almost died in the mix of the attack--no. I advised your guardians there was no need for more people to know than those that already do. The shock of the attack was enough to unsettle many of the people in the village,“ Ballard grabbed my arm to halt me as I started off in the direction of the stairs. “Don’t Cassarah, the Viceroy are already taking care of things. If you go down there, they will feel like there is something more for them to worry about. It’s why none of us have suggested postponing the coronation. Your people need you to be fine and put on the illusion the war hasn’t started yet.“

I held Ballard’s gaze as he pleaded for me to listen to him, which I did. He’s been the one looking after everyone as Clan Leader of the Raven Rose Clan, I needed to trust the judgment of the one man, other than my consorts, that has believed in me since day one. Ballard was almost a surrogate father to me since I started this journey, he wouldn’t steer me wrong. “I will trust your judgment in this, but I won’t make a habit of keeping things like this from my people.“

“That’s not what I’m asking you to do. All I’m saying is that they don’t need to know this moment, give them this victory, bringing our people back together under the rule of the Dragon Queen. Then tell them that the time of war is upon us,“ Ballard explained. “Use the passion your people have for this land and our people to fuel their anger for the battle that is to come.“

He was right, absolutely right, and I’d almost missed this opportunity because my head wasn’t focused on the target. If the Lost King had hoped to rattle me with this attack, then he’d done it. The woman I was now had so much to fight for but also so much to lose, and I was playing it safe trying to conduct damage control when I should be sharpening my sword. “Thank you, Ballard, for not letting me act like a loose cannon. Everything you’ve just said is true, we can do far better for our people waiting to tell them what’s really going on. The plan I made blew up in my face and I think because of it I’ve started to second guess myself.“

Ballard pulled me into a side hug. “Oh, my dear girl, all leaders make mistakes and need to learn from them. The testament of a true ruler is how fast they can adjust and ensure it doesn’t happen the same way twice. The Lost King has a dark and twisted mind that leaves us at a disadvantage dealing with our morals.“

“I’ve had that same thought as well,“ I said, pulling away from him to enter the dining hall with Ballard following me in. “What I keep coming back to is why didn’t he have his dragon do more damage? Was he just trying to cause chaos and kill me before I came into the throne? Or was it to find out if Creisal’s royalty were really here? Something about it doesn’t add up and that makes me more worried than anything.“

“If there is anyone who can figure out what he might be up to it would be you, Cassarah. Your mind is unlike any I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing,“ Ballard shared, gripping my shoulder before he walked off to talk to a man waving him over.

The once massive stone table that had been the center focus of the space was now gone, leaving the room feeling far too large. I made my way over to the wall they were working on and stood at the edge, looking down at the ground that I almost found myself leaving my mark on. Part of me thought I would feel something standing here but all I felt was anger starting to bubble up inside. Henry, the man who calls himself the Lost King, felt so confident in himself that he could send his dragon after me, because I wasn’t worthy enough for him to deal with personally. By the end of this, I was going to prove to him how that had been his biggest mistake.

Spinning on my heel, I turned to head out of the room, only to come face to chest with Jade. I gasped and involuntarily took a step back, but he caught my arm and tugged me to his chest. “Let’s not tempt fate quite so soon, little bird. I know you got your wings, but I don’t think you’ve managed to get enough rest to pull that off a second time so soon.“

“Then you shouldn’t sneak up on someone when they’re standing near a cliff,“ I snapped back, my adrenaline pumping through my veins.

Jade just gave me a bemused look as he led me away from the edge. “Having a bit of a rough start I see. I told them it was a bad idea to put May in charge of you today, but I was outvoted.“

“No, it was the right call, if it was anyone else I wouldn’t have listened as easily. May doesn’t give a damn that I’m the queen or not, she’s doing what she needs to do to keep me safe,“ I relented as I leaned into Jade’s body. “I’m just so angry and the last thing I want to do is deal with this coronation or our guests. Vasin isn’t here to take me flying and talk things through with me like normal, so I’m floundering a little on how to manage.“

“Little bird, I swear I was put on this earth to remind you that you don’t have to shoulder it all. The fates gave you eight men and two women who want nothing more than to help you shoulder the weight. Now leave us here to work so we can get this sealed up before everyone leaves for the coronation,“ Jade ordered, brushing a kiss against my lips before shoving me in Cole’s direction, who’d been coming over to collect me.

“Sorry, mouse, but if you want to see Vasin before Becka demands you start getting ready, now would be the time to do it,“ Cole pointed out.

“Yes, I need to see him, I think that will help make the rest of the day easier to manage,“ I agreed and let him lead me out of the room.

May let me go see Vasin with just Cole on the promise that I would be back in a timely manner, or she was going to hunt me down herself. That was threatening enough that I didn’t even think about pushing the limits on that. As it turned out, when Cole and I arrived at the roost, Vasin was still in a deep sleep but looked like he was healing wonderfully.

“Putting him in a healing sleep wasn’t what I wanted to do, your Majesty, but it was the only thing I could think of that would help him heal the fastest that he could. After the events of last night, I got the feeling we don’t have much time before we will be leaving Sheca to wage war,“ Peder shared when he greeted us. “I’ll make sure to send out all the staff I have to gather what herbs and other items we need from the valley, so that we will be well stocked to manage whatever comes our way. Also, I hoped to ask your pardon on going to the coronation so that I might keep watch over Vasin as he sleeps?“

“Granted, without question,“ I answered quickly. “Caring for Vasin is the same as caring for me. If anything were to ever happen to him I would soon follow, but besides that, he is an extension of my soul and I appreciate you for understanding that.“

Peder placed his hand over his heart and bowed. “It is my honor to work alongside the Dragon Queen and her pair-bond. Long live Queen Cassarah!“

“Long live the queen!“ Echoed through the roost as Peder’s staff called out in response.

“Go with peace and strength, my queen, and we will be here making sure Vasin has everything he needs,“ Peder added all but dismissing me back to the castle.

Cole and I headed out to where Jovid, Cole’s purple dragon, waited for us. Stopping, I turned to the man who was also one of my best friends and pleaded my case. “Do we have to go back right now? The coronation isn’t until sunset and it’s hardly close to midday. Couldn’t we just go fly around for a bit? I feel like I just need a moment to forget everything, because the moment I’m crowned queen there is no going back. Cassarah, the person who used to sneak into the library and read books about war late at night and beg her father to teach her just one more word in the language he was teaching me, will be gone.“

“Cassarah, no matter what title you hold you are still you,“ Cole argued. “Every time I call you little mouse I remember that moment I saw you curled up in the corner trying not to be noticed as we talked to your father. The amazing woman you are now is all because of who you were growing up.“

“My brain understands all that, but my heart is the one that’s slow to catch up,“ I placed my hand on his chest hoping he would feel my need. “Please.“

Cole groaned, letting me know that he was going to give in to my request. “May never should have let you be alone with one of us, we’re just putty in your hands.“ He grumbled and waved for me to climb up. “I was waiting to show you this place until after the whole coronation nonsense, but it seems like you’re gonna need this now.“

Jovid launched himself into the air and we were off heading in the opposite direction of the castle, towards the coastline and a breath of fresh air.

Chapter six

Cole