Fireheart: A "Throne of Glass" Fanfiction

Chapter 8

Rowan had halted the campaign for a day. Aelin's camp lagged behind for an unknown reason. Manon was sent ahead. When she caught up, she began scolding him.

"Why did you stop the campaign?"

"Your camp lagged behind."

"I was dealing with a spy. You have a war to win for me. For Nehemia. Now go, take your camp so I can make mine."

"Are you hurt?"

"As if Tern or any of my ex-coworkers stand a chance in hell against me."

"Aya hired an assassin?"

"Yes, and used a spy to alert when I'm most vulnerable. When Yrene left my tent and I was getting dressed. Tern must have assumed I had gotten slow in my pregnancy. He was wrong, and now he is ashes in the wind. Along with the things his blood ruined. Decapitations are so messy."

"Thats my Fireheart." Rowan said with a smile.

"Sometimes I feel like we're psychopaths, smiling about a decapitation."

"He had it coming, didn't he?"

"Oh, yes. Very much so."

"Then, good." Aelin slapped his ass, making many guards quietly laugh. "Now get off your ass and march, or Nehemia will be an only child." Yrene smiled at the threat, and Rowan smirked and looked at her.

You don't want me to respond to that.

Don't you dare.

"Your wish is my command, m'lady." Aelin fought to hide her blush. Rowan turned around. "You heard the Queen, get off your asses and march!"

"I did NOT say that!" Aelin protested.

"Yes, you did." Yrene said.

"Traitor." Aelin said, shocked at the betrayal. "I said that to Rowan, and meant it for no one else!"

"Yeah, yeah, we get it." A soldier said, laughing. Yrene smiled.

"Traitors, the lot of you." Aelin said.

Rowan kissed her. He pulled away, and Aelin laughed at his shit-eating grin.

"You are the one who will pay, next time we are alone." Aelin whispered.

"You'll still be begging by the end of it." Aelin smacked his arm, and he turned to lead the company.

"I love you, darling." Aelin shouted loud enough for all the soldiers to hear.

"I love you, too." Rowan said. He glared at her.

Enjoy the new nickname, darling.

You'll pay for it later.

Can't wait.

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Rowan led the way to the isolated fortress. A Lord of Fenharrow was trapped in his own fort. He had a small employ of men. Rowan stopped in front of them, his army halting as one. A well-trained, cohesive unit. Manon had the entire fort surrounded already. The Fenharrow soldiers held their weapons shakily.

"Soldiers of Fenharrow. You have a choice. A choice Melisande's troops did not have. Your lords hide Aya, and they allied with her. They attempted to kill my wife and queen. They will die. But you do not need to die with them. For them. They are cowards. Besides that, you are outnumbered and outmatched. We could hold the Witches and the Bane back and still achieve a sweeping victory. Its less than a thousand versus nine-thousand, three hundred. Basic Fenharrow footsoldiers versus the Terrasen Elite. Surrender and be spared. Return to your families." Rowan said. They did not move. "You have until dawn to decide."