4: Darken War

9:Alexander

Chapter Nine: Alexander

I sat at my desk, finishing off the last stack of urgent paperwork before the dragon army arrived. The quiet in the study felt oppressive, like a weight pressing down on my shoulders. Every tick of the clock seemed too loud, every rustle of parchment too sharp. The fire crackled low in the hearth beside me, casting flickering gold across the stone walls. I didn't look up when the door opened, already knowing who it was by the heavy boots and the familiar breath drawn before speaking.

"You wanted to see me?" James asked, stepping into the room.

I set my quill down and folded my hands. "You're going to want to sit down for what I'm about to tell you."

James sat across from me, his expression grim. "It's about my wife, isn't it?"

I met his eyes. "It is."

There was no easy way to say this. This man, my closest friend for most of my life, the one who had stood beside me through rebellion, through rebuilding, through death and resurrection—he deserved truth, no matter how hard it struck.

"There's a chance something went wrong," I said carefully. "The man we believe to be one of my half-siblings has been shapeshifting into her—into Alexandria's form—and trying to stop the war before it even begins."

James tensed, his fists clenched. "How would you even know that?"

"Alana arrived not long ago," I said. "She told me he came to her disguised as Alexandria. She knew right away it wasn't her. And there's a chance he's tried the same thing with Thorne."

James stood, pacing. His boots echoed across the floor. "So this was supposed to be a peaceful mission, and now you're telling me she's in danger?"

I rose too and crossed the room. "She's alive, James. That much I'm certain of."

He turned, eyes wet with unshed tears. "I only just got her back."

I pulled him into a hug, a rare gesture between two men who had seen more war than peace. "We both did, remember."

He managed a shaky laugh. "At least the two of you shared a body for most of that."

"Yes," I murmured. "But it's not the same as having her truly here."

James pulled away and scrubbed at his face. I had only seen him cry once before—when she died the first time.

"I swore to protect her," he said quietly. "I'm going with you."

"I know," I said, already having anticipated this. "Lilliana will stay here with the children. I've made the arrangements."

He straightened his armor. "Then let's get our queen back."

The fire in the hearth suddenly flared higher.

"Let me guess," came a voice, sharp and far too familiar. "That meddlesome dragon has already told you."

James spun, fists up. I stepped back toward the desk. Alexandria stood in the flames, or what looked like her.

"Give her back!" James shouted. "We will go to war for her, and you will lose."

The figure laughed. It was her voice, her posture—everything, and yet it was wrong.

"The war will happen either way," she said. "My way is simply more... entertaining."

I narrowed my eyes. "Just answer me one thing. Are you one of my half-siblings?"

She smiled—no, he smiled—and the illusion broke. A man now stood in the firelight. Long blond hair, blue eyes—too familiar.

"I am," he said. "I'm surprised you figured it out so quickly, brother."

"Your truth was in Father's study," I told him. "But why? Why start this war?"

He began to pace, hands clasped behind his back, just like our father used to. "Why? Because you grew up in a palace. You had a name. Meanwhile, our sister killed him—twice."

I clenched my fists. "He was a monster."

"Is that your experience, or hers?" His gaze cut toward James. "She says she was abused. But you? You were loved. Respected. And yet she still stayed with you. How much of her trauma is real? How much is just another story she spun to gain sympathy?"

James surged forward, eyes blazing. "There were witnesses. I was forced to whip her! Ordered by your father!"

"And she forgave you, married you. Doesn't that strike you as odd?"

"No," I snapped. "I saw her memories. It was real. Every scar, every scream."

He tilted his head. "Well, good luck convincing others."

"Others?" I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

He began to laugh, the fire swallowing his form as the image vanished.

I stared at the flames. "Just when I thought the family drama was finally over."

James turned to the door. "Let's get her back. This time, she doesn't leave our side again."

"Agreed."

Hours later, the armies arrived.

The skies thundered with dragon wings. Fairies glided in ranks like ribbons on the wind. The ground trembled under the steady march of elven warriors. Thorne sat atop his white horse, his silver and ivory armor gleaming.

I approached him. "Weren't we supposed to meet at the border?"

"That was before that damned advisor showed up in my palace." He dismounted and clasped my forearm. Then his eyes moved to James. "I thought he was staying behind."

"Not this time," James said firmly. "She's my wife. I'm done waiting."

Thorne nodded. "She does have a knack for trouble."

Alana joined us, her armor sleek, her sword at her back. "He appeared to me as well. Tried to pass as her. Didn't work."

"How did you know?" Thorne asked.

"The magic was wrong," she said. "And she flew. Alexandria never flies. What about you?"

Thorne's jaw tightened. "She called me by my first name—in private. She's never done that. Even slips up in public sometimes."

"I figured it out after Alana warned me," I added. "He showed up before James and me, too."

"He's their brother," James said. "Wants revenge for Alexandria killing their father."

Thorne looked at me. "Another sibling? I thought there were only three of you."

"Apparently we have bastard siblings," I muttered. "And they're not thrilled."

"Lovely," Alana said with a sigh. She looked at me. "Are you okay?"

I met her eyes, felt my chest tighten. "Just a lot to process."

Thorne crossed his arms. "The two of you are acting rather... close."

James raised an eyebrow. Alana flushed and stepped away, and I—of course—blushed like a teenager.

I cleared my throat. "Right. Moving on. It's a three-day ride. We should send the dragons and fairies ahead to scout."

James nodded. "I'll find Alana." Then he leaned in, whispering, "If you're going to flirt with her, maybe don't be so obvious."

"I... I wasn't—"

He took off, wings flapping, and called back, "Sure you weren't."

I stared after him. "Little shit."

Then I turned to Thorne, voice firm. "Let's ride."