Shattered Heart (Red Queen)

Chapter Eleven

•Shade POV•
     "Farley, I don't think-"
     "Shut up Shade. I'm perfectly capable of going to the briefing," she argues.
     "You're pregnant and sick. You should be in bed," I say.
     "Are you going to stop me?" she asks, daring me.
     "No," I concede.
     "Knew it," she smirks and walks around me.
     I sigh and follow her. Pregnant Farley is terrifying. I'm not stupid enough to cross her.
     Cal and Kilorn meet us at the door to the briefing room. I nod to Cal and he nods back. We have already forgotten the argument we had two weeks ago.
    "Get in here and quit talking," the Colonel commands.
    We follow his demand and take our seats. The Colonel wastes no time and begins. 
     "Alright, it's been two weeks since Mare has announced her engagement. The wedding is happening soon and we may be able to get Mare out now. Everyone at the palace is scrambled and an inside source has confirmed that they are not keeping close tabs on the lightning girl. Cal and Shade have aided in organizing a plan for her escape."
     He gestures to Cal and he stands to take over.
     "Someone will go undercover into the palace and get Mare out. We will serve as a distraction while she escapes."
     "So, we're starting a war in Archeon?" a soldier asks.
      "Potentially," Cal answers. "I want to avoid a huge war there. If possible, I want to try to take the city. It won't be easy, but it can be done."
     People shift uncomfortably in their seats at the mention of taking control of the city. They're afraid, and rightfully so. The only reason I'm not scared is because I know I'll get my sister back. It's been months since I've seen her and I miss her more and more every day.
     "Do we even have enough soldiers to take the city?" a woman asks.
      "Yes, and with the newbloods-" Cal answers but is interrupted.
     "I'm not marching into battle with newbloods by my side. We can't trust them," the same woman says.
     "They have proven themselves over and over again. They are our best chance. We have no hope without them. Don't pretend you don't know that," Cal says.
     "They're dangerous," she argues.
     "Everyone is dangerous. They trust us and believe we will protect them, but it's people like you that make them betray their trust. I will hear no more of this," he says with authority. He sound like a prince right now.
      "Who's going in the palace undercover?" Kilorn asks and changes the subject.
     "Most likely Nanny," I answer.
     "And she's agreed to this?" Kilorn asks.
     I nod and say, "She's leaving in a few hours."
     Farley speaks up and asks, "When are we raiding the city?"
     "When Nanny sends out the signal for us to enter. We'll be ready whenever," Cal responds.
      "You'll have to sit this one out," I whisper to Farley.
     "Like hell I am," she says loudly.
     Everyone turns to looks at her and I roll my eyes.
     "You're pregnant and I don't want our child hurt because you want to fight," I whisper back.
      She narrows her eyes and stares at me for a long time before she finally says, "Fine. Only because you asked nicely."
      Everything is finally falling into place. Farley will be safe here at Piedmont. We're taking over Archeon and Maven will fall. Mare will finally come back home.