Glass of Revenge

~26~

Lyria's forces were still further away than any of them had ever expected, further away than the piss poor messenger had led them to believe – currently they were barely a dark smudge on the horizon, only just visible. Instead of the enemy arriving in just a few hours as the messenger had suggested, it was likely to be at least a full day at the very most.

But it was the final delay that they needed, in order to prepare. Rowan and Endymion had already expended much of their power in freezing the rivers, now they placed deep cracks in the ice, so that it would break apart at the opportune moment – right when the majority of the opposing army was crossing both rivers, leaving the smaller force in between the two rivers.

Hopefully Lyria and Dorian would be among those who drowned, and good riddance if they did, but if not, then it didn't really matter either way. It wasn't as though either of them would ever live to see the light of day again. Not after what they had done, attempting to bring down one of the oldest monarchies on the continent, out of nothing except sheer bloody minded spite.

Upon watching the enemy's approach Aelin's expression revealed nothing, but she just felt relief. Relief and a lack of enthusiasm. Due to her upbringing under Arobynn's tutelage, Aelin was usually eager for a fight. But her advanced pregnancy meant that she would have to remain reserved, that she would not be able to fight with her full powers and abilities the way she longed to. Yet she was relieved that the last year would soon be over, that an end to fear was in sight.

"I have always hated this part of the battle," Aedion said quietly, suddenly appearing beside Aelin once again. "The waiting for the battle to actually begin. I'd much rather just get it over with. I could never stand the suspense."

"But at least it will all be over soon enough," Aelin muttered back. "I don't know how much longer I would have been able to live like I have been this last year, constantly looking over my shoulder, wondering when and if she was going to strike."

Aedion immediately looked sympathetic. "I can't even begin to imagine what you've been through this year. No one should feel that their life is threatened. Especially while pregnant."

"At least it will be over soon," Aelin repeated herself, before continuing, looking cheeky. "Then we just have to figure out how to get you and Lysandra back together."

"Aelin," Aedion groaned. "Do you have any idea just how crazy you sound just now, talking about that just before a battle this important?"

"Well, what else am I going to talk about?" Aelin snapped back. "Do you really want me to go around feeling sorry for myself?"

"I suppose not," Aedion muttered, ungracefully conceding the point.

"Are you two seriously arguing again?" Rowan asked, walking over from where he had been discussing battle strategies with Endymion, attempting to decide upon the best moment to smash the frozen rivers. "What is it this time, then?"

"Aelin just thought that it would be a good time to try and set me up with Lysandra again," Aedion scowled unhappily. As much as he liked Rowan personally, he wasn't exactly fond of airing his personal life in front of him. In fact he wasn't fond of the airing of his personal life in front of anyone.

"Well, in that case, when we've dealt with this problem here, perhaps you can patch things up with Lysandra," Rowan said frankly.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Aedion muttered, growing annoyed. "I've already admitted that I most likely need to work things out with Lysandra, but in case you haven't noticed this is hardly the best time."

"For heaven's sake," Endymion said, overhearing their conversation as he approached. "In case you hadn't noticed, right before a battle isn't exactly the best time to be handing out romantic advice. Besides, you two were banging on about it to him earlier."