A Court of Shadows and Stars; Azriel

XIII

Unfortunately, I awoke the next morning much earlier than I wanted to. Although Thesan healed most of my injuries and bruises, my whole body was still sore and ached all over. Groaning, I carefully sat up and looked around the empty tent.

I looked into a small mirror, admiring my clear face and now-pointed ears.

"I will never get used to this," I mumbled under my breath.

After getting dressed much slower than normal, I waltzed into the war tent.

Whatever conversation was going on stopped immediately as I made my presence known. The enormous work-table placed in the center of the room was flanked by High Lords and their commanders.

Rhys growled slightly at their stares and grumbled,

"Carry on."

Helion cleared his throat and continued. "My scouts say that Hybern is on the move as of this afternoon."

Azriel stepped out of the shadows and joined me at my side. "My spies say the same," his voice still hoarse from screaming.

Rhys spoke up. "But the problem is that he's heading straight across the island, instead of meeting us in battle."

I saw Feyre glance at Nesta and Elain, and then me. "It's because he's still missing something."

Rhys angled his head, studying the map, and then looked at the sisters. "Cassian."

Cassian perked up at his name.

"If we were to cut south and head down to the human lands, would you cross the river, or go far enough west to avoid it?" Rhys continued.

Cassian lifted a brow. "Crossing a river that wide would be too time-consuming. We'd have to go west, then cut south-"

His face visibly paled. Looking to where his finger was pointing on the map and where Hybern's army was now marching eastward-

"He wants us exhausting ourselves on winnowing around our armies," Helion said, picking up Cassian's train of thought.

"He would be days ahead, so he could march through the human lands without any resistance," Tarquin and I said at the same time.

"He could have done that from the start," Kallias countered. "Why now?"

From her seat across the room, Nesta said, "Because we insulted him."

Elain put a hand to her mouth. She breathed, "He's going to march on human lands- butcher them. To spite us?"

"I killed the priestess," Feyre murmured. "You took from the Cauldron," she said to Nesta. "And you..." she glanced at Elain, and then me. "Stealing them back was the final insult."

Kallias scoffed, "Only a madman would wield an army just to get revenge on four women."

"We'll all die together, then," Helion snorted.

Cassian gave him a serious look, "Good," he glanced at Nesta. "If I die defending those who need it most, then I will consider it a death well spent."

Everyone nodded their approval.

"So will I," Tarquin said.

Kallias looked to Viviane, who was smiling sadly at him.

I felt a cold hand grab mine and intertwine our fingers. I looked at Azriel, but he was still facing forward, like nothing happened. Although, a small smile made it's way on his face as I gave his hand a squeeze.

Amren strutted through the open tent flaps.

"I hope you all voted to face Hybern in battle."

Rhys raised a brow, "We did. Why?"