A Court of Shadows and Stars; Azriel

XV

The smell of the sea overwhelmed my senses long before we reached the coast.

Hybern's army was stationed a mile inland, on a vast, grassy plain that stretched to the shore.

Amren, Elain, Nesta, Azriel, and I lingered closely behind Feyre, Rhys, Cassian, Mor, and the front lines.

Troops scurried about, commanders barked orders, and armies shifted into their positions.

Cassian landed from the skies, stone faced. "That bastard took every inch of high ground advantage that he could find."

In the distance, the sound of naga-hounds snarling and roaring could be heard.

"How long do we have," Rhys asked.

Cassian clenched his jaw. "We have five High Lords. He has one."

I monitored Elain as Cassian continued to report to Rhys. Her face remained white with dread as she watched soldiers preparing below us.

"He'll likely be using spells," Feyre added.

'That's right', I thought. 'He trained Amarantha'.

"Make sure Thesan and Helion are on alert," Azriel said.

Cassian sized up Hybern's militia, and then our own army before answering Rhysand's initial question. "Worst case scenario..." he started. "A few hours."

Feyre inhaled sharply.

"My shadows are hunting for the Cauldron," Azriel told her, reading grim face.

Azriel flared his wings and clenched his jaw. He was supposed to be searching for it himself.

"But his wards are strong. You might have to go on foot, once the slaughter gets sloppy."

Cassian nodded to Amren, "You'll know when it's time."

"The Illyrians are ready to take to the skies, on your command," he turned to Rhys and clapped his shoulder.

Once Cassian took to the skies, Azriel and I turned to Rhys.

"I can fight on foot," we voiced at the same time.

Azriel and I looked at each other briefly, then back at Rhys.

"No." His tone left no room for argument.

Azriel looked like he was debating it, but Amren sent him a look that made him back down.

In silence, we watched as the Illyrians took to the skies. Cassian's ruby Siphons shined as he barked orders here and there.

A legion of Thesan's Peregryns flapped into rank beside the Illyrians, their golden armor gleaming amongst the crowd of solid black.

Hybern's army did not advance, making the stillness even more unnerving.

"Magic, first," Amren explained to Nesta. "Both sides will try to bring down their shields with magic, then attack."

Beneath the strain of both army's power, the earth shuddered and the grass between turned to ash.

"I forgot how boring this part is," Amren grumbled.

Rhys shot her a dry look, and she raised her hands in apology.

From beside me, blue Siphons flashed in anticipation.

As Hybern's shield came crashing down, a cloud of darkness appeared around our front line, widening and whirling on itself.

"Mother above," Azriel breathed.

Both armies paused as a male figure appeared within the ebony smoke.