Steel Rose

Chapter 70

Ptolemus Pov

Fortunately or unfortunately I haven't decided yet, I never do get that release I wanted. That escape has now transformed into an entirely different one the moment I hear the familiar ring of my sister's voice calling out my name. But the fear and panic laced within it makes my blood run cold and suddenly my mind is clear. I pulling away from Wren, pulling on my pants and yanking open my bedroom door in an instant, my own fear and panic slicing through my chest. I've never once would have thought that I'd hear so much emotion in her voice.

Wren follows my lead and begins to pull on her clothes, not even questioning my urgency. But I don't pay her too much mind as I yank open to the door leading to my sitting chamber.

"What! What is it?" Panic arises in my chest as I take in my sister's appearance. Her hair is half done, and she looks to be already breaking a sweat. Fear and uncertainty is in her eyes and in turn it makes my own gut twist painfully. This is not the Evangeline I know. I have a reason to be afraid, and I can already guess why before she can say it.

"The invasion. It's here."

In that moment, the only moment, as the thin sheets of metal rush from my closet under my command, begin to mold against my form into my armor, I'm glad Isabelle isn't here. I'm so grateful she is far away somewhere. Away from the impending doom of the Lakelander queens. Out of their grasp. If I drown today, at least she won't drown with me.

We rush the hallways and a bead of sweat runs down my spine, chilling my nerves. Wren sticks close to me, as I keep my eyes on the flash of Evangeline's hair as we continue to move. I push those nerves away. I've fought in battle before, I've pushed through and cheated death. But the wish to be back in Whitefire with Isabelle, before all of this, lingers.

"How could they do this? Move their army without us knowing?" I ask out loud. Surley they must have done something. We failed to realize that the Lakelanders were at our doors up until the moment they burst through. That mistake could be the end of us all.

"We had eyes on their citadels," Eve responds. "We knew the Lakelands were gathering for something, but not when."

"They must have gone north. Moved overland." Wren adds.

I curse lowly, wishing we still had those Reds. "Without the Scarlet Guard, we don't have many eyes left in the Lakelands." We had to warning, no signal. We're alone in this. I stare at the back of my sister's head, and even dare to glance back at Wren. She is in her healing uniform, her steel eyes sharp and focused. And I intend to get us all out of it. Or die trying.

We meet up with our parents and Tiberous and his ever present grandmother and uncle in the throne room. Father's armor reflects the light, and for a second I blink from the shine. Mother is not so dramatic with her appearance, but two grey shaggy wolves sit at her heels. Their dark eyes focus on the three of us as we enter.

"How long do we have?" Eve asks launching the group onto an old merry go round. Julien, trying to shield his nephew from harm by insisting that Tiberous stay out of the conflict. The newly crowned king, refusing, eager to put forth the image that he is a soldier down to the bone and does not stand by while others fight. His grandmother, urging Tiberous to listen to her, and him shooting her down just as quickly. Evangeline, getting annoyed by the banter, and pulling everyone back on track, as Tiberous jumps on some planning and tactics. Only Father is quiet. Which is not his way in times as such.

He only speaks to interrupt Tiberous as he gestures to Eve and I suggesting that we somehow get back onto the Lakelander ships. My stomach twists as the memory of teleporting comes back to me. "My children will do no such thing." I've heard this tone in him before, directed towards me a few times in my childhood. I glance at Eve, she's heard it far more than me. This means Father has made up his mind, he will get his way, and nobody, not even the young king, will get in his way.