Fate and Destiny (The Fated Series, #2)

Chapter 51 - Darius - Our Promise

"There's gotta be another way."

"There is no other way," Rohana repeats to Garrison for the hundredth time.

"I refuse to believe that."

"Refuse all you like, that won't stop our feet from walking."
Not to mention that we're already on the castle grounds in the King's Garden heading toward the Guard House and well into our plan that is held together by nothing more than a few fraying strings. Whatever argument he has won't change the fact that we've made our decision, and we're here to carry it out.

It wasn't easy getting to this point. Everyone fought, argued, agreed, and pouted as we tried coming up with another plan to get back inside the castle walls to Clarice. Even if it did take the better part of the night to come to the conclusion, Willa and Rohana were right from the beginning.

There would be no surprising Xaxias. He's smart, willing to shed blood, and as of right now, he has the upper hand. The only way to get him to give us what we want is to just walk right in and take it. We don't go to the throne room, we go straight to the Guard House and down into the cells.

Of course, we couldn't have everyone coming along. Xaxias would simply take them and then we'd have more than one person to worry about. So we cut the number down to five. Me, Lance, Rohana, Garrison, and Svenja. Rohana argued against bringing the pirate, but I told her that having a representative from each gathered allied group would show a united front. When that didn't work, I gave her a stare that dared her to defy me, and she backed down with a bow of her head. Her attitude changed after that - in a better way.

It still amazes me how little I have to order the Ginerva around. They merely always do as I say, even if I didn't order them to do it. Though they are the biggest mother hens I've seen, and that's saying a lot with having been surrounded by the Bhaltayr. I think it's odd that they all push their powers through every crack in the building or street we're in whenever I stand up. When I told Lance about it though, he simply said that it was their job to do so, so I should just let them do it. The Bhaltayr, of course, are still trying to heal their fragile egos.

I already talked to Willa and the Ginerva privately, Lance at my side to support me should I have needed it. Thankfully, I didn't, but it was still nice to have him there when I told them that after saving Clarice, they would become her guard, and the Bhaltayr would be mine. Until such a time comes, they could surround me in whatever magical barrier they'd like, but it was excessive to have twenty-one of them around me all times.

I saw the argument in Rohana's eyes, but it went out like a light and she agreed. Willa kindly reminded me that though the Bhaltayr were skilled, they'd need help from them every now and then, and that's just if and when they'd need it. I haven't told Garrison or the others yet, as I didn't want their hopes to rise with the thought that this plan would actually work.

Even as we turn the eastern corner of the castle and find Xaxias, Visha, Willdred, Eleanor, and Charles, I still have many doubts about this plan.

Lance and I share a look when we both spot Eleanor and Charles alive and well. Rohana warned us that this would happen. Visha can kill and bring anyone back to life in which she wishes to, and that includes Eleanor and Charles, despite her clear hate for them. Henry and Al raged, but Lance's eyes crinkled into a smile beneath his balaclava. I still don't want to know what he was thinking, but knowing him, it was probably something sinister.

As we approach them, Rohana and Garrison flank me and Lance, Svenja guarding both of our backs. We're all armed and I can feel the wind and fire shooting through my veins like lightning, whispering songs in my ears. Willa somehow transferred some of her own energy into me, the same way she did with Tanith when they linked all of our minds. She didn't even look tired after that, but I felt like I had just taken another three-day nap.