Page 135 of Obsidian Throne

“I’ll send word to my men,” I said.

“I’ll do the same with Lynx and Crane,” he confirmed.

“We’ll need to meet with Andrei directly to tell him the plan,” I mused aloud. “I’m sure he’s capable of leading the men into battle, and I can find an excuse to get to a balcony somewhere to do my part…”

I trailed off at the speculative expression on Evander’s face.

“We need this to be a success,” he said, his features taut with tension.

“I know.” I placed a hand on his arm. “And your plan is a good one.”

“But not perfect,” he countered.

“Nothing is perfect.” My tone was wry, and I wondered where he was going with this.

He studied my face for a long moment before nodding to himself.

“The men respect Andrei,” he said. “But they revere you. And your affinity works best when you are out among the elements.”

My lips parted with the realization of what he was about to say.

“You should be the one who leads them into battle.” His eyes were a thunderstorm, churning and ominous, but his voice didn’t waver.

It hadn’t even occurred to me that I wouldn’t be at Evander’s side, but he wasn’t wrong. Our chances of success were higher this way.

“All right,” I said. “If you’re sure.”

My husband looked very much like he wished he could say he was not sure, but he nodded.

“I’m sure,” he said quietly. “After all, we’re in this together, right?”

CHAPTER EIGHTY-ONE

EVANDER

In the two weeks since Rowan had left before me to sneak through the enemy’s territory with her men, I had wanted to kick myself more times than I could count.

But the strategist in me couldn’t deny this was the best plan. And I did trust her, even if I hated the necessity of being away from her.

Even if I wondered whether that last night we spent together would be the last time I ever held her in my arms.

There was no time to dwell on that now, though, surrounded by enemies as I pulled up to the Obsidian Palace.

I had less than three seconds to climb down from the carriage before the grating sound of Nils’ voice reached my ears. He didn’t bother with a greeting or false niceties.

Instead, he took the opportunity to vocalize his fury at my presence here, which wouldn’t have bothered me on its own. I had long since grown used to the disparaging way that people spoke about me.

It wasn’t in my nature to want to prove anything to them.

But then he strung together the wordsLochlannianandwhore.

Red lined my vision, and I slowly turned to face him, ready to tear his traitorous head from his shoulders, when a different face appeared in my line of vision instead.

“Sir Arès,” I greeted with a smile that didn’t reach my eyes.

“Sir Evander,” he returned with a dip of his head. “I thought we might head in together.”

I arched an eyebrow, my eyes drifting toward the door where Nils had already retreated.