Bride of the Traitor (The Prophecy of Sisters #1) - Hayley Faiman Page 0,104

a plan,” I announce. “With the women here, we need to end this before they get wind of their arrival and before they can send mercenaries to our camp,” I state.

Rowan’s gaze shifts to the tent, then back to us. “One of us should house a woman, separately. They need constant protection not only against the enemy, but the soldiers here have not felt a woman’s flesh in months,” he reminds, his voice low.

Merek makes a noise in the back of his throat and I know that he’s thinking of Katrina. Though my men would never dare to touch my queen, I have no doubt that if they were desperate enough, if they thought that they could, at least one would try.

“You’re right. There are only three that need to be worried over. Merek will take Katrina. Rowen, you take Ellyn and—”

“I will take care of the wee Jasmine and tend to her injuries,” Asher announces.

Glancing around, I nod. Now that the women and their protection is taken care of, it is time to devise a swift plan to take over Llyne. Arching a brow, I smirk as my eyes flick from one man to the next.

“Are we ready to end this, for good?” I ask.

“Gaining entrance is the hardest part,” Merek grunts.

“The castle, then?”

Frederick jerks his chin. “Take it, take ownership of it. Free the people suppressed by it’s leadership,” he growls.

“Tonight then?”

“A group of only twenty, the rest will wait for a warning,” I offer, my lips unable to keep from smiling at the idea of this plan. It is one we have strategized and utilized a dozen times, but it is still the most effective.

“I will wait with the larger force for the warning,” Merek offers.

I nod at his offer, it is a good one. Though I always like my cousin at my back, this time he needs to lead a troop of men himself. My eyes flick between my men. They are all worthy, every one of them has proven to be not only a good warrior, but a good leader as well.

“Rowan and Asher, I want you here to guard the women. During this maneuver, I want them together in my tent, guarded by you personally. I also want you to pick a few other guards for the outside of the tent, trustworthy men,” I explain.

They lift their chins, proud to serve as the Queen’s personal guard. As they very well should be. To guard their Queen and their future heir to the throne is a high honor. Shifting my gaze over to the Arion who still stands by, waiting for something, I lift my chin toward the beast.

“You will be on standby, Arion. Any sign of distress, even a single moment, take the Queen and if possible, her women to safety.”

“I will personally carry them to my home, which is guarded at the top of a mountain, impenetrable,” the beast explains.

Nodding, I lower my voice. “I appreciate your help in this and I will owe you, mighty steed.”

He jerks his head, his gaze finding mine and he dips his head. “I do this for the women, for the prophecy and for the good of this world. I am obliged, Your Highness, you owe me naught for my services.”

“The women are taken care of, the troops to come in after the initial breach are taken care of. I want Henry, Lief, and Frederick to come with me, gather the best and fastest sixteen men to come with us. This will be done before the sun sets and rises on another day.”

“It is said, it will be done, Your Highness,” Asher murmurs.

“Gather the troops. Tell them what they need to know and naught more. Prepare the women. We do not sleep until Llyne is ours.”

My men, all six of them lift their fists and roar at the same time the Arion neighs and jerks his head.

“Elias,” Sybilla calls out from the tent.

Turning my head, I look over my shoulder with my hand still suspended in the air. Her eyes focus on mine and she bites her bottom lip. “Ellyn has been stabbed,” she calls.

Looking to her, I quickly close the distance between us. She steps to the side and allows me entrance into the tent. The women are gathered around the bed.

Jasmine’s arm is now splinted and wrapped as she holds it against her body protectively. Katrina sits on the bed next to the other woman, holding her hand. She lifts her head and looks back