Fires of War (War and Deceit #4) - Erin O'Kane Page 0,115

strides back over. With him, he brings the warriors from the tribes, Vida, my aunt, and a flustered-looking Aileen with her father.

“Clarissa, what’s going on?” Lord Bastian begins, his eyes running over my companions and dismissing them until he startles, realising who the beaten man next to me is. “Prince Jacob!” he exclaims, coming forward with wide eyes as he reaches out to the prince, bowing his head in respect. “We had been worried for you. What happened?”

Jacob places a hand on the lord’s shoulder, clasping it in greeting, but he’s unable to hide his grimace of pain. Both Aileen and her father frown in concern at the state of their prince.

“My father had me locked up, beaten, and poisoned.” Jacob straightens, holding his head high as he answers. My heart aches for him, at the betrayal he must be feeling. How could a father do something like that to his son?

Turning slightly towards me, Jacob continues, “Clarissa is my sister, he used me as bait to get her here.” He knows we don’t have much time, but we won’t get far with the prince unless people understand why he’s leaving with us, the supposed enemy of the kingdom.

Aileen turns her wide eyes on me, and I can almost see what’s going through her mind. “You’re a princess—”

“Different fathers,” Jacob and I say in unison, and despite the tense situation, he smiles. It’s only a tiny flicker of his lips, but it’s a start.

Gasps fill the room and I hear Naril swear. Glancing up, I see guards flooding into the ballroom. They’re not doing anything at the moment, simply waiting for orders, but they’re all dressed in full armour with their hands on their swords, prepared to use them at a moment’s notice. The priests are now lining the walls and congregating by the large doors, blocking our exit.

My mates return to my side. Everyone is in position around us as I turn to Aileen and her father. “Now is the time to decide. Stay or come with us.” I can see his indecision as he looks at his only daughter. “I wish I could give you longer, but there is no time left.” My voice is harsher than I mean it to be, my urgency adding an edge to it. I desperately want them to come with me, it’s not safe for them here, but that’s not my decision to make. They have to be the ones to decide.

Lord Bastian looks from his daughter to me, a resolute expression crossing his face. “We’ll come with you.”

I share a look with my aunt and she nods, letting me know she’ll look after them. With relief pounding through me, I gaze around to make sure we’ve got everyone. There’s a Wilson-sized hole in my chest, but I just have to pray he’s safe in the city somewhere.

“Let’s go.”

At my command, we start walking towards the exit. We’re in a diamond formation with Jacob, Aileen, her father, and me in the center. Vaeril and Naril are on either side of me. Four magicians are at the front with Grayson, one on each side, and four are at the back with Ellis, making up the shield that constantly protects us. In front of me is Tor with Revna and the tribe warriors, and behind us is Eldrin and the elves.

The room is silent save for the sound of our feet as we make our way to the closed doors. My heart pounds painfully in my chest, my anticipation and dread rising as I take in the expressions of the priests blocking our exit. They’re not going to move, we’re going to have to fight our way out.

“Stop them!” the king booms through the hall, and gasps and exclamations of watching lords and courtiers follow his declaration.

We come to a sudden halt, unable to move any farther, and my eyes squeeze shut as my stomach drops. The sound of running feet, clinking armour, and weapons being drawn tells me exactly how this is going to end. Turning, I see a semi-circle of about twenty guards, all with swords drawn and pointed towards us, the king standing just behind with a smug smile. His eyes burn into mine with pure hatred that he doesn’t even bother to try and hide any longer. Next to him is Rhydian and Prince Michael, who is watching with a confused expression as he spots his brother at my side.

Breaking from the formation, I step forward, ignoring Eldrin’s low growl.