To Forge a Hollow Crown: A Dark Fantasy Romance by Atley Wykes

Author:Atley Wykes [Wykes, Atley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Alder Circle Press
Published: 2023-10-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Kael

Stalks of wheat that used to ripple under the breeze had been trampled by rows upon rows of Elven soldiers, their metallic armor reflecting the glint of the early morning sun. Green banners, adorned with the imposing bears of House Sarro, clashed with the blue, hawk-festooned banners of House Amyntas.

My fingers tightened around the hilt of my sword, though I knew diplomacy would be our first weapon here. Theron stood beside me, his broad shoulders tense. Across the field, framed by the might of her army, stood Caelia. Her short, raven-black hair moved with the wind, her stance proud, defiant. To her left was Xadrian, his normally relaxed posture tense, and to her right, Xavier, who looked almost a twin to his brother Zerek, sharing the same vivid red hair and sharp features. Zerek’s jaw clenched at the sight of his brother, his lips drawing down into a grimace.

Stepping from behind the trio, Raenisa began her lone walk towards us between each army. Each step was measured, her face carefully blank and her back straight. Caelia’s gaze followed her, a look of profound loss marring her face before she schooled it to a stoic expression. Fuck. That didn’t bode well for us.

Raenisa halted a mere few feet from our assembled group, her once warm eyes now as cold and hard as flint. “Caelia wishes to speak with you.”

Theron tilted his head, his bronze eyes assessing. “Will she join us?”

A flicker of something—maybe pain, maybe resignation—passed through Raenisa’s eyes. “No.”

He sighed. “Then we’ll use this as an opportunity to sway as many soldiers from her as possible.”

“I don’t think that trick will work twice.” Herrath shifted uncomfortably, his fingers drumming against his armored leg, while Zerek’s gaze never left his brother’s form. Roza reached out and brushed his elbow, pulling her hand away swiftly once he met her gaze.

“Still, we have to try,” I said, lacing my fingers with Theron’s. “Lead the way.”

Theron gave me a small nod and stepped forward. Roza followed, her steps determined, and we ventured towards the trio. Caelia started outlining their forces for Theron, quietly recounting their numbers and equipment.

As we approached, Xavier’s face contorted into a sneer as he noticed Zerek. Caelia waited, her expression a veneer of calm even if her eyes kept darting to Raenisa.

“Caelia,” Theron greeted her first before nodding to Xadrian and Xavier. “Thank you for meeting with us.”

“I don’t know why we bother. You don’t deserve our attention.” Xavier looked over Zerek, his lip raised. “Especially after you harbored this no-name trash for years.”

“Only because it ruined your plan to force me to come crawling back to the family with my tail between my legs,” Zerek growled and Roza glanced between the brothers.

Xavier snorted. “As if we’d want a weakling in our House. We should have culled you when you were born.”

Roza tensed beside me, her fists clenching so tightly I swore I heard her knuckles crack. She stepped forward and shoved Xavier with such force that he stumbled backward.

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