Sapphire Falls (The Lost Realm #2)

50. Chapter 49

Chapter 49

Savine

“ I f you’re going to war, I’m going with you, Savine. You can’t make me stay back,” Kyla argued. They’d been having this back and forth for far too long, but his stubborn sister didn’t seem to understand that a battle was no place for a pregnant woman.

The north wind howled against the windows of his office and his essence swirled under his skin as he looked at the tiny bulge revealing itself from Kyla’s flat stomach. “I can’t believe Garnel would agree to this.”

“Hyacinth has assured Garnel I’m just as capable as I was before being pregnant. And I let him know I wouldn’t leave his side. We’re better together. Now you tell me when was the last time that you won a battle without my skill set?”

She had him there. He’d always relied on Kyla’s ability to manipulate the other side’s emotions. That was partially why his newly unified army had so many former loyalists who looked at his sister with such fear. She’d forced them to live in their worst nightmares, just as his father once had done.

Two evenings ago, the trees had relayed information that Goldoth was amassing troops outside of Onyx Caverns. The thought of facing the Goldoth forces, along with any weaponized witches they harbored, terrified him. He’d carried the weight of the souls he’d lost for over twenty-five years, and the burden of their loss was something he could never forget. Moreso, how could he convince his warriors that this war was theirs to fight?

He’d yet to make his final decision as he analyzed the resources his warriors had at their disposal. It would be close—thanks to Jasper’s personal stockpiles of supplies—he could ensure his warriors had enough to eat through the winter, but only if he no longer provided supplies to the folk still desperate for support. Every day there were folk coming to him in the throne room, seeking assistance as winter began settling into the steep river canyon. Abyss damn him, he’d even needed to turn folk away recently, knowing he may need all the supplies he had stored for the war with Goldoth.

If he chose war, he was choosing this conflict over the health of his nation. Yet, if he didn’t act now, he would surely be bringing the power of Goldoth to his borders.

It felt as though there was no right answer.

“ If we go to war, I want you to stay back with Avery. Who will be with her if you’re not there?”

Kyla shook her head. “If you think Avery won’t be at the front, then you’re a fool and need to have a serious talk with your soulmate. She made it clear that she wants to help stop the Goldoth witches.”

This was news to him. He’d planned to keep Avery back, just as he’d promised her at the Towers after her kidnapping. Savine told her that he would never make her face a battle again, and he meant it.

“What are you saying about me?” Avery asked, walking into his office without knocking. Behind her was Rue at her side. The shifter scowled at him. She’d avoided him since he decided to keep Selene separated from her.

Regardless of what was going to happen, he needed to let Rue unite with her soulmate. Although it had only been a few days, it was no better of him to keep Selene from Rue as it had been for her to take Avery away from him. Even with all the pain Selene had caused him, he couldn’t do that to Rue. He made a mental note to personally escort Selene to Rue’s room this evening.

“Kyla seems to think you will be fighting if we go to war,” Savine’s words came out coolly.

Avery came close enough for him to smell her sweet scent. “Kyla is right. The witches are needed in the battle. How else are we going to use deep magic to end the battle?”

“Ave,” he growled.

“I am these warriors’ queen. I’m not going to stand by while they battle a force more powerful than our own. Especially not when I can use deep magic.”

The wind howled against the window, sending a chill into the room, despite the fire and the added essence to the King’s Residence.

“I promised you that you’d never have to face another battle, and I’m standing by that promise.”

Avery wrapped her arms around his waist, craning her neck to look at him from this angle. “Savine, sometimes things change. And I feel ready for this. Please trust me that I can do this with Morgan and Susan.”

Savine sighed. “If we go to war, you are not leaving my line of vision this time. Do not burn yourself out. If you feel even a little bit over set we will both leave the battle.”

Avery rolled her eyes. “Okay, old man. I know. Possessive and obsessive.”

He pulled Avery closer, bending over to lick the rounded contours of her ear. “You have no idea just how possessive and obsessive I can be.”

He felt the heat of Avery’s skin flare, smelled her arousal. “And you like me this way,” he murmured.

Avery gave him a knowing smile. “Too bad you’re busy deliberating on whether to go to war or not. Where’s Raikin and Garnel, anyway?”

Savine shook his head. Damn his responsibilities. “Raikin is completing inventory for me. Garnel and Jay have ordered the warriors to report. Typically, I give my warriors leave during the winter. Even in the winter encampment I wouldn’t require as much service from them. Training would continue, of course, and everyone would pitch in to maintain camp. But, we weren’t actively battling, thanks to the mountains dividing Latiah. I’d already released many of the warriors for leave this winter and many have chosen to be united with family rather than stay near the King's Residence. Both sides deserved a break after so many years of conflict.”

“And now they may be facing another war.“ Avery shook her head, and Savine could almost feel the tension in her body. “It doesn’t seem right to ask them to fight in another war when they’ve just returned home.”

“Yet, the alternative would be to leave our borders vulnerable to Goldoth’s attacks. If this war is inevitable, I’d rather fight it in the Wastewaters or Nephel than allow my folk to be devastated by war once again.”

There was no easy choice, and Savine was running out of time to decide.