Ever Wrath (6 page)

“QUEEN SHADE HAS
requested reinforcements in two days at the borders of the Unseelie Realm.” Jack stood before Queen Zinara, who drummed her fingers on the throne. Her long black hair streamed down her back and over her shoulders, more like a cape than anything else. The land’s magic was drumming beneath her fingers, and she had felt the tilt in power weeks ago when Rowan was taken. Afraid the next few days would see their last stand at the Withering Palace, she felt more uncertain of things than ever before.

“Is Kilara with her?”

Jack shook his head. “No, Your Majesty. She was, but they parted ways three days ago after discovering Rowan had been taken. I haven’t heard any further word from them.” Jack stood very still, contemplating the message he’d received earlier from Ilarial. The platinum-haired oracle had brought him the news, filled with urgency and dread. It had been great to hear Shade had won the Southern Realm crown back and pushed back a legion of Unseelie, but the real threat was still ahead. Arthas was working with Aveta rapidly to bring the wards of Faerie down. It was only a matter of time before the last of them would be down, and the borders between the human and the faery world would become completely nonexistent.

If Shade
failed to contain Arthas and Aveta, all would be lost.

Such
a burden for someone so young.
Jack felt the hairs on his neck prickle at the thought. The young girl he’d met and brought into Faerie himself was no longer the same naïve girl. She was a force to be reckoned with, the way she was actively taking down the faeries who opposed her. His frown quickly morphed into a smile at that thought, and he straightened. If anyone could accomplish the downfall of the Unseelie, it would be Shade.

“Very well. Gather the warriors and assemble as she requested along the Unseelie borders. We have to be ready for when she has Arthas and Aveta on their knees.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Jack?”

He peeked up and waited for the Queen to continue.

“Keep Shade safe. She’s our last hope. Only she can defeat these Ancients,
and I don’t trust them. The land doesn’t feel in balance with the forces of magic. Be careful.”

He nodded.
“I swear it.”

H
e turned to leave the throne room. Inside, a knot of dread twisted in his stomach. Taking a deep breath, he rounded the corner and nearly ran into Ilarial.

“Pard
on me, Ilarial. I’m truly sorry. I was lost in my thoughts.”

She smiled, giving him a cu
rt nod, her eyes twinkling. “I feel the tension in your soul. These are dark times we live in.” She reached out to touch his temple briefly, and he let her. It was something to get used to, how much an oracle needs to come in contact with the ones around them. Jack wasn’t bothered much by it at all, but there were some who still were. “There, a little better?”

“Yes, thank
you.”

“You’ve been called to the upcoming battle with the Unseelie?”

“Unfortunately, yes. I fear for Shade, she’s at the pinnacle of it all. Do you think she can finish it?”

Her eyes went pensive, and Jack could feel the stir of her magic in the air. She was the purest soul in the kingdom of
Guildrin, full of natural magic, focused and strong.

“I have strong faith that she will. She’s been through so much already, yet there is so much more to come. She’s the one
, I know it.”

Jack nodded, feeling more assured but still apprehensive as he straightened.
“Thank you. I feel a lot better to hear those words from you. You’ve never steered us wrong.”

“Nothing is
for certain, but Faerie favors her. I’m not sure why, but she’s blessed and will come through for us. Even if it costs her everything. Even her life.”

Jack scratched his head and studied the flickering torches
as they passed. He made his way toward the armory of the underground palace. “I know she won’t let us down. I just hope everyone else doesn’t let her down either. She’s been betrayed and put through a wringer. It can’t be easy. She’s the youngest queen in the history of Faerie. I fear for her life every day.”

Ilarial
’s cool hand on his arm brought his attention back to the oracle. “Just believe, Jack. She needs your sturdy support now more than ever. Your direction and experience will get the army in place to give her what she needs. Don’t underestimate her.”

“I won’t. Thank
you Ilarial.”

The o
racle continued to watch him, extreme concern floating in her gaze. “Jack, can I ask you about Evangeline?”

He halted in his steps but refused to look at
Ilarial, his jaw tensing. “I’ve not spoken of her in a long time. What do you want to know?”

“I sense a shift in her stance with Aveta and Arthas.
When you were together, she was a good friend of mine, too. She may be the leader of the Unseelie Army for now, but I want you to speak with her. Get her alone somehow. She doesn’t want Shade harmed. She sacrificed contact with her only family to keep them safe, and her uncertainty grows as time goes on. If you could persuade her to change sides again, she could help us in so many ways.

Jack struggled to keep his frustration hidden, but he knew
Ilarial was well aware of the broken heart he still held inside from losing Vange all those years ago.

“Is it that necessary? Things between us
were badly severed. Besides, how do you know she feels conflicted?”

“I understand
, Jack. But do try. She was like a sister to me, and I showed her a lot of magic back in those days, linking us forever. That’s how I know she’s having doubts. You never know what may come from your kind words to her. She’s at a critical time in her life, and I know if you speak to her, you—and only you—can bring her back from the Unseelie’s grip. The time is now.”

He nodded, still unconvinced
, but not willing to go against Ilarial’s wishes. She was an oracle for a reason, and not listening to her could spell tragedy. “Very well, Ilarial. I hope I don’t regret this.”

“Thank you, Jack. You won’t.”